Authors: Wendy Potocki
Hunching over, she decided to get to the bottom of things.
“But why are you saying that? Why would he hurt me?”
“Because he’s not human. He’s a leshy — a demon. He has no conscience and no heart.”
Melissa’s mind performed somersaults in an attempt to catch up to what was being said. Having no idea what Una was talking about, the hyperbole was making the rational part of her mind kick in. While Viktor was bad, she found it hard to categorize him as inhuman. Unable to stop shaking, if anything happened to Kurt, she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
The sound of screeching tires was quickly followed by Todd appearing in the doorway. Spotting Melissa, he ran towards her, scooping her into his arms. No longer able to contain her emotions, she burst into tears.
“Todd! What is going on?” she whimpered. Holding her tightly, he did his best to make her feel secure.
Stroking her hair, he softly hushed her.
“Don’t worry about it. Everything is being taken care of,” he said leaning back and looking in her eyes, “but I’m getting you out of here.”
“But … but … where?” she stuttered.
“I’m taking you to my parents.”
“But what if they don’t want you to dump me there?” she asked, using the back of her hand to stop the tears from rolling down.
“Stop talking like that! My mother was the one to insist that you stay there. They’re both worried about you.”
They did care. Todd, Grant and Joan weren’t just pretending. The confirmation of the feelings being genuine coupled with the tension of the morning caused her to collapse in his arms.
“Thank you,” she uttered.
“Now where’s your room? You can pack a few things, and we can buy the rest.”
Pointing to the stairs, she led him up the two flights. Unlocking the door, it felt so strange having Todd in the room with her, but she could get used to it.
“Where’s your bag?” he asked.
“In there. Top shelf.”
Easily locating it, he set it on the bed. Moving to the top drawer of her dresser, he grabbed a handful of underwear. Dumping it in the bag, he moved on to the next.
“If there’s anything you want to take, pack it in there, Missy.”
Her tears subsiding, she used the cuffs of her sweater to dry her eyes. Her brain kicking in, she swiftly gathered the belongings she needed. Closing the lid, she snatched cosmetics off the top of the dresser, shoving them in her hobo purse. Todd took her coat off the hanger, holding it out for her to put on. Slipping her arms in, she was done. With a final look around, they raced down the stairs at a devilish speed. They found Una speaking with Angela Murray.
“You wait here,” he said, walking up to Foster.
“What’d they find out?” Todd asked, and Foster filled him in.
Melissa wandered, standing next to Una.
“There you are,” Una said, protectively putting her arm around Melissa’s shoulder. “I was worried about where you went.”
“I just got a few things. Todd is taking me to stay with his parents, if that’s alright with everyone,” she added, wanting to make sure.
“Yes, it’s perfect. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be here,” Angela replied.
“Good!” Una responded, almost crushing her with a hug. “I was about to make you leave. Tracey was making arrangements for you to stay at a local hotel, but this is even better.” Moving away, she massaged her lower back with one hand. “My back is killing me. It’s from tension. I just don’t know what’s going on. It’s almost as if someone is deliberately trying to destroy me ….” Her voice trailing off, her eyes stared fixedly ahead. “Viktor!” she whispered.
Freeing herself from her pose, she strode across the floor as if it were on fire. Approaching the menacing hulk, he was seated on a couch in the reception area. Wasting no time, she laced into him. He rose in surprise, vigorously defending himself, but Una was not about to be contained.
“You! You disgusting bastard! You are trying to destroy me!” she screamed. Hurling the insults and dirty laundry out on the line, she didn’t care who heard. “And all this time, I was feeling guilty about breaking things off with you! I felt I was wrong and that I had missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime while all the time, I was right to end the affair! I hate you! Do you hear me? I said I hate you and I want you out of here! And I mean forever! You are no longer part of Velofsky Ballet!”
Turning, she stopped to help her mother to her feet. The two ambling away, Viktor was immobilized in stunned silence.
“Good,” Melissa mumbled.
Todd sidled next to her. “Can I just see you a moment?” he asked, eyeing Angela.
“Sure.”
Accompanying him to an area where they could speak in private, he placed his hands on her shoulders.
“Look, you have to tell Angela what you know about Zoe.”
“What?” she blurted, startled by the request. “But why?”
“Because they all went missing. Justin, Kurt, Zoe and Collette. They all left together and all disappeared together.”
Her hand shot up to her open mouth, tears reappearing in her eyes. “But that’s impossible.”
“Yeah, well, I would have thought so, too, but seems it’s not. They all did the same thing. They all called their parents, each telling stories about staying with someone else. None of them are where they said they’d be, and no one knows what happened.”
“But this is crazy!” she said getting hysterical, pulling away as if she were going to be next.
“Melissa, calm down. The point is that now we know Zoe didn’t necessarily leave. It makes what you saw crucially important. You have to tell Angela. They need to know.”
“But she wasn’t in the basement!”
“You don’t know that. Did either you or Roger watch the door 24/7?”
“No, I guess we didn’t,” she mumbled, her eyes shifting down. “I suppose she could have snuck out. It would only take a second, wouldn’t it?”
“Exactly. Or there might be another way out. I know this is going to be hard, but given the circumstances …” he implored.
“But Una thinks it was Viktor. If it’s him, then why do I have to say anything?”
“Because I believe Una is wrong. How would Viktor arrange for those kids to call their parents?”
“Maybe he forced them? Or imitated their voices?”
“Oh, right! Like he’s going to be able to impersonate Collette? But the thing is that Zoe could.”
“Christ,” she said, covering her face. “It’s just that I so don’t want to do this.”
“It’ll just take a second, baby. Then we can leave and it’ll all be over. You think you can do that? For me?” he begged.
