Eclipsed Fates of Ever After

CH 4: Blood In The Water

~Beth~

The guard at the gate was acting weird. He said we’d find out when we got inside. A meeting was going to be held with everyone who stayed behind. The police would be present. I shook a little. What could have happened?

“It’s probably nothing. Another threat or someone being stụpid, I bet.” Mike patted my hand. “Just think about this. Lisa has those giant floating hamster balls. I bet we could get into all sorts of trouble with them.” I laughed. Mike is a kid at heart.

“If it wasn’t for the alligators, sharks, stingrays, and playful dolphins, I’d beg to test them out.”

“Ugh, fine. No fun.” He fake pouts, making me laugh. Seeing someone my Uncle’s age acting like a kid is funny to me.

“Find me a place without deadly water creatures or brain eating amoeba, and I’ll do it.” His eyes lit up as he pulled into a spot. He jumped out and grabbed both our bags.

“I’ll remember you said that!” He laughed and jogged towards the door. I ran after him laughing. Our fun mood was cut short when some police officers guided us away. I barely got my bag!

“Do you know why you’re here?” The female officer asked.

“Someone is being a dumba… sorry.” I stopped myself. “Is someone being ignorant and making threats again?” A slight smirk struggled on this stern woman’s face. Then she saw my bag.

“Why is there blood on your bag?” Her demeanor suddenly turned hostile.

“It was all over the pool house I was staying in and several yards. When the tree crushed my little home, it got all over my clothes. The police said they thought it was an animal. I don’t have any other clothes, so I brought them here to try cleaning them.”

She gave me a strange look. A little suspicious and surprised. I pulled my clothes out and placed them on the table. She called some people in who started cutting pieces off! The officer looked surprised and angry.

“What the Hẹll!?! Those are her only clothes. Swab them, you idịot!” It was too late. Their little group cut every piece of my clothing. Most of those were gifts from my family and very expensive. The officer looked at the tags and paled before looking at me apologetically.

“Just take them.” I sobbed. The last ties I had are gone now.

“Jeeze. Getting pịssy over some stupid clothes? Just go to Walmart and get new. You people can afford it.” The lead tech snarked. I wanted to jump over the table and choke her.

“I’m an intern dipshịt. That dress,” I pointed to my favorite retro jacquard dress from Elizabeth Anthony, “is the cheapest piece on the table at $1,500. It was a gift from my DEAD GRANDMOTHER. All of those were gifts from my family, who ALL died 6 months ago. But hey, if you feel better for being a piece of shịt and bullying a young girl like an aṣshole, you go right ahead.

“Don’t think for one minute I didn’t see the others pull out swabs, then put them away when you shook your head.” I stood up, gathering what little I had left. “We’re done here.” I got up and stormed out the door.

“…OVER $200,000! THAT’S HOW MUCH! DO YOU THINK THE CHIEF…” I heard the officer yelling at the people from down the hall. Once out of sight, I leaned against the wall and sank to the floor crying.

My family’s deaths only happened six months ago. Grammy saved to buy me that dress as a congratulations for getting the internship. She said I needed a pretty dress suitable for business parties. Mom, Dad, and my siblings saved, too. I always felt them hugging me when I wore the things they bought me.

“Beth, hey, Beth. What’s wrong?” I tried telling Mike. He looks in my now nearly empty bag. “Beth, where are your clothes?” I started crying harder. I had the clothes on my back, a blouse, and a pair of jeans to my name. He picked my bag up, then me. I was too busy crying to notice anything.

“Mike, what happened? Why is she crying?” Ms. Lisa asked. I heard others rush over.

“From what I can tell, they cut her clothes up. That dress she got from her grandmother was in there.”

“What the fụck!?! Take her to my office. What does she have for clothes?” I heard her almost growl when she looked inside. “Take her, let her rest there.” I felt Mike tuck me in on Ms. Lisa’s futon a few minutes later. Someone brought a cool rag and some Tylenol. I couldn’t stop crying. I let the darkness take me.

