“Fine…If you change your mind, you’ll know where to find us,” he finally conceded. He shook his head while walking away, clearly disappointed.
“If you really want to go, I can call you when I receive some information,” I teased him as he got inside his car, shutting the door.
“Not a chance.” Grinning, he cocked his head toward me saying, “They’ll be all right without me tonight.”
While holding his gaze for a minute, I smiled back. Something about his smile was just tantalizing. I fantasized about his lips closing the gap between us, brushing ever so softly against mine... My phone rang, breaking me out of my fantasy. Pulling the phone out of my pocket, I glanced nervously at Barry before answering. My voice was a bit shaky, but Detective Tanner didn’t seem to notice. He started talking right away, getting straight to the point. As I sat there quietly listening, two sets of eyes penetrated straight through me.
“Yes, sir…Okay…No…We’ll be right there.” I sighed as I hung up the phone.
“Well? Don’t make us wait. What did he say?” Barry asked.
“Did they believe us? Are they meeting us there?” Nicole anxiously asked at the same time. Her question made me pause. She asked if they believed us, like we were a team. I wasn’t sure how to process that because no one ever included me on a team before.
“Yes,” I stuttered. “He asked me again if I’m one hundred percent sure where Johnny’s buried. He said he called the detective back home and was impressed with my help on the case. They thought it would be best if they go ahead and proceed. There’s a unit that’s going to meet us at my house and then I’m supposed to lead them to where he’s buried.”
Resting my head against the headrest, I closed my eyes. It was actually going to happen. Soon, it would be over with. The thought of knowing there was a chance my nightmares might end was such a relief.
While my eyes were still shut, the gentle pressure from Barry’s hand as he placed it upon my knee sent a shiver along my left side. I opened my eyes, turning toward him, giving him a grateful smile. He didn’t offer to remove his hand, and I must admit it felt nice having it there. It made me feel secure.
Again he seemed to know exactly what I was thinking as he said, “It’s going to be over soon.”
I remained quiet as I sat there continuing to stare at him. He always puts me at ease by knowing exactly what to say or maybe it was his touch comforting me. Either way, I was thankful for it.
Nicole was in the back seat talking animatedly, but I wasn’t really paying much attention. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Barry. After the case was resolved, I kind of wondered if we’d be able to find some type of common ground to keep us together. Johnny, in a sense, brought us close together and after he leaves, I hoped our bond remained strong.
Turning onto our street, I was amazed by the amount of police cars lining the sides of the road. With the lights flashing brightly and uniformed policeman standing around, it resembled a scene from a movie. We glanced at each other, but remained quiet as we crept slowly along, pulling into his grandma’s driveway. Looking toward his grandma’s house, I noticed her peeking out the front door, her face scrunched with concern. My heart broke at seeing her worried expression. I believed it aged her by at least ten years.
“Barry, do you know what’s going on?” she questioned as he got out of his car.
He ran over to her, and I heard him start explaining as Detective Tanner made his way over toward me. Her audible gasp shot pains through my heart. That poor woman had to relive the awful moments of Johnny’s disappearance again.
“Okay, Heather, this is your show now. We’ll have you lead us to where you think he’s buried. After we get there, then I’ll have my team start digging until we find something. Are you ready?” Detective Tanner asked candidly.
I nodded, not saying a word. With a glance toward Barry, I noticed his grandma staring over toward us with her hand covering her mouth in disbelief over what he told her. As he leaned to kiss her cheek, I heard him say “it will be all right” before jogging over toward us.
Much to Detective’s Tanner dismay, I lagged for a couple of seconds to give Barry time to catch up. I certainly didn’t need Barry with me, holding my hand, but excluding him wouldn’t be fair. He deserved to be a part of this, as much as I did, especially since he’d been with me from the beginning. For him to miss any part of it now would be a crime.
