The uncomfortable silence that lasted a couple minutes suddenly became extremely awkward. I rubbed my arm and stood up. "I'm going to get something to eat," I mumbled quietly and walked downstairs wearily. I could hear my dad’s footsteps come pounding down the stairs after me.
"Dad... What are we going to do?"
I watched as he started making himself a sandwich and he sighed. "I don't know sweetie... If you see him, come to me straight away. That's all I really have for you right now."
Nodding, I grabbed a granola bar and absentmindedly started munching on it, thinking back to his smile. I shivered a little unnerved. Will I ever see him again? Well of course I will! God, how much more stupid can I get?
"I heard from your mother that you want a PS3?" He looked up at me, taking a bite from his sandwich. I smiled a little.
"Yeah. Noah and I both want one. I mean, if we're gonna be trapped in this house, might as well have a little family entertainment." I walked over to the couch and took a seat next to him, tucking my legs underneath me.
Dad nodded a bit as he leaned back. "Well, I ordered one for you two on the Internet. It should be arriving in a couple days."
I was lost looking out the window as he said those words and my head snapped toward him. "Wait what?!"
He laughed at me and ate the rest of his sandwich. "You heard me right."
"Oh my god!" I gasped. "And games so we can actually play it?" Yes, I had to ask this question. Because he's my father, and when he buys something, there's usually a catch. But it didn't look like it for this one and I couldn't tell you how thrilled I was at this moment.
"Mhm," he smiled and I shrieked like a Directioner at a 1D concert and I hugged him so tight, I was surprised he didn't snap in half. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He smiled grew wider as he hugged me back. "You're welcome sweetie."
"Does Noah know about this?"
As if on cue, the loud thumping of Noah's running feet echo through the house as he runs down the stairs. "GETTING A PS3!" He shouted as he steps over the last step and fell on his face with a loud oomph. He gave us a thumbs up. "I'm okay!"
I laughed as dad rolled his eyes. "Calm down squirt."
Noah got up and stuck his tongue out at me. I returned the favor as dad flipped through the channels and sighed, hugging a pillow. But then something caught my attention. "Wait stop!" Noah sat next to me frowning as dad flipped it back.
A reporter on TV looked at us, but in the right hand corner was a man with dark brown hair and light brown eyes with a little stubble. A scar ran down his left cheek and I froze. That was the man. "This man is very dangerous and has found a new victim. Stay in your houses as much as possible and keep everything locked," the woman said in her professional voice and my eyes widened.
Dad's eyes narrowed at the screen in slight anger. "That's him..."
I laughed humorlessly. "We're screwed."
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
I sighed and shook my head. This cant be happening. I know that we're the next victims and as much as I would love to believe my dad, I just couldn't. Call me paranoid, but he will somehow find a way into our house. They always do. And I was unarmed...
"Hey dad?" I looked at him as he turned my way. "Can I have one of your handguns in my room? You know, for safety...?" I was reluctant to ask, but I'd rather have a no than get killed without having a chance of rescue.
"You know I don't like you handling a gun," he sighed and looked at me seriously.
"Please dad!" Finally, I was starting to get desperate and it slowly leaked into my voice. And probably my face. "I promise I'll be careful and only touch it when necessary."
I watched the wheels in his mind turn as he slowly gave in. His eyes closed and sighed. "Only this once..."
"Thank you daddy."
"Wait, what about me?!" Noah asked a little left out. Dad chuckled a bit. "No, you're too young... And you'll be sleeping with me. There will be no need for a gun."
Running my fingers through my hair, I cringed. "I need another shower," I groaned irritated. "I'll be back." Quickly, I got up and ran upstairs and laughed as dad shouted at me to save some hot water. After I finished my shower, I walked downstairs, drying my hair with my towel.
"Don't worry, I saved some just for you," I teased and hopped down, walking over to the couch.
"Good." He pushed himself up with his arms and starts upstairs. "I'll be in the shower."
"Have fun with that!" I yelled at him and he chuckled before closing the door. I grabbed the remote and started flipping through the channels as Noah sprawled out on the couch.
"I'm still kinda tired."
"Well then take a nap," I rolled my eyes and looked at him.
"Nah... I'm too awake for a nap."
"Well then don't complain squirt," I laughed. "Anything you wanna watch?" He shrugged.
