Day Seven Read online

  ***

  After taking a deep breath and finally exhaling, Hailey opened her washroom door and walked into her bedroom, ready to go downstairs to speak with Robert. She stopped midway in her bedroom since she didn’t have to go any farther. Robert was in her room, sitting on her bed. He didn’t look at her even though she was standing right in front of him. He stared down to a book which sat in his hands. She knew that he was well aware she was standing there staring at him.

  “It was on the ground,” he said. He never moved his gaze from the book. “I picked it up for you. It must have fallen out of your bag.” He looked over to Hailey’s bag which was open on her bed. She threw it there when she walked upstairs. She knew the book fell, but didn’t pay it too much attention to pick it up. Robert did that for her apparently.

  “Oh, thanks,” was all Hailey could say.

  Robert closed the book and looked up to Hailey with his warm eyes. The green of his eyes seemed calm. They weren’t as cat like anymore. They were still the same colour, it's just the way he looked at her made them seem different. He smiled at her. He could tell that she was much calmer now. He patted the seat next to him on her bed. Hailey walked over and sat down.

  “A great classic,” Robert said as he shook the book. He was tense. He stalled. It was getting awkward. He had to move past it. The tension slowly eased as he began to speak. His voice calming them both. “Okay, well I am just going to go out and say it. You feel that right? It’s like I can sense when you are nervous, or happy or calm. It’s like my feelings coordinate with yours. I stood downstairs and I was so nervous. I couldn’t tell why. But then I realized you were probably just as nervous as I was. And now that I am sitting here with you now, I am calm and relaxed, just as I can tell you are. It’s like when I am with you, my mind clears and all I can think of is you. It is like nothing else in the world matters.” Robert scratched his head, but never took his gaze off Hailey.

  Sitting there, unsure of what to say, Hailey just looked down to her intertwined hands, keeping the nervous tremors to a minimum. She wanted to agree with him but she felt like that was still a little bit weird. Those sorts of things didn’t happen. She knew exactly what he was feeling but couldn’t make herself believe it.

  “I know it sounds crazy. Believe me. I feel like a crazy person saying this, but it feels as if I somehow… know you.”

  Shifting in his seat, Robert turned so he and Hailey were both facing each other on the bed. He stared at her for a little while as if he were trying to read her mind. That was something no one is able to do, not even Robert. Robert made the first move. He lifted his left hand and Hailey lifted her right. Their palms touched. Robert lifted his right hand as Hailey lifted her left a split second before he did. Hailey knew what Robert would do next, just as Robert knew what Hailey would do. At the same moment they intertwined their fingers. Hailey bit the inside of her lip in an attempt to hold back a smile. She stared at their hands in amazement. Robert stared at Hailey. He couldn’t get himself to remove his gaze from her.

  Their hands separated. “We must have met before. Have we?” Robert asked.

  “No,” Hailey said in a daze. “Wait, yes!” She had to shake her head to clear her mind. “In the grocery store. I am sure that was you, wasn’t it?”

  Robert ducked his head. “Unfortunately, yes, that was me.”

  Hailey looked confused. Why unfortunately, she thought to herself.

  Looking back up, Robert said, “For that one second I saw you at the grocery store, something stirred in me. I didn’t know what it was so I assumed it was fear. When my eyes first locked with yours I was in shock so I hid behind the aisle. I saw you turn around and look back for me. After I saw your eyes for the second time I knew it was definitely not fear that I felt – but something more. I was kind of embarrassed that I hid from you. I felt like a coward. So I… uh… never mind.”

  “What?” Hailey asked with a smile on her face.

  The corner of Robert’s mouth rose as he winced with the words he spoke next. “I sort of followed you home. I waited outside your house for twenty minutes before leaving and going home. I couldn’t take it anymore. I was restless at home, so I made my way back to your house.”

  Hailey nodded her head. “And that is how you ended up at my house. Gotcha. Stalker.” Hailey joked.

