Abe walked in, file in hand, and sat in front of Taja. They had to get her a booster seat because she sat down all you could see was a floating head and it made him chuckle. He had to be serious and her looking silly like that would not help. She looked scared, but he reassured her that she was alright and that her parents were on their way. She nodded, sitting there playing with her thumbs.
āWhat happened the night you went missing?ā He asked softly.
She looked up at him, scared, āMomma had to leave and the babysitter wasnāt there yet. She was worried of leaving me alone, but I reassured her I would be alright. Then after she left I started hearing a voice inside of my head telling me to go get Sienna from her work and bring her to the gym. I also got visions showing me where to go. I wasnāt going to go, I swear, but then it wouldnāt stop till I left and went get her. She wouldnāt come to the gym, actually she thought I insulted her. I didnāt mean to call her a cow or anything, but it kind of slipped out. Rina stood up for me and I took the time to hurry and steal the keys before running. It was the only thing I could do to make her leave.ā She was on the verge of tears.
He nodded, patting her hand, and asked, āDid you get abducted?ā
Taja shook her head, āNo. Once we all were in the gym things started to happen. Like a car crash and then us being all in pain. We got these marks and then went to this scary place where everything was the same, but a lot scarier. It was horrible.ā
Abe smiled softly, āHow do you all know each other?ā
Taja looked up at him, āI have never seen any of these people before today. I am ten, my momma would never allow me to be near these other people, except Rina. I could see Rina babysitting me. She was a nice girl. I liked her a lot.ā
Abe was glad to hear someone liked his daughter and that she would treat a young girl well. He raised her to at least be a decent person. āOkay, Hun, now who owns the house you all were at?ā
Taja rubbed her eyes, āI think it was Yohanās house. I am ninety percent sure it was. I donāt like him very much, but I rather him over Pervert Man, Frederick. He stared at my thighs for a long time. He even stared at Sienna and Rina a little longer than he should.ā
Abe wanted to punch this man in his face, he couldnāt understand perverted men. āHow did Sienna get away but everyone else stay? Is she working with the owner of the house?ā
Taja shrugged, āI didnāt know she left. As for working with Yohan? I believe Miranda would be the one to work with him the most, thoughā¦ I think he was just trying to get with them, āShe leaned in close, āif you know what I mean.ā
He chuckled before looking down at the next question and frowning. āOkay, what happened with Rina?ā
She looked down at her hands again, speaking low she said, āI walked in to the kitchen after I woke up and Rina was holding a cup of coffee just looking up in space. I thought she was just daydreamingā¦ I know I do it a lot when I am feeling nervous. Pervert Man was making breakfast, so I thought maybe she was nervous to be around himā¦ā She started to tear up, āt-then she justā¦ started freaking out. Asking if I was real or if she was going crazy. It scared me a lot. Then out of nowhereā¦ she just started banging her head into the counter. Frederick tried to stop her and then help her stay alive. It was a mess. Blood was everywhere. I donāt know why she did that. I really really donāt.ā
Abe tried to calm her down, āItās okay. You are here and safe. I am sorry you had to see all of that. So, it was you who called 9-1-1, what happened? Why did you hang up?ā
Sniffling she tried to calm down. Nodding at the first part of the question, āI did, I slipped in Rinaās blood trying to get to the floor. She needed professional help, but Miranda stopped me. I think she had someone to help with it. She told them I was her cousin, which I am notā¦ I donāt think. Then she called her actual cousin and asked him to come over.ā
āOkay I am going to circle back around to Yohan. You are doing great. Have you known Yohan before?ā He asked.
Taja shook her head, āNo, officer. The first time I saw him he looked like a loser sitting in the corner. He was a cry baby. I think he even puked in the back of the gym. Something is very wrong with that guy.ā She shivered.
āWhy was he not at the house?ā Abe asked.
She shrugged, āI have no idea. He was there when I went into the kitchen. Maybe everything got him scared and he ranā¦ like maybe Sienna got scared too and ran. I know I would have if I wasnāt so scared and wanting to call for help.ā
Abe nodded again, āCould he be possible for Rinaās death?ā
Taja shook her head no, āNo, sir. Unless he threatened her before anyone got to the kitchen, but that percentage would be very low. Yohan is a freak, but I highly doubt he would have killed Rina.ā
Abe patted her head and closed the files, āThank you so much for answering the questions. You did very well and I know for a fact your mother and father would be proud of you.ā He held out his free hand, the other was holding the file, and walked out of the room. They walked to the front where her parents were waiting for her. He let go of her hand and she ran to their arms. All three of them were crying. He called Frederick to the back room and walked away. He couldnāt look at the family anymore. It killed him that he couldnāt do that with his own daughter.
