One Moment

FBI agent interviews derelict high school student about the disappearance of his classmate

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There was a cop in front of me. FBI agent Richard McNamera to be exact. He had arrived only moments ago, knocking at the door with his chubby fingers balled into fists. Beside him was a brute who could pass for a professional wrestler. Long, dark and gangly hair, dark complexion and masses of muscles underneath a pin lined black tuxedo. The wrestler look alike was introduced as Bruce after Agent McNamera flashed his badge like it was the only thing precious in his life. Maybe it was. Apparently Bruce was a body gaurd. Not that Agent McNamera needed one. He was really muscular and rather intimidating on his own. His steely gray eyes tore into mine and I almost wished he wore the dark sunglasses his body guard had. His pale chapped lips did not move much as he broke the silence saying, "Laila McBeth."

 

He stared at me as if to intimidate me. If that was his goal, I would not let him achieve it. No one makes me feel afraid in my own home. I looked back with the same blank stare. Brownie point for me. "What about her?" I asked calmly.

 

"Been missing since last Friday night." He pulled out a pack of smokes, Marlboro's, and slipped it between his thin lips. "Folks say she never came home from a party at," He looked down at his tiny notebook. A bunch of scribble notes littered the page in chicken scratch. None of which I could read, but he seemed much too comfortable seeing through. "..Todd Fearson's."

 

I made an oh-really face and then extended my hand. "Can I bum one?" His eyes never left mine. "Nervous?" he stated, more than asked. "No." I told him, hand still out. "Addicted." I corrected. He looked at me as though he was sizing me up. I kept my face as cold as his. Another point for me. A moment later, he reached back in his pocket, pulled out the pack and handed me one. As he lit his, he said. "Smoking is bad for you. Should quit."

 

I smirked, "I will. Someday." Quickly, I lit my ciggarette and inhaled slowly, letting the smoke fill my lungs. I held it in for a minute, almost as if I were smoking a joint, before exhaling. After that moment, he let the smoke slither out between his teeth, much like his tongue when he spoke. I followed suit. "So," I began, breaking the silence. "Agent, if she's missing, why aren't you questioning Todd?"

 

Richard looked at his note again while puffing his ciggarette. "Fearson boy says he saw Miss McBeth with you that night." I raised the smoke to my lips and inhaled. "Yeah, I saw her there." The smoke came out as I spoke. "Talked to her for a few minutes even. Does that really make me a suspect?" I turned my head to the right and cracked my neck. "If so, you will have alot of other people from the party to talk to."

 

His reply was simple. "Every little bit helps." I shrugged and then slouched back in the hard wooden chair. The body guard, Bruce, hadn't moved. If he did, I didn't see him. And if I didn't know better. I'd say he stopped breathing. The walking dead. Great. Agent McNamera leaned elbows on the kitchen table. Bad manners. Did his mother teach him nothing? Good thing I kept that to myself. "Were you a friend of Miss McBeth's?"

 

I shook my head like a sea saw. "A little. We had a class together last semester." The agent was writing down what I was saying. Looking for possible motived, I guess. "Wouldn't it bother you to lose someone you knew?"

 

After taking another puff, my voice came out raspy. "I didn't really know her that well." Richard flipped a pafe in his notes. "Fearson boy says you two dated for three months." I chuckled to myself and then shook my head. "You denying it?" he asked.

 

"No," I answered, honestly. "But just because you date someone doesn't mean you really know that person, Richard." I finished my ciggarette halfway through and put it out in a clear ashtray sitting between the two of us. "Agent." He corrected sternly.

 

I shrugged and answered smugly. "Agent Richard." He didn't like my attitude any, but that was his problem, not mine. Bruce brought his hands to his chest and folded them. His shoulders popped and I wondered if that happened every time. "So since when does an FBI agent need a bodygaurd?" I asked, shooting a glance at Bruce.

 

The man didn't move. Richard sighed deeply and ignored my question. "Why don't you tell me what happened the night of the party?" He finished his ciggarette and outted it next to mine. I shrugged, for the millionth time in only ten minutes. "Typical party, I guess." I knew he was looking for a more detrailed answer. But I liked to be diggicult.

 

His jaw clenched tight as he clicked his pen into position. "Explain." It sounded too much like an order to me and I didn't like people giving me order. But I let it slide and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "Well.." I started, my voice calm and collected. I sure was on a roll with these points. "I showed up around ten thirty, give or take." He listened intently, jotting down quick notes as I spoke.

 

I remembered showing up at the party. It was pretty dull. Highlight had to be when Chris Hoffman called his girlfriend Kelly a two timing w***e. She slapped him and called him a jerk. It was actually kind of comical. They yelled a little and everybody watched. I had stayed in the background, impossible to spot in the shadows with my black beater, black leather pants. No one knew or acknowledged me, and I liked it that way. I'm not exactly one who's name was well known. No one would hear my name and think "Wow, that kid is going places." And that's just fine by me. Everything was pretty normal, even when Laila first showed up. She had on these tight little leather pants and a corset top. Everyone was pretty much staring because she's the goody two shoes with the 4.0. She was a parents wet dream, on her way to Ivy League. She never wore anything that provocative. Her hair was down, which was a big change and.. well, she looked hot. Plain and simple. Completely lust worthy.