  “I am not a stalker,” Robert whispered in total seriousness. “Would you let a stalker do this?” Robert leaned in just as Hailey knew he would and she leaned in as well. He embraced her in a hug. His warm chest touched her body. She couldn’t believe how comfortable she was. She took in a deep breath with steady her swaying mind. She was overwhelmed again, just like the other time when she took in his scent. The refreshing feel of the forest. The smell and sound of rushing water. It all seemed like a faded memory to her.

  Robert pulled back, only enough to see her face. Hailey knew what was going to happen before it did.

  Robert’s face inched closer to Hailey’s. She closed her eyes, ready for his kiss. He stalled. Hailey waited. She opened her eyes curious as to why he stopped and for the first time he took her by surprise. Robert’s lips found Hailey’s quickly and easily.

  Hailey had to pull back and catch her breath. Her hands and lips tingled. It was something she couldn’t explain. Robert had to hide his excitement. Hailey knew they both felt the same way.

  Hailey leaned in for the second kiss this time. She went in with all intensity. She wrapped her arms around Robert’s neck. She lay back on the bed, pulling him down on top of her.

  They didn’t know what happened or how, but as soon as Robert was on top of Hailey locked in a kiss, they were suddenly someplace else. They were still kissing. They could still feel their arms wrapped around one another. It was as if they were both dreaming the same thing while they were awake and fully aware of everything.

  Hailey watched confused as she saw herself. It wasn’t her present self though. It was as if she were staring at herself, but in the past. She wore a long brown dress as she kneeled by the river washing her clothes. Robert, in his past self, walked up behind her startling her. She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. She reached up to grab the back of his neck, caressing it. Hailey leaned the back of her head on his chest with her eyes closed. She felt his warm body pressed up against her back. Robert leaned his head down and gently kissed her neck.

  They stopped kissing and opened their eyes, back to the present now. They were both in shock at what they witnessed. They knew they saw the same thing, but how was that possible? Neither one of them said anything since they knew exactly what the other was thinking. Normally someone would be weirded out by seeing themselves in a past life, but something about that vision comforted them. It made them realize that they did once know each other in a different life. How they witnessed it was a different story. It was a story they didn’t want to ask questions about.

  They stopped kissing and opened their eyes, back to the present now. They were both in shock at what they witnessed. They knew they saw the same thing, but how was that possible? Neither one of them said anything since they knew exactly what the other was thinking. Normally someone would be weirded out by seeing themselves in a past life, but something about that vision comforted them. It made them realize that they did once know each other in a different life. How they witnessed it was a different story. It was a story they didn’t want to ask questions about.

  Being in each other’s arms seemed so perfect. Robert lay down next to Hailey, no longer kissing her even though that is all he wanted to do. He didn’t want to overwhelm her. Her lips were still swollen and glossy from their previous kiss. Hailey rested her head on Robert’s chest. They lay there in silence together for a while. They almost fell asleep in one another’s arms. Luckily the sun shone in her room, keeping them awake.

  They heard a vibrating noise and Robert pulled his phone from his pocket as swiftly as he could without moving Hailey from his chest. He didn’t want to
lose contact with her.

  He flipped open his phone and noticed a text message saying, “Staying at a friends house 4 the night. BIG test 2morow. Got 2 study. Love ya. Bye. R.”

  “It was my little sister, Rosie,” Robert answered the question Hailey didn’t even have time to ask. “She is going to stay at her friend’s house for the night. I can’t believe school is out already. Time flew.” Robert closed his phone and looked at the time on the glowing screen.

  Hailey agreed with him but didn’t say anything. She didn't even care that she missed an entire day of school. She knew she would get a phone call from the office tomorrow. A phone call she was ready to answer without hesitation. It wouldn't be the first time she missed school for her own personal reasons.

  She nudged closer to Robert to get more comfortable. She listened to his heart beat and took in the warmth of his body. She hadn’t been that close to anyone in so many years. She forgot what real human contact felt like. Hailey knew that no one else could bring those feelings out except Robert.