Abe walked in, file in hand, and sat in front of Fredrick. He had been one of the people missing. When Abe looked up from his file he saw Frederick pull out a card. "Sorry for the misleading attitude offer, Secret agent Frederick. I was working on the missing persons case when all this happened." He spoke as he held the ID for him. Abe took it, looking it over, and shaking his head. Something was off, but he was going to ask the same questions as the rest of the group. He decided that he was going to make Frederick stay for more questioning once he ran his name in the data base to see if he was in fact a secret agent. "Anyways officer, I will be answering your questions.ā
āWhat happened the night you went missing?ā He asked, writing something down on a pad.
āOn the night, I went missing I was working at Timberland High School acting like a janitor when I went out into the parking lot to head back to my car. A well-dressed man was waiting there and before I knew it I was in a different place I had no clue where it was. That was when I met all the teenagers and the one child. Funny story, the child thinks Iām a pedo...Do I look that creepy? ...Ugh....Anyways this was the first time I met any of these kids." Frederick spoke as he placed a finger under his chin.
"After we managed to escape where ever we were locked up, one of the Kids...Yohan was his name brought us to his house. I would have headed to the police station but it was too dangerous so we needed to lay low.ā He said.
The guy was a weird one, but he was answering some of his questions before he could even ask. āHow did Sienna get away but everyone else stay? Is she working with the owner of the house?ā He finally asked after shifting through his questions.
āAs for Sienna...I guess she got out as morning came while we were resting she snuck out back home or something. So, I don't think she is working with Yohan.ā He said.
āWhat happened with Rina?ā Abe just asked.
As for with Rina, I was in the kitchen...making food, yes, I know I made food here. But everyone was hungry and well someone had to cook the food. So, I was there when Rina walked in. I did not realize it at first until I heard some banging on the counter and well...It was only her, so she just went crazy all of a sudden so I did my best to stop her. But she was going full force on the counter like she was possessed or something. I did my best and stopped her but... there was... a lot of blood... and matter...." Frederick shook his head to get rid of that scene from his mind before speaking again.
āWhy didnāt anyone call 9-1-1 before Taja and why did someone say that she was just learning how to dial 9-1-1?ā Abe asked, looking over his questions again.
"I was busy trying to keep her alive and thatās probably when Taja called 9-1-1. Honestly, I was busier looking and trying to help Rina.ā
He nodded, Abe was beginning to like the man. He at least tried to stop her, though she never seemed suicidal before. āHave you known Yohan before?ā He asked.
āAs for if I know Yohan I never met the guy. All I know is that some girl probably came by and he left with her. I say he is having some private romance or whatever. But I highly doubt he was the cause for this..." Frederick spoke as he breathed a deep sigh.
Abe looked up at the man after taking some notes and closing the file. āThank you, sorry that you canāt leave just yet. I will need you to sit in the hallway by the front desk. We need to run your name in the base to see if you are actually a secret agent, standard protocol is all and maybe a few more questions.ā He said with a small smile before walking out and switching files with his partner.
Abe walked in, file in hand, and sat in front of Miranda. She had been one of the people in the house at the time he got there. She was the third one he interviewed. āAlright, Miss Wallace. I am just going to ask you a series of questions. Just answer to the best of your ability.ā With that he began the series of questions.
āWhat happened the night you went missing?ā He asked, writing something down on a pad.
Miranda raised her eyebrows and thought back, āWas a regular night at the gym, then these kids came in, and some...supernatural, magic shit went down; ruined my night." she said, looking back to whoever was questioning her. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she was leaned back into the chair casually.
Abeās face didnāt change, instead looked at her and continued his questioning, āDid you get abducted?ā
"If by "abducted" you mean be transported to an alternate dimension without my knowledge or permission, yes." She shrugged. Despite the sarcasm, she was sincere as well.
He wrote some stuff down in his pad and continued on from his previous question, āIf so who was he/she?ā
"Think that was Yohan's doing. Not sure. White haired boy, cute face, much too young to be doing what he says he's doing." She looked up with her eyes, trying to remember the details as they came to her.
Abe nodded and gave her a minute before asking another question, āHow do you all know each other?ā
"Really, I don't. I know their names, I think...Like I said, they burst into my gym for whatever reason and offered little explanation." She uncrossed her arms and offered a full shrug in response to this question.
Abe nodded, āNow, who owns the house you all were at?ā
"Think that was Yohan, or, his parents? Dunno much about him." Again, a shrug.
He was getting bone dry answers from her. His eyes narrowed a bit, āHow did Sienna get away but everyone else stay? Is she working with the owner of the house?ā
"Pretty sure she just walked out." She said, nodding after a second of thought.
