Chapter 12: Trap
"Bren!" His silent screams could tear his heart apart; his new friend, Bren, and his family lying still on the kitchen floor. Theo's hand is shaking as he checked for signs of life. All of them are no longer breathing, their pulses are not palpable.
Theo sat in the corner, drenched in blood. He searched for his phone inside his pocket.
"Da-Dad." Theo stuttered as he dialed Thomas's number.
"Yes Theo? Are you okay?" He instantly knew that something was wrong with his son.
"It's Bren. I think he is dead, and his mom and little sister." He said, while sobbing.
"Tell me where you are, then go outside, and take in some fresh air." Thomas was trying to calm down his only son. He definitely understands how devastated Theo is at the moment.
Theo walked slowly towards the backyard. He wiped his hands on his already soaked clothes. He took a deep breath as he stared up at the dark, starless night. Thinking of what could have happened to Bren; they were literally on the phone less than an hour ago… and now, his lifeless body swimming in his own blood. "Did he kill them or did someone else?" Thoughts swarmed his already confused mind.
Theo stood still, not wanting to take another step, knowing how much he already contaminated the crime scene.
"Should I call Cara?" Theo was brooding, contemplating if he should share his burden with Cara. His heart almost leaped when a pair of brawny hands squeezed his shoulders.
He closed his teary eyes and grabbed the firm hands that were trying to comfort him.
"Let's go home, son." Thomas guided him away from Bren's house.
"Thud" The sound of the car door closing felt like a sense of security for Theo.
Silence consumed them throughout the ride. Thomas understood his son well. He let him absorb everything he witnessed at Theo's own pace. He did not want to force him to talk about it.
As soon as they arrived home, Theo dashed towards the bathroom to clean himself up. Thomas, on the other hand; drove to their old car shop to clean up the bloodstains on the white leather seat of their old Chevy.
"Swoosh,"
Theo stood directly under the shower. He slowly rubbed off the dried blood on his body. Theo is not an emotional type of guy, but tonight is an exception. He wept and cannot deny his broken heart as he cleaned himself.
"Who did it to Bren and his family? Who could have known about Bren's secret aside from him? Or did he really do it on his own?" The thought of knowing Bren's secret is slowly eating him. Would it end differently if he stayed on the line with Bren? Again, his conscience is unforgiving.
When Theo exited the bathroom, his father was waiting for him in the kitchen with two hot cups of coffee for both of them. He slowly pushed the other cup towards the empty seat.
Theo willingly sat there, knowing how much explaining he needs to do.
"It is a case of murder and suicide." Thomas said bluntly to Theo.
Theo's eyebrows furrowed after he heard his father's confirmation. Bren would not do that to his family. He loves his mom and adores his little sister. Even his revelation about his family is not enough reason for him to do that gruesome crime.
"Dad, it's not like Bren. I don't think he is capable of such a despicable thing." Theo said it to his father, but hesitating to tell all.
"Well, I know, son. But that is not my opinion, the detectives who went there to investigate it called me, just now." Thomas confirmed it to him.
"That was quick, can't they investigate further?" Theo pleaded his case to his father.
"It was quick because, the investigator in-charge is your godfather. If you want them to investigate further, guess whose fingerprints, shoe prints and DNA are scattered in there!" Thomas' voice is now louder and with authority.
Theo lowered his head. He knows it would be hard to defend himself in the court with his account of events.
"Okay, then Theo. Explain to the jury why you sneaked out of the house this late in the evening to go to Bren's house?" Thomas was eager to show Theo that his decision is the best for them at the moment.
"I'm sorry dad; I should have told you everything. You could have helped us and this wouldn't happen." Theo clutched his mug as tears again started falling from his eyes.
"Well, son. You know you can trust me." Thomas patted Theo's back.
"Hmm, dad… Well, Bren's mom and little sister are witches." Theo felt relief, like a thorn was pulled out of his heart as soon as he said those words.
"Is he sure? I mean, is that his reason for killing them?" Thomas looked visibly upset at his realization.
"I guess so. I don't think I can do this, dad." Theo confronted his father.
