Chapter Eighteen

Kacey left Ada’s house early in the morning because she had to go to one of her relative’s houses for some kind of celebration. This meant that Ada had to do her makeup and hair for her date with Ewan, which was a bit stressful for her because she wasn’t very good at doing it herself.

Tanya left for work by noon, leaving Ada two hours to get ready. She hurried up and took a shower, being sure to shave every hair on her legs and underarms, and taking extra care of her hair. Ada wrapped her hair in a towel, dried herself, and slipped into her underwear and then her new dress.

Soon she found herself trying to beat the clock as she blow-dried her hair, and styled it in a romantic up-do. Ada French braided her hair on the left side of her head and swept it all into a wispy bun. When she was finally happy with the hairstyle, she continued her makeover by applying makeup, going for something that looked more natural than caked on.

She applied black eyeliner, mascara, and some light-colored brown eye shadow, with some lip gloss. She then finished up by applying her rose-scented perfume.

Looking at the clock, she realized that it was five minutes past two.

That’s odd. Ada thought to herself. Ewan was never late; early or extremely early, yes, but never late. Maybe he got held up doing something for his grandparents or one of his friends?

She sat on the couch in her living room waiting for Ewan to call or text her, or to even just show up on her doorstep. By three, Ada started to become a little worried and began texting and calling him, to which he never responded. When it was five, Ada was furious. She stood up from the couch, determined to walk to Ewan’s house and give her a piece of her mind.

Whether it was innocent or not, Ada deserved an explanation. A boyfriend should not just vanish and ghost you on your birthday, especially not when the two of you had plans!

Walking up to the house, she knocked furiously at the front door. Both of his grandparents stood in the doorway staring in confusion at her presence.

“My word, don’t you look stunning!” Ewan’s grandpa stated at the sight of her. “And smell nice too.” He continued as he hugged her.

Ada felt her face starting to blush and she was a little put off by his touch, as is her new normal. But she knew that Ewan’s grandfather meant well and didn’t know that she was having issues with people touching her.

“Aren’t you with Ewan?” The grandmother questioned in concern as she looked around Ada to see if she could catch a glimpse of him.

“I was actually about to ask if he was here,” Ada responded. “He was supposed to come to get me over three hours ago and never showed up.”

“Oh, dear. He left here at about noon, saying he had to go get something from town and then he would be headed to your house.” The grandfather replied.

Ada stood frozen in the doorway, not knowing what exactly to do at that moment. She knew she had both of them worried now. Why did she come here? She should’ve noticed that his car wasn’t in the driveway when she came up to the house.

“Let me try calling Hal to see if he knows what’s going on before we all get upset,” Ada replied as panic started to rise within her. Stepping away from the doorway, she called Hal.

“Hello?” Hal’s voice sleepily answered.

“Hal, have you heard from Ewan?” Ada questioned.

“Not since earlier today. Why?”

“He never came to get me and his grandparents said he left here at noon.”

“Shit.” Hal retorted with an alarm sounding in his voice.

“What’s the matter?” Ada questioned in panic.

“Shit, this wasn’t supposed to happen.” Hal continued cussing, obviously in a state of terror.

Ada became even more anxious but did her best to appear calm in front of Ewan’s grandparents who were watching her from their doorway. “Hal, what is it?”

“He said he had to go meet his brother at his parents’ house. I don’t think their meeting has gone very well if he hasn’t come to get you.”

“Where do they live?” She questions with anger growing inside her.

"You’re not going there—"

“Hal, tell me where they live right now!” Ada demanded.

“Okay, okay. They live on Maple Road, it’s the only single-wide trailer on the block.”

“If you don’t hear from me in the next two hours, call the police. Got it?”

“I’m not gonna let you go alone!” Hal replied angrily.

“I need you to do this for me. Promise me you will do this.” Ada begged.

“Fine... But I’ll meet you there. I don’t like this one bit. Ewan is gonna kill me if he finds out I let you go by yourself.”

“I think he will be in worse shape if neither of us turns up.”

“I’ll see you there.”

Ada hung up the phone and smiled at Ewan’s grandparents who were still staring at her in worry. “Everything is fine!” Ada lied as she walked towards them. “He is with Hal. Ewan went to help him with a flat tire. Ewan left his phone in the car so he didn’t know anyone was trying to reach him.”

Relief washed over the grandparents. “That’s good to hear. Well, why don’t you stay and wait for Ewan?” The elderly man suggested politely.

“No thank you,” Ada replied smiling. “He said that it will probably take a little longer so he will come to visit me at my house for a few minutes.”

Ewan’s grandmother looked at her curiously. “Well, if you’re sure.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“All right. We will see you later.”

“Bye!” Ada replied, turning to leave. She tried to keep a steady pace in front of his grandparents. As soon as she was out of their sight, she bolted down the road, heading in the direction of Ewan’s parents’ house.

Her mind was reeling.

What is it that she is about to walk into?

What is she going to say when she gets there?

Is Ewan going back to stay with his parents?

Is he dealing again?

Why would he go back there?

After everything that she has learned of Ewan’s mother, father, brother, and cousin, what could he possibly gain from meeting with them?

*************

Ada finds herself standing outside of Ewan’s parents’ house on Maple Road. Her heart is racing as terror starts to sink in. She was beginning to question her sanity, walking into an unknown place with people that have a checkered past and future.