“Okay, let’s get it over with because I just might change my mind.”
Leading her to Angela, he waited until she was finished speaking to a deputy.
“Agent Murray, Melissa would like to change that statement she made the other day.”
“Really?” Angela said, tilting her head.
Melissa nodded furiously, swallowing before she choked.
“Well, then how about we go upstairs. Might be more private,” she suggested, taking her by the arm. Melissa walked slightly behind, glancing back at Todd. Moving her suitcase to the side, he planted himself by it, assuring her that neither was going anywhere without her.
Chapter Fifty-six
“Melissa, really, I don’t blame you for what you did. Everything is so overwhelming, even to me … and I’m not even involved,” Joan comforted, passing the serving dish filled with sweet potatoes topped with a crust of brown sugar.
“I agree,” Grant responded while diving into both the chatter and the dish piled high with roast chicken. “So Todd, let me get this straight. Each one of the students phoned their parents and said they were staying with a friend?”
“It appears so.”
“And after the phone call, they left and just disappeared? All four?”
“Yes,” he answered, fully realizing how crazy it sounded. “Kurt left a day before the other three, but all four have vanished.”
“But that’s impossible!” Grant huffed.
“Seems to be the word of the day.”
“Well, that’s because it is!” Joan chimed in. “And what about you, Melissa? What are you thinking about all of this? You knew them, so why would they do that?”
Hunching, she kept her eyes down, not sure what to say.
“They wouldn’t … not unless it was true. Zoe is the only one capable of telling an out-and-out lie. I’m sorry to sound so harsh, but it’s just the truth. Justin is completely different.”
“Unless she got to him,” Grant said winking. “Bad women make bad medicine. Old proverb courtesy of my Great-Granddad.”
“Think your granddad was onto something,” Todd concurred. “Especially after what Missy saw.”
“Yes, what was she doing in the basement … with Brandi’s things? Do you really think she had something to do with all this?”
“I don’t know,” she answered, holding back her hostile feelings about Ms. Ryan. Thinking her capable of just about anything, she wasn’t about to say it out loud—not even to Todd’s family.
“But doesn’t that mean she’s alive?” Joan asked her son, smothering his plate with gravy.
“Not really.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” his dad asked, following up the line of inquiry.
“It means that Missy’s not sure it was her, and a search didn’t reveal anything. Until we get conclusive evidence, we’re pretty much stuck at square one.”
“He’s right. I’m not sure it was her. I’d swear it was her clothing … and the length of her hair seemed right, but I didn’t get a good look at her face. It was so dark, and she was ahead of me so I only really saw the back of her.”
“Then it would have to be somebody that looked like a dancer,” Joan said, cutting in.
“Yes, I suppose,” Missy answered, drinking a bit of her soda. “She was slender, and had the turnout. Oh, I just don’t know. It happened so fast.”
“Well, that makes it tough, Todd,” Grant commiserated. “But it’s what’s happened all along, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, at least you know that they made the calls. I mean, I would know your voice. Any parent would recognize their own child,” Joan stated, not expecting to be challenged on that point.
“Yes, and we have that to go on. It would seem pretty far-fetched to think someone could imitate four different people.”
“Five. Remember that one call was supposed to be from me,” Melissa reminded.
“I’m not forgetting, but Hotchkins wasn’t well-acquainted with you. I think just about any young girl could have gotten away with passing themselves off as you on the phone.”
“Good point,” she said, picking at her dessert. She’d been starving, but had quickly filled up on the rich food. Joan leaned over, giving her hand a pat.
“We’re just happy you’re here with us. We don’t want anything to happen to you. You have too big of a career ahead of you,” she consoled.
“I don’t know about that, but I am so grateful. Una and Anna have been wonderful, but I, I just wouldn’t feel safe.”
“Well, of course you wouldn’t!” Joan concurred, dabbing at her lips with her napkin. “How long will you be with us?”
“I’m leaving this Friday. My dad will be meeting me at the station.”
“Good! I don’t want you getting lost,” Grant blurted. “But I don’t see why he hasn’t driven down here and gotten you home by now. If you were my daughter, I would have! Leaving you here with all this going on seems like asking for trouble.”
The table went quiet. Joan caught his eye, shaking her head. Melissa let the statement get to her since it was true. Any father that gave half a shit would have done just that.
“That was delicious, Mom,” Todd interrupted. Swiftly changing the subject, he swiped the sweet remnants away with strong espresso.
“Todd’s right. Primo offering,” Grant agreed.
“Well, thank you! Rave reviews from my worst critics!” Joan teased, tossing a smile in Melissa’s direction.
“They’re right, Mrs. Cavanaugh. You are a terrific chef. You should be on one of those cooking contest shows. Would it be alright if I could watch you sometime? I don’t mean on TV, I mean in the kitchen!” she explained.
“Of course, hon! Anytime you like! And since it’s the holidays, I’m baking all this week so you’re welcome to help and learn all my tricks,” she replied, starting to collect the dishes from the table.
“Here, let me help you!” Missy said, popping up and starting to stack the dirty plates.
“No, no, no! You and Todd run along … Grant can help me,” she said interrupting her husband in mid-stride. Almost making it to the periphery of the line demarcating the dining room’s territorial claim, he halted. Hesitantly pivoting, he gritted his teeth, accepting responsibility for the chore.
“Yes, dear,” he replied, somewhat begrudgingly. Walking at a pace slower than he used in retreating, he began the process.
Todd smiled, patting his dad on the back. Grabbing Missy’s hand, he brought her into the living room. Throwing a pillow from the couch on the ground, Melissa settled onto it. Sitting next to her, he ran his fingers through her long hair.