Believers
“It’s ten AM.” Kyle looked up at the light grey haze. He pulled his fishing rod out of the lake’s bank and began reeling in his empty line.
Nick sat staring at the ripples without sound or movement.
“I’m sorry about your sister.” Kyle added as he walked off towards his farm.
Nick watched without thought as the ripples slowly turned back into a smooth unmoving surface. “The life has gone from it”, Nick thought as he raised his eyes towards the far end of the lake.
The night replayed again in his mind.
He sat in the hallway. Staring at the dark stained cedar paneling. He sat on the floor, his right leg outstretched. He examined the top of his worn out school sneakers. “School is finally over.” he thought.
Three days earlier he walked from the playground at Bayfield Elementary. Waving to Tom, Barry, and Kyle. His three best friends in all the world. He had two months of camp outs, look outs, fishing trips, and other stuff. He recalled the groups plans for the week, “Martin’s dad was building a tree house…”
“She did WHAT?!?!?” a scream and interrupted all activity in the house.
Nick jumped up and ran to the living room to see his dad talking to police. His mother pushed past him quickly. “She ran off with Jules.” Nick thought, “That’s why she hasn’t been home for days.”
“Carl what is it.” Sheila pushed past him to confront the police. “No!” she gasped and took two steps back from the door. Quickly she turned to Nick, “Go up to your room and play with something.” “Now!” she added as if punishment would soon follow.
Nick raced up the stairs, pounding them as hard as he could in protest. Just as he slumped into his desk chair crossing his arms to pout, his mother’s wail filled the air.
He raced as fast as he could back to the top of the stairs. He watched as his mother sobbed violently on her knees. One hand tightly grabbing one the officers shirt, the knuckles white from the force. She had pulled the shirt free from it’s uniform tucked in status. Now only the officer’s white undershirt remained tucked in neatly into his pants. With her other white knuckled hand she clutched a photograph to her chest. Nick could only see the white backing, but he knew it was his sister. He became puzzled, “Why is she acting like this, she only ran away.”
Carl looked up at the top of the stairs and saw Nick watching. “Go to your room and close the door.” his voice was slightly annoyed.
Nick retreated beyond the bannister. He entered his room and stood behind the door. He held it open a crack, and listened. He heard nothing but mumbling for hours til at last his body gave out. The adrenaline had left him, he was moved to sleep.