Best Served Cold

Day 5: Confrontation

Note: Characters belong to to MysteryBen and Artsy.

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             “Let’s see how that take went.” Arthur hit the stop button on his camera, flipped it around, and started the tape.

             “I, Arthur Rebbs, being of sound mind and body, do hereby designate the following possessions to the following people in the event of my death.” His voice sounded thin and hollow, even to him. He hoped it was passable enough that nobody would question the “Sound mind” bit. He’d showered and washed his face enough to put a little life back into his expression to support “Sound body.”

             He muttered to himself just over the recording, “Parents get all my worldly possessions, bla bla bla bla long list… Vivi is sole beneficiary of my robotics patents bla bla bla on condition of taking care of Mystery which won’t be a problem bla bla bla… and good.”

             He’d spent most of the day upon waking up coming up with a list of almost everything he owned. He had the feeling he couldn’t just give a general guideline as to who got what, he had to be detailed. He researched the legal name of every patent he’d filed, including the ones still pending, and listed out the ones he’d planned to file. He’d recorded a side video instructing Vivi how to file those, and then gone through his whole house cataloging anything worth keeping and sending to his parents. No siblings, so no other division necessary. They were well off and didn’t need his patents, but they’d help Vivi, maybe even give her more time to follow her passion.

            The best thing he could offer Mystery was someone else to look after, which was why he’d offered Mystery to Vivi. He glanced down. The dog hadn’t moved farther than three feet from him all day. He’d have to have a discussion with Mystery about personal space in two days. No way was he having Mystery up and attack Lewis—if he could do that—on his behalf.

             His phone vibrated again, but he ignored it. Vivi had taken to calling him every hour on the hour, but there wasn’t anything more to say to her. Every time he considered going over, he would be sharply reminded that at this point, all he would be saying would be some variation of “Goodbye.” Vivi was sharp, and Arthur didn’t lie so well. It was better to steer clear.

             Hopefully she won’t come banging on my door again.

            The thought had barely crossed his mind before a furious pounding set up at his front door. He groaned, shutting the video camera and carefully setting it on the worktable. He crossed the room, skirting the leatherbound book that still lay on the floor, and headed out toward the front door.

             Before he could reach the front door, a blue-clad arm reached through the window Mystery had broken and carefully curved toward the front knob, fumbling to unlock it. The door swung open as he hit the middle of the room, revealing five foot four inches of blue, steaming out her ears.

           Unexpectedly, Arthur felt his own emotions begin to simmer.

            “What the hell Vivi?” He demanded. “Who told you you could come barging in?”

             “Arthur what the flea-bells is going on?” Vivi’s voice was low and tight. “What’s come over you? Three-day shut-in, sudden ghost hunt, then you shout at me, then you break down calling yourself a coward,” Arthur stiffened, eyes locked on her, “Then you take a walk and visit Lewis’ grave—have you even been there ONCE since he was buried?—Now you’re arranging your last will and testament! You are going to tell me right now what’s going on!”

           Arthur’s voice was dangerously soft. “How do you know what I was doing?”

             “It doesn’t matter! Arthur, you have to tell me what’s going on. Are you being threatened? Are you going to commit suicide? Are you…” Her eyes fell on the ink smear on the ground. “Are you being haunted by something?”

             “Get out.” Arthur growled. “If you’ve been spying on me you’re not welcome.”

             “How else am I going to find out what’s going on? You tell me! Because you WON’T tell me, and I’m right here waiting! What is it that’s so horrible you won’t open up? You tell me EVERYTHING!”

             “OUT!” Arthur screamed, storming forward. He grabbed Vivi, spinning her around and shoving her toward the door. “How did you find out? How could you possibly…” He stopped, turning on Mystery. The dog’s ears drooped and he slunk back, but Arthur darted forward, scooping the dog up and grabbing his collar. He peered at the new charms hanging there, and his eyes widened.

             “A cam? You BUGGED Mystery? Did you KNOW about this?” He turned the angry question on Mystery, shaking him a little.

            “Don’t hurt Mystery!” Vivi grabbed for the dog, but Arthur rounded on her again.

             “What did you hear?” He felt an unearthly anger rising up in him. “What did you hear Vivi?”

             “Just you calling yourself a coward and spinning out your last will and testament! The cam was too far away from you when you were at the grave, I just saw you talking but I couldn’t hear. Arthur you’re scaring me! I don’t want to lose you, whatever’s going on talk to me, we can work on it together!” She grabbed his arm, pleading.

             Arthur closed his eyes for a moment. He could see himself trapped in a corner of the mansion, Lewis hurtling toward him, murder in his skeletal eyes. He could see Vivi, flinging herself in Lewis’ path, and the terror of Lewis giving way to the terror of seeing Vivi killed because of what he’d done.

             He shoved Mystery into her arms, forcing her to let go to catch the dog. He pushed her the rest of the way out. “Take the traitor dog,” He muttered. “You had no right Vivi. Don’t come back. I’m sick of you pestering me. No, I’m not going to commit suicide so don’t bother calling the police, but this was not okay. When I’m ready to talk I’ll come to you, and until then, stay out of my way.”

             He slammed the door, locking it again.

             “Arth—”

             “And if you come back I’ll call the police on YOU, do you hear me?” He shouted, slamming a fist into the door. “So go!”

             He didn’t hear any footsteps for a moment. He could all but see the hurt on her face, and shook his head to dispel the image. He was doing the right thing.

             Then, her footsteps began moving away. He could hear Mystery whining frantically, but Vivi must have kept a tight hold on him. He could hear her car starting up and pulling away down the street.

             He looked around. The second Vivi dropped her attention, Mystery would be back, and Vivi would use it as an excuse to be back too.

             Was there anything he’d left undone?

             No.

             He turned and headed into his room. Grabbing a large knapsack, he shoved in a blanket, a flashlight, some pens, a notebook, and a radio. He shrugged on an extra heavy jacket and headed for the kitchen, where he grabbed some snacks and a few water bottles. Slinging it over his shoulder, he entered his workshop one last time. He grabbed his camera, and slipped the leatherbound black book into his backpack. Turning, he headed for the front door, depositing the camera on the end-table, just over the scribbled note.

             It wouldn’t matter if she knew at this point. Nobody would know where he was going.

             Nobody but Lewis.

             Taking a deep breath, he opened his door, locked it behind him, and headed for the van. It was going to be a long night of driving.