Hushed

Chapter 10: A Surprise

    Stares and bad looks, those are the things that welcomed me after getting out of jail. The police couldn’t detain me because of lack of evidence. The only person I told the truth is Detective Howard, I think he believes me, I think.

    Now I’m back in school and the news spread faster than I could ever imagine. I’m pretty sure everyone is scared of me now.

    Lo and behold, my parents still haven't come home after knowing that their daughter who they haven’t talked to in so long turned out to be a serial killer. It isn’t a great thing because I keep on thinking about scenarios that aren’t good.

    Like, are they disowning me? I can’t be disowned. Where would I live? Can I still stay in the house? Am I grounded? I haven’t been grounded before because no one’s there to ground me but I’ve heard stories, especially from Max and it doesn’t sound good.

    I also have so many things to do at home. When I got back, the front of the house was a disaster; there were words that shouldn’t be said, painted in front. I would have to paint the wall, I used to love painting but I stopped when I was seven.

    My parents got home late at that time and I fell asleep, painting this scenery that I wanted to submit to a contest. I woke up when I heard them talking about my painting and how it’s ugly but I pretended to be asleep.

    I was about to enter our classroom when Joana approached me. “Look who’s back,” she said. By this time, everyone’s eyes are already on me.

    “I have a knife and I’m not afraid to use it,” I whispered to her ear which made her scared. It’s not true, I can’t seem to find my pocket knife so the only thing I have closest to a knife is my pen.

    After class, I went straight to my locker and placed my books inside when my phone suddenly rang.

    “Hello?” I asked after answering my phone.

    “Honey, hi,” she answered. This is the first time I’m hearing her voice after so many years.

    “Mom, hi, how are you and dad?” I asked. Are they calling to tell me that I’m no longer their daughter? Are they very disappointed in me?

    “We’re fine honey. Your father is at work, I just wanted to tell you something,” she said. Oh no, this is it, the end of my life. “Mommy,” I heard someone say in the background, it sounded like a child.

    “Yes baby?” She asked, her voice is softer, more delicate, something I’ve never heard before.

    “Look at my painting. This is our house and you and daddy are holding my hand. Then this is Yaya Paula and Doggy,” he said and a dog barked in the background. “It’s our whole family.”

    “It’s very beautiful,” she answered. “Can you go back to your room first baby?” she asked. What’s happening? Is she babysitting? Is she teaching grade school? Why did she call him baby? Why did her voice change like that when she talked to him?

    “I’m sorry honey. I just wanted to tell you that we’re going home and we have a big surprise for you,” she said. Is the surprise papers stating that I’m no longer a Ramirez?

    “What’s the surprise and when are you guys going home?” I asked. I need to clean the house before they come home, especially the front yard.

    “We’ll be home by tomorrow.” Tomorrow, are they coming home for my birthday? They’re coming home for my 19th birthday. “Your father wanted to tell you the surprise face to face but I’ll tell you now. You have a five year old brother and you guys have the same birthday,” she said excitedly.

    “I’m sorry, what?” I asked. A five year old brother?

    “Mom, can you buy me some ice cream?” He asked. “Yes baby, anything for you,” she answered.

    “Honey, I’m going to have to hang up now,” she said and ended the call. My fists balled up in anger.

    Are they saying that they left me alone here because they’re too busy taking care of a five year old boy? That they haven’t talked to me for more than five years because of that little butthole? They didn’t even bother telling me when he was a newborn, I just have to find out when he’s five and over the phone.

    For all I know, they’re only coming home to see the house and for his birthday.

    “Look, the killer is here. Everyone, run for your life,” Harvey shouted sarcastically.

    "Say that again,” I said and faced him; he was with his entourage, as usual. “Oh, the killer is angry,” he said, mockingly.

    That’s where I lost it, I let my anger control my body and my fists met his face. I moved closer to him and whispered, “I can kill you right here in front of all these people Gobbler and no one would know that it’s me and I don’t care if your father is the mayor so shut the f**k up and mind your own business. I’m not in the mood to deal with your bullshit.”             

     I left him there, dumbfounded. I passed by Max’ house on my way home, I needed to talk to him.

    “Oh, why are you here?” Max’ mother, Margaret asked as she answered the door. I can see the judgement in her eyes.

    “Where’s Max? I just need to talk to him,” I answered with the sweetest smile on my face which made her scared, I think I’m smiling like a homicidal maniac.

    “He left just now. He told me that he was meeting you,” she stated and closed the door on my face. Meeting me? I never messaged him or anything.

    I walked back to our house when I saw a police officer in front, knocking on the door. What is it now?

    “Excuse me, what do you need?” I asked as I approached him. “I’m just here to bring this,” he said, giving me my luggage. I forgot about this. Since my luggage was in the crime scene, it was considered as evidence, that’s why I couldn’t bring it home.

    “I’m sorry but can you tell Detective Howard something?” I asked before he could even leave. “Sure,” he said. I remember him now; he was the cop who interrogated Max and I in the second floor incident.

    “Just tell him that I need to talk to him,” I answered. I need to do this so my parents won’t know what happened.

    “Thank you,” I said and went inside, going straight to my room. I need to check if anything’s missing, I’m pretty sure the killer took something from me.

    My beeper’s gone. Max gave it to me as a gift when I was ten, he was eleven. We would use it when we want to meet in our secret spot, the abandoned playground in the woods.

    Max would always frown when he gets there since I always arrive first. I never told him my shortcut, that's why he always arrived later than me.

    He also made me promise to always have it wherever I go and I’ve always had it with me since. “Meet up,” I said to myself.