Stories

A soft knocking echoed, a gentle but insistent sound/ Wade hesitated, realizing the locked door between him and his sister Skye. She demanded her underwear back. He slid it through the narrow gap at the bottom of the door. Skye's footsteps retreated. He sank onto his bed and fell asleep.

- - -

It was the second day of his new existence. It began with a keen sense of isolation. Despite the superficial routines of family life, each interaction felt like a performance, a role he played without any genuine emotional connection. The family that surrounded him—Skye, Mr. Raven, and the rest—were like characters in a play he'd been unwittingly cast. He recognized their faces, knew their names, and understood their relationship to him in this new reality, but there was no warmth, no bond to tie him to these people who were, by all appearances, his family.

At breakfast, the casual chatter and the clinking of dishes were ambient noises to Wade, not dissimilar to a radio playing in the background. He responded when spoken to and smiled when appropriate, but his thoughts were elsewhere. His impulses to search for answers in the dead of night were not reckless acts of a boy trying to find his place but desperate measures.

Unfolding the topmost newspaper at the breakfast table, Wade's eyes immediately sought out the date. "March 4th, 1979, Sunday," it read. The headline caught his attention: "Cedar Valley Gazes in Awe: A Spectacular Eclipse Unites the Town." The irony of the headline wasn't lost on him, considering the events that unfolded under the cover of the same eclipse.

As Wade attempted to immerse himself in the newspaper article, he couldn't help but notice Skye's demeanor across the kitchen table. Her face was tainted by a hint of annoyance directed unmistakably towards him. The incident from the previous night, involving the mishap with her undergarments, clearly hadn't been forgotten or forgiven.

Skye's occasional glances, laden with irritation. Wade, cautiously ventured, "About last night, Skye... I'm really sorry." His apology, sincere yet tentative

Skye's response was a curt nod, her annoyance still simmering but tempered.

Mr. Raven, oblivious to the silent exchanges between Wade and Skye, casually inquired, "So, what was all that commotion?"

Skye, quick to deflect and eager to avoid delving into the embarrassing incident, swiftly interjected dismissively, "Oh, it was nothing, Dad. Just a little mix-up. It's all sorted now." Her tone was a mix of nonchalance and a subtle warning glance toward Wade, signaling him to play along and not delve deeper into the matter in front of their father.

Wade caught the hint and nodded in agreement, adding nothing further to the conversation. The topic was dropped as quickly as it was brought up.

Skye excitedly chatted about a book club meeting she would be attending with her friend Melissa. Wade nodded and half-smiled, playing his part. It wasn't but maybe 20 minutes later that the familiar voice of Melissa announced her presence. Skye let her in.

Melissa enthusiastically greeted Skye, "Hey, Bestie."

"Mel." Skye addressed her cordially.

"Did they find them?" Melissa whipped in a low but audible tone.

Skye glanced sharply at Melissa, her tone a mix of annoyance and caution. "Mel, not here," she hissed, eyeing Wade and their dad at the table. 

"Oops, sorry," Melissa said, a bit too loud

Wade pretended not to notice, keeping his expression neutral, while Mr. Raven was lost in the world of Sunday comics, chuckling at Garfield's latest antics. 

As Skye left with Melissa, they whispered conspiratorly. 

"See you later Dad!" Skye shouted. 

"Take care!" Melissa's voice rang out, a bit too cheerfully, as they left.

"See ya, honey," Mr. Raven responded, still engrossed in his comics, his attention unfazed by the departure.

After a moment, Mr. Raven turned to Wade, a shift in the atmosphere. "Alright, champ, time to tackle that snow," he said, gesturing towards the door with a sense of purpose that marked the end of their relaxed morning.

Outside, the world was muted under the snow. Mr. Raven began to shovel with a steady rhythm, the scrape of metal against concrete a constant backdrop. Wade followed suit, the physical exertion a welcome distraction from the relentless churn of his thoughts.

As Mr. Raven's hand connected with Wade's back in a well-meant but firm clap, Wade couldn't help the involuntary twitch of irritation that shot through him. The smile he mustered felt more like a grimace, and he nodded, trying to appear grateful for the acknowledgment.

'Great, the ceremonial backslap,' Wade thought, a hint of annoyance prickling at the back of his mind. 'Because nothing says "good job" like a surprise thwack to your spine. As if shoveling snow was some kind of bonding experience worthy of physical accolades.'

