The Haret (The Haret Series) (7 page)

             
Esther’s eyes lit up in relief.

             
“So the nocturnal journal is a dream documentary?”

             
Felicitas nodded slowly suspicion showing in her eyes.

             
“Yes…how do you know about the journal?”

             
“Ian and I found it during our investigation, trying to find what happened to you. We both thought it was about a real person.”             

             
Felicitas moaned and closed her eyes.

             
“Did you read the entry where we had sex?”

             
The question took Esther’s eyes off Felicitas and placed them shamefully on the floor. She grimaced.

             
“Yes…sorry. Had I known what was in there I would have never read it in front of Ian.”

             
Felicitas blushed.

             
“How did he react?”

             
Esther gave an awkward smile.

             
“He was visibly shaken….hurt….angrier than I‘ve ever seen him. It’s a good thing this Raine guy is in your dreams cause if he was real I think Ian would kill him.

But of course Ian thinks he’s real. We all did. That’s why your dad is so mad.

Felicitas groaned and leaned her head against the back of the bed again.

“Esther…. it has to be real because I am pregnant and that dream was the only time I have ever experienced sex.  I woke up that night and knew something had really happened. I could still smell his scent on my skin. I know it sounds weird but I honestly believe I got pregnant in that dream.”

This time Esther grabbed her drink and took a sip swallowing hard.

“Taz,” she said sitting the plastic cup back on the table. “I’m going to throw a question out there and after you answer it I will never ask it again.”

Felicitas nodded, she owed her that.

“Do you think someone could be sneaking into your room and drugging you? Taking advantage somehow?”

Felicitas shook her head.

“Our house is alarmed; my dad has security cameras everywhere, it’s impossible. There is no way anyone could sneak into my room without being caught on film or tripping the system. They’re dreams Esther….just dreams.”

              Esther shook her head convinced. “Okay then. You’re having some kind of super natural experience. I could happen; after all, we have all heard of the Virgin Mary and believe that one without question.”

Felicitas pulled Esther close and held on tight. “I love you. You’re the best.”

After several emotional moments and tearful confessions Felicitas finished her story right up to the part where she saw Raine in the woods and jumped off the trailer.

Esther shivered as she sat riveted to the bed hanging on to Taz’s every word.

“No wonder you said My God it’s him. So do you remember anything at all while you were looking for him?”

Felicitas shifted, uncomfortable at the vague memory and began to tremble.

“Only that I was so afraid. Something in there terrified me and for the life of me I can’t remember what it was but I know it was horrible. I have never felt such fear. I remember running and that’s all.”

             
“Wow,” was all Esther could say.

             
“It sounds so crazy when I hear myself telling it. I’m afraid you are the only person who’ll actually believe me.”

             
Esther gave a sly smile. “I don’t know….I’m pretty sure Reed will.”

             
Felicitas took another long drink of the cola allowing it to burn at her throat. She wiped the dribble from her chin.

             
“About that. What’s up with you two? I noticed chemistry while we were waiting for the ambulance.”

             
For the next few minutes Esther spilled out the entire saga to Felicitas of their search for her the night she disappeared, up to Reed’s text and their adventure in the woods. She told her of the legend of the disappearing man; the mysterious cabin and the unshaven man with the raspy voice who Esther was certain might be the two hundred year old recluse. Despite the fact that Reed asked her not to tell anyone about the spot, she told Felicitas about the old well and how Reed thought it was a gateway to the afterlife and although Felicitas couldn’t understand why the mention of the well unnerved her causing a chill to sweep over her. Esther ended the epic tale right up to the part when they found Felicitas stumbling through the woods confused and disoriented.

             
The girls sat up for some time discussing Reed, Ian and Catlin‘s ill behavior.  By three-thirty in the morning they agreed it might be best to try and get some rest. Esther promised she wouldn’t leave Felicitas side and would be her support while she told her story to her parents and the police. She even offered to be present when she told Ian. The mention of his name was only a reminder that he had not come to the hospital to see her neither had he called. Felicitas felt sad but she couldn’t blame him. She wondered if he would want to break up with her and the thought brought a stabbing pain to her heart. She turned off the light and pulled the thin blanket close. She knew detective Russell would be back to question her and hoped some of her memory would return while she was sleeping. Esther made a bed on the guest cot and in no time they both fell into a deep peaceful sleep.

             
Across the street in a parked car an unshaven man sat starring at the hospital.  He took the last draw from his cigarette and then tossed it out the window. He wouldn’t approach her now, it would be too soon. He’d wait until she told her story to the authorities and her parents, then he would make his move because that’s when the craziness would begin and he knew she would need him. He started his car and drove off into the night.