  Yeah, she had been close to Frank Argentino, but she never truly enjoyed his presence. When he touched her she didn’t react the same way when Robert touched her. Frank’s touch was more dead and cold but still pleasurable. Robert’s touch sent sparks through her core like someone set off fireworks in her stomach. She made a vow to herself to never see Frank again. She no longer needed him. She had the companionship now which she had been longing for so long.

  Hailey’s mind flashed to Gregory Barnes. She smiled, thinking what he had said to her in the cafeteria. He was a good guy, she knew.

  Tears began to form in Hailey’s eyes and before she knew it her throat burned and face was turning all red. She couldn’t keep in her sobs.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” Robert asked. He pulled her off him so he could get a better look at her face.

  “I-I don’t know. Nothing is wrong. This is so weird yet so wonderful.” She grabbed his hand, staring at it. Robert kept his worried eyes on her face. “I forgot what another person’s touch felt like.” She lifted Robert’s hand and placed it on her cheek, closing her eyes to the warmth of it. She took a deep breath in. “You smell like the freshness of the forest and chilled water…”

  “Water from a spring. I know.” Robert finished her sentence. “It is sort of a homey smell. Like it once used to be my home. I don’t know.”

  “That’s so odd. The smell is so vibrant if I close my eyes I would believe I was actually standing next to a river in the forest. It just so…” Hailey couldn’t find the right word to finish her sentence.

  “Familiar?” Robert asked.

  “Yes.” Hailey’s shoulders relaxed as she placed her head back on his chest.

  “I am not too sure what we saw before as we kissed, but it seemed like we were looking back on a past life. Humour me here. I know we're not insane and we don’t have any magical powers, but what if something, a force we can’t see or touch, has brought us back together. We were meant to be. It’s fate. I don’t know what happened before in our past life, but maybe we can make things right, now. We can be together. If you like?” Robert asked.

  “I’d like that.” Hailey didn’t comment on the fate part since she knew he was right.

  “Me too.”

  They spent the rest of the day embraced in one another’s arms. Robert didn’t even ask Hailey when her parents were coming home but somehow deep down inside he knew they weren’t coming home any time soon. The sun slowly started to set as both Robert and Hailey watched it from the bedroom window. The glow of the sunset turned Hailey’s room orange.

  For once the memory of Hailey’s parents didn't hurt as much. Hailey thought that it was about time to move on from her grieving. Robert made her feel stronger inside. She had more confidence in herself now. She thought about getting past her fear of her living room. That would all depend on how tomorrow goes. Tomorrow is, after all, just another day. Hailey didn’t want this day to end. Neither did Robert.

  Day 4

  Wednesday March 18th 2010

  Hailey had suddenly awoken only to realize that she had a stiff kink in her neck. Lifting her head to rub it out, she realized that she was in the same position she had been in all night, but the sun was now up. She slept on Robert's chest the entire night. He did not move once to disturb her. Robert had woken in the middle of the night to see Hailey sleeping peacefully on him. He slowed his breathing down so the rising and falling of his chest didn't disturb her. He realized it didn't bother her until he thought of it. She looked comfortable sleeping with a slight smile on her face so Robert went back to sleep knowing Hailey felt safe lying there with him. Neither one of them wanted to move, so they didn’t.

  Hailey noticed Robert's heavy breathing which meant he was still in deep sleep. She stared at Robert's face, examining his unique features. It was as if Robert could sense Hailey staring at him since at that moment his eyes fluttered and slowly opened. Hailey could see the green of his eyes trying to escape through his long, black eyelashes.

  “Good morning,” he said which sent goose bumps up and down Hailey's arm. His voice was a little bit rough from just waking up, but it still sounded like perfection in Hailey’s ears. Robert cleared his throat from realizing the harshness of his voice.