āOkay, what happened with Rina?ā He had been wanting to ask that question since Taja had told him, but he wanted to get everyoneās take on it.
"Lost her mind, smashed her own head against the counter. I had the Janitor clean it up." A slow blink, the tone of annoyance with the questions began to creep into her voice, and she leaned further back into the chair.
āWhere were you when it happened?ā He said, fighting down the tone of annoyance. This girl had something to her. She was hiding something, but he kept on with his answers.
"At the table, watching her. Lost my appetite." She looked down with her eyes, shuddering subtly.
āWas it a suicide or did someone do that to her?ā He asked.
"She did it herself, I've never seen a human with such a lack of self-preservation." She put an emphasis on the word human with her tone, looking at the questioner with a stern expression.
Abe cracked his neck. Never in his life did he want to cross over a table and straight up punch a woman in his life, but she was getting to him. His fisted his hand around his pen, trying not to lose his cool, āWhy didnāt anyone call 9-1-1 before Taja and why did someone say that she was just learning how to dial 9-1-1?ā
"That's because I called my cousin, Anthony. I expected him to get there quicker and handle the situation quietly. Last thing this town needs is media coverage. I stopped Taja from calling because I don't like unnecessary bull-shit." She gestured around to the room around her as an example of what she meant with her words.
He nodded, āHave you known Yohan before?ā
"No. Seen him walking around, never spoke." Simple shake of the head.
āWhy was he not at the house?ā He asked with a blank face.
"He left I guess. Chickened out when Taja called 911." Shrug and a nod.
āCould he be possible for Rinaās death?ā Was his final question.
"All this shit went down after he showed up in my gym, so I'm going to say yes. Can I go now?" Finally she leaned forward, putting her hands on the table and looking as though she were about to stand up.
āYou can go from this room, yes, but I am going to need you for further questioning after I talk to everyone. You can sit in the hallway by the front desk.ā With that he got up and left the room himself. He gave his partner the file and took another one from him.
Abe walked in, file in hand, and sat in front of Sienna. She had been the first one here that was in the group, but with all of the chaos didnāt get the chance to interview her till last. āAlright, Miss Cartlow. I am just going to ask you a series of questions. Just answer to the best of your ability.ā With that he began the series of questions.
āWhat happened the night you went missing?ā He asked, writing something down on a pad.
āThatāsā¦ Well, hard to explainā¦ Youāll probably think Iām lying or whatever, since itās pretty absurdā¦ā Sitting back in her seat with her arms folded, Siennaās brow furrowed as she was clearly thinking, staring to the water left on the table. āSomehow, we ended up in another world. It was honestly like something out of a comic book. There were monsters and shitā¦ I get it if you donāt believe me, but somethingā¦ Changed while we were there. The only word I can think of to describe it is magic.ā She paused, clearly looking to him to see what kind of reaction Abe would give. Leaning forward slightly, she unfolded her arms, placing her hands onto the table in front of her. āI could show you, if you donāt believe me.ā
Abeās face didnāt change, instead looked at her and continued his questioning, āDid you get abducted?ā
āI guess? I wouldnāt know who was responsible though. Itās not like I ended up involved in this other world crap willingly...ā Sienna scoffed a little, looking off to the side and staring at a spot on the table, maybe zoning out.
He wrote some stuff down in his pad and continued on from his previous question, āIf so who was he/she?ā
Looking back up at the question, Sienna sighed. āLike I said, Iāve got no idea. I guess I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.ā
Abe nodded and gave her a minute before asking another question, āHow do you all know each other?ā
āTo be honest, I only know them all through this crap. That Taja girl showed up with Rina at my work, and the littleā¦ Brat.ā There was a notable pause as Sienna held her tongue from a harsher expletive. āShe stole the keys to the store. I ended up calling my roommate to try and look after the store while I gave chase. After that I met uhā¦ Gym girl at the gym. Canāt remember her name. I think Yohan was there too? And I dunno when that creep guy showed up, but it was in that other worldā¦ā Sienna stopped for a bit, looking up to Abe. āAre they here too?ā
Abeās eyebrow raised, if he hadnāt of interrogated her first he would have thought the young girl would have never done such a thing. She didnāt have the background to up and steal a set of store keys. āThey are, but that is all I can tell you. Now, who owns the house you all were at?ā
āI guess it was Yohanās place. Apparently, we had to go there to get back from the other world. Itās uh, kinda like a parallel dimension, the place has the same general layout as Timberland.ā Sienna put her hand to her chin, before rummaging in her pocket. āI brought this paper back from there. It was in the basement of the other dimensionās house. Itās like, a design for the machine? Or part of it? Anyway, all that crap should still be in his basement. Well, the device at least.ā Sienna placed the somewhat crumpled schematic down for Abe, wondering if it would actually be handy at all.
