Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 19

"Hey mom," I said, stepping out of the car. Giving her my biggest smile did not cut it because her expression didn’t change. Instead of saying anything, Noah ducked around her and went into the house, leaving us in the driveway. She didn’t even bat an eye at him. All her focus was on me.

"Do you remember my friend Mikayla? She was going to be alone at home, and since I had another nightmare, one involving her, I thought it was best for her to stay over tonight," I said as my friend quietly stood behind me. Mikayla looked between me and my mom. Her eyes were wide as she chewed her bottom lip.

"Hello Mikayla. It’s nice to see you. It’s a pleasure to have you over. Please, go right ahead and let yourself into the house. I need a moment now to speak with your friend," she said quietly and without taking her eyes off of me.

"Thanks Mrs. James. Nice to see you again too. Anna, I’ll see you, uh, inside," Mikayla said quickly before maneuvering around her and going into the house.

My mom's eyes burned brighter than I'd ever seen them and the vein on the side of her temple was throbbing more than ever. Rather than say anything, she just began to pace in front of me. Ooh this is bad, I thought watching her. I squinted my eyes as I braced myself for her to yell at me. My heart rate sped up as well just watching her.

"I know you told me not to leave, and I really, really, wanted to listen and obey, but I had to hurry up and get to Mikayla. I had another nightmare, like I said, and she was next on the kidnappers' list. I couldn't just wait at home and do nothing," I explained when my mom didn’t say anything.

"ANNABEL! YOU- I- UGH" She growled at me. It was a roar almost and the way she looked at me I really felt like if she were a lion she'd devour me in seconds.

"I tried calling Sheriff Silverman, but he told me not to call him because I had nothing to do with the case. I really wanted to listen to him too, but if he wasn't going to listen to me, and I have to protect Mikayla, I have to, mom. This is the only thing I know how to do that can help."

"ANNABEL, DID IT OCCUR TO YOU THAT MAYBE SHERIFF SILVERMAN TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF IT FOR A REASON?! THAT MAYBE IT'S TOO DANGEROUS FOR YOU?" She shouted again, making me jump. As she looked at me, I lowered my head. My heart ached and tears came to my eyes.

"I know you want to help honey, I do, but...I don't want you to be caught up in the middle of it. If something were to happen to you Anna, I just...I couldn't do it. After we just lost your dad, the thought of possibly losing you, I can’t," her tone now soft. I looked up at her, tears streaming out of my eyes.

"I know mom, but I feel like I'm having these dreams for a reason. I don't want to have them, but I do. I thought that after talking to the Sheriff they would go away, but they didn't. I just keep having these nightmares and since they won't go away, I figure I need to do something about them. I don’t know what to do, mom. I just want it to stop," I said, wrapping my arms around myself. My mom walked up and wrapped her arms around me.

"You're father didn't like having them either," she hesitated, rubbing my back. I stopped crying and wiped my cheeks.

"W-What do you mean?"

"Your dad,” she started. “It’s one of the reasons he became a lawyer. Not psychic or anything. Just had these feelings, like a hunch. Sometimes he had dreams. I’d have to keep reminding him dreams are dreams. Looks like I’ll have to do that with you. When you were little, you’d have nightmares of little girls getting kidn*pped. You and your dad would treat them like they were all real. Noah used to have them too, but not like the way you did. When you stopped talking about them, I figured they had gone away and that would be it. Your dad talked about Noah being the one to follow in his footsteps because it's usually the males in your dad’s family that could do that."

"Great, so because I'm a twin I got the gift that should have been Noah's?"

"No. There’s no gift. People sometimes make something more than it needs to be. Sometimes, dreams can be a coincidence. That’s it. You’re having these dreams because of the coincidence and now that’s all you can think about. Stop worrying about the little girl, let the cops do their jobs. Promise me you will stop following the rabbit down its hole," She said, rubbing my arms. So, today, when Sheriff Silverman said "after your father I didn't want to take any chances" that's what he meant? Would dad use this to solve cases? Mom stared me in the eyes until I nodded.

“Okay, now that that’s over with, let's go inside. I have to start cooking dinner. I invited my co-worker Terry over for dinner."

"What are we eating?" I asked, walking alongside my mom towards the house.

"I was thinking Pasta."

"Sounds good to me," I said, opening the door and stepping inside.

I kind of felt like a hypocrite, telling my mom I’d give up when I know more than anything, I would do whatever it takes to make sure Mikayla is safe and Katrina is back home. Noah and Mikayla sat on the couch lost in conversation, deep in conversation. They huddled their bodies close together. I walked to the arm chair and took a seat.

"Everything okay?" Noah asked, turning both of their focus to me.

"What do you think?” I answered, making him shrug. I let out a sigh. “Yeah. Everything is fine. Anyway, what are you guys talking about?"

"Noah told me what you’ve been up to. He said you’re worried I’m next to be kidn*pped. I know you said you had a dream, but Annabel, you can't predict the future if that's what you're thinking. That's impossible, but I'll head your warning and stay here for the night," Mikayla said with a smile.

"Great," I said, smiling back. I really don't care if she believed me or not. I am not taking any chances of letting her out of my sight until I know that creepy man is caught.

Noah was being a little awkward in that he didn't go straight to his room as soon as I came in. Instead, he stood and enjoyed Mikayla's company. She started telling us the joys of being an only child and asking questions about our twin telepathy.

"I'll be right back," I said, going up to my room. I wanted to get changed into something more comfortable since I'll be home the rest of the night. As I was getting dressed, I heard the doorbell ring. That must be mom's co-worker Terry, I thought, walking out of my room. As I went down the stairs, I saw the living room was empty. Strange.Where the heck did Mikayla and Noah go?

My mom’s voice came from the kitchen. She giggled, talking about how she’s not a great cook. I hesitated a moment in the living room because most of mom's co-workers are fake. Then again, what real estate agent isn't? I have never seen my mom in action so I can't speak for her, but I would bet as soon as she clocked in, the fakeness started. I think it's mandatory to be fake so you can sell houses.

"Hey mom, have you seen Noah and Mikayla?" I asked, stepping into the kitchen and facing her direction. Though I didn’t look in the direction of the table, I could sense someone was sitting there staring at me.

“I forgot something from the store, so I sent them out for a minute. Say Hello to Terry, will you?” She said, looking over my shoulder, giving a big fake smile.

“They just ditched me? Why did Mikayla go with Noah?”

“I don’t know, honey, but you're embarrassing me. Terry, please excuse my daughter. This is Annabel, Annabel, this is my new fellow agent, Terry," she said with a smile. I rolled my eyes, but turned in the direction to meet Terry.

When I saw the person who stood in front of me, my body didn’t know how to react. I froze and jumped all at the same time. My heart raced and my stomach fell to my feet. The room spun and I struggled to catch my breath. Darkness surrounded my vision. The only thing I could make out was a man in a grey suit and thin framed glasses walking with his arms stretched towards me.