  Smiling up at him, Hailey couldn't get over the fact that Robert was actually in her room. For Hailey, it had felt like so long ago that she had first seen him in the grocery store. It is funny how fate worked sometimes. Who knew that eventually he would end up in my bedroom? Hailey thought to herself as she said good morning back.

  Robert went to the washroom to freshen up first. Hailey was still in her clothes from yesterday and wondered how she looked in Robert’s eyes. She was never self-conscious but all of a sudden because of Robert, she was. Her clothes were all wrinkly and her hair was a mess. Something inside told her that Robert didn't get turned off by her disheveled appearance.

  Robert emerged from the washroom all cleaned up and ready to start his day. “I'm starved,” he said.

  Abruptly laughing out loud, Hailey’s shyness got the best of her and she felt her face turn red as she pushed a wavy strand of hair behind her ear. She didn’t mean to laugh that loud. “I can make you some toast if you like. I think there is some cereal as well. Let me change and I’ll help you in a minute.”

  Hailey stared at her feet as she walked passed Robert. She had no courage to look him in the eye after the amazing night they had last night. She could still feel his lips on hers. They tingled with anticipation, hoping to be touched once again, but Hailey didn’t want to overwhelm him.

  Hailey closed the washroom door behind her. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, ran a comb through her knotted-beyond-help hair and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes had bags under them, but she knew those would go away with a little coffee and some sunshine. She put on a fake smile in the mirror and realized there was no point in lying to herself. She couldn’t force herself to smile. The only time she smiled was when she thought of Robert. There ya go, she thought as she stared in the mirror.

  Hailey opened the door and before she could grab something comfy to change into, Robert wrapped his arms around her waist and swung her in the air, startling her. Hailey was frightened at first, but quickly realized it was Robert just from his scent alone.

  He brought her all the way back to her bed and fell on top of her. “I missed you,” he whispered in her ear.

  Hailey took a deep breath, hoping the moment would last forever. “I just saw you two seconds ago!” she laughed. She was squished with Robert’s weight but it didn’t bother her one bit. She liked the feeling of his strong body on top of hers. She didn’t want him to move.

  “I know, but the thought of being away from you, even for a second didn't settle too well with my heart.”

  Hailey knew the exact feeling he was talking about, but she didn't want to say anything. She decided from then on that she would be totally open with Robert s
ince he somehow always knew how she was feeling.

  Hailey looked into Robert’s eyes which were currently a calm green like the ocean. His playful eyes turned serious. Hailey reached with her arm up and moved a strand of hair from Robert's face. Their faces were inches apart; Robert still on top of her. His breath tickled her face. Hailey removed her gaze from his eyes to look to his full lips. They looked as if they were almost pouting. He licked them just as she thought that. Robert leaned in and kissed Hailey. He was gentle at first, but his kisses became more aggressive yet not too pushy.

  His strong hands wandered all over her body. Before she knew it, she was pulling off the shirt from his back. She was the one being forceful now. Clothes off, Robert stopped. He stared at Hailey as if to reassure himself she wanted to do this. They both wanted it. It was nothing new to either of them, but it felt like their first time. Whenever you had a new partner you had to adapt to the way they moved and what they liked since everyone was different, but with them, it was like they knew all along what the other wanted.

  Robert knew that Hailey was going to pull on the hairs at the base of his neck. Robert kissed Hailey’s neck and knew she would moan with pleasure. Robert saw Hailey’s bullet wound. He lightly grazed his lips over it. Hailey's body tensed and she inhaled sharply feeling like her heart just stopped. It was a sensitive spot for her that no one had ever touched. Not even Frank Argentino, her neighbour. He knew to never touch it or even speak about it. Robert continued to kiss it, knowing exactly how Hailey was feeling. Her tense body slowly started to relax. She loved the way Robert's lips felt on her neck. She never knew she would marvel at the feeling of someone else touching her scar, but it made her feel... normal for once. Her scar didn’t frighten Robert and to have him kiss it sent her on a high that felt like she was filled with morphine.