As I rounded the corner of my house, I picked up my pace as Barry had caught up to us. Noticing the driveway was empty, I breathed a sigh of relief. Mother must have been working late tonight, which actually worked in our favor. It would have been a shock to her having everyone here without knowing what was actually going on. I hadn’t told her anything since the night I asked for the truck, nor had she asked. Since she had no intentions on discussing it any further, I never felt the need to disclose anything.
As I led everyone to the clearing, Barry was beside me, with Nicole not far behind. We walked together in silence, too deep in thought to carry on any conversation. I kept thinking about the huge burden I shouldered. My nerves made my stomach clench in knots, but I couldn’t think about that now. I had to keep pressing forward for Johnny.
All of them needed some type of closure in their own way, but the one person I didn’t want to disappoint the most was Johnny himself. He’d been silent for ten years, and the chance for his voice being heard was now.
I couldn’t help but feel a little eager that his time had finally come.
Stopping short as I reached the edge of the clearing, I glanced toward the detective, asking him to give me a moment. Nodding in agreement, he waved his hands, motioning everyone to back up a little and informed them to keep quiet. Barry motioned to Nicole, and they backed up, too.
Taking a deep breath, I stood there for a second, closing my eyes to clear my mind. I knew the location already, it wasn’t something I could easily forget, but I needed to be precise. Who knew how many times they would try if by some chance I happened to be wrong. With my arms extended slightly, I slowly walked over to where I knew he lay.
The feeling I had the last time kept getting stronger the closer I got. It was like an energy field that started in my legs, rising upward through my body, cutting off my airflow. When I practically stood over him, my chest tightened to the point I could hardly breathe. Getting down on my knees, I touched the ground. Immediately, images of Johnny were flashing in my mind.
“He’s here. He’s right here,” I gasped out, when I was able to speak.
With each struggling breath, the pain in my chest seemed to grow stronger. My body started shaking, either out of pain or fear. Black dots started impaling my vision. I was going to pass out. Arms gently wrapped around me, trying to help me up. Realizing they belonged to Barry, I leaned my head against his chest as I tried to breathe. He kept whispering reassurances, but I couldn’t quit shaking. The image of Johnny’s killer coming at him kept playing in my mind.
The complete terror I knew Johnny felt was finally too much for me to bear as the tears I’d suppressed began falling freely. Barry squeezed tighter, no doubt trying to make me feel better, but I knew those images would haunt me for the rest of my life. No matter what they found.
As Detective Tanner and his team came over to start their procedures, the detective asked, “Are you going to be okay?” Replying with a nod, Barry and I backed out of their way and went to stand with Nicole. As we approached, her face wore the same streaks as mine.
Without giving any thought, I reached over and grabbed a hold of her hand. All I wanted to do was comfort her. Luckily I didn’t incur any visions, but I couldn’t believe how careless I’d become around my friends. Friends…a word I never cared for was now the best word in the dictionary.
Thinking again how much things had changed since I’d moved here, I was in awe. Never before did I ever willingly touch anyone. Now with a friend in need of comfort, the fact that I automatically reached over and grabb
ed her hand was almost unbelievable.
The longer we stood there watching them set up, the more tired I became. Maybe because I was at the point of being totally exhausted or slightly overwhelmed, I didn’t know, but I needed to sit down. Running on just a few hours of sleep for two consecutive nights was taking its toll, and I could feel myself withering away.
Catching Barry’s attention, I tilted my head toward the log that I’d grown accustomed to. With a slight nod, we walked over there in complete silence. That silence wasn’t one of deep thought, though, it was fear. Fear that any sound we made would distract them while they worked, disrupting the whole process. As quietly as possible, we inched our way over there.
Once we were settled on the log, Nicole reached over and squeezed my hand whispering “Thanks.” I just smiled back. Now, knowing how much this means to her, I was glad Barry had decided to tell her when he did.