"Okay then..." Pushing the up button once, Family Guy popped up and I kick back and sighed.
"You know I ain't allowed to watch Family Guy," Noah whined and looked at me like I grew five heads. I rolled my eyes and turned on Disney instead. "There, happy?"
"Very," He grinned.
"Whatever. Any requests for lunch?"
Dad came down with just a towel around his waist and walked into the laundry room. "It's only 10 sweetie."
"Okay, ew dad. You seriously have no clothes upstairs?"
"Nope," He grinned, knowing he was bothering me and dug through the dryer and I gagged.
"Okay whatever. So brunch then?"
Dad nodded and pulled out a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt.
"Okay then, what do you guys want for brunch?"
Dad closed the door and came out a minute later fully dressed. "How about I cook this time? I ain't that bad."
"Alright. I won't argue if it gets me out of cooking!" I teased and he laughed.
"Grilled cheese?"
"With turkey!" Noah and I yelled at once. Normal family tradition. And every time it comes up, Noah and I have always done that ever since he could talk.
"Okay, okay. Turkey lovers..." He chuckled and gets ready to cook them.
"Turkey lover and proud!" I winked at him and plopped down on our recliner and watched whatever was on the TV.
"You two get that from me," Dad grinned as he set aside one sandwich and started on another.
"Sure do. Turkey lovers for life," Noah grinned back and sat down at the table. I put a fist in the air and got up, doing some random fast walk/stomp thing. "With some chocolate milk!" I grabbed the syrup and milk and drowned the bottom of my cup with chocolate before adding the milk.
"Alright, come and get it," Dad laughed and held out the plates for us with our delicious treats on them. I grabbed mine with a cheer and sat down with my chocolate milk and wasted no time digging in. True, my dad can't cook that great, but he makes killer cheeses. Noah sits beside me and literally shoves his sandwich into his face.
Dad rolled his eyes at us and sat down with his cup of milk and sandwich. "Messy eaters..."
"Well I'm a growing girl!" I said with firmness while my mouth was full.
He reached across the table and closed my mouth, patting my head before pulling back. "Don't talk with your mouth full. I rolled my eyes and swallowed my overly large bite. "I'm talking! Talking with no fooooood!" I announced with my singsong voice teasingly and Noah laughed at me. When I got that, I smirked as my dad smirked as well as he finished his sandwich.
Ding Dong.
Noah gets up faster than any human being I've ever known could and ran over to the door. "I'll get it!" He let his words stretch as he slid across the wooden floor to the door and opened it, groaning. "Ugh... Carrie, one of your weirdo friends are here!" He rolled his eyes as we switched places and I grinned.
"Caleb!"
"Hey. I heard about why you haven't been at school. Dad being protective again?"
I rolled my eyes, glancing a look at my dad. "Yeah. Heard about the creep on the news?"
"Mhm. What a freak!"
"Ugh, I know. How were you allowed out of the house?!" I frowned.
Caleb shrugged with a grin. "You know my parents."
Yes, I did in fact. Unlike mine, his were flexible and let him do pretty much what he wanted as long as he promised to be careful. Other than that, they weren't really concerned about anything happening to him all the time. It was almost sad, but at the same time, I was jealous. "True... So have you ate at all?"
"Yeah. Mom got me Sonic," He said as he put his hands in his pockets. I gasped and playfully punched him in the shoulder, getting a grin. "Lucky! Next time, save me some!"
"Um... No promises," He smirked.
"Unbelievable!" I did a sarcastic gasp and placed a hand on my chest. "My own best friend, letting me starve!"
Caleb rolled his eyes at my fake hurt act and leaned against the door jam. "Oh shut it. You know I would never let you starve, but I would tease you."
"I know. I just wanted to hear you say it! Now come in, I need to finish my brunch." I walked inside and Caleb followed me as I finished the rest of my milk and sandwich.
"Hey Mr. Norton."
Oh great... My dad never really liked any of my friends. Which would be Caleb and some from the past that I haven't seen since we moved. But it's mostly my guy friends, because he always assumes were going to end up together and their going to use me and leave. Yeah right!
My dad smiled at him. "Hello Caleb. How are you?"
"Oh, the usual..."
"Good to know," he responded kind of bland. I shook my head and I placed my dishes into the sink. My father eyed Caleb a little bit before finally walking away.