The single-wide mobile home that Ada stood in front of was a startling contrast from Ewan’s grandparents’ house. The home looked to be over 30 years old. The white paint was chipped off with some rust forming around some of the tin that was used on the outside of the house. Staring at this house in the dark gave Ada the creeps as it was a place that has not been taken care of in quite some time. Not only was the mobile home a mess on the outside, but the yard wasn’t any better. The grass was overgrown with beat-up shells of vehicles scattered around.

In the driveway, there were two vehicles. One belonged to Ewan. The one that was parked in front of Ewan’s car was severely damaged. It appeared to still work, but just barely.

At the back of the house stood an old wooden barn that was barely in better shape than the house. You could see that there was a light on through the slats of wood.

Ada thought about bypassing the house and going straight to the barn, but she found that she couldn’t move. She became nauseated by the scene in front of her. The state of the house did frighten her, but she knew that not everyone was fortunate. She found herself mostly alarmed and nauseated because she didn’t know this part of Ewan’s family. So here she is, a complete stranger, walking up to a house to ask if one of the “supposed” occupants was there. This didn’t sit right with Ada.

Mustering up the courage to find her boyfriend, she walked up to the front door and knocked. Bile rose in her throat and her heart was racing, when she heard footsteps approaching from the other side.

A frail woman with thinning dark hair answered the door.

“Can I help you?” Her raspy voice questioned with annoyance. Her face was gaunt and full of wrinkles, her arms and legs were thin with no muscle tone.

Ada was shocked by this woman’s appearance. She had to be the same age as Tanya, but she looked like she could be 60 years old. “Um, sorry to bother you.” She began shyly. “My name is Ada. I’m Ewan’s girlfriend.”

“He’s not here.” She states, starting to close the door.

Ada put her hand on the door to prevent it from being shut on her face. “No, you see, I know that’s a lie because not only is his car here, but his best friend told me that he came here.”

Agitation colored the woman’s face. “Huh... Well, that no good son of mine isn’t here.”

“Then why is his car here?” Ada questioned in determination.

“Who are you talking to, momma?” A man’s voice echoed from behind the woman.

“Just some girl looking for Ewan.” She responded with disgust.

At the woman’s response, the man appeared behind her. “Well, look at what we have here.” He replied with a smirk, looking Ada up and down.

Ada went from feeling complete anger to feeling uncomfortable. The man was looked to be significantly younger than the woman standing in front of him. His head was shaved, his frame was also thin, and he wore baggy clothes.

“Why don’t we invite this young friend of Ewan’s inside?” He suggested while licking his lips.

“Don’t you have something you need to be taking care of, Frank?” His mother questioned angrily.

“It can wait a few more minutes. Jared has it under control” He replied. “Why don’t you come in sweetheart?” He replied with a sickening smirk.

Ada’s heart was racing faster than ever before. She knew she shouldn’t, but what if Ewan was in trouble? She couldn’t leave without knowing where Ewan was or what has happened to him.

Reluctantly, Ada slowly walks through the threshold and was hit by a grotesque stench. The smell was reminiscent of what Jessie at the gas station smelled like. The rundown house was filthy inside. There were piles of useless things cluttering the halls and rooms and trash lined the walls. The place reminded Ada of an episode of “Hoarders.”

The woman and Frank walk into the living area and sit down on a sofa.

“You can take a seat.” The man states as he points at the recliner across from them.

Looking at the chair, she notices some questionable stains that she did not want touching any part of her, so instead, she jumped straight to the point. “Where’s Ewan?”

He smirks. “Why are you worried about him?”

Ada stands with her arms crossed. Anger started to rise within her.

“Fine.” He responds amused. “Ewan has been working for me. The last job I sent him on, he stole from me, so I figured he needed to be taught a lesson.”

“I know he hasn’t been working for you.” Ada retorted. “So where is he?”

“What makes you so sure that he hasn’t been?” He countered, anger building within him and his mother.

Ada blushed.

“Well?”

“Just tell me where my boyfriend is,” Ada demanded.

“Boyfriend?” Frank’s eyebrows rose. “How did my baby brother convince a pretty piece of ass like you to date him?”

Ada’s throat burned. She couldn’t say anything out of fear the vomit that started to rise would escape.

The man’s facial expression contorted as an idea came to his mind. “You know what?” He says standing up. “You want to see Ewan; I’ll take you to him.”

Ada stares at him skeptically.

“Follow me.”

She follows him out the back door of the house and towards the derelict barn in the backyard.

Outside the door of the barn, another man stood smoking a cigarette. “Who is this?” He questioned in alarm and confusion.

“This is Ewan’s girlfriend.” The brother replied with a malicious smile, looking at Ada. “He’s inside.”

She slowly walked past both guys and into the barn. Her heart leaped and horror overcame her when her eyes fell on Ewan.

Sitting in the middle of the floor on a chair with his hands bound behind him, Ewan’s face was bloody, swollen, and beginning to bruise.

“Ewan!?” Ada screams running towards him. Scared for her boyfriend, tears started running down her cheeks as she tried to loosen the ropes that bound his wrists.

“Ada?” His voice was weak. “No. What are you doing here?” He questions. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Well, it is lucky for us that she did turn up.” His brother states coldly as the other guy closes and locks the barn door.