 

"So you wanted her?" Richard asked outloud, gray eyes piercing mine. I smile, "Well, she looked good but, you know how it is, Agent Richard."

 

His muscles tensed a little and I had a feeling he didn't like my new name for him. He shook his head, "No, I don't know how it is." Actually, I thoroughly believe that. "Tell me. How is it?"

 

I sighed, "Everyone wanted her that night."

 

She was always associated with knee length plaid skirts, white sneakers. Kind of Sandra Dee. But Friday night was different. It was like seeing the preachers daughter in red silk. It's the whole innocent thing. She came up to me, two plastic cups in her hands. Handed me one. "It's beer," she told me, stuttering already. I raised my eyebrows as I watched her down half the drink. Guess I never imagined little miss mary sunshine had a dark side.

 

"Had you seen her so called 'dark side' before?" I shook my head at Richard, still deep in thought. "No."

 

In fact, I doubted anyone had seen it, but by the way she was guzzling beer, you could tell this wasn't her first time. I started sipping on my own drink. I'm not really a fan of beer. But once in awhile..

 

"You ever get out of hand when you're drinking? Ever forget what you did, where you were?" Agent Richard asked, his pen tapping the paper. "No." I said, looking down at his paper. He shifted a little uneasily. I smiled to myself. Good job. Make the cop nervous. Mental pat on the back. "I don't like beer enough to go wild with it."

 

The smell of cheap beer was present on her breath while she spoke to me. "Why you hiding out?" she wondered, a little s**t in her voice. "Not hiding out." I told her. I opened my mouth to ask if she'd seen Todd. I had planned on telling him I had an appointment to get to in the morning and had to bail out. But Laila put her hand up to stop me and listened to something. I strained to hear what she heard but all I could make out was the loud banging of techno music. I hate techno music. Todd ALWAYS plays it at his parties. Part of the reason I rarely showed up to these things. Give me death metal of computer generated songs and one guy that had balls enough to say he was a singer in a band. Come now. I wasn't drunk enough or high enough to believe that. Then Laila started moving her head to the beat and I knew it was the crappy music she had been listening to. Slowly the music overtook her body. It was a physical thing. You could see her neck get into it, then her arms, followed by her stomach and hips and finally her legs. Soon she had the techno beat pulsating through her body. She gulped down the rest of her drink before throwing the cup to the ground. Her lips were painted red as she tried to kiss me while swaying her body on mine.

 

"Tried to kiss you?" Agent Richard repeated, emphasis on the word tried. I nodded, "I didn't let her kiss me." He raised his eyebrows and repeated, "You didn't let her kiss you?"

 

"No, I didn't." He chuckled a little.

 

"Why not?"

 

Honestly, I don't know why. She was completely coming on to me and I rejected her. Why DID I reject her? Probably because of all the beer. As I said before, I'm not really a big fan of it and she reeked. She didn't get discouraged though. Instead of kissing my lips, she kissed my neck. I put the cup of beer down and held her back at arms length, my hands on her elbows. She frowned at me and said, "God, chill. I've had periods more fun than you." I apologized and told her I wasn't in a real good mood. I lied and said I had bombed a calc test and was losing my scholarship. Honestly, I just wanted her off of me without hurting her feelings. She shrugged and told me that s**t happened.

 

Richard was smiling now, "And you believe that." It was a statement. "Can't be perfect all the time."

 

Laila was still dancing in front of me when she reached in her front pocket and pulled out a small vile. "What's that?" I asked, almost shouting to be heard over the horrible music. She was grinning. "Magic dust." She opened the top and poured some powder on her fingertip. Cocaine, I guess. Though I'd never seen it. She put the powder to her nose and inhaled. Then again. And one more. "Isn't that alot?" I asked, not really sure what alot would be. She paused for a moment before shaking her head, "Child's play." was her answer. Her nose dripped a little blood. I reached up to wipe it away and she thanked me then offered some. Truth was that I never tried coke before. A kid at school OD'ed on that s**t three semesters ago so it didn't appeal to me. Laila rolled her eyes and put the vile away.

 

After a few moments of siilence, I asked if she'd seen Todd around. She didn't answer me. Sort of just stood there with a blank look on her face. "Laila?" I said, waving my hand in front of her eyes. She snapped out of the saze and asked me what I wanted. She seemed angry for some reason. "Have you seen Todd around?" I repeated. Her eyes squinted as she surveyed the crowd. Then she pointed and waved. I turned around and saw Todd in the hallway, talking to a group of girls. "Stay right here." I told her as I went across the room to talk to him. He yelled my name and embraced me like we hadn't seen each other in years. I chuckled and pulled away. "I got to head out." I told him.