CHAPTER TEN

             
Felicitas was released the next morning after being monitored all night and although no one knew where she had spent the past week, the attending doctor agreed she had been well taken care of.  Esther woke early planning to spend the day with Felicitas and accompany her home but Melvin and Sharon showed up and politely excused her. Felicitas was disappointed. She needed her friend’s support.

             
Ian still had not called or showed at the hospital. She didn’t blame him knowing she hadn’t contacted him either, still his absence stung.

             
Sharon brought Felicitas a change of clothes and some of her personal belongings.  Melvin remained unusually silent during the release procedure but finally spoke while they were in route to the police station. He didn’t speak to Felicitas directly but prayed aloud to God on her behalf as he did many times at home and in the pulpit of his church. Felicitas felt he often used prayer as a shield to say whatever he wanted. He asked God to give his daughter the courage to admit her mistakes and to speak the truth knowing that God’s love would cover over a multitude of her sins.

             
Felicitas tried to ignore him, blocking out his patronizing prayer. She looked out of her window wishing she was anywhere but in the back seat of her parent’s car. She had not slept very well being hooked up to monitors all night. She had no dreams; her memory still void of her whereabouts last week.

             
Detective Russell arrived half an hour late for their meeting; poured himself a cup of coffee and began the questioning.

             
“Did you rest well last night Miss Rebold?”

             
Felicitas sighed and braced herself for the inevitable. She crossed her legs swinging one of them nervously. She decided she didn’t like him very much.

             
“No, not really and I’d feel better if you call me Felicitas. It’s not as intimidating.”

             
“All right Felicitas, has your memory improved from last night?”

             
“No Sir it hasn‘t.”

             
Detective Russell sipped his coffee and stared at her over the rim of his cup. He savored the flavor enjoying the steaming liquid before setting the mug back on his desk.

             
“Felicitas do you want to tell me who the father of your baby is?”

             
He had asked her the same question last night and she had refused to answer but last night she and Esther agreed it would be best to simply tell the truth no matter how bizarre it seemed.

             
“I think I might have an idea.”

             
Detective Russell took another drink of his coffee.

             
“What do you mean you think? Have you had sex with more than one person?”

             
Melvin Rebold shifted in his seat and Felicitas watched as her mother placed her hand over his.

             
“No. Actually I have never had sex at all. I am a virgin.”

             
Detective Russell covered his mouth with his finger and rubbed the bottom of his chin.

             
“I read your private journal Felicitas. You mentioned having intercourse with a fellow by the name of Raine Zadock.   That’s a strange name. What nationality is he?”

             
“I don‘t know.”

             
Detective Russell scribbled in his notebook.

             
“Where did you meet Raine?”

             
Felicitas took in a deep breath. There was no holding back; the entire story was soon to unravel.

             
“I met him in a dream one night.”

             
Detective Russell stopped writing and eyed Felicitas.

             
“Are you making a game of this Miss Rebold?”

             
“No I’m not. You asked me to tell you the truth and I am. I dreamed of him three years ago while camping out in the same woods where I disappeared. The dream seemed very real and I have never forgotten it. I have been dreaming of him for three years now. Last month I dreamed we had sex. I guess I got pregnant then.”

             
Detective Russell dropped his pen and leaned back in his chair folding his arms in front of him. The chair groaned and creaked in protest, the noise deafening in contrast to the utter silence in the room.

             
Felicitas broke the quiet. “You don’t believe me?”

             
“Do you actually expect me too?”

             
“No, not really and I don’t blame you. It sounds crazy I know; but it’s the truth.”

             
“Miss Rebold aren’t you the president and founder of the purity club at your high school?”

             
“Yes”

             
“Are you ashamed to go back to school and face the members in the club now that everyone knows you are pregnant?”

             
Felicitas did dread going to school and trying to explain all of this, but she felt no shame, she only hoped her friends would believe her.

             
“No, I have nothing to be ashamed of because I haven’t done anything wrong.”

             
“That’s enough Felicitas!” Melvin’s angry outburst startled everyone in the room. “Enough of your lies. I am appalled at your lack of respect for Detective Russell not to mention your mother and myself. You have been raised much better than your actions are showing. Do you know how much your mother cried last week, how many nights I lost sleep? How many prayers were offered up on your behalf? How many man hours went into searching for you not to mention tax dollars? And you sit here defiantly and make a mockery of it all. If you have gotten yourself into trouble at least admit it. God will forgive even the vilest of sinners that is if you’re truly sorry for your actions rather than sorry you got caught.”

             
Felicitas heart pounded against her chest in anger at her dad. He was a man who encouraged blind faith. Taught it from the platform of his church, asked his family and congregation to believe in what they couldn’t see yet she never saw that kind of faith in him.              

             
She was prepared to defend herself. There had always been questions she wanted to ask her dad, things she wanted to say to him, yet at every attempt he would interrupt her, raise his voice and launch into another sermon. Today she would make him listen. They would all listen.

