Something Happened

by Brandy Isaacs

  "Should I check on her?" Rion asked.

  "I wouldn't," Shep told her. "I slid some food in not long ago. She was fine—as can be expected I guess."

  Rion didn't mind not checking on Beckett. She was afraid of what she would see. It was better not knowing—for now. She slid onto the bar stool and Shep slid a bag of chips to her. Kerry joined them and rested her head in her hands. "How did research go?"

  Shep scratched at his beard. "Not very well."

  "Why not?" Rion asked, digging into the chips more out of needing to put food in her stomach than actual hunger.

  "I haven't been able to find much."

  "How's that?" Kerry grabbed a handful of chips herself. "Two people are murdered and the only witness is their kid, and it’s not all over the news?"

  "Surprisingly, no. I mean, the story is there. Frank and Lavinia Webster—murdered. Seven-year old daughter in the house. Placed with family now. Name withheld since she's a minor. No leads currently."

  Rion could feel her frustration rearing its head again. "Nothing occult-ish?"

  "No." After a few moments of silence, Shep pushed his chair back. "Do you guys want dinner? I found stuff that I can make breakfast for dinner. You can catch me up on what you found out while I cook."

  Rion still didn't feel much like eating, but she didn't say no. While Shep moved with surprising familiarity around her kitchen, she and Kerry related their experience with the psychic. His comfort in her kitchen made her realize how much time he—and Kerry—had been spending at her place. As Shep sat plates in front of them, she tried not to scowl at him. She could feel her lungs tighten with anxiety. Something very much like claustrophobia settled around her.

  Rion forced herself to take a deep breath. She loved having Kerry and Shep around—as much as that surprised her to admit. But, she still found herself sometimes overwhelmed. She had spent many years doing her best to shut everyone out but, her friends found a way in anyway. It wasn’t the size of her apartment that lead to her feelings of claustrophobia. She watched them eat while she picked at her food. She could tell they were worried too and she still had a hard time understanding why they would take on the burden of her situation. Why not just run while the can?

  Shep broke the silence eventually. “I agree we need to figure out what happened to Beckett. If we believe Maggie—and that’s a huge if—that might help us figure out a way to reverse it. At the very least, maybe a doctor or psychiatrist can use the information to help her.”

  “But,” Rion laid her fork down. “How do we do that?”

  “We need to go back to the house,” Kerry picked up Rion’s fork. “Are you done?”

  “Yes," she pushed her plate towards Kerry. "But, I don’t like the idea of going back to the house.”

  Kerry started cleaning up Rion’s plate. “We need to see if there is any evidence there. Anything that will tell us what your dad—I mean Frank—was up to.”

  “But, I want to do that without going back.” Rion shuddered. “I don’t know,” she trailed off. “I think it’s a bad idea.” She remembered the silhouette of the twisted creature and her stomach tightened.

  “How else are we supposed to find out what happened?” Kerry asked.

  “Research?” She scrambled for an idea. “What if we find someone who can hypnotize her?”

  “I don’t think that always works” Kerry looked to Shep for help.

  He winced, rubbed his forehead, and sighed. “I think I agree with Rion. Something bad happened in that house. Paranormal or not,” his voice always twisted when he mentioned anything paranormal. Just enough to clarify his feelings about it.

  “Even if hypnotism works, it could take time.” Kerry finished with Rion’s plate. “Maybe more than we have.”

  “We don’t know how long we have.”

  Rion let out a frustrated sigh. “I know.” She looked at Shep for support. He met her look with sympathy, but she could see his resolve melting.

  “Kerry might be right,” he said finally admitted.

  “No,” Rion didn’t realize how determined she was until the word slipped out of her. “I don’t want to go back there.” She couldn’t put her finger on it, but every fiber of her being was telling her to stay away from that house. And to keep Beckett from it too. Kerry’s shoulders slumped.

  “I really think this is our best choice.”

  “I’m not going back there. And I’m not taking Beckett back there.” It felt good to put her foot down. But it was hard to look at her friends and see their disappointment.

