#like other night i punched a mirror when i got charged from my dentist from something two years ago with no warning. no notice

[lilgynt]

still sobbing my eyes so never having a weed free night again

[sending-the-message]

A former stalker has been texting me. She's been dead for a year. (Part 7) by Tiro1000

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

I wish I could say that the events of Tuesday were the highlight of my story.

I checked myself into the emergency room the next morning. At both of our insistence, Katie stayed with me the whole time. I’m not sure about her reasons, but I didn’t want her out of my sight. The staff began to protest, but let the subject drop when they realized it would be the only way they would treat me. I’ll save the full details of the visit, but here’s a summary:

My left hand is fucked. They tell me that I might get back full functionality with physical therapy, but they can’t be sure at this point. They had to cut some of the burned tissue from my face. It wasn’t the most pleasant process, but they seem to have it under control now. It’s definitely going to leave a scar. At least it should make for an interesting story. Luckily, the only damage Sean’s punch to my face left can only be fixed by a dentist. They found a contusion at the back of my head, presumably from whatever knocked me out. The doctors don’t think it did any terrible damage, but they gave me a list of things to look out for.

A couple bandages and a cast later, I was set loose. Uncle Rob was waiting for us at the exit. Despite everything, he greeted me with a hug. “You’re alright.” He told me. I don’t think he was expecting to see me like that. It was nice to be around someone who I could count on to stay on my side.

“Uncle Rob,” I said, gesturing to Katie once he let me go, “This is--”

“We’ve met.” He said, holding out his hand for Katie to shake. She did. “How you holding up?”

“Alright. I think.” Katie said shyly.

“Good. I need you both to come with me to the station.”

“That works.” I said, having already known this was coming. “Can’t drive now anyway, pain meds and all.”

“Hold on.” Katie interjected. “Why do I need to go?”

We both looked at her. Uncle Rob was the first to answer. “Because Eric here thinks you have some new information on your sister’s death.” She seemed to pull back at that. I could tell she was scared at the idea.

I put my hand on her shoulder. “Katie, if there’s anything you’ve been hiding, now is the time.” Uncle Rob nodded in agreement. “It’s okay. You can trust us.” She was still hesitant about talking, but she agreed to at least come to the station.

The interview room wasn’t what you’d expect after all of the crime dramas showing the same room. No one way mirror for people to observe behind. It was just a white unadorned room with a desk, some chairs, and a camera in the corner to record the conversations. Uncle Rob had told me to sit tight while they prepare to interview me on what happened. “Just tell them what you told me.” He instructed before leaving. “Tell the truth and stick to the facts.”

I wasn’t waiting too long before the door opened again, in walking Detective Ramirez. Steve Ramirez was another old friend of my dad’s. I’ve met him at family barbecues, and even have played video games with his son from time to time. But he never was close enough to be called an uncle. Regardless, I felt like I could trust him. “Steve.” I said as I shook his hand. “Where’s Uncle Rob?”

“Detective Combs insisted that I be the one to interview you; said this could be related to another case of mine.” He said as he sat across from me, setting a folder on the table.

I nodded. Steve took over for my Uncle Rob when he recused himself from Beth’s case. “I believe it does.”

“Alright then,” he said, “tell me what happened last night.” He took notes as I recounted everything that happened in my apartment, leaving out only the part about Beth saving me. I told him that ‘Mikey’ collapsed to the ground right as he was about to slice my eyes out, and didn’t move after that. “So after you freed yourself, why did you run?”

“I already told you that Sean was going after Katie. I had to get her out of there.”

“So you left because you thought she was in some kind danger?” He asked.

“Yes.” I answered.

“And why do you believe that?”

“Because he killed his other daughter.” I said plainly. This struck a cord with him. He tossed his pen on the table with a sigh, then leaned back. I remembered Uncle Rob telling me to stick to the facts. “At least that’s what I believe. I wanted to prove it, so I asked Katie for help. I think that’s why he came to my apartment, and why he wanted to get to her afterwards.”

“Why do you think he killed his daughter, Eric?” He asked with a stare.

“Something Beth told me.” I answered. “She said that he was abusive, both physically and sexually.” It still wasn’t easy to say it out loud.

“Beth told you that? Beth McDonnell?” He said.