  It was wonderful for Hailey since Robert knew where to place his hands at the right moment and Hailey knew where to run her hands over Robert’s body at the same time. Hailey loved the feeling of their bare chests rubbing against each other.

  Rushing water. Kisses. Trees. Touching. Freshness. Passion. Time. True love.

  Hours passed. Hailey and Robert lay under the covers together. Robert had his eyes closed but was wide awake. He was replaying the day in his mind. He never wanted to forget it. Hailey stared at Robert’s chest. She could see his racing pulse pushing through his rib cage. It looked as if his heart wanted to escape. She slowly brought her hand over her chest and watched as her heart raced in unison to Robert’s.

  Hailey sat up but before she could go anywhere, Robert’s hand came down on hers, covering it completely. She looked to his face and saw him smile. “You're amazing,” he whispered.

  No one had ever told her that she was amazing before. Was he talking about me, or sex? Hailey wondered.

  As much as he didn’t want to, Robert sat up eventually and got dressed. Embarrassed, Hailey turned her gaze the other way. Robert noticed and laughed at the fact she couldn’t look at his naked body given the fact of what they had just done. He would never get over how perfect and beautiful her body was.

  One by one, he picked up his clothes which he didn't remember throwing all over the room. It was all one big high to him which was definitely worth it. Robert had butterflies in his stomach just thinking about Hailey. He didn't know how to get rid of them. She was unlike every other girl he had slept with in the past. This didn't feel like the first time we made love, Robert thought to himself. It was exciting yet familiar at the same time.

  Robert was still starving. He forgot about his hunger for a while, but it came back with more willpower this time. “I’m going to make us something to eat. Join me in the kitchen when you are ready. Take your time,” he said as he walked out of her room.

  Sighing heavily in content, Hailey fell back on to her bed. She rolled over to the side where Robert was previously. She breathed in deeply as his scent lingered on that spot.

  Looking up at her calendar, then down to her clock, Hailey realized she didn’t want to base the moments she had with Robert on time alone. She wouldn’t count down the minutes to the days like she used to. She would live in every moment like it was her last. She closed her eyes and turned around her clock so she wouldn’t be able to see it. She made a mental note to throw out her big red marker.

  After searching for her bra, which was hanging off her desk, Hailey got dressed properly for the second time and was about to head downstairs. She looked out her window to see a gorgeous sunny day outside. The sun was bright as ever and it was melting whatever snow was left on the ground. She could smell the freshness in the air. But nothing compared to what she smelt when she was with Robert.

  Hailey didn’t say anything when they were making love but she saw a vision again. Or a flash-back in her past life with Robert. It continued the vision she had previously of him as he kissed her beside the river.

  This time she saw the rest of it. She saw herself making love to Robert by the river. Their every move mimicked what was happening in her mind. In Hailey’s mind she raised her hand to touch Robert’s lips and in real life she did the same thing. It wasn’t as if she were copying what she saw in her mind, it was as if they were puppets and someone was making them do the same thing at the same time. Hailey wasn’t forced though. All of it was consensual.

  As much as she really wanted to go outside and maybe get a little sun, she would rather spend the day inside with Robert. She could sit there thinking about him for hours, but that would be no fun.

  Hailey saw things in a new perspective now. She was happy to be alive and walking now. She was happy to know that she actually had something - someone - to look forward to seeing every day. The phone in her room rang. She turned and was about to answer but let it ring. The voicemail system would turn on and if it was important, the person would leave a message, which they never did. Mostly telemarketers called and as soon as the voicemail was turned on, they hung up. Aunt Stella rarely called but when she did she always left a voicemail and when Hailey heard her voice, she picked up the phone automatically.