Abe tilted his head. He wasnāt expecting to get so much information from the girl, but he took the paper and added it to the file he hand on her, noting on a clean piece of paper that it was evidence and to check out the basement more. āThank you, Miss Cartlow. This helps us a lot. How did you get away but everyone else stayed? Are you working with the owner of the house?ā
āHow did I get away? Well, shit went down andā¦ I guess I couldnāt really handle it. I was coming here to turn myself in though and get some information. I honestly donāt know where to go from here. As for working with Yohan, I barely know the guy. I think weāre all connected now or some crap thoughā¦ā Rolling up her sleeve a little, Sienna lifted her hand to show the strange symbol that had materialized on it. āI think weāve all got this mark. āCept Yohanās is a little different.ā
Abe leaned in, taking a closer look. He had honestly never seen a tattoo like that before. He made a not to get someone to look at it before she left. āOkay, what happened with Rina?ā He had been wanting to ask that question since Taja had told him, but he wanted to get everyoneās take on it.
āSheā¦ ā Sienna stopped again, involuntarily flinching at the memory of the corpse sheād seen. It hadnāt been a pretty sight. āWell, I donāt know. I wasnāt there. I came down to hear the others freaking out and sawā¦ Well, that. I think thatās why I kind of got out of there. That dude was cleaning the blood and Miranda was on the phone to someone about cleaning it up andā¦ Well, that didnāt sound right to me. I was a little scared, but I honestly didnāt want to be associated with some sort of cover up. They said she killed herself, butā¦ I honestly donāt know.ā
Abe had to try hard not to curl his fist.
So it was a cover up, but Taja had been there. She had seen it, maybe Miranda had threatened her to lie. I am going to have to talk to her cousin after this. āWhere were you when it happened?ā He asked after clearing his throat.
āUpstairs. After everything that happened Iā¦ needed some time alone. I kind of had a bit of a breakdownā¦ The smashed mirror up there should be testament to thatā¦ā Sienna mumbled, unconsciously squeezing her bandaged hand.
Abe took notice of her hand, but continued his questioning. āWas it a suicide or did someone do that to her?ā
āI couldnāt say. I didnāt notice until I came down and she wasā¦ā Sienna swallowed uncomfortably, then reached for the water, shakily pouring her glass and drinking from it.
Abe was noticing Siennaās actions and took note of it all. āWhy didnāt anyone call 9-1-1 before Taja and why did someone say that she was just learning how to dial 9-1-1?ā
āLike I said, I didnāt even know until I came down and heard some crap about cleaning the blood and dealing with it. I wasnāt about to stay there and calmly dial the number, but I did tell the officers I met about it. You can ask them.ā Sienna stated confidently that theyād back up her story, having nothing to hide in that regard.
He nodded, āHave you known Yohan before?ā
āNo, like I said, I met everyone for the first time.ā Sienna repeated, a little agitated by the repeat question.
Shifting in his chair, trying not to seem so stand offish to the woman he asked her, āWhy was he not at the house?ā
āI dunno. I lost track of him when I went upstairs, so I have no idea where he went.ā Answering truthfully, Sienna was trying to be as cooperative as possible. She was getting anxious to find out about Rio, but she needed to get through this shit first.
Abe could see her becoming anxious and tried to get through the questions as fast and thoroughly as possible, āCould he be possible for Rinaās death?ā
āPossibly? I donāt know. He was pretty quiet for the most part, but he didnāt seem crazy murderous. Then again, Rina didnāt seem crazy suicidalā¦ā Sienna muttered the last part as she thought out loud on it.
Once the questions paused for a while, Sienna sat up a bit, looking back over to Abe. āUm, Iā¦ I saw on the news thatā¦ My roommate Rioā¦ Can you tell me what happened?ā Sienna asked hesitantly, but there was a strained desperation in her voice.
Abe looked up, his lips twisting down in a frown. āI am sorry, it seems like she had spun and hit a wall. She would have made it, but then another vehicle crashed into her, which sadly lead to her death. That is all I can give you since it is still an ongoing case.ā This night had turned out to be one of the shitiest nights in his life. āYou are free to go, Miss Cartlow.ā He said before walking out. He looked at Frankie and shook his head.
"We are going to be having a long night a head of us. I kept a few for more questions. Also, Frederick claims to be a secret agent. I need you to run his name in and tell me what you get." He said. Frankie nodded and walked off to do just that.