             
“I am telling the truth daddy. Why won’t you believe me? Have I ever lied to you before? I have been the model daughter, walked your straight and narrow path, honored you and momma, and obeyed every rule you set for us so what is it that causes you to accuse me of lying?”

             
“Because Felicitas, you are pregnant and you can’t get pregnant in a dream.”

             
“And how do you know that daddy?”

             
“Because it’s impossible.”

             
“Why? Why is it impossible?”

             
Melvin glared at his daughter and she knew she was about to push the limits. She was venturing on dangerous ground but she didn’t care. She had wanted to take this path for some time, now it had presented itself.

             
“Why is it impossible? You believe a virgin conceived you’ve preached it week after week….”

             
Sharon gasped and Melvin’s eyes flashed in anger, his voice rising louder than before.

             
“Don’t you dare compare yourself to the mother of God Felicitas; you’re on the verge of blasphemy.”

             
“I’m not being sacrilegious daddy you are!  You shove the Bible in everyone’s faces, you read it, teach from it and it’s nothing more than a book of other peoples God experiences. You find it so easy to believe a man was swallowed by a whale or a donkey talked, and a kid killed a giant with a sling shot. You believe the stories of people you don’t even know but you refuse to believe your own daughter. I find that appalling.”

             
Melvin’s eyes narrowed, “I find it appalling that you will use God’s word to try and justify your sin.”

             
Sharon spoke up trying to diffuse the tension in the room.

             
“Felicitas dear. You don’t have to be afraid. Whatever happened that put you in this situation can be forgiven and fixed. I know your dad loves you, and he will help you if you will let him but carrying on with these outlandish stories of dreams and virgin conceptions will only unleash a world of trouble. Honey we know about your journal, we’ve all read it. We know you’ve been meeting with someone. Detective Russell and your dad reviewed the security tapes at the house. No one snuck into your room honey so we know you must have disarmed the system and snuck out.”

             
Felicitas pitied her mother. She was a beautiful, intelligent woman yet she allowed herself to be completely controlled by a domineering husband who used God as an excuse to get his way. Felicitas sometimes questioned when her mother lost her courage.

             
“I don’t know any other way to say it. I am telling you the truth. The journal is a documentation of my dreams. I don’t understand it either but I am pretty sure I got pregnant in a dream. I know it sounds absurd but how do we now it can’t happen just because it has never happened before?”

             
Neither her parents nor Detective Russell said a word.

             
“I’m willing to take a lie detector test.” Felicitas was confident in her declaration. “A polygraph should prove I’m telling the truth.”

Detective Russell leaned forward and rested his elbows on his desk. He spoke only to Melvin and Sharon.

              “At this point I think a referral to County Mental Health is in order.”

             
Felicitas gasped, her heart raced. “What? Why? Why can’t I take polygraph?”

             
Detective Russell smirked.

             
“You got five hundred dollars Miss Rebold? That’s how much they cost so if you’re willing to pay I’ll arrange for you to take one.”

             
Felicitas didn’t have five hundred dollars but her parents did.

             
“Momma?”

             
Sharon looked at Melvin who immediately vetoed the idea.

             
“I will not pay five hundred dollars for Felicitas to manipulate all of us. County health is free and in my opinion just what she needs.”

             
Detective Russell noticed Sharon’s apprehension.

             
“I have no choice. This case has been in the public eye for a week now. I can’t just dismiss it. There are no suspects at this point and nothing on the security tapes. Sending a disturbed teenager to county to cope will satisfy the public’s need for an answer. They have councilors there who will be able to psychoanalyze your daughter and give her guidance and ability to accept her pregnant state and the fate of the child should she choose to keep it. Their goal would be to begin a healing process allowing her to admit who the real father is and her whereabouts last week.”

             
Felicitas heart pounded against her chest. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
A few days? 
There was no way she was going; the thought terrified her.

             
“Daddy please, please don’t make me go there. Just let me take the polygraph and you’ll see I am not crazy or making any of this up.”

             
Melvin ignored her pleas.

             
“Detective Russell if you will make the proper arrangements I’d like to get the process rolling as soon as possible. I think this is in her best interest.”

             
Detective Russell clicked his pen in triumph.

             
“I’ll give them a call. We can send her over immediately. She is still under age so all it will take is for you and Mrs. Rebold to sign the papers.

             
Sharon sat poised in her chair, back straight legs crossed, displaying perfect posture. Her face however revealed her hesitation of the matter. She tightened her lips before she spoke.

             
“Melvin, dear. Are you sure this is the right way to go?”

             
Melvin looked at his wife. “A few days at County health and I bet she realizes the truth isn’t so hard to tell.”