“She did.” I said without elaborating. I hoped he would assume I meant before she died. It seemed to work.

“Why are you saying this now? She died a year ago, Eric, why did you sit on this for so long?” I didn’t answer. I didn’t know how. Steve sighed. “Eric, his alibi checked out. So unless we have reason to believe that not only him, but the people he was with lied to us, there isn’t much we can do there.” He picked up his pen again, making notes. “Regardless, if what you say is true about last night, we have probable cause to charge him with aggravated assault, unlawful imprisonment, and conspiracy to commit murder.”

“You believe me?” I asked, actually surprised.

“As much as I can, Eric. You should have seen the stuff that guy had with him. It was shit straight out of a thriller novel. I’d say you’re lucky you got away.”

I let out a huge sigh of relief. “Thank you, Detective.”

He waved me off casually. “Eric, you’ve never called me Detective. Don’t start today.” I used to dislike the familiarity that the police department has had with me because of my dad. At that time though, I appreciated it.

I nodded. “Thanks Steve. Am I free to go?”

“Technically yes, but I’d like to ask that you stay on the premises while we pull up a warrant and see if we can make an arrest. For your safety.”

“Right.”

“And the autopsy report for your guy should be in soon. I’d like to verify there was no foul play with him before turning you loose.”

“Fair enough.” I got up to leave, then the question came to me. “Are you going to talk to Katie?”

“Is there a reason we should?” Steve asked.

I nodded to him as I stepped into the hall. “If you want to know what really happened to Beth McDonnell, she’s the first person you should ask.”

“Eric, we’ve already talked to her. If she has any new information, she needs to come to us.”

“Alright.” I said. “Leave that to me.”

I found Katie in the back lot, taking a long drag from a cigarette. “I didn’t know you smoked.” I said to her as I approached.

“Started last year.” She said. “Had to keep it a secret. Dad would have killed me if he--” She stopped herself. “Sorry. Poor choice of words.”

“It’s alright.” We stood there in silence for a moment as she continued to smoke. She seemed nervous, taking long sucking drags. “Katie...”

“You want me to talk to them, don’t you?” She said without looking at me.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because there’s something you haven’t told me. Something you haven’t told anyone. I can tell.”

She took a deep shuddering breath. I could tell this was weighing on her. She looked on the verge of tears. “Is this what Beth wants you to tell me?”

I wasn’t expecting that. “What?”

“I know she’s here, Eric! I heard her voice when you came to get me. She told me to go with you. I’ve felt her this whole time.”

I was at a loss for words. Should I tell her? I put my hand on her shoulder. “I think she wants you to do the right thing.” I said gently.

I could see her lip quiver as she held herself together. She dropped her cigarette, smothering it out with her foot. “Alright,” she said as her voice cracked, “I’ll talk to them.”

Beth: You did great.

I chuckled to myself.

Me: In the interrogation room? Or with Katie?

Beth: Both.

This was the first chance I had all day to talk to Beth. After our... moment, I submitted the last part, then we told each other goodnight. I had been wanting to talk to her about it, but decided against bringing it up right away. I had also elected to keep our conversation to texting. I didn’t think me having a conversation with a phone would have gone over so well in the break room.

Me: About last night...

Beth: Yes?

I imagined a sultry teasing voice in my head. I began to ask about it before a knock on the door interrupted my typing. I turned to see Uncle Rob standing in the doorway. “Hey.” I said.

“Hey Eric. I have something to show you.” Before I could even raise my eyebrow in question, he was already walking down the hall. I followed him down to a side room by the interview rooms. Steve was waiting for us. He nodded to me as he opened the door. I hesitantly followed them inside. There were multiple monitors set up, showing the different interview rooms. The other side of the one way mirror.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“You need to see this.” Steve answered. He clicked play for one of the monitors. It showed Katie sitting in the interview room, talking with Steve. The date and time showed that this was recorded the same day.

“I knew there was something going on between them,” Katie said with a shaky voice, “but I was always too afraid to ask.”

“Afraid of what?” Steve asked.

“Of getting involved.” She said. “I saw the way he looked at her, but he didn’t pay any attention to me. I thought if I left them alone, it would stay that way.” She shuddered. “I hated myself so much for thinking that, especially after...” She started weeping. Steve reached over to put his hand on her forearm. He handed her a tissue, and after a moment she composed herself. “Sorry.” She said.

