Chapter 80: Communication.

CALEB. The night was silent, and we retired to bed early. We were both exhausted from the last two days. The sun shone brightly on my face the next morning, waking me up with a start. I glanced at my bedside clock. The alarm hadn't gone off yet, and that was because it was still 6:30. 'Can't believe I forgot to lower these nightshade blinds." I cursed under my breath, getting up and going to the bathroom. I was already awake, so there was no going back. 'Kyle!' I yelled from my room. Can't have him slacking. Within seconds, he pounded his fist on my door. 'What do you want?" He yelled. I walked towards the door and opened it. He stood there, obviously annoyed at my depriving him of sleep. 'Haven't slept enough? Come on, let's make breakfast." I brushed past him and walked to the kitchen. He followed. 'You gotta stop doing this, Caleb." He walked over to the sink and washed down a glass of water. I looked at him, somewhat confused. 'Doing what?" 'Stop trying to fit me into your schedule. I've got a life of my own." He muttered. Me: '..." 'If you want that freedom so badly then just get a house, a wife and kids. You don't have a problem when it comes to a job. Your life will automatically return to normal. There's not much stressing it." I said simply, even though I knew it wasn't gonna be that simple. I lifted my gaze to meet his, and we both stared at each other in silence. "Thanks alot." He said, tossing the cup into the sink and walking back to his room. I sighed, feeling a little pang of regret. It wasn't Kyle's fault he was how he was, and I wasn't giving him a break. Then again, if I did, he might end up like the others. I took a shower and decided to catch up on some things at the office. I was knee deep in my work when I got an email from an anonymous sender. 'I have what you're looking for. Meet us at the park tonight. 8pm. Come alone." The email read. I blinked twice, contemplating. I also wondered why the sender didn't use a text message since an email could easily be traced with an IP address. How did whoever it was know me and what I was looking for? I stroked my chin. 'Kyle?" I called out. He appeared behind me within seconds. 'Take a look at this." I showed him the screen. He frowned. 'I received the same message two days ago. How ironic." 'Why didn't you say anything? We could've gone to check it out." 'Because it's obvious. If they have what we want, they're not gonna hand it over that easily. And we're not talking about money. The whole scene looks shady. Besides, how would they know what we want?" He said, shrugging slightly. I'll give it to him, he had a point. 'Unless you wanna try it out then I'll be at home eating churros." He raised his hands up in surrender, backing away. I tossed my shoe at him. He was probably right. Such people need to be followed carefully. But I didn't have time for that. Two months have gone already. Even if Uncle Kelly was putting me on a wild goose chase, I needed to be sure that the scroll wasn't there at all. Otherwise I wouldn't be satisfied. I responded to the email. 'I'll be there." I wasn't leaving any unfortunate stone unturned. I headed out around 3 pm. Aunt Georgina had called me to come and pick her up early. Something about not feeling safe. I decided to turn on the radio as I drove towards the bank. It would be quite a distance, and there was a little traffic on the road. I tuned in to the closest radio station and turned up the volume. It was a news report. 'Another resident has been declared missing after the police conducted a vigilante search of the woods last night. Investigations have gone underway, but with the locals agitated and more people going missing by the minute, how long will they last? This is Melissa McAllen, with this afternoon's news." I paused, remembering the conversation I overheard a few nights ago when I went for a walk. It was in fragments, but it was still clear as day. 'Do you think they'll catch them?" The first man said, shivering in the night's cold. 'What, the werewolves? You really believe in that shit? Come on. Everyone knows these people are just staging this stuff. I bet you everyone who's gone missing will return during, or after the festival." The second man, a lot bigger and probably stronger, replied with a tone of finality. 'I don't think this is one of those Warner, we've seen the videos." 'Anyone could come up with those. It's an act." The conversation faded as I walked farther, but the words stuck. What's with all these incidents and werewolves? I got to the bank sooner than I thought, and Aunt Georgina was waiting for me outside. 'Caleb! What took you so long! I said 3:30pm!" She scolded as soon as she got seated. 'Aunt, it's 3:25. Cut me some slack." I said simply. She smacked my thigh, grumbling slightly. I laughed, and turned back to the road. 'So, where are we going? It's pretty early to be going back home." 'I'm not going to the bar with you Caleb. If anything, take me home so I can make some more chocolate." 'Who said anything about going to a bar? Jeez." Was I that predictable? 'Well, if you wanna take me somewhere, the locals are doing a candle night for Mrs. Parker, the supervisor at the Cuisine. Her body was found last week after she disappeared. I'd like to pay my last respects." Her voice got lighter and lighter with each sentence, and my expression became more serious. 'A candle night? People are going missing and you want to go for a candle night? I'm taking you home." I swerved the car gently, earning a slight glare from her. 'You're the one who asked if I wanted to go anywhere." She muttered. 'Anyways, how is it between you and Helena?" My heart flew into my throat. I hadn't spoken to Helena in almost a week, and part of me was expecting to see her at the bank. But it was early, and she was the manager. I opted for another time. 'I've told you before Aunt. We're just friends." 'You and this friends bullshit. I've seen how you look at her Caleb. Maybe she doesn't feel the same way but have you tried?" I have, and I got her. Then I failed her. She took my silence as disapproval. 'Why don't you just try? I'll set both of you up on a date and-" 'No." I held my hand up. The last thing Helena would want is to be on a coerced date with me on a Friday night. She might hate what was left of me and think I planned it with Aunt Georgina. 'Look. I and Helena have a…. complicated history. I don't want to push anything with her right now. Can you give me a break at least?" I pleaded. I hadn't given up on Helena, but with each passing day I thought, maybe it wasn't meant to be. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier? I knew you both knew each other. Don't worry, I won't pressure anymore okay?" 'Thank you."