 

"Doctor's appointment in the morning." I didn't want to tell him that I thought the party was lame because the crowd seemed to be having a good time. So I lied. He frowned, "That bites, man. But at least you made a brief cameo." I smiled and nodded, "I hate to miss out on a great party but you'll have more." He nodded, overly pleased. "That's right. But before you go, I noticed you and Laila getting pretty cozy over there." He pointed to where Laila was standing, still in her dream world. "What's the story?" He wondered, "Rekindling the fire?"

 

I had to laugh when you, or anyone for that matter, thought of Laila McBent, the last image you got was 'fire'. I shook my head no. "But about Laila, she just snorted something. You keep an eye out for her?" He nodded. "No problem, man. But if you aren't getting with her, you mind if I do?" I laughed to myself, said goodnight and left.

 

Agent Richard was nodding. "You didn't care about Miss McBeth enough to stay with her?" I thought about that for a moment. "That's why I asked Todd to watch out for her. I'd do the same for anyone."

 

"Right." The agent said, glancing at his notes, "Left a drunk, possibly drug filled female under the security of a very intoxicated, hormone driven male." He shut his book and stood up, moving like a snake. Bruce was still motionless. Wonder if it's a trained ability of just natural? "If that's all the information you have then we're done here." He looked to Bruce and the man headed towards the door. Good puppy. I resisted the urge to give him one of my dogs' bones. Don't think Mr. Pro Wrestler would be pleased with that.

 

Agent Richard pulled a card out of thin air and handed it to me. "If you think of anything else, contact me." I took the card and put it in my pocket. "You got it, Dick."

 

His eyes flashed, anger behind the cool exterior. I raised my hands innocently. "It's a shortened form of Richard." Good thing looks couldn't kill, otherwise I'd be dead on the spot. He said nothing as he and his overgrown puppy left the house. I wanted them leave and even waved as they pulled out of my driveway. Needless to say he didn't wave back. Once he was gone, I let out a sigh of relief and callde out. "Honey? They're gone. You can come out now!"

 

Skipping every other step, I rushed upstairs towards my bedroom. I threw open the door and whispered, "Laila? No more hiding. Your baby got rid of 'em for you." I got on my knees and looked under the bed. No Laila. My brow wrinkled as I looked around the room. My eyes come to rest on the closet door. I smiled as I stood and went to it. It slid open soundlessly and there she was. As beautiful as ever. She squirmed a little, low harsh noises coming from behind the gag in her mouth. "I told you I wouldn't let the mean men pull us apart."

 

She moaned but her words were inaudible. I was the only one who knew what she was saying, and a big smile spread across my face. "Aww, honey. I love you too." Her eyes were wide and wild as I picked her up effortlessly and gently put her on my bed. Her hands were tied behind her back and her legs bound at the ankle. Tears came running down her face. I wiped them away and whispered, "Don't cry, my love. I won't let anyone take you away. I promise." Wish a low sigh, I added, "Now, if you swear you won't yell again, I'll take this stupid gag out of your mouth. You swear?"

 

She nodded vigorously. So I undid the knot at the back of her neck. It fell to the bed by her side. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, tears flooding her bright blue eyes. She was still wearing the leath from a week ago. "You look so beautiful." I whispered.

 

She sobbed, "Please, let me go. I promise I won't tell anyone. Please. Just let me go." I shook my head and immediately put the gag back in her mouth, knotting it tightly at the back of her head. She had moved her head, trying to avoird it, but I won. "I can't do that, my love. I can't let them have you." I raised her head to my chest and hugged her tightly. "Just imagine, Laila. We can have a family together. Our daughter will look just like her beautiful mother and we'll raise her so good. It will be perfect, baby. Just perfect."

 

She struggled against my grasp, the rips in her leather pants and shirt widening as she did. I just pressed her face closer to my chest, wrapping my arms around her. I was lost in my thoughts as she flailed around. Her body was desperately trying to get away but I just held her closer and tighter. And tighter and closer. Her voice was muffled by the bind and my shirt. I wanted her to stop crying, to stop trying to escape. So I kept her nose and mouth tightly against my stomach. She'd lose enough air to stop fighting me and then I'd let her go. While I waited for her to calm down, I kept imagining the house we'd have in the country. The perfect little family.

 

Soon, her body stopped struggling and went limp in my arms.

Author's Note

I would like to precede this by stating that the following work was written almost eight years ago. My writing has much improved over the years. This is just my starter piece.

Reviews

[Star Cross]

Wow. Just wow. This piece of work absolutely took my breath away when I first read it. If you wrote this in the past 8 years, I would love to read your stories now. The superior imagery and wording cannot even the describe the story itself and how wonderful it is. This story kept my attention throughout the whole entire time and had me anticipating for me. You have true talent, my friend. I hope to see more of your works in the near future.