"I know, son. You don't have to… I'm sure we can work this out." Thomas assured his devastated son.
*****
"Here," Ashton said coldly and handed a paper bag to Cara.
"What's this?" Cara asked as she accepted the bag.
"Your new phone." Ashton answered, as his eyes are focused on the road while driving.
"Thanks, but I cannot accept this. I don't even have a penny on my bank account." Cara bluntly rejected Ashton's gesture.
"After we get married, everything I have… is yours." Ashton fought himself to finish that sentence.
"For real?" Cara was adamant to believe what Ashton just said.
"It's written in the book. That's why marrying me is the easiest way for me to transfer the wealth accumulated by my family to you." Ashton admitted it to Cara.
"Hmm, then, since we are married, we can share. I don't need it all." Cara responded with compassion. She knows how Ashton is accustomed to the wealth and without it; he will have a real hard time.
"Screeeechh,"
The sound of his break echoed in the empty street.
"Really?" He asked and looked directly at Cara.
"Hmm, no." She winked and let her tongue out, and opened the paper bag.
Ashton slammed his hand on the stirring wheel and exhaled heavily before he stepped on the gas.
Cara explored her new phone and but did not browse her social media page. She is expecting it to blow up since the announcement of their engagement.
"Let's try the camera first." Cara took a selfie with Ashton.
"Ash, you look terrible in this photo?" Cara chuckled as she checked the photo she just took.
"Impossible. Throw that away and get a new one. It must be broken. I always look good in photos." Ashton blurted out proudly.
"No, I'm posting this one." Cara said to piss him off.
"Don't you dare post that! Or else…" Ashton threatened Cara.
"Or else what?" Cara urged Ashton.
"Or else, I will drown you with kisses." Ashton covered his mouth as soon as he realized what he just said.
Cara laughed as Ashton took the bait.
Ashton growled, seeing how happy Cara for his miscalculation of her wickedness. "Heh, you are all talk, babe. I know you don't even have the guts to post a photo of yourself. What more something controversial as this?" Ashton knows Cara's weakness.
He stalked her profile the other night. It was pretty uneventful as her profile was like a blank wall 'joined in January 2017'. That was it, and nothing else. Her profile picture is the default photo of a shadow. She did not even bother to put anything else.
"I'm not that dumb." Cara's face turned serious. "I know. A face like this with a bank account like mine does not belong anywhere near yours. What I will receive online will be hate comments about being with you." Cara said it out loud; her insecurities lay out in the open.
Ashton felt the loneliness in Cara's voice, something he could truly relate to. "I'm sorry." He said in a low voice.
"Heh, I got you!" Cara smirked at him and showed Ashton that she posted their selfie with the caption 'sorry not sorry'.
"You cheeky little babe!" Ashton muttered, with his eyes glaring at her.
"I know! Isn't this fun?" Cara tapped her legs while laughing hysterically.
"You really are testing my patience, love." Ashton's stern voice sent shivers down Cara's spine. But as always, she tried to play it cool.
"It's not like you can punish me or say anything to offend me." Her quick wit is something else.
"Let's see about that." Ashton pulled the hand brake after shifting the gear to park.
Cara instantly removed her seatbelt and popped out the car, afraid of what Ashton might come up with. He was quiet while they traverse the long hallway towards their room. Cara smiled at the house helpers who bowed to them, like a true Ms. Congeniality.
"Goodnight, Ash. I 'm heading to bed." Cara said, directly avoiding Ashton.
He nodded at Cara. His silence again is killing Cara. The usual feisty Ashton was not there.
Cara dropped herself on the bed and glanced at the photo she just uploaded. The truth is, Ashton looks amazing even in this uncomplimenting angle. Unknowingly, she felt a light tingle that made her smile while looking at their funny first photo together. She honestly planned on deleting it as soon as they arrive home. But a comment struck her the most, it has more likes than the post itself.
"Sleep well, my queen. Wedding preps tomorrow. I can't wait to marry you on Friday!" Ashton's comment was public.
"ASHTON!" she shrieked on the other side of the wall.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone