Ridgewood Town

Chapter 14

Sophia

June 27

Saturday; 9:21

“Don’t tell me you’re going to believe that?” My train of thought stops when Jean starts lecturing me. I looked at her who was sitting just beside me.

“I know you’re doubting everyone in the room right now the way that you’re giving us looks. Hold your horses! We don’t know each other that well," she reasoned out as she gave me a soft pat on my back. "Yes, I know. I don’t know you that well either, but I trust you. We have the same goal. I wanted to know what happened to Taylah. Peyton wanted to help his friend. I may look untrustworthy, but please believe me. I just want to help.”

“I- “

“It’s okay, Sophia. I never thought this idea was good either.” Peyton rises from the floor and sits beside me. “Luis wouldn’t want you involved either. Jean and I can handle this.”

"Wow. Did he say that to you?" Jean asked sarcastically. Peyton didn't answer back but gets his phone from Ana. He typed something and handed it to Jean. I couldn't read her expression nor her eyes.

"I can't understand it. Another gibberish sleep text, huh?" She handed the phone to me. “He’s your boyfriend. Read is for us.”

“Wow. You’re so rude,” Ana remarked. Jean rolled her eyeballs and ignored Ana.

I looked at the text.

peoywcyso0hia...@à az neber let tgem gget her

I couldn't understand a thing. But I can make some words from the last one. Never let them get her?

“Protect Sophia. Never let them get her.” Peyton reads. "I don’t know about the at sign. Maybe he tapped on it accidentally.”

“Who’s about to get me?” I asked, confused.

“Maybe he dreamed about something before he went missing,” Ana suggested. “I always get bad dreams. When I was between sleep and awake, I couldn’t differentiate the reality that I was still stuck in that dream. I’m not entirely sure but I somehow got a point," Ana gave her shoulders a soft tap like she was congratulating herself. I saw Jean roll her eyes at the gesture.

“It’s possible. He always gets bad dreams at night,” I said. I used to sing him lullabies on the phone every night. It kinda helps him sleep warmly without nightmares.

“You guys wouldn’t do it anymore, right? The playing detective group of yours?” Ana queried.

“No matter what you decide, please still count me in. I want to help,” Coover said and raised his hand like a sign of alliance. Jean nodded approvingly. She took Coover’s hand and shook it.

“You made the right decision, Coover. I truly appreciate it." Jean looked at us expectingly, her lips curving into a small smile.

“Fine, count me in. I can’t leave you two dealing with this. I know you needed me anyway,” Peyton answered reluctantly. He scratches at the back of his head as he and Coover talk eye to eye. They have been obvious, acting sweet from time to time. I wonder if Ana already took notice of them. I just noticed that she has a little crush on Coover.

“I know you don’t want me in but I’m gonna squeeze myself. I want to join you.” Ana handed her hand to Peyton and Coover and they gave her a hug.

If they weren’t scared by the threats, why would I? I lost myself there. I forgot that I have to be brave. Luis, do you see this? I won’t back down.

“I want to be part of it too.” Like what Coover and Ana did, I handed them my hand for a shake.

“Are you really sure?” Peyton asked once again. I looked at him in the eye and showed how determined I am about this.

I want to know what happened. I still feel something is wrong. If it was not, that person wouldn’t go to this level to stop me; to stop us from uncovering the truth.

“Yes. That person can warn me or threaten me all he wants. I won’t back down," I said, trying to hide the fear in my voice. I was glad I didn't stutter.

“That’s been decided then.” Jean shook my hand with her. “So, what’s our plan?”

Saturday; 10:03AM

We went down to see my parents in the living room. The blinds were drawn down, making the room dim. My parents were sitting on the couch. Dad was hugging mom as she slept on his shoulder. He was watching movies on the television when he saw us making our way down the stairs. Dad craned his neck to greet us.

"Hey, honey. Are you sending your friends out?" Dad asked. He fixed mom's head on his shoulder, doing it like a doting husband. I was glad I was able to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

"Yes. About that Dad..." I contemplated asking. Dad may not let me out of the house, but I still need to try. It was a few days passed when he told me to stop getting involved in the case. But before I could ask for permission, someone had already saved my a*s.

"I'm going to the shopping center, Mr. Chase. Do you mind if I take Sophia with me?" Jean stepped out for me. Dad was silent for a few seconds before he gave us a smile and a nod.

"Sure thing. Be safe, ladies!" Dad waved us goodbyes. “And you too, Peyton and Coover. Come back anytime.”

“We’re very pleased, Mr. Chase. Thank you.” Coover bowed lightly and headed towards the door to open it for us. Peyton was smiling like he was teasing. He was shaking his head lightly as he followed Coover.

"That went fast," Ana said with a tinge of nervousness in her voice. She continued to steal glances at the front door of the house as she gave out a deep sigh. I couldn't agree more. That gave me a little fright.

“I’m glad he let me go that easily. Is this the power of the famous Jeanette Garinder?” I asked her as I teasingly poked her at the side of her stomach. She gave a chuckle and jokingly smacked my head.

“We’re gonna head to my car first then. What about you guys?” Jean pointed at the two boys and Ana.

"We are to meet here after our mission. We're gonna update you with our progress, okay? Let's go, Coover!" Before we could answer Peyton, he had already grabbed Coover to his car. More like dragging him to escape someone. Just then I realized why, when someone just spoke beside me.

"Wait, where am I supposed to go?" Ana looks at me. I look at Jean. And Jean looked at the two boys.

“Aren’t you supposed to go with them?” Jean pointed at the car which was now leaving. Ana looks so lost as she watches the car getting smaller, getting further. I couldn’t blame if Jean suddenly lashes at her. When we were planning, Ana wasn’t listening either. Her eyes were glued to her phone as she tried opening her page. And now by not listening, she failed her first mission miserably.

“What should I do now? They wouldn’t have any reason to get inside the station without me. I still need to report about the hacking of my page.” Ana breaks down on the carpeted grass of our porch. Jean couldn’t care less as she shook her head, watching Ana.

“Coover is a genius. He can make a way to get in even without you.”

“Are you saying I’m useless?” she asked, her voice sounding hurt.

“No. I’ve got some work for you to do. Get in the car.”

Jean pressed something on her car keys, a car on the side of the road flickered by the lights. Jean was in the driver’s seat and I got to the shotgun seat. I couldn’t let these two near each other. Scenarios of them fighting flashed before my eyes. I see them fighting and letting the car crash into a tree. I couldn’t let that happen. I might die before I even find Luis.

"By the way, Sophia, you didn't give me a call after the funeral. I gave you my calling card, remember?” Jean asked.

“Dad threw it out. Sorry. He was blaming Mason for messing up his life once again," I reasoned out. My father doesn't want me to be connected to Luis anymore.

“Your dad has that hatred of the Mason family?” Ana asked from the backseat. I nodded.

“I don’t really know what the deal is but, it must’ve been big.”

“I’m glad they let you date Luis,” Jean said. She swerves the car towards the left, passing Mason’s house.

“Yeah. I’m still lucky.”

“Where are we going now, Jean?” Ana asked as she leaned forward to see where we were heading. Jean drove us further behind the trees and stopped.

“You remember that window with a broken latch that has been there since we were kids?” Jean asked me.

“Broken latch?” An image flashes and I suddenly remember that one of the rooms on the first floor had a broken latch. “But Luis already fixed it a long time ago.”

“Yeah, but I kinda broke it once again when I tried to sneak in,” she confesses as she curls her hair with her fingers. Her name really screams trouble.

“How are we going to get in? By the latch?” Ana asked.

“Yes and no. You go to the front door and distract Mrs. Bigglesworth. Here.” She handed Ana a paper bag. “Those are baked goods I bought a while ago. Bribe them with that. While you’re at it, extract some information," she commanded.

“This seems like baiting me into danger,” Ana grumbled. She took the paper bag and walked out of the car.

“Let’s head to the room we’re talking about. Nicholas must be at his soccer practice right now. Ana will buy us time.”

We got out of the car and made it quiet as possible as we approached the house. The garden in the backyard has withered. It seems like the new owner doesn’t like gardening at all.

“Sophia…” she whispered and motioned me beside her. We heard the doorbell ring. Loud and heavy footsteps echoed throughout the whole house. The door opened lightly. I heard they were talking and that was our cue to get inside. Jean opened the window and swiftly jumped down without a noise. When it was my turn, she placed a chair below so I could climb down. She knows I can’t do what she did. I’m heavy.

They were still talking at the door when we headed for the stairs. Before we got inside one of the rooms, I saw Mrs. Bigglesworth welcomed Ana into the house when she handed her the paper bag.

“This is Taylah’s room. You should go to Luis’ room, Sophia. Bring the things that seem suspicious to you.” I nodded and immediately and went to his room. Luis is so secretive that he installed a smart lock on his bedroom door. I pressed the series of numbers he gave me.

7 6 7 4 2

The door clicked and opened. The first thing that met me was the familiar scent of his room; the smell of mint. Being in his room makes me miss him more; the familiar blue-gray paint of his walls that feels calming in the eyes; an unfinished self-portrait lying on his side table; and polaroid photos hanging on the wall beside his bed. I lay on his bed that was still unkempt. He never fixes his bed anyway.

Everything was in place like he just got out of his bed to get his lunch. Of course, he didn’t. Can he just stop hiding now? I’m so tired waiting for him.

“Sophia?” a soft knock snaps me back to reality. I opened the door and Jean went in.

“I really expected this. Luis trusted you more than Taylah. Thanks for opening the door.” She headed to the side table and opened the drawers. “Have you found anything?”

“I couldn’t find anything suspicious,” I answered back. "Well, I haven't started looking around honestly." We continued checking his things but I couldn’t see anything that could relate to his disappearance.

“I’ll go check on Taylah's room again. Wait here, okay? No one gets past his room ever, so it’s the safest place right now.”

“You mean they haven’t checked here before?” I asked her. She nodded as she shrugged her shoulders.

“They couldn’t open the door.”

If they can’t open the door, aren’t they supposed to break through in?

“I remember I was able to open it. Why didn't they ask me anything? Even if dad won't permit me, he doesn't have the power to stop the police.”

“I don't know either. Detective Philips even ran for the door but it clicked to lock when he got on it. They could possibly break through this door but they didn’t. They really don’t care about Luis.” She taps my shoulder and headed to the door. She peeks outside before she gets out.

I was looking around when I saw something glimmer under his bed. I crouched down and saw a tattered notebook. I picked it up and inspected it. It was a midnight blue colored leather that was almost the size of my hand. It had the WIC Company seal on the front and it was plain on the back. I tried to scan a few pages but found it was locked. It looked like it had been used for ages. And I saw Henry Mason’s name on the front as the letter was forced to stay there. It was Henry’s diary, maybe.

I was about to read the pages when frantic knocks were at the door again. I immediately hid it inside the jacket I was wearing. When I got to the door, I heard Jean whispering to open the door, as some voices were heard from downstairs too. She got in immediately and we closed the door.

“Detective Philips is downstairs. He even scolded Ana for causing trouble," she said, her voice was in a hurry.

“Is he here to investigate?” I asked, but Jean shook her head. She dragged me to the corner away from the door.

“I bet.”

Loud and heavy footsteps were heard heading upstairs. We stood still and stared at the door. Jean signaled me to keep quiet as we waited for what was about to happen.

“You haven’t figured out the passcode of this lock?” a deep voice I recognized came from the detective. I heard him press something on the door but he wasn’t able to open the door. A loud thud followed as I deduced that he pounded on the door loudly. I was glad I was able to cover my gasp. They rounded the second floor once more until Mr. Philips calls it a day.

We moved swiftly out of Luis' room. Jean checked if they were around while I immediately wiped the lock with my inner shirt. I don’t want anyone inside Luis’ bedroom. This is the least thing that I could do.

Jean motioned me to follow her and I did. We made it out not being caught. When we got to the car, Ana was already inside.

.

“Glad you made it out alive.” She handed me a bottle of water and I drank straight up. I handed it to Jean who was now panting.

“Thanks.” a mumbled response came from her as she drank from the bottle.

“Detective Philips seems to hate me so much. This is the first time I saw him getting mad at me for visiting a neighbor.” Ana complained.

“Just be glad we accomplished our mission today. I don’t want to do this next time. I felt so bad going through Taylah’s things,” Jean grumbled.

“I- “I contemplated once again. Both of them looked at me expectantly.

The post told me to never trust anyone. Does that include Luis’ friends?

“I was thinking about what those two are doing now,” I lied.

“I hope they made it out alive too," Jean wished.

The eyes are everywhere. We never know who to trust. For now, I should trust myself first. And see what’s inside Henry Mason’s diary.