IV. Two Notes

“You probably think I am crazy.” I said as I handed him a cup of coffee. We had come inside after he looked in the woods and seen nobody was there. How convenient. That’s just what I need, to have people think of me as a crazy person. “No, I just think you are under a lot of stress. You just recently went through a divorce which was messy; you have a six month old to take care of all by yourself and not to mention the break in you had this morning.” He said with a tone. “Yeah that.” I said, “I need to talk to you about that. I take it you talked to Ted this morning?” “Yes actually, I did. It doesn’t make any sense to me. Even if Dixon kid knapped you two, how would he get away with it? He doesn’t have the balls to pull something like this off nor the connections. At least his connections aren’t as good as yours. There is no way he could find you. He would end up back in jail and that’s not quite a win on his part, so I don’t see him doing this. We need to collect a list of everyone you know or have even been aquatinted with over the past year that you can think of. I feel something isn’t quite right here at all.” I sipped my coffee and looked at him. 

“That was exactly what I was thinking. I don’t see Dixon’s mess all over this and that is what scares me. I know I can handle Dixon, but someone else is messing with me James and I am afraid for Annabelle. I don’t know what this is about, but my feeling is just the same as yours and it’s not good.” We just sat there for a minute in silence taking it all in. Annabelle started to whimper and fuss. “I think someone is hungry. I should feed her a bottle and then I am heading out to Nikai’s place. I missed her call this morning and I tried to call her back, but you know how that goes. I will try again, but whether she is there or not we are staying out there tonight. I don’t want to be in this house and I sure as hell don’t want Annabelle here any longer.” I said as I grabbed a bottle out of the fridge and stuck it in the bottle warmer. “That’s completely understandable. Even I wouldn’t want to stay in a house by myself after it just was broken into. Your sister’s house is a good place for tonight. Hopefully she is there tonight.  I will call you in the morning. Try and be safe and if you need me at all I am a button away.” James said as he gave me a tight hug and kissed my forehead. 

We have been friends since high school, but just within the last year he became my lawyer as well. I don’t know what I would do without him. He is always there when I need him.  I grabbed the bottle out of the warmer and checked it on my wrist. I know bottle warmers aren’t supposed to get that hot, but I cannot be too safe now days. After it seemed okay I gave it to Annabelle, who was more than happy to take it from me. I brought her with me into the bedroom and grabbed us enough clothes for a couple days. Who knows how long we will really be gone. I already have a play pen at Nikai’s house for Annabelle to sleep in. All I needed to grab next was some toys and toiletries. I had everything packed in a duffel bag and ready to go. I  was headed out the door when I suddenly remembered something. I should grab my gun. That thing helped save our lives this morning; I am not leaving home without it. I set Annabelle down, she was still in her car seat, and ran back to my room to grab the gun. When I ran back to Annabelle who was already sleeping, I noticed something on the handle of her seat. It was a little piece of paper all folded up.

 I put the gun case down on my duffle bag and grabbed the piece of paper. I unfolded it and inside it read:  We will find you no matter where you go.  I dropped the piece of paper. I felt my heart start to pound in my throat. I tried to swallow it down, but that was no use. I picked up Annabelle and grabbed my bags. I went out to the car and strapped in the car seat. I threw the bags in the passenger side and jumped in my side. I have never felt so terrified in my life. I kept thinking of the man I seen in the woods. He wasn’t there anymore, but who’s to say he didn’t put that piece of paper on her seat. I felt like I was still being watched. I started the car and headed down the drive. As I was about to the end a deer ran out in front of me. I slammed on my brakes and stopped just a few inches shy of the buck. He just sat there and looked at me. Call me crazy, but I swear he had this look in his eyes that reminded me of my mother, calm, loving, and sincere. I felt strange, like it wanted me to see something.  I noticed his fur was lighter in some spots. Then I really started looking at it saw it plain as day. His fur had writing within its colors. It said: You are not safe unless you are home.  I am home. How does that make any sense? I know I am not safe here I was just attacked this morning! This was a joke. I honked my horn and yelled at the deer to move its slow a*s. It finally walked off the drive and I pulled to the end. I just needed to get to Nikai and talk to her. She always seems to know what to say. I pulled out and headed towards the city. One hour drive, coming up. 

Author's Note

This is just the fourth chapter.