“It’s alright.” Steve told her. “And after she died? Did he ever...”

She shook her head. “No. I’ve caught him looking at me, but he never tried.”

Steve nodded, giving her a moment. I looked over at the two detectives next to me, who were watching the recording intently. “Should I be watching this? Isn’t this against--”

“Quiet.” Uncle Rob cut me off. I complied, turning back to the screen.

“Is there something else you wanted to tell us?” The Steve on the screen asked.

She looked nervous, like there was something she wanted to get off her chest but was too scared to. “My parents... They told you they stayed at a friend’s house that night.”

Steve nodded, checking the notes. “Yes. They said they had too much to drink after dinner.”

“I called her that night.” Katie closed her eyes, going over that last hurdle. “My parents were home.”

I could see the shock in Steve’s face on the screen. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “I heard my dad talking in the background. I think it’s why she didn’t want me to come home.”

Steve paused the recording. Both he and Uncle Rob had wide grins on their faces. “We’re reopening the case.”

“Holy shit.” I muttered as I stared at the screen. Then it hit me. “Holy shit!”

Uncle Rob brought me back to the break room for some coffee. We were both excited about Beth’s case being reopened, but he knew he had a long night ahead of him. Word had gotten back that the officers who went to Seans’s house found it abandoned. Uncle Rob wasn’t surprised. He expected Sean to run. “We’re arranging protective details for both you and Kaitlyn.”

“Fair enough.” I said.

“Eric.” Uncle Rob said as he put a hand on my shoulder. “I want you to reconsider your career path.”

I scoffed. “This again?”

He nodded. “Eric, you came to me to ask about this case because of a gut feeling. Then you talked to a potential witness. Then you sacrificed greatly to rescue her.” He set his coffee down and put his other hand on my other shoulder, turning me to face him. “Eric, you reopened a year old case! Screw your other job, this is where you belong!” I didn’t do it alone though. I had a partner from the other side. Regardless, I was for once considering it.

But there was something bothering me. I pulled away from him. This elephant had been following me room to room since the day I read the report. “Uncle Rob?”

“What is it?” He asked.

“I’m going to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me.” My phone vibrated in my pocket, but I decided to ignore it for the moment.

“Alright.” He said, his expression concerned.

My phone vibrated again. Must have been important. I pulled it up to check as I asked. “On the autopsy report for Beth. It said she was...” I trailed off as I read the text, my heart stopping.

Beth: SHE’S GONE!

My eyes went wide. “Where is Katie!?” I asked frantically.

His concern grew. “Last I checked, outside having a cigarette.” I bolted past him into the hall. “Eric!” He called after me. I sprinted down the hall to the back exit, shoving the door to the back lot open.

The officer outside the door looked surprised. “I gotta go.” He said into his cell phone. “Everything alright sir?” He asked me.

“Where is she!?”

“Excuse me?” He asked.

I moved past him. “Katie!” I shouted. I frantically checked around the lot, but no one else was there. I looked back and saw Uncle Rob exit the building. “She’s gone!” I told him.

His eyes went wide. He looked to the officer who was on his phone. “Where’s the fucking witness, Jenkins!?” The officer was speechless, so Uncle Rob answered for him. “Get inside, tell the chief to lock down the building! We need to find her!”

“Right!” Jenkins said as he went back inside.

“She’s not here!” A voice yelled from my pocket. I pulled my phone out. A look of utter confusion was on Uncle Rob’s face.

“Beth, do you know where she is?” I asked the phone.

“Yes.” She said. “It was Andrew. They’re driving east.”

“GOD FUCKING DAMN IT!” I shouted.

“What the fuck is this!?” Uncle Rob asked with astonishment.

“No time to explain, we have to go! Now!”

He considered for only a moment. “Fuck. Let’s go.”

“Dispatch, One-David-Five. We are responding to a Two-Oh-Seven in progress. We have reason to believe the suspect is heading eastbound on Elverta Avenue.” I only understood half of that, but I got the gist.

“Ten-Four One-David-Five.” The dispatcher’s voice said over the radio. We sped down the road, sirens blaring, red and blue lights reflecting off the dark street.

“Beth, do you still have them?” I asked.