  “I want to go back.” The little girl’s hard edged voice caused them all to jump.

  Rion turned on her stool and found Beckett standing in the doorway. “What?” Her heart thumped in her chest.

  “I want to go home.” The kid’s head was tilted in challenge.

  Rion looked at Kerry and Shep. They were staring at Beckett with the same shock she felt. Kerry’s face was paler than usual. “See.”

  Both of them turned to her. “But…” Kerry started in a weak voice.

  Rion turned back to Beckett. “You are not going back to that house.” Her words came out in a heated breath. “This is your home now,” she added almost as an afterthought.

  “I’m not done there.”

  “What does that mean?”

  The kid’s brow furrowed. “I have more stuff to get.”

  Rion knew Beckett was lying. Or at least stretching the truth. “No. If you need something let us know. We’ll go get it for you.”

  The kid glared at her with dark eyes that made Rion want to squirm. “I want to go back.”

  Rion knew Beckett was trying to find a reason she had to go back. Maybe even weighing the chances of getting there on her own. “No.” Her chest tingled with satisfaction.

  After an intense stare down, Beckett snarled and slammed the bedroom door shut. Rion turned to the others. “You see?” she asked again. “If that thing wants to go back, then that is all the more reason to not let her.”

  Kerry nor Shep could argue with that. “Maybe we go back without her?” she offered.

  “How do we do that without Beckett?” Rion asked.

  Shep started cleaning the table. “We can’t leave her alone.”

  Kerry shook her head. “All of us should be there. Maybe not the kid. But the three of us. I think we should have as many there as possible.”

  “I know,” Rion agreed. “And that is why it’s not going to happen. The simple fact that we need to take precautions going back is the reason we shouldn’t—won’t.”

  “But, what if we find out what happened? What if it helps us help Beckett?” Kerry pleaded.

  “Even if we did go back,” Rion’s voice tightened. “I won’t allow Beckett to go there again.”

  “What if Beckett being there is the key?” Kerry tried.

  “How so?”

  Kerry shrugged. “I don’t know. But, it’s possible. Maybe she will reveal something. Or…something will reveal itself. She could be the key.”

  “I just think it’s irresponsible. Not only for us to go, but especially to take Beckett.”

  Shep rejoined them at the counter. “Well, it’s also irresponsible to leave her alone, or for anyone to search the house alone.”

  “Whose side are you on?” Rion growled.

  “Honestly, I don’t know.” Shep picked up his used napkin and clenched it in his fist. “I think Kerry has a point. If this…shit is really happening, going back might be the answer. But…I think it is bad for all of us to go. Especially Beckett. Even if nothing…paranormal happened. If a group of people hurt Frank and Lavinia, they could come back. They might want Beckett. They might be waiting for a chance to get her.”

  “We’re not going,” Rion’s declaration was final.

  “But,” Kerry tried.

  “No.” Rion pulled her hair back from her face. “I think I just need you all to go.”

  “That’s not a good idea,” Shep finally raised his voice a
bove a subdued murmur.

  “I know. I know it’s not,” Rion sighed. “But, I just need some space.”

  “Come on—”

  Rion interrupted Kerry. “I know. I know. None of us should be alone with her. But, you guys are right across the hall. I’m just—just feeling really pressured right now. I need some room to breathe.”

  “What’s wrong?” Shep asked.

  “Nothing! Everything!” Rion tried to keep her voice at a reasonable level. “This is all just so…insane. And I’m not used to having everyone here. And I’m not used to having a kid here—let alone one who is…is…possessed?” She felt her face twist in disbelief and confusion. “And I want my cat. I want everything to go back to being normal. And quiet.” She felt terrible even as she said it. “And I need you guys to go. Just to even get close to that.”

  Kerry’s face fell. Her gaunt cheeks looked more hollow as her face tilted towards the floor. “OK,” she mumbled. “But—but if you need us. Just yell. OK?”

  “Yeah,” Rion nodded, her throat tight.

  Once Kerry was gone, Shep came around the counter. “You shouldn’t try to do this alone.”

