The Ghost of Him

Chapter 2: the 18th year

It was close to 1am when I woke to the lights flashing brightly through my bedroom window.

Sliding the covers over and getting out of bed I walked sleepily over to the window rubbing my eyes, and blinking to try and focus my vision.

When I peered out the window I saw police cars. Maybe 4 or 5 of them staggered across the street as well as a few black SUVs parked up into kalans driveway.

My eyes searched the area looking for Mr and Mrs Frost, and kalan but I couldn't really see much past the cedar hedges that separated our two properties.

I turned from the window then walked back to my nightstand grabbing my phone. I pulled up the text conversation between me and kalan typing out a quick "what the hell is going on" then hitting send.

I probably waited less than a minute before I tucked my feet into my slippers and grabbed my jacket.

I raced down the stairs towards the front door.

Something felt wrong. The air felt thick as I forced myself to take a deep breath.

I practically jogged across the front lawn, around the hedges and then onto their driveway.

My eyes went wide and I stopped in my tracks.

All I could see was the word 'coroner' spelled out in big white letters on the side of a big black van.

I stumbled back for a moment forgetting to breathe. I keeled over resting my palms on my knees with my head hung trying to force what little oxygen I could into my body before I stood back up.

turning and breaking into a sprint I ran towards the house.

"Kalan!!" I yelled out "Kalan!!"

about halfway across the yard a large man in a police uniform cut me off grading me by the arms and stopping my in my tracks.

I tried to fight his grasp

"Miss! you can't go in there! this is an active crime scene!" he said gently but firmly

"Crime scene?! NO! where is kalan? where are Mr and Mrs Frost?" I cried out trying to wiggle out of his grasp

I wiggled and squirmed until his grasp slipped and then Proceeded to run as fast as my body would take me towards the front door.

I ran up the front steps and snatched the yellow tape off the door frame throwing it behind me.

taking a few steps into the house I stopped dead in my tracks.

Gasping for air I dropped to my knees. Tears falling free down my cheeks

Ada and James Frost lay on the ground Lifeless. There was blood everywhere. What was once a beautiful marble floor and entry way was now a blood soaked horror scene. Family photos on the sideboard fallen and shoved out of place, vases broken to peices lay scattered on the ground. painting ons the way hung crooked. they hadn't gone without fighting for their lives first.

My sobs echoed loudly through the silent house and then I realized. He wasn't there.

"Kalan!?!" I cried out

"KALAN" I cried again

A second later I felt hands wrap around my arms trying to pull me up. slowly I was pulled from the house despite my kicking and screaming.

I was handed off to a couple of officers who held my tight while another came up and wrapped a thick wool blanket around me.

the tears didn't stop.

I took a shuddered breath and forced my chin up as a larger man wearing a suit approached me.

"where is Kalan? please.." I sobbed "just tell me he is okay"

he looked at me crooked his head slightly furrowing his brows.

"I'm sorry to say that we have not yet located him"

I chocked back a sob sobbering up a little

"he isn't.. he's not... what?" I stammered confused.

why wouldn't he be at home this time of night. He never went to parties and he didn't have many friends. It was mostly just me and him for as long as I could remember.

"As I have already said" taking a pause before finishing "we have not yet been able to locate his wearabouts."

he sighed

.

"I probably shouldn't be saying this to you but we are not entirely sure what happened here."

he then handed me a card from his jacket pocket.

"If you hear from him miss..."

"braeya"

"Miss braeya.. yes. please call me if you see him or hear from him"

was Kalan in trouble?

what the f***k was this cop even insinuating.

I took a deep breath and affirmed with myself that I would find him. And if I didn't I would never stop looking.