“Yes, take the next left.”

“Next left.” Uncle Rob repeated. “After this is done, we need to have a long talk!”

“Noted.”

“Open the glove box.” He instructed.

I did as I was told. Inside the glove box was a pistol. “What is this?”

“It’s a gun Eric. I think you know how to use it.” I was starting to wonder if Uncle Rob was a great cop or a terrible cop.

“I don’t know about this.” I told him.

“If things get ugly, I don’t want you unarmed.”

“Right.” Beth said.

“Why are you agreeing with--”

“NO! TURN RIGHT!”

“Shit!” Rob exclaimed as he made a sharp right turn.

Deciding it was a terrible time to argue, I grabbed the pistol and checked the safety. “Beth, how close are we?”

“Should be coming up... Oh shit! I lost them!”

“What do you mean you lost them!?” I asked her.

“I can’t see them, Eric!”

“Where did you see them last?”

She didn’t answer for a moment. “Two intersections ahead, they made a right.” I looked where she said.

“Franklin Cemetery?” That was where Beth was buried.

“Is that what it is?” She asked.

“Yeah.” I replied. “You can’t see it?”

“No... It’s a white blur. Like the church.”

“Hey!” Uncle Rob snapped. “This is all very fascinating, but we’re a little busy right now!” I quickly nodded.

As soon as we made the turn, the default synthetic voice came up. “Eric, I can’t go in. I’m stuck outside. Be careful!”

“Shit...” I muttered. We traveled up the dark winding road through the cemetery. I was nervous. It was dark. I didn’t have Beth to help me. I was afraid we already lost Katie.

And then we saw them. A white van stopped on the side of the road with a green sedan next to it. Uncle rob slowed the car, pulling his radio up. “Dispatch, One-David-Five. I’m 10-97 at Franklin Cemetery with a white Ford cargo van and a blue Saturn sedan. Eleven-Ninety-Six, please send backup.” As we stopped, the back door of the van opened. Out came Sean fucking McDonnell. “Shit!” Uncle Rob muttered as he stopped. “Stay low and stay behind the door. Come on!” He opened his door, ducking behind it for cover. I did the same. “Police!” He yelled. “Show me your hands!”

Sean slowly raised his hands above his head as he turned. The surprise on his face was mild at best. He looked more annoyed than anything. “Take three steps forward, and turn around.” Uncle Rob commanded. Sean did exactly as was told. “Get on your knees, and put your hands on your head!” When Sean complied, Uncle Rob stepped out from behind the door and approached Sean; his gun trained the whole time.

Something felt wrong. “Uncle Rob.” I said.

“Eric, focus! Keep an eye out for me, watch my back!”

“Oh,” Sean said smugly, “Eric’s here?”

“Shut up!” He snapped as he grabbed Sean’s wrist. “Sean McDonnell, I’m placing you under arrest for the kidnapping--”

“Uncle Rob!” I shouted as I felt something cold and firm press against the back of my head.

“Don’t move.” A familiar voice behind me ordered. Andrew.

Uncle Rob turned to look at me, face pale. We locked eyes for just a moment before Sean grabbed his wrist and pulled it up. Before I could process anything, Sean had pulled a gun and fired two shots into Uncle Rob’s torso. In the span of a breath, Uncle Rob was on the ground.

“What the fuck are you doing?!” Andrew yelled from behind me.

“We need to go. Take care of yours.” Sean answered as he pointed his gun at Uncle Rob to finish him off. I didn’t have time to think before acting. I jabbed hard behind me with my elbow, pain shooting up my arm as I hit something. Andrew gagged with pain as I brought my pistol up and fired at Sean. I didn’t hit him, but he did scramble into the van. The tires screeched as he pulled away. I turned around, but didn’t see Andrew. By the time I turned again, the van was out of sight.

I reached inside Uncle Rob’s car, grabbing the radio. “Officer down! Franklin Cemetery!” I then ran over to Uncle Rob. He was alive, thankfully. He clenched two spots on his lower chest and abdomen, blood seeping through his fingers. With shaky hands, I tried to take over. He stopped me.

“Go!” He said. “Go after him!” He gestured with his head toward the row of graves to our left. I muttered a curse as I left him there to find Andrew.