All three of us sat there completely stunned at the scene unfolding before us. They took their time, I presumed, to not disturb any kind of evidence. It was strange seeing everyone work in synchronization, though. Everyone had a specific role, and it was orchestrated well. As astounding as it was, I wished they could work a little faster.
It was grueling sitting there, doing absolutely nothing, knowing that a little boy had been buried there. That need to go over and help kept brewing inside me, but I had to remind myself my role was done. I was to lead them there, which I did. Now, there wasn’t anything else for me to contribute, but to be patient and wait.
Although it seemed like a long time had passed, it really didn’t take too long before they unearthed the first bone. The moment that happened, all digging came to a halt as they called Detective Tanner over to examine. After reviewing what they discovered, he glanced over at me before turning back, saying a few words to the team.
As they went back to work, we continued sitting there still afraid to speak. I felt like we discovered the main part of the puzzle, revealing the completed picture. When they unearthed more of his body, Detective Tanner came walking over toward us with a scowl upon his face.
“Heather, I need to talk to you,” he said sharply.
Barry eyed me questionably as I shrugged in response. But not knowing what he possibly wanted, I got up and walked over toward him.
“How did you know he was buried here?” he asked rather sternly.
“I told you, through my visions.”
“Are you telling me he was still breathing when he was buried? That he was buried alive?”
Cringing at his words I stated, “No.”
At that point I knew he’d figured out it couldn’t have come from my vision since Johnny was already dead when his killer brought him here.
“How did you know?” he asked more harshly.
Barry stood up, and I shot him a warning glance before responding. “It was a feeling…a…a very strong feeling. I led you to believe it was through my vision so you’d take it seriously. I’m sorry I misled you, but I just knew he was here.”
“Like the feeling you have about Mr. Barton?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“Shit. Come with me,” he demanded as he started walking out of the woods.
With a glance back at Barry and Nicole, I pleaded silently for them to follow me before taking off after the detective. When I heard the rustling of the leaves underfoot, it gave me great comfort as I continued walking after the detective.
I wasn’t sure what Detective Tanner’s next move was, but I guessed it had something to do with Mr. Barton. I much would prefer Barry to be with me in any kind of dealings with that awful man.
Arriving at the detective’s car, I stood by in silence, waiting for Barry and Nicole to catch up with me. Barry came over and wrapped his arms around me as we waited for the detective to finish running Mr. Barton’s name again on his computer. Frustrated that nothing was showing up, he glared over at Mr. Barton’s house. His eyes shifted into a squint as he seemed to be studying it.
His voice rang out loud as he stated, “You kids wait here…I’ll be right back.” He got out of his car rather hastily and took off in the direction of Mr. Barton’s house.
As we glanced at each other nervously, Nicole’s panicked voice interrupted our exchange. “Why is he going over there? Does he think he’s involved?”
“He probably wants to question him, or maybe feel him out, but I don’t think he’s home. It appears pretty abandoned,” Barry said as he grabbed a hold of my hand.
I knew he was thinking the same thing: Mr. Barton had probably already left town.
We stood there quietly until the detective came back. Wearing the same scowl on his face, he mumbled something about it not feeling right and got back on his computer.
“Heather…What was the name you gave me the other day?” he growled.
“Christopher Warfelt?”
Without any kind of response, he immediately started typing in the name. It took a minute before information started flowing in. Creeping toward the door to get a closer peek, I held my breath afraid to look since I wasn’t sure what to expect. As the screen flashed in front of me, I was shocked as the information become visible.
Christopher Warfelt was a seven–year–old boy reported missing about fourteen years ago. His case was classified as open since it had never been resolved. Glancing over to Barry, our eyes locked together as an unspoken understanding passed between us. I briefly wondered what I’d gotten involved in since it became more complex by the minute. As I stood there trying to process everything coming across the screen, all the color drained from my face as a photo of his suspected murderer flashed onto the monitor. It was the longest second of my life as we stared at the picture. Once the initial shock wore off, all hell broke loose.