  In Hailey’ voice, but monotone it said: ‘Hi, sorry I missed your call. Please leave your name, number and a brief message after the tone and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks.’ BEEP. "Hi, I am calling on behalf of Collingwood secondary school and I wanted to inform you that Hailey has not been to any of her classes in the past two days. We have not heard from anyone nor has anyone seen her. Could you please call me back at -" Before they could finish, Hailey put the voicemail on mute. She looked towards her door, hoping that Robert hadn’t heard that message. Hailey waited until the light stopped flashing green and turned red - which meant there was one new message. Hailey quickly deleted it.

  Hailey knew she would get in trouble from her teachers for skipping class – two days in a row she just realized. She would make up some lame excuse and her teachers would have no other choice but to believe her. She would make sure to get the stuff she missed from one of the classmates she never talked to. If worse came to worse, she would just ask the teacher. They never refuse their students homework.

  Hailey sighed and decided it was about time to join Robert in the kitchen. She wondered if he knew how to cook. There was so much she still didn’t know about him but she was willing and patient enough to find out. They had loads of ‘wanted time’ to figure those things out. It was the first time after the accident where Hailey wished the days were longer.

  She walked down the steps, excited to see what Robert was making to eat. She hadn’t realized she was hungry until he brought it up. She stopped dead in her tracks on the middle step as her gaze was fixed on Robert. He stared into the living room. He looked like a statue, like he wasn’t even real. Hailey slowly made her way down and called out Robert’s name.

  Roberts face was scrunched up in confusion. “What is wrong with that room? Why does it make you - me - feel like this?” Robert clenched and unclenched his fists.

  Hailey t
ook a deep breath before realizing that there was no point in keeping the secret from him. She told him. She told him everything from her parents being murdered in front of her eyes, to being shot right in the neck. She fingered her scar as she spoke about it.

  “I-I-I am so sorry. Oh my god.” Robert shook his head to hide his shock. He didn’t want to make things worse. He figured saying nothing was better than saying the wrong thing and upsetting Hailey. Instead of opening his mouth he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. She hugged him just as tight back. Tears formed in her eyes, but she held them back. She didn’t want Robert to see her cry.

  Robert felt her pain in the pit of his stomach. His throat burned with tears as he could tell Hailey was on the verge of crying. Robert didn’t like the fact that Hailey had to live in a house that reminded her of her parents’ horrible fate every single day. Robert wanted to do something, but he didn’t know what. He couldn’t get her to move - that was out of the question. He knew telling her to get over it wouldn’t work either and that was just harsh. He obviously could not say that time would heal all since it had been a while since they died and she clearly wasn’t over it. So the next best thing he thought of was to tear up the floor boards. Get rid of the hard wood floor that had blood stains soaked into them. You couldn’t notice if you were an outsider, but if you knew where to look, you could see them. And Robert saw them.

  “How do I get into your garage?” Robert asked Hailey with authority to his voice. Robert was set on his mission and he would do it properly.

  Hailey was curious as to why he wanted to go into the garage when just a few minutes ago he wanted cereal. She showed him the way with no questions.

  She heard him banging around looking for something. Hailey wondered what he was doing, but decided it would be better not to ask. She knew that he would eventually come back from the garage with answers. Hailey wasn’t one to pry into other people’s business, even though they were in her house.

  Robert came out of the garage with a hammer and a crow bar.

  Hailey’s eyes widened and she was filled with fear. She wondered what he was going to do with those. Was she mistaken of her safety with this stranger? He walked towards her with them. Hailey froze. Hailey thought he was after her, but quickly pushed that thought aside as he passed her and walked into the living room.

  “What are you doing?” It came out as a hiss. She looked to the opposite side as she still couldn’t make eye contact with the living room.

  “Fixing your problem.”

  Holding the hammer high above his head, Robert thrust it down towards the hard wood floor with all his might. He loosened each piece of hardwood section by section. He also had a crow bar to pry the boards from the ground. Determination covered every part of Robert’s face.

