Strike Two

With Tammy missing, Tim automatically suspects Rod to be the killer due to his newfound psycho attitude. Steve becomes a little bit reclusive though. Also, someone reveals a drastic secret

Chapter XI
Strike Two

“I’m so f*****g mad.” Tim whispered to himself. “I can’t help myself. This is my fault.”
Steve looked at Tim.
“It's not your fault entirely. We were going to go fishing anyways. And we would've left her anyways. She would of been dead anyways.”
“What do you mean?” Tim raised an eyebrow.
“Tammy-the thing is, they would have stalled her so Alan could rev the Winnebago up to leave her.” Steve wiped a tear.
“Who do you think abducted her?”
Alan’s aunt walked in with two bags of groceries. She waved at them. They waved back.
“Now, without a doubt, Crandell is alive, and he wants blood.”
“On the contrary, but let me ask you this.” Tim sat down. “How do you know they went out to dinner? And how did you get here.”
“One, they told me to leave and that they would find her. I heard Alan snicker.”
Alan’s aunt walked over to them.
“Steve would you like a snack?”
“Jelly Beans please.”
Ol Steve, he loves his jellybeans
“Will do.” She walked back to the kitchen.
“So, you’re telling me that they have something to do with this.”
“Hell no. They all just hate her so much, they would care if she’s dead or -” Tim interrupted.
“Don’t screw with me Tim, if you’re joking with me, I’m gonna be pissed.”
“You said Rod left for 30 minutes.”
“You’re not telling me that-.”
“Rod killed Tammy.”
Steve’s eyes widened. His face was full of rage. Alan’s aunt walked back over to them and gave Steve a bag of jellybeans. Then she walked back into the kitchen.
“If you’re telling the truth, I don’t know what I’d do.”
The door slammed open and the rest of the group came inside.
“You sonuvabitch.” Steve walked up to Rod.
“What’s the matter with you?” Rod raised an eyebrow.
“You killed Tammy. You didn’t look for her, you left her for dead and went out to eat.”
“You’re crazy. I wouldn’t kill Tammy, let’s bring Tim into the picture.”
“You’re joking right.”
“You were alone for a while, maybe you went out and abducted her.”
“Rod, you’re crazy.”
“Guys, stop fighting.” Veronica rolled her eyes. “Maybe she’s still alive, and for your information Steve, Alan and Rod went out to dinner with Stan while Rich, Liz and I stayed back to look for her, there wasn’t any trace.
“D****t all to hell, I need her.” Steve lowered his head. “I’m going to sleep.” He put his jellybeans on the table and sulked upstairs.
“This trip has only been going for a day and Tammy goes missing, I thought this was going to be the best trip ever but it's shrouded in arguing and hatred.” Richie shrugged.
“Look, its 7:33 right now, let's just settle down, relax.” Alan got everyone quiet. “Maybe she’ll pop up soon enough.”
“Tim, did you?” Veronica looked at him as if he was a madman.
“Why the hell would I kill Tammy for!” Tim yelled.
“Would you guys shut up, we don’t even know if she’s dead yet.” Alan rolled his eyes.
“Look, lets relax keep it real you know.”
“But don’t you understand, the evidence that Steve told me directly turns to Rod. He killed her.” Tim said.
“Look Tim you’re talking jive man. What would I kill Tammy for.” Rod raised an eyebrow.
“To blame it on me.”
“Don’t yank my chain Tim, you were alone for 3 hours, you could have easily left the house, abducted her and killed her to the max for all we know.” Rod’s eyes widened.
“That’s bogus!” Tim yelled.
“Take a chill man.” Richie walked over to Tim. “Just settle down.”
“Yeah, calm yourself off with a beer or something.” Stan shrugged. “Alan, what do we have?”
“Coors and that’s practically it.” Alan said.
“Wicked man.” Stan smiled.
Alan turned the TV on. The channel was ABC and Sunday Night Football was airing.
“Guys, I’m gonna go outside and get some air.” Tim walked to the door.
“Dontcha want a beer though?” Alan asked.
“No thanks, I’m just going to take some time out here.”
Tim walked out the door and looked around. He was furious, furious at everyone, especially Rod. He wanted Rod to be exposed. He knew that Rod was a killer. Tammy was more or less dead anyways. Tim knew that Rod’s life had taken a toll but now he himself was being accused for a murder he didn’t commit. Alan, Veronica and maybe Rich appeared to side against him but Stan and Liz have not chosen sides. Why? Do they know Rod is a killer, and that they might be next?
“Hey.”
Tim turned around. It was Veronica.
“Yeah?”
“Look, I don’t want you thinking that I think you killed Tammy, you have no alibi, Rod does.”
“I think, Rod did it but if not, then someone is stalking us.”
“Tim, you should get some rest, it's early but Alan, Richie, Rod and Stan are gonna stay up and watch the damn football game for the rest of this night, so Liz and I are going to head off early.”
“Sure, why not. It would be good to get some things off my chest. Thanks babe, you’re a real shick.”
Tim kissed Veronica passionately and they walked back inside.
“I’m going to get ready okay.” Veronica went to walk upstairs.
Tim then had an idea, maybe the guys could jam in the recording studio. That would take his mind off things.
Tim walked over to Alan. “Hey man, could we like, jam in the studio.”
“Hell yeah, but we need Steve, he is the bassist.”
“Got it.” Tim bolted to the stairs and ran up them.
When he reached the top he walked to Steve’s room. The door was closed. Tim knocked.
“Steve, you awake?”
No answer.
“Steve, come on man.”
The door slowly opened.
“What.” Steve had his beanie over his eyes
“Man, what do you want.” His voice was sullen.
“The guys are gonna jam, you wanna, we need the bassist.” Tim laughed.
