The Things We Leave Behind (Chapter Three)

Luke and I took off towards his room. We'd paused only to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Michael, just to be polite.

Luke whipped out his laptop and began logging in. My mind whirled, something felt off about all of this, even without the back-from-the-dead aspect.

"Here it is," Luke whispered. He clicked the email and we sat in silence as it loaded:

"YOU WILL NEVER CATCH ME. STOP LOOKING." was all it read.

"You'd think they would know we haven't even begun yet," I said.

"You'd think they would know that it doesn't matter how many emails we get-- We're going to find this bastard," Luke said. "Call the others, I-I need some air,"

I nodded as he stood and left the room. For some reason I found myself rising, too. I reached for his computer and quickly forwarded myself the email, as well as the one Rebecca wrote him before she died, which I was surprised to find right under the last one.

I started scrolling through his other emails, curious of... what was I curious about? I clicked out of his inbox and closed the computer. I nervously wiped my hands on my pants and pulled out my cellphone.

An hour later, after he drove me home to change, Luke and I drove to Pizza Joe's again to meet up with Katelyn, Rachel, James and Elle.

"So... anyone care to explain what the hell is going on?" Rachel asked.

"Luke got an email from 'Rebecca'," I said, and Luke showed them the email.

"What does it mean?" Elle asked, her blue eyes wide, as usual.

"What do you think, blondie? The guy's threatening us just like he did Rebecca," Katelyn hissed.

"But... He's not going to kill us, right?" Elle chimed in again. No one answered.

"One step at a time," I muttered, pressing my fingers to my temples. "Alright, so, if we're going to catch this fool, where do we start?"

"What about the cheer squad?" James asked. "She was on the team with Rachel,"

"Or maybe her teachers knew something," Katelyn said.

"What about her parents..?" Elle said, almost sheepishly.

James ran an awkward hand through his hair and Luke pushed up the rim of his glasses. Rachel cleared her throat: "I think it'd be a good idea to check with the Vaughn's first,"

"Let's go then," James stood up.

"Aren't they in California?" Elle pointed out.

I shook my head. "They came back for the funeral," I scanned their faces. "My mom visited them this morning. They're at a motel just out of the city,"

"Wait, we can't all go, they won't say anything to all of us," Luke said, putting a hand out to block James.

"I'll go," I answered.

"What, how come YOU get to go?" Rachel yelled.

"I have known them practically since I was born, Rach, I should be the one to go."

"Okay, then Elle and I will go and talk with some of her teachers. Rach and James, cheer squad? Luke, you should go talk to Detective Presley and see if you can get more information out of him," Katelyn said, flipping her long, pitch-black hair out of her eyes. She looked scary, acting so powerful and in-charge with her dark makeup and clothes.

"Good idea," I said, and raised my eyebrows at the rest of the group. They chorused a few 'fine''s and 'sure''s and that was it.

Elle and Katelyn dropped me off at the motel on their way to the school. We didn't talk much on the way.

I hopped out of the car and thanked Katelyn for the ride. I took deep breaths as they drove away, leaving me to confront Rebecca's mom and dad- two people who had been like second parents to me for almost every year of my life, up until they left.

I stepped forward and walked shakily into the run-down building. The walls were a piss-yellow color, and the floors were a shiny limestone that made my shoes squeak as I walked inside.

"Hi," I said to the perky lady working the front desk. "I'm here to see Caleb and Lauren Vaughn,"

"I'm sorry, the Vaughns have requested privacy- no visitors," She smiled coldly. "I can take a message?"

"No, I need to see-"

"Delia?" A voice behind me squealed.

For a quick second my heart raced: it was her. She'd come back to set this straight- this whole thing was a crazy misunderstanding! Another one of her sick games-

"Delia, is that you?"

I turned to see Laura Vaughn walking through the lobby: her hair in a sloppy bun, dressed only in a thick white robe.

"Mrs. Vaughn," I sighed.

"Oh, Delia!" Before I knew what was happening her arms were tight around my neck. "It's so good to see you!"

"You too, Mrs. Vaughn,"

"Oh, please, it's Laura. Caleb and I divorced years ago,"

"Right..," I said. My voice broke.

Suddenly her face went straight. "Oh... How are you holding up, honey? Oh, I am so..." Her arms were around me again and her embrace was more comforting than I'd thought possible.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled into her shoulder. Through all the tears I'd shed in the days before another drop found its way to my cheek.

"It's alright- we're all grieving, honey," She backed up, her hand still on my arm, and looked at me solemnly. "Would you want to come upstairs and have some tea? I just came from the spa, I could... I could go for some tea,"

"Sure," I smiled and she wiped my cheeks. "That would be wonderful, thank you Mrs. Vau- Laura," I corrected myself.

We started up the stairs. They were cold, grey. I couldn't imagine how they must've felt on her bare feet.

When we reached the room, she stopped. "Caleb is here, too, hon, just... fair warning,"

I nodded, I hadn't expected anything else.

She pushed open the door and announced: "I'm back! Oh, and you'll never guess who stopped by,"

"Laura have you any idea how long you were- Delia?" Caleb Vaughn stepped under the arch that led to the bedroom. His hair was wet from the shower.

"Hello," I waved.

"How- How are you?"

"I think that's what I'm supposed to ask you," I whispered.

Laura and Caleb chuckled. "Uh... Please, sit. Make yourself at home," Caleb said as the forced laughter faded. "Let us get you some..."

"Tea." Laura said.

Caleb nodded and they both left the room. I sat on the dark, leather couch. My knees bounced up and down. I wondered what the others would find...

Laura and Caleb entered. "Okay," She said. "Here's your tea,"

"Thank you," I said, taking a sip. "So... How are you guys holding up?" I asked casually.

"As well as you can after your daughter was kidnapped and murdered..." Caleb scoffed.

"Caleb!" Laura cried, horrified.

"It's okay," I said quickly, keeping them from furthering the argument.

Minutes passed in silence.

"Alright, time's up. Why are you really here, Delia," Mr. Vaughn asked coolly.

"What?" I exclaimed.

"Look... we know you, Delia, and whereas it's wonderful to see you, we... we weren't expecting any of her old friends to visit. You can tell us..." Laura coaxed.

I pondered my options: come clean and question them? Act appalled and leave? I came here for a reason... I looked down. "I want to know what really happened," I whispered, giving in.

"I-"

"Mom? Dad?" A males voice called from the doorway.

"... Brody?"