Despite his efforts to suppress it, the irritation was like a pebble in his shoe, small but persistent. Wade reminded himself that Mr. Raven's intentions were good, that this was just another one of those typical gestures he was supposed to appreciate. But understanding the intent didn't quite erase the annoyance.

'Just a friendly pat, nothing more,' he reasoned with himself, trying to shake off the lingering annoyance. 'No need to make a mountain out of a molehill. Just keep nodding and move on.' Despite his internal pep talk, Wade couldn't deny the flicker of relief he felt as they moved away from the moment, eager to leave the minor irritation behind and focus on what came next.

Once they finished shoveling snow, Mr. Raven looked over the clean driveway with a nod of approval. Turning to Wade, he said, "There are a couple of things inside that need doing."

"How about you tackle the dishes and take out the trash? I'll handle the vacuuming," Mr. Raven suggested, already heading towards the house to grab the vacuum cleaner.

The morning was waning when they heard the knock. Initially soft but persistent, it quickly grew in insistence, a stark contrast to the peaceful rhythm of their chores. Exchanging a glance with Mr. Raven, Wade felt a knot tighten in his stomach. Could this be the moment he had been dreading? Are the police showing up for questioning?

Mr. Raven wiped his hands on a rag and moved towards the door, with Wade trailing behind. His mind raced with possible scenarios. As the door swung open, revealing two uniformed officers on their doorstep, Wade's heart skipped a beat. The police presence confirmed his fears. The events he'd been a part of, willingly or not, had escalated to a point of no return.

"Good afternoon, sir," one of the officers began, his tone polite but firm. "We're here to ask a few questions regarding a missing boy. His name is Dexter Moore. He was last seen at the observatory right before the eclipse. We have reason to believe your son might have been with him last. Is that correct?" the officer asked, his gaze shifting between Mr. Raven and Wade." Wade felt a momentary jolt of unease at the mention of the eclipse.

Mr. Raven's brows furrowed in concern, a mix of confusion and worry crossing his features. "Yes, Wade and Dexter were together."

The officer gestured toward the door. "Can we come in and speak with you both?"

Mr Raven nodded and stepped aside to let the officers in. Everyone sat in the living room except one officer, who had to stand since there was nowhere to sit. All eyes turned to Wade, who felt the weight of the moment settle upon him. He had to be cautious, ensuring his narrative fit the timeline without incriminating himself or arousing further suspicion. Swallowing his fear, Wade adopted an expression of innocent confusion as if he were struggling to piece together the previous afternoon's events. "Yeah, I was with Dexter at the eclipse," he began, his voice deliberately shaky, embodying the bewildered child he was pretending to be. "We were just hanging out."

The officers listened intently, prompting Wade to continue. Wade gathered his thoughts, weaving in elements of truth to lend credibility to his story. "There were lots of kids around, and someone suggested playing hide-and-seek in the woods nearby. It seemed like a fun way to pass the time before the eclipse," he explained in his narrative, painting a picture of an innocuous afternoon among children.

"Dexter was really into the game. He... said he found a great hiding spot and ran off. I looked for him for a bit, but then I lost track of time because of the eclipse. It was all so... exciting, I guess," Wade continued, his details sparse yet plausible, depicting the disarray and distraction such an event might cause.

The officers nodded, making notes. "And after the eclipse?" one inquired, seeking to piece together the timeline.

Wade hesitated for a brief moment before responding, "After the eclipse, I couldn't find Dexter. I thought maybe he went home or found some other friends. So, I went back to my dad. I didn't see Dexter after that," he concluded, his account blending innocence with a hint of regret for not keeping better track of his friend.

The officers seemed to consider Wade's words carefully, their expressions unreadable. "Thank you, Chris. We appreciate you sharing this with us. It's important we gather as much information as possible," one officer said kindly, offering a card to Mr. Raven. "If anything else comes to mind, please don't hesitate to contact us."

As the officers departed, the atmosphere in the room shifted from tense to somber. Mr. Raven looked at Wade, a mixture of relief and lingering worry in his gaze. "You did well, Wade. But remember, if you think of anything else, anything at all, it's important to let the police know," he said, the protective concern of a parent evident in his voice.

As the interview ended and the officers left, Mr. Raven turned to Wade with concern. "They'll do everything they can to find him," he said firmly. Wade nodded, a heavy weight on his shoulders as he considered the potential consequences of their actions that night. 

"I understand," Wade replied, his voice steady, maintaining his role. He used the pretense of missing his friend to go to his room.