  “I’m not,” Rion refused to look at him. “I just need to breathe.”

  “I get it.” Shep reached for her and she wanted to pull away, but her body didn’t cooperate. “This is a lot…for anyone to deal with. But, it’s dangerous. No matter what is going on with Beckett. I think you should consider going back to the house.”

  Rion’s shoulders tightened under Shep’s hands. “I can’t.”

  “I know,” Shep soothed her.

  “Kerry and I are here for you. No matter what.” He was silent for a moment. “No matter if it is possession or mental illness.”

  “I still can’t figure out why,” Rion’s whispered before she could stop herself.

  “You will—eventually,” Shep sighed.

  He left her standing next to the counter and once both her friends were gone, she felt the emptiness of the apartment. Her shoulders slumped under the cold absence of Shep’s hands. She made her way to her futon and sat slowly. She stared at the door to the bedroom where Beckett lurked. She knew the kid was there—waiting—listening.

  Anxiety crawled over her skin like insects, and she shivered. She wanted to sleep, but she knew that sleep wasn’t going to come easy. She laid down without pulling the futon into a bed and rested her arm over her eyes. She hadn’t bothered to turn out the light and she grumbled when she got back up. She glanced towards the kitchen and with a sinking feeling she made her way to the fridge. Disappointed in herself, she retrieved the rest of the rum from the freezer and opened it. She didn’t bother mixing it with soda. Instead, she knocked it back, swallowing fast enough to avoid the taste as long as possible.

  Rion remembered seeing her mom do the same thing once. But, it was whiskey Annie favored. When she lowered the bottle she gasped for breath, her stomach lurched, and she shuddered. Usually, Annie followed her booze with some kind of uppers. I’m not as bad as her if I don’t do that, right? Rion dropped the bottle into the trash and turned back to the living room. She wobbled as she turned out the light, then dropped onto the futon.

  Rion knew it was stupid to kick her friends out. She needed them even if she didn’t want to admit it. But, she couldn’t stand feeling like she was disappointing them by failing to do what she knew—deep down—she needed to do. She just couldn’t bring herself to go back to that house. She couldn’t even pretend it was all for Beckett. She was afraid that the longer she was around Frank Webster’s memories, the more likely she would be to remember him.

  It was bad enough she had to remember Annie. She didn’t want to remember Frank too. One abusive parent was plenty. Annie was neglectful, cruel, and manipulative. And Rion’s psyche remembered that. She couldn’t fathom what her father did that it chose to forget. Plus, on some level, Rion figured Frank was responsible for Annie. He might not have made her a monster, but the abuse Annie suffered had to have helped influence her. And Rion wasn’t willing to forgive the woman who failed her so badly—even if it was all her fault.

  Seventeen

  Rion woke up in confusion with a pounding headache. She lay still for a while fighting the urge to vomit. She had known the rum was going to come back to haunt her. It didn't take long for the guilt to kick in as well. Shame burned her face and she pulled the covers over her head. Kicking Kerry and Shep out was a jerk thing to do—she knew that. But, she also knew it needed to be done. As much as she had grown attached to them, she couldn't stand being dependent upon them. She needed to do things on her own. It was the safest thing.

  This wasn't their fight. No matter what was wrong with Beckett, the idea of bringing them down with her was appalling. Best case scenario, Beckett was mentally ill. Making her issues something Kerry and Shep had to deal with wasn't fair. Worst case scenario, something supernatural was happening and that could very easily lead to either of them getting hurt. Maybe even killed. There was a good chance the kid had something to do with her parents dying. If Kerry or Shep were hurt—or killed--because of her, Rion didn't think she would able to handle it.

  Not to mention, both Shep and Kerry were too much of a distraction. Kerry was a wild card. She had been helpful and compassionate so far. But, what if she showed up with the shit kicked out of her again? What if she got arrested? What if some guy decided to come around and make trouble for all of them. Then there was Shep. He was helpful—too helpful. Rion didn't know how much was him genuinely being nice and how much was him wanting to...to what? Rion gritted her teeth. A guy trying to get into her pants was the last thing she needed right now.