I walked down the rows and rows of graves. The ground was dark, only lit dimly by the crescent moon in the sky. This was a terrible idea, and I wanted to go back to help Uncle Rob. But something was urging me on, pulling me. I followed the feeling until it tugged at me, like it was trying to pull me into the ground. I looked down and saw a grave lit in the moonlight with a fresh red rose on it. Bethany McDonnell. “Oh god.” I muttered.

“Drop the gun.” A shaky voice said behind me with a click. With a shuddered sigh I complied, dropping it. “Turn around.” I raised my hands over my head, slowly turning. I was met with a barrel being pointed at my forehead. It was hard to see the man behind the gun, but I knew it was Andrew. He took a hard breath. “I don’t want to do this.”

“It’s okay.” I told him. “You don’t have to do anything.” I sounded calm, but it was false. I was shaking.

“I’m sorry.” He said. Once again, I thought to myself ‘this is it.’ Then we heard the wail of sirens in the distance. “Shit...” He said.

I used the moment of distraction to tackle the man. We both fell to the ground, me on top of him. He grabbed at my face as I punched him. He brought his gun up, and I slammed his arm down right as it went off. The sound was deafening and left my ears ringing as we struggled. I slammed my cast down on his wrist as hard as I could until the gun slipped from his hand. My jaw shocked with pain as he got a punch in. He then rolled us over, with him on top. I blocked his few attempts to hit me in the face, and quickly brought my knee up into his groin. He was stunned, and I took the opportunity to throw him off me.

I looked around quickly and saw the glint of my gun on the ground. I leapt for it. As soon as it was in my hand, I rolled onto my back and aimed at him. Both of our guns went off at the same time. I heard a muffled ceramic crack as the bullet whizzed past my head into Beth’s tombstone, and I saw Andrew fall.

My arms fell to my side and I inhaled heavily to catch my breath as the sirens drew closer.

Me, Steve, and what must have been the entire Police force waited in dreadful anticipation at the hospital. The last we heard, Uncle Rob was being rushed into surgery; his condition critical. Beth was hysterical when she saw me. Aside from telling her I was okay, I didn’t say anything else. I could feel her though, by my side as I waited.

I saw Steve walk over to me, taking the seat next to mine. “How you holding up?” He asked. It was a good question. Earlier that day, I had been ready to turn down yet another one of Uncle Rob’s attempts to get me to be a cop. Over the past week, I just wanted to ask him about the pregnancy. I had betrayed his trust and took a police report without asking. I went to him because I thought he could help me. I used him, I took him for granted. And now, I wasn’t even sure if I could talk to him again. It’s funny how you don’t realize how important some things are until you are on the verge of losing them. I didn’t know that I cared this much about him. I realized as I waited, that Uncle Rob was the father I didn’t have since my dad died.

“Pretty shitty actually.” I said with a tearful chuckle.

Steve put his hand on my shoulder. “He’ll pull through.” We waited for what must have been hours before the surgeon stepped into the waiting area. Uncle Rob made it. A sense of relief washed over the room as the cops celebrated and comforted each other. A few of them hugged. I had asked if I could go see him. They allowed it, but informed me that they were keeping him under until his condition stabilized more.

It was heart wrenching seeing him in that bed, hooked up to cables, iv lines, and tubes. Beth and I sat there in silence for a moment, until I told him I was sorry; for everything. I promised him that if he pulled through, I would apply for the academy. And I promised him I would catch the bastard who did this.

“How is he?” Steve asked as I stepped back into the waiting room.

“Resting.” I said as an exaggeration. “Anything new from...”

“No.” He said. “We put an APB on the van, but nothing has turned up. I’m going to make an official statement to the press tomorrow morning, try to get the public’s help.”

I nodded. “What about Andrew?” Andrew was taken into custody and was now being treated for a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Despite the blatant violation of many regulations, Steve congratulated me on a good shot. I aimed for his head.

“He’s not talking to us.” He said with a sigh.

“Let me try.” I said.

He stared at me, then scoffed with a shake of his head. “I’m not your Uncle, Eric. I’d like to see you become a cop too, but I’m not going to play fast and loose with protocol to get you interested.”

“This isn’t about that.” I told him. “Every second we waste, Sean McDonnell gets farther and farther away; along with our chances of ever getting Kaitlyn back alive.”