In the quiet of his room, Wade replayed the interview in his mind, scrutinizing every detail of his story for potential flaws. His narrative had been carefully constructed, a blend of truth and omission designed to shield him from suspicion. But it was a double-edged sword. It provided a framework for his alibi but also tethered him to the moment of Dexter's disappearance, a link that those robed people could find.

It was late afternoon when Skye returned home, her arrival marked by the sound of the front door closing. Mr. Raven was watching TV. Wade emerged from his room, curiosity piqued about her so-called "book club" meeting with Melissa. The casual way she dropped her bag and kicked off her shoes betrayed nothing unusual, but Wade was unconvinced. "Hey, how was the book club?" Wade asked, trying to sound casual as he leaned over the railing. 

Skye paused, looking up with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh, it was fine. Lots of reading, as usual," she replied, her tone light but guarded. 

Wade nodded, noting the evasiveness in her response. Skye casually inquired about Wade's day with a practiced ease that suggested a day just like any other. "So, how was your day?" she asked a hint of nonchalance in her voice. 

"The police stopped by today." Wade simply answered.

Her reaction was immediate and carefully measured, with a slight narrowing of her eyes and a brief pause before she responded. "The police? Here? What for?" she asked, her voice laced with a well-practiced note of surprise.

Wade walked down the stairs to meet her.

Wade noticed. He pressed on, embellishing his account with a touch of fabricated worry that he hoped would elicit a more genuine response from her. "Yeah, they were asking about Dexter. He's missing. It's kinda scary, you know?"

He let his voice trail off, injecting a hint of vulnerability into his tone. His eyes were fixed on Skye to gauge her reaction. For a moment, there was a flicker of something—concern, perhaps, or maybe something more calculated—before she schooled her features back into an expression of sisterly empathy.

Skye's eyes flickered a subtle but telling reaction. "I see. And what did you tell them?" Her question was casual, but the intensity behind her gaze belied her true interest. 

"Just that we got separated during the eclipse. That I didn't see him after." He kept his response vague, testing the waters.

Skye nodded, her expression carefully neutral, but there was a calculated aspect to her composure. "Well, that's...terrible. I'm sure the police are doing all they can," she said, her tone a little too even, a bit too controlled.

The conversation moved on, but the exchange had cemented Wade's suspicions. Being a theatre kid was coming in quite handy. Skye had retreated to her room. Mr. Raven was settled in front of the TV, engrossed in the evening news, providing Wade with the perfect cover for his next move. 

He stepped off the plush yellow shag carpet into the kitchen; the familiar avocado-green appliances greeted him. Delving into the drawers, Wade's fingers brushed past various utensils before securing a box of matches, His hand closed around a box of matches, a small but essential find. A cautious glance over his shoulder confirmed he was still alone before he also secured a kitchen knife.

Wade didn't stop there. He quickly gathered some non-perishable food from the pantry—items that wouldn't draw immediate attention if missed. The newspaper from that morning was still sprawled on the kitchen table. He folded it neatly and tucked it under his arm along with the food, matches, and knife. 

With everything gathered, Wade went upstairs to his room, careful not to draw attention from Mr. Raven. The TV's murmur provided a comforting background noise, masking any sounds of Wade's movements. Once inside his room, he swiftly added the new items to his bug-out bag.

After securing the kitchen essentials, Wade paused at the foot of the stairs, listening for any indication that Skye or Mr. Raven might disrupt his clandestine preparations. Hearing nothing but the low hum of the television from the living room, he made a beeline for the upstairs bathroom. Inside, he efficiently scanned the shelves and cabinets, searching for anything that might prove essential in a pinch.

He found a small first-aid kit tucked away behind some towels—a lucky find that brought a brief, satisfied nod. He opened it to check the contents, finding an assortment of band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and a small gauze roll. Perfect for basic medical needs. Next to the kit, he spotted a bottle of ibuprofen,

Wade also grabbed a few travel-sized toiletries—soap, a toothbrush, and toothpaste—knowing the importance of maintaining hygiene even in less-than-ideal circumstances. With his arms full of his gathered goods, he carefully returned to his room, keen to avoid any noise that might draw attention.

Once back in the sanctuary of his room, Wade meticulously packed the medical supplies and toiletries into his bug-out bag, arranging them alongside the food, matches, knife, and newspaper. Each item was placed with consideration, ensuring that everything was accessible and the bag's weight remained manageable.