  She huffed out a sigh and tossed the blankets off. Beckett's face, directly in hers, caused her to scream and jump so hard her head felt like it was going to explode. "Shit!" Beckett hissed and jerked away, backing up like a defensive animal. "What are you doing?" Rion panted. The kid's only response was to back slowly into the bedroom. Her movements were too fluid and smooth. The hair on Rion's arms stood on end and she kicked the blankets off for a better chance of defending herself if Beckett attacked. But, Beckett didn't emerge from the bedroom again and after several minutes, Rion risked getting out of bed. She looked at the clock and groaned. It was nearly noon. No wonder Beckett had ventured out. She was probably hungry. I should be glad she didn't try to eat my face.

  Rion rummaged in the cupboards for food and realized they were out of most things. She bent, resting her head in frustration on the counter. How am I going to buy food and not leave Beckett alone? She suddenly understood how hard single moms have it. Even normal seven-year-olds couldn't be left alone. Finally, Rion ran some cold water over her face and tried again. She resorted to cold leftover pizza. She put several slices on a plate and slid it into Beckett's room. A small hand snaked out from behind the door and snatched the plate into the darkness.

  Rion was managed to eat one piece before her body rebelled. She put the rest down and stretched out on the futon. It took a lot of will power and deep breaths to settle her stomach. Her whole body hurt and felt weighed down and exhausted. She tried to convince herself to get up and do something. But, she couldn't think of a single reason why she needed to get out of bed.

  She was off the hook from work, her friends wouldn't be checking on her. The only thing Beckett needed was food every once in a while, and to be prevented from hurting anyone. But, since Kerry and Shep wouldn't be coming around, there wasn't anyone to hurt. So, Rion lay on the futon, one arm over her face, concentrating on not throwing up. She listened to the sounds of Beckett tearing into the pizza and it turned her stomach even more. Every fiber of her being felt like it weighed a ton and she was so numb, she couldn't even find the will to cry. She lay on the uncomfortable mattress—feeling like an empty shell.

  She must have dozed off, because a knock at the door caused Rion to jerk awake. She should have known Kerry nor Shep would leave her alone completely. She sighed and pushed out of bed. The blood pou
nded in her head, her back throbbed and her tongue felt coated in foul tasting fuzz. She glanced at Beckett's room before opening the door. She had shut her door at some point, but Rion was sure she was still in there. She could practically feel the kid on the other side.

  Rion was surprised to find Bernie on her doorstep. "Oh," she croaked. It only took a moment for even more dismay to settle over her. Not what I need right now. The old man's nosiness was going to be trouble. "Hello," she finally muttered.

  If Bernie realized she was hungover, he didn't acknowledge it. "Hello," he grinned at her. His too big eyes glanced peered over her shoulder like he was looking for something.

  "What can I do for you?" Rion leaned against the frame and pulled the door shut some, blocking his view of the inside.

  "Well, I'm sorry, but I have to say—I've had more complaints."

  "About what?" She squinted at him.

  "About thumping coming from here. Maybe a kid playing loudly?"

  Rion searched her memory. Beckett had done a lot of things, but playing loudly wasn't one of them. She tried to recall if any of her outbursts would have caused banging on the floor. "I don't think it's coming from here," she told him finally.

  Bernie looked pained to argue with her. "Well, I don't really know where else it could be coming from."

  Rion decided on a different tactic. "Fine. I'll talk to Beckett. Make sure she understands she can't be loud." She didn't have a clue as to how to make the kid stop making noise. She wasn't even sure how to make her stop trying to hurt people.

  "That would be wonderful," Bernie smiled. "That's not the only reason I'm here though."

  "What?" Rion wasn't able to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

  "I need to install a new smoke detector. It will also detect carbon monoxide and other gasses. The owner of the building asked me to change them."

  Rion sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Does it have to be now?"

  "Well, the sooner the better..."

  "Can I do it myself?"

  "I'm afraid not."

  Rion realized if she continued to protest she was going to make the old man nervous. "Fine," she grunted and stepped back, opening the door wider.