He held his stare. I could tell that he really didn’t want to do this. “Come on.” He said. “But this is the only time.”

“You have ten minutes.” He told me as the closed the door behind me. The room was emptied out with the exception of a single gurney. The red haired man stared up at me in terror as I approached him, struggling against his restraints.

“Don’t worry,” I said to him in spite, “I’m not a murderer.”

“I didn’t kill anyone!” He said.

“Yeah? You think the crowd of cops out there are going to give a shit that you didn’t pull the trigger?” He cringed at the statement. “We’re going to find Sean with or without your help, and your only chance is to help us.”

“Fat chance.” He said. “He’s probably switched cars again twice since you shot me. You’ll never see him again.”

My phone vibrated as he spoke. I checked it.

Beth: Let me talk to him.

I sighed as I read the message. Part of me thought it was a terrible idea, but we were running out of time. I pulled the phone off silence, then held it up to him. “Andrew.” Her voice said. “It’s Beth.”

His eyes went wide for a moment, then he laughed. “What the fuck is this!? A fucking joke!?”

“My dad brought you over for your seventeenth birthday.” She recounted. “As a present, he was going to let you have your way with me. You’re the only one who’s ever refused.” His eyes went wide again as she continued. My heart sank as she told the story. “Instead, we spent the night playing video games in my room. You were kind. I know despite what my father has taught you, part of you wants to do the right thing. Andrew, do the right thing now.”

“Why did he do that for you?” I asked, hoping to get him to open up about something.

He remained silent for a moment as guilt clawed at his throat. “He’s my father.” He said with shuddered words. “It’s the only reason why I learned anything from him.” I gave him a moment to gather himself.

“What did you learn from him?” I asked.

“How to make people disappear. It’s what he and Mikey did together. He would help the living disappear, and Mikey would...”

“Mikey would help the dead disappear.” I finished for him.

He nodded, waiting a moment before continuing. “I was supposed to bring Kaitlyn to the cemetery. I don’t know why we were meeting there, but Margaret insisted.” Beth’s mother. Fuck. She was in on it. “He always listens to her, says she knows how to get out of any situation.”

“Where did they take her?” I asked. He didn’t answer.

“Andrew,” Beth said, “You know that if we don’t take her away, he’ll do the same things to her that he did to me. Or worse.”

He took a deep breath and nodded. “He said we were going to a cabin in the mountains. Wait out the storm until they could safely move somewhere else, as other people.”

“Do you know where this cabin is?” I asked. He shook his head.

“Thank you, Andrew.” Beth said. “You did the right thing. Let’s go, Eric.”

I wanted to tell him that I didn’t forgive him for what he did. I wanted to tell him that I still wanted him dead for what happened to Uncle Rob. “Tell the detective everything you told me.”

“I will.” He said as he laid back in the bed.

Steve was surprised to see me step out of the room before the time was up. “So?” He asked.

“He should be willing to talk now. Sean took Kaitlyn to a cabin in the mountains. He doesn’t know where it is though.”

Steve grinned and slapped me on the back. “It’s more than we had before. One of these days, you’ll have to tell me your secret.”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I did.” I waited until Steve had gone into the room before leaving down the hall. “Beth,” I said, “do you know where the cabin is.”

“I do.” She answered.

I caught myself smiling. She's the best. “Let’s go get your sister.”

Over the past few days, the news has been talking about Uncle Rob and Sean. Police forces around the state have been searching for him, and some even over the state line. The patrols in this town have increased significantly from what I imagine. Beth says that the trek out to Sean’s cabin should take just over an hour from where we are now. Tonight is the night. Either I will get Kaitlyn to safety, or I will die trying and join Beth in the next life. If you hear from me again, you’ll know which one has happened.

I don’t know anything about those of you who have been reading my story. How many of you believe in a life after death, how many of you believe in a god. If you do, please pray for us. Pray for my Uncle Rob. Pray for Kaitlyn McDonnell. Pray for Beth.

I don’t know what I’m walking into. For all I know I am outnumbered and out-gunned. The odds may be unanimously stacked against me. All I have is a seventy year old gun and a ghost who won’t let anything bad happen to me. Beth is adamant that nothing will keep her away. I have my stalker by my side. Wish us luck.