Footsteps came up the stairs. Liz. She passed by and smiled.
“Hey Timothy.” She whispered. “Can we talk?”
Tim looked at Steve.
“Should I?” He whispered.
“No, f*****g w***e.” Then Steve pushed Liz away.
“Man f**k you!” Rod yelled as he appeared came up the stairs.
“You don’t even like her anymore!” Tim screamed back.
“I do.” He whispered. “I do.”
“Aw.” Liz jumped up and hugged Rod. “Such a good boyfriend. And Tim you're an a*****e.”
Tim’s eyes got big as he frowned.
“Good girl.” Rod smiled.
“You sure train your b*****s good.” Steve sneered.
“Steve, you pushing it over the edge.” Rod walked over to Steve.
“It’s not my fault that Liz tried to get whorish with Tim.” Steve pushed his beanie from over his eyes.
“Rephrase, I tried to get with her.” Tim frowned.
“Whatever, it’s not my fault Tammy’s probably at the bottom of a f*****g lake right now.” Rod sneered.
“Footsteps came up the stairs again. Alan.
“Are we gonna jam or what?”
“You know what, f**k you all!” Steve screamed as he slammed the door.
Everyone looked around at each other. Silence.
“What did I do?” Alan laughed.
“Not funny Alan.” Tim groaned and walked over to his room.
Rod and Liz walked into their room and Alan walked back downstairs. Tim could hear him mutter something.
Tim walked into his room and got his suitcase. He opened it and pulled out an Archie comic. They made him feel better especially if he was feeling down. He lied down on the bed and starting reading. His reading was interrupted 2 minutes later by Veronica. She was wearing a white nightgown with flowers on it.
“Tim, what happened?” She laid next to him. “I heard screaming.”
“You sure did.” Tim put the comic on the nightstand. “Where were you?”
“The bathroom.” She put her hand on Tim’s leg. “Now are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Rod and Liz are fine, and Steve isn’t. Maybe a nights rest will make him feel better.
“Hopefully, poor guy.” She frowned.
“Yeah, hey I’m gonna get ready for bed.”
“Okay.” Veronica smiled as Tim got up.
He walked over to his suitcase and grabbed his toothbrush out of the small compartment.
Tim left the room and walked to the bathroom all the way at the end of the hallway. It seemed like a long walk but it was only about 12 feet from his room. He opened the bathroom door and walked inside. He then closed the door and looked around. The paint was maroon. He opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out the toothpaste. Colgate. He put it on his toothbrush, turned the water on and started brushing his teeth. All Tim could think about was the fact that his ideal trip was becoming a nightmare.
3 minutes went by and Tim stopped brushing his teeth. He rinsed his mouth and got the mouthwash. Listerine. He washed his mouth with it for 20 seconds and spit it out. He turned the water off and opened the door to the bathroom. He walked out and Liz was waiting. She ignored him and walked into the bathroom and closed the door. Tim walked back to the room, Veronica was lying down.
“Tim, I’m sorry I yelled at you this whole day. It’s just been a rough time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tim, I never told you this but it's important now.”
“Go on.” Tim started undressing to get his pajamas on.
“Look Tim, you know my parents are divorced.”
“Yeah, what about it.”
“The thing is, I’m supposed to live with my father. My mother did not show up to the hearing in time and that’s that.”
“But, you’re always with your mother, hell you even slept over at my place, why don’t you stay with your father.”
“He’s...” Veronica looked down. “An abusive drug addict.
Tim’s looked up as he was putting his blue pajama bottoms on.
“Remember that time I said I got a black eye from a baseball in 7th grade. Well he hit me, all because I was too tired to make him dinner.” A tear started running down her eye.
Tim had just finished putting his pajamas on as he went over to her.
“That’s all he did, just hit you.” Tim wiped her tear away.
“Yeah, that’s all, only physical. And when I saw you savagely beat Stan then Richie, I couldn’t help but think about those times.”
“Babe, it's all right. He can’t do that anymore, he won’t do anything.” He wrapped his arms around her.
Veronica removed Tim’s glasses and set them on the nightstand. She then looked at Tim but her eyes widened.
“Tim, your eye!”
“I know, earlier I slipped down the stairs and got this shiner.”
She looked skeptical but nonetheless appeared to believe him. They both got under the covers and Tim turned the light on the nightstand off.
Approximately 4 hours later a knock came at the door. Although sleeping, Tim could feel Veronica get up to get the door. She was a very light sleeper.
“Hey, can we chat?” The voice was soft, but Tim identified it as Richie.
“Sure what about?”
Tim felt bad that he felt as if he was trying to eavesdrop but he couldn't help it anyways.
“I have to tell you this.” Tim felt them sit on the bed.
“Yes.”
“I’ve been holding back for admitting it but I feel as though I have to tell you. “
I don’t believe this damn smooth talker
I know Richie is not going to hit on my girlfriend when I am sleeping! Really m**********r.
Then he heard a few muffles
“I think I love-” Tim stood up and immediately punched him.
“That’s my girlfriend! And you don’t f*****g go after her!”
“What the f**k!” Richie flew to the floor and popped up as he slid.
“What the hell is wrong with you Timothy!” Veronica screamed. Then lights in the house began turning on. Tim saw Richie let a tear flow down his cheek as he bursted out the room.
“What do you mean! He was coming on to you!”
“No he wasn't!”
“Yes he was!”
“No he wasn't!”
“Then what was he doing?”
“Telling me that he’s gay.”