The name of the photo was Joseph Banks, but there wasn’t any denying it. The image in front of us was Mr. Barton, but with bleached hair. As Detective Tanner scrolled to the next photo, the close–up sent a shiver right through me down to my core, for those eyes were unmistakable. Even though I felt like I knew all along, that picture finally confirmed it.
As soon as our brain processed the information, Detective Tanner was on his radio calling it in, and the search was on to find Mr. Barton.
“Dispatch we need to put an APB out on a Daniel Barton. Suspect 5'11", mid–sixties, short gray hair, brown eyes with glasses. Possible… Driving a Chevy Astro Van Blue in color…”
As his words were fading in and out, Nicole broke down and started crying. Her composure was completely destroyed by this point, and I thought to myself that she wasn’t made for this type of life. She should be happy, living the normal highs and lows of high school drama, not this. I had to give her credit, though, because up until now, she’d been holding up pretty well. Barry gave my hand a squeeze before letting go and went over to console her.
As we kept standing there, my emotions started to wear on me as well. Part of me felt empathy for Nicole, but the other part felt relieved since we were close to finding Johnny’s murderer, but something else nagged at me. Then it finally occurred to me. We knew he had another form of identification in his house the other day, but didn’t know why. I thought, what if…
“Detective…” He jerked his head toward me as I began to explain how we broke into his house and found the second identity he had.
When I got done explaining, he simply told me, “We’ll discuss the breaking and entering later.” Then he immediately went to his radio, putting out the word of his possible second alias.
Wondering if knowing his alias will help track him down more easily this time, my thoughts were interrupted by the smooth, female voice ringing through the scanner. “All units we have a 207 for a Ryan Boyer. Amber alert has been issued for a Ryan Boyer, seven years old, last seen walking home from school wearing…”
My heart sank as I processed the new information blaring across the radio. I knew Mr. Barton, or whatever his real name was, would be behind this. I
t fit his pattern. He preyed on seven–year–old boys, the sick bastard. Knowing this literally made me sick to my stomach.
My head started to spin, but I couldn’t move, unbeknown to my surroundings. I felt as if I was miles away, alone.
“Heather…”
I heard my name being called, but I couldn’t respond. All I could think about was a little boy who was out there with that horrible creature. God only knew what the poor boy could be thinking or going through right now.
Flashes of Johnny’s face as he caught sight of the knife played through my mind. I felt like screaming…That poor kid.
“Heather…I need your help.”
Snapping out of my thoughts, I turned toward the voice calling my name. “Yes,” I finally managed to speak.
“Heather, I need you to go with me over to Ryan’s house. I think you might be able to help. Do you feel up to it?”
“Sssure,” I stuttered as I walked around to the side of his squad car. With a glance back toward Barry and Nicole before taking off, I gave them a weak smile. They stood there staring wide–eyed at me, slowly raising their hand to wave good–bye.
~15~
Questioning
As we pulled up to the Boyers’ driveway, I wished my friends were with me. It was a strange feeling, since I’d always been independent, but it would have been nice to have Barry hold my hand while I went inside their house. Or at least have his company. I wasn’t looking forward to the anguished faces of Ryan’s parents and didn’t want to face it alone.
Detective Tanner was still with me, of course, but he wasn’t helping my nerves any. He kept telling me what to focus on as if I didn’t already know.
I wasn’t sure how my life became so complicated all of a sudden. I’d never had it easy, but this was rather intense. I longed for normalcy.
My mom was very mistaken, thinking our move would be a simple fix for my problems. When she arrives home tonight from work, she was in for one big surprise. I knew Barry would be there to explain, but since I hadn’t told her much about Johnny, she wasn’t going to be very understanding. I hoped she wouldn’t worry about me, especially since I wasn’t at home where she thought I was.
Visions: The Mystical Encounter Series (The Mystical Encounter Series Book 1) Page 11