~Ms. Lisa~

Those aṣsholes! First, they want to accuse us of a mụrder. Now, this? They have swabs! Why would they chop into someone’s clothes? Especially after a hurricane! I slam the door open. I knew which one it was. Men and women were being interviewed separately.

“You can’t be in here!”

“Why? Are you planning to cut every piece of clothing she owns up as well?” I point the woman from SMA (Safety and Mission Assurance). The officer paled.

“I had nothing to do with that.” I leaned towards her.

“Then you better ḍamned well give me names now, if you want to save your job.”

“I’m not worried about mine, but feel free to take hers.” She handed me a list. She had already made it out, along with every piece of clothing and a detailed report. I walked over to the copy machine and printed off three copies. I handed it back to the officer. “Just so you know, the ringleader is from a VERY wealthy family. Have fun with that.” We shared a knowing smirk before I nodded and left. I like her.

I received an email shortly after leaving the room. It was pictures the officer took of all the clothes. Shredded beyond repair and covered in… is that blood? I read the report. There was blood all over the pool house at Ms. Gershowitz’s? One is freaky, two is suspect, but now there’s three blood covered areas?

I sent an email to my husband. Cell services are still down, but the internet is working. Our daughter is, or was, the same size as Beth. She’s pregnant now, and our house was unscathed. She likes Beth. I know she’ll be happy to help. I also send the pictures, a picture of the reports, and an explanation of what the police told Ms. Gershowitz.

‘She’s my client now. I’m charging $1. Have her sign the papers and wire me.’ I smile and wait for the email to come through. He did exactly what I thought he would. Beth lost her whole family and nearly everything she owned six months ago.

Faulty electric. The contractor was cutting corners. If she hadn’t been here, she would have died with the others. Ms. Gershowitz, Doug’s aunt, took her in and decided to keep her. Her husband passed away last year. They need each other.

“Beth?” I call out gently as I enter my office.

“Shh, she cried herself to sleep.” I hear Mike say. He’s gently wiping her tears away.

“I know, I wouldn’t wake her if it wasn’t important.”

“Anything I can do?”

“No. She’s David’s client now. She just needs to pay him a dollar and sign these papers.”

“Oh shịt.” I laugh at his expression.

“Hmm?” I feel bad for waking her up.

“Beth, I need you to sign some papers, then…”

“You can go back to sleep. Already sent it.” Mike shrugs.

“Mmm-kay.” She drowsily signs and initials every document. Mike tucks her back in as I send the papers off. Poor kid. This is supposed to be the most exciting time of her life, and all this happens. I sit by her head and stroke her hair. It calms her, like it calms my daughter.

“Hey, Mike. See if you can get a sample of blood from my house, Ms. Gershowitz’s, and the launch sight. See if they match. I have a strange feeling.”

“Your house too? What the hẹll is big enough for all this blood?”

“A whale, maybe? I don’t know. I just want answers.”

“You got it. Hey, listen. Doug sent something, and I need to make sure I’m not mistaken. It’s signed off on by the Administrator.” He hands me a stack of papers. My ear-to-ear smile may break my face. An employment contract as Doug’s personal assistant. I see a letter and read it.

‘… Miss Miller selflessly stepped in during a natural disaster, putting aside her own well-being to assist in my duties. She flawlessly secured the data from the servers and then went on to assist other departments.

She has not finished her education, but she is passionate about working here and more than capable. I would like her to work by my side as a paid employee. With this head injury, I will need someone who knows my position to assist me in the day-to-day…’

Doug. What a schemer. I was hoping to get her in working for me, but he is right. Beth knows his job, and most of ours, inside-out. She picks up on the slightest things and remembers them well. Heck, he may be grooming her to take his position.

I take the letter. She will get embarrassed and self-conscious if she sees it. I’ll give it to her in a nice frame later. I leave the contract on the table beside her with a bright pink sticky note.

‘Read, sign, and get back to me ASAP. Congratulations!’

“Boss, more reports are coming in about blood on the Atlantic coast. What is going on?” He’s too loud. Beth is flinching in her sleep.

“Come on, she needs her rest, and we need answers. There’s blood in the water.”