Note: Hey guys, I'm really sorry, but this chapter is going to be a little shorter than per usual. I'm slightly sick at the moment, so please forgive me, I promise the next upload will be much longer! Hope you enjoy!
-Melissa. :]
A little over an hour ago John and I were standing at his mother's dug up grave, ransacked by evil. Now, we were sitting at the dinner table. Heaps of food were placed onto our plates, John and my family happily chattering away. Looking up, I noticed my father's eyes drawn to me.
"How are you, honey?" Dad asked all the while shoveling a forkful of spaghetti into his mouth.
"Happy." I laughed, looking around the table as though I didn't catch the real question.
"No," He said placing his fork down, "how was the um- trial? I'm sorry I couldn't make it-"
"Oh that," I said swatting the air, my voice shaking. John dropped his hand to my thigh, allowing me to feed off of his energy, "it went great. We totally nailed them!"
"Yeah, you're mother told me. What did you think of it, John?"
"Sophie did a splendid job, sir." John said and I put my hand under the table, curling my fingers around his.
"Do you think-Ding" Father didn't get a chance to finish his sentence.
"Desserts ready!" Mom chimed, jumping from the table and was a step away from running into the kitchen.
Standing up, I helped gather the dirty dishes and my mother pushed John back into his seat when he offered to help as well. As soon as the table was empty, mother swept in, placing a beautiful pie onto the table. My mouth salivated just looking at the delicious hunk of sugar before us.
"Dig in!" Mom chirped putting a slice of pie onto each of our plates.
After two slices of pie, I felt like another bite would put me over the edge and force me to self detonate. I collapsed into the chair, willing the backrest not to break. Looking around the table I realized I wasn't the only one suffering from overeating. Putting a hand onto my bulging stomach, an involuntary groan escaped my mouth. Everyone stopped talking and turned to look at me.
"That was absolutely delicious, Misses Gram." John said, saving me from any embarrassment.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Mom said smiling. "You should come over for dinner more often, we certainly wouldn't mind."
"Thank you very much for the kind offer." John said, mirroring her smile.
"Oh stop with the formalities." Dad smiled and sat up to take another bite of pie. "We're family, no?"
Finally, after one more slice of pie fell onto our plates, I had to call it quits. Scrambling up from my chair, I gaped as both men ate their slices without a single second wasted.
"I'm going to bed." I said and caught John's eye.
"Once again, thank you very much for inviting me over for such a delicious feast." John said standing up as well.
"You're leaving so soon?" Mom asked watching him.
"I'm sorry, but I still have to review some cases before tomorrow's meeting."
"Oh," Mom's face paled, "of course! Goodness, were we keeping you from your job?"
"Not at all." John laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Tonight was totally better, compared to what I had in mind."
The four of us walked to the door and I watched the two men shake hands. My mother wrapped John up in a hug, making him promise to come back tomorrow, if he wasn't busy. Mom pulled away and grabbed dads hand, forcing him into the kitchen, giving us the illusion of privacy. As soon as we were "alone", because I knew they were eavesdropping, John wrapped a warm arm around my waist and pulled me closer.
"I'll see you in a second." He whispered, his breath a light tickle. Nodding against his chest, I looked up and tried to smile. When I couldn't bear to lie to him, I kissed him on the cheek, his slight beard brushing against my skin. Opening the door, I watched him walk into the night, and then closed it again.
Kissing both of my parents goodnight, I walked to my room and shut the door, clicking the lock into place. Instantly, my eyes found what they were looking for. I picked up the white scrap of paper off the floor, right beside the dress. Picking up the dress as well, I put it back into the box and shoved it underneath my bed. Out of sight, out of mind.
Going to the window, I popped it open, even though the lock was broken. Taking a deep breath of the night air, my senses exploded with warmth. The smell of night lilies, paired with the warm wind blowing against my skin, made my stomach squirm. Just as I stepped away from the window, my pocket vibrated. Taking out the phone, I stared at the screen. 1 New Message- Jenny. Clicking on the message, I watched as a new screen popped up. 4 more days!!!!
Staring at the message, I felt my brows knit. Four more days till what? I hit the 'reply' button and began writing. Four more days till you and Cameron get married!? Hitting the 'send' button, I couldn't help but anticipate the response. I looked up as a soft knocking sound echoed in my room. John had pushed the window up further and was now climbing in, for the second time in the day. Putting the phone onto table, I walked to him. Letting out a deep breath, I handed John the scrap of paper. While taking it from me, he pulled out the one we had found at the cemetery.
"You were right." He said, putting the papers side by side. "The handwriting is identical."
"19 and 45, what do you think it means?" I asked.
"It could be anything. It could the first two digits to a combination or maybe a parking space." John spoke in an analytical voice, meaning it was Lieutenant Foster in my presence. I stared at the two pieces, desperate to see something.
"Could it be a year?" I asked, overlapping the two pieces to making a new number, 1945.
"Yes, it most certainly could." He said and titled his head the side. A few strands of hair fell onto his forehead.
"1945...1945 wasn't that the end of World War II?" I said and then groaned, realizing that the murderer probably wasn't a history buff. I doubt he spent his free time reading up about Franklin D. Roosevelt or Joseph Stalin. John frowned and switched the two scraps of paper, making another number, 4519.
"4519?" I questioned. "Could he be a possible time traveler?" I joked, and noticed a tiny grin form on John's lips.
"Maybe." He mumbled and pocketed both of the papers just as a vibrating buzz filled the air. John reached into his pocket, taking out his phone.
"Foster." John answered. Whatever he was being told, wasn't good. His face hardened within seconds.
"What's the MO?" He asked. "I'll be right there."
"John?" I asked, watching him shove the phone back into his pocket and make for the window.
"There's been another murder." He said letting out a deep breath and grabbed a handful of his soft hair. Staring into his deep blue eyes, I felt the frost settle back onto my heart. I clasped my hands together to stop them from shaking.
"Do you know what happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"A couple was found off the highway." John said purposely without any details. Letting out a deep sigh, I felt the anger course through me. However, this time a hint of hopelessness was in the mix. We had to find the bastard...and soon.
After John left, I took a quick shower and grabbed my phone off of my desk. 4 New Messages. All of them were from Jenny. Ha-ha very funny!...wait, did he say anything to you?! - 4 more days till we get out of the hellhole of all hellholes...a.k.a high school! - Are you with John?- HI JOHN! I texted back Jenny and looked at the clock at my bedside, 9:40. Turning off the lights and settling into bed, I clutched the phone to my chest. Holding onto it, I waited for John to call, to tell me what was going, but he never did. I fell asleep, all the while feeling as though I was being watched.