THE GIFT

Chapter 5 The investigation

I didn't sleep.

How could I?

My Dad's words are still ringing in my ears.

You killed her.

And Elias 's place was still burned into my memory.

The cork board. Lila's face . Hidden under a hoodie like a secret .

At 2:17 am I gave up .

I told myself I was just returning his blanket.That was all.

I told myself I wasn't going to snoop

His door was unlocked.

Of course it was .The man who fought off my dad probably thought no one could hurt him .

"Elias ?" My voice sounded too loud in the quite hall.

No answer.

The place smelled like him . Clean laundry and that tea.

It was dark except for the light in the street bleeding in from the blinds.

Everything was in its place .Too in its place .

No photo's on the fridge.No mess on the counter.

Like someone lived here ,but didn't live here.

I set the blanket on the couch.

My eyes went straight to the wall.

The cord board was still there.Still covered.

I lifted the hoodie an inch.

HIT AND RUN VICTIM IDENTIFIED AS LOCAL WOMAN, 24

LILA MARTIN

My hands started shaking.

I dropped the hoodie and turned. That's when I saw it.

On his coffee table.A small bowl.Keys.

And an keychain.

Pink . Chipped.A little music note.

The air left my lungs.

Lila's keychain.The one she had on her the night she died.

The police said they never found it.

"Where did you -"

A sound.Footsteps in the hall.

Panic shot through me .I couldn't be here.Not like this.

I grabbed the keychain and shoved it in my pocket and ducked into the bathroom, closing the door as quietly as I could.

My heart was so loud , I swear he would hear it , through the door .

The front door opened . Closed.

Elias.

He didn't turn on the lights . He just walked straight to the kitchen.I heard the fridge open . Close .

Then his phone.

"Yeah," he said.His voice was low.Tired.

"I'm taking care of her, like I said I would."

A pause.

"No , she doesn't know anything. She's safe. I'm making sure of it ."

Another pause . Longer.

"I know what I did . Don't you think I know ?"

My fingers was numb around the keychain in my pocket.

Lila's keychain.

In his house.

He sighed. " I'll call you tomorrow."

The house went silent.

I counted to 60. Then to 120.

When I finally cracked the door ,he was gone .Bedroom door closed .

I ran.

Out of his house.Across the street.Onto my porch.In my house.Locked the door.

I slid to the floor .

In my hand Lila's keychain.

Cold .Real.

The man who saved me from my dad had my dead sister's keychain in a bowl on his table.