  Hailey stood against the wall beside the stairs frozen as she tried not to watch. Robert tore the floorboards one by one. She couldn’t get herself to watch fully. From where she was standing she could barely see what he was doing. She saw Robert’s back and his frantic hands tearing away. She still couldn’t get herself to look that way. She stared at the ground by her feet and listened to Robert hammering.

  She stood there for hours. Her path was blocked with all the furniture in the room which Robert had to move in order to get to the hardwood under it. The hallway was clustered with furniture Hailey didn’t even remember having.

  Robert got to the patch where it had all happened. Robert ripped the wooden floor boards and then stopped. He stood up and took a step closer to where he just removed the piece. His eyes zoned in on something. He wiped his slick forehead with the back of his hand. He worked so hard that he began sweating. His hands were full of cuts and splinters. His pain was nothing compared to the pain that the room had caused Hailey all those years. He bent down and picked up something that was hidden under the floor boards.

  The silence haunted Hailey as she wondered if he was done. Instead of asking him, Hailey’s curiosity got the best of her and her gaze made its way into the living room. For the first time in years she took a step towards it. Her chest tightened at first but then she let out a breath after realizing she was holding it in. She didn’t know why she was doing that. Her hands shook as she finally made her way to Robert’s side. The room looked nothing like it used to.

  Hailey craned her neck to see what Robert held in his hand. It was someone’s drivers licence. But she couldn’t get a clear enough view to examine whose it was.

  “Do you know a Draven Christopher Stone?” Robert asked as he passed it over to Hailey.

  “No idea. I’ve never heard that name in my life.” Hailey looked at the ID for a split second before gasping and dropping it like it burnt her hand.

  “What’s the matter?” Robert asked.

  Hailey never took her eyes off the ID. She stared into the picture. She could still clearly see it from where she was standing. The ID’s picture stared back at her from the floor. The man’s eyes. Those eyes she could never mistake them anywhere. They haunted her dreams every night. Those eyes belonged to the man in the black mask. The one that killed her parents.

  Hailey felt light headed and before she could pass out, Robert had her securely in his arms. He guided her to the ground and when Hailey regained her consciousness he asked her what had happened. Hailey explained that the man in the picture was the exact man who killed her parents. She never saw his face the day it happened since he was wearing a black ski mask, but she could distinguish those eyes anywhere. Hailey wondered how come his ID was under their floor boards but then she remembered the struggle that her father and this man got into. Things fell out his pocket. Hailey remembered keys but not his ID. It went right through the boards and was there all along!

  Hailey was struck by a sudden unknown energy and she automatically fumed with anger. Robert could sense how mad she was becoming. Her breathing deepened as she stood upon her own accord. Robert got up with her.

  Hailey had the ID in her hands now and was examining it closer. She realized the address was about twenty to thirty minutes from her house. Hailey's irrational thoughts got the best of her as she went to grab her jacket in the closet.

  “Where are you going?” Robert asked.

  “I have to go to this man! I have to find him!” Hailey yelled, not at Robert in particular.

  “Um, no you don’t. Let’s call the police. We'll show them this.” Robert tried to close the closet door.

  “No, you don’t understand. The police already searched my house up and down. The one spot they never checked was under the floor boards. They would never believe that we just found this under them and that this was the man who killed my parents. It is not enough hard evidence. And plus, they probably already searched their area. This man, Draven, only lives twenty minutes from me! The police searched, in every direction, three hours away. It is impossible that they missed his house. There were no footprints; no one saw a car, no nothing. I need this. I have to go. I won’t interfere with anything.” Hailey was pleading.

  Robert could see the passion in her eyes to find this man. He knew it was stupid but also knew that anything he said wouldn’t make a difference in her decision.

  “Besides, he might not live there or might not be home. This ID’s address is over six years old. I just want to look. That’s all. We can even stay in the car.”

  Robert knew the last part was a lie, but didn’t push her any farther. He hoped that by the time they got there, she would be too scared to even get out of her car, so he agreed with her. On one condition – that he be the one to drive.