"Your father scares me sometimes..."
I shook my head. "He scares everyone. So what am I missing at school?
"Eh... Just the teachers being dicks."
Laughing lightly, I walked over and sat next to him at the table. "So nothing much. What's Adam doing to keep busy?
"Oh! I almost forgot..." Caleb dug through his pocket and pulled out a photo. "Found this in Adam's desk the other day. Thought you might want it back."
I looked at the photo to see myself laughing at something someone said. The wind was blowing my hair back and I looked so carefree and happy. I frowned. "How did he even get this?" I shuddered, looking up at him. He smirked. "He's been kissing it also." Caleb quickly shoved it into my hand.
"Oh EWWWW!" I jumped up and dropped it on the floor and walked back, looking at it in disgust. "Thanks for that useful information!" I wiped my hand on my pants and gagged, sitting back down while kicking the picture away. Caleb was laughing so hard, I'm surprised he hasn't fell out of the chair yet.
I playfully pushed him and he tilts a little unbalanced. "Good lord, what am I going to do with you?" I laughed and he regained his balance and rolled his eyes.
"Nothing... Well, pretty much nothing."
"Oh, that's right. Because you're you. So," I started off, stretching the end of the word. "Mind telling me how you got this past him?"
"Simple. I told him you wanted to meet him in the bathroom. Then I sneaked in and looked in his desk for fun, found this and got the hell out before he beat the living shit out of me." He gave me a little smirk as I miserably failed at holding back my laughter.
"He must have been a very disappointed boy when he found out I wasn't there," I stated, kind of amused. "But thank you for the picture that I will happily be burning soon."
Caleb rolled his eyes. "No problem..."
"You alright?" I frowned and searched his eyes for signs.
"Yeah..." He scratched the back of his neck like he always did when he's nervous about something. "Just wondering how I'll get home if the creep is around here."
"Hmmm..." I rested my chin in my hand. "Well, you have a couple options. You could call your mom and have her pick you up or my dad could take you home."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Have another idea? Cause the only other option I know is getting yourself kidnapped and killed." I shrugged and leaned back. "Your choice."
"I think I'll just walk home," Caleb said, rolling his eyes. "I'll be fine."
"Nuh uh. Not alone." I could hear the worry creeping into my voice. "If you're walking, you're taking me also."
"Uh, warning. You're starting to sound like your dad. Don't worry, Carrie. I'll be fine," He said sarcastically serious while getting up.
"You're my only friend! It's my job to worry." I sighed, giving up. "Fine. Just be careful."
He nodded. "I should be going then. See ya later." And he walked out the door.
"Fine, leave without a hug!" I huffed and fell onto the couch and hugged a pillow.
Noah walked in with a smirk. "Someone is being a dad."
"Oh shut up! He's my best friend and I'm allowed to worry!" Frowning, I threw the pillow at him which he easily caught and laughed while plopping down next to me.
I opened my mouth, trying to say something, but ended up closing it. "Never mind. You're a guy. Of course you wouldn't."
He looked at me seriously. "Hey I worry about you all the-.... Damn you..." Noah grumbled.
I laughed. "You're a good brother."
Another grumble.
"Aww," Placing my best mock sad face, I scooted closer to him. "Does someone need a hug?"
He rolled his eyes. "In your dreams!"
I faked a pout. "B-but... Dat makes me sad..."
"And that makes me amused." He smirked with a small chuckle.
I scoffed and crossed my arms. "You're impossible."
"Well I try!" Noah leaned back and watched the tv and I rolled my eyes while doing the same, propping my feet on the table and crossed my ankle.
~
I groaned as the TV suddenly turned onto the news and Noah jerked awake from his sleep. "Huh?"
"A young boy has gone missing today here in the small town. Caleb Braxton, 16 year old high school student is 6 foot 1 with blonde hair and dark blue eyes. If you see this boy, please call 382-665-9081."
My eyes widened in shock and fear as my fingers gripped the arm of the chair in anger. "This can't be frickin' happening..."
"Caleb..." Noah said softly beside me as dad came walking in, his eyes slowly widening.
"Caleb went missing?"
"Apparently so..." I mumbled and got up and started walking upstairs.
"Carrie... Do you wanna talk about it?" He asked me as I brushed past, but I ignored him and continued walking into my room and slammed the door closed behind me.
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