(1122 words)
Chapter 11
The road leading out of the city stretched ahead of them, empty and bright under the afternoon sun. Michael was driving faster than necessary, one hand firmly on the steering wheel and his eyes fixed on the road ahead, as if slowing down would force him to think too much.
Leo sat in the back seat, watching the dry, pale fields pass by, while Mark leaned against the window, staring into the distance. The car felt far too small for everything that remained unspoken.
"We didn't have to leave," Leo finally said.
Michael kept his eyes on the road.
"Yes. We did."
"It's just Mrs. Parker."
Michael let out a quiet sigh that almost sounded like a laugh.
"She talks too much."
Mark turned his head slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Michael looked at him for a second before focusing on the road again.
"It means she notices things she shouldn't."
Leo shifted in his seat.
"She was only asking questions."
"No," Michael replied. "She was checking."
The car slowed as they turned onto a narrower road where the trees blocked part of the sunlight. Shadows moved across the windshield, and the light became softer and uneven. The atmosphere inside the car changed with it.
"She knew too much," Michael continued. "About the jacket... about when I came back."
Leo frowned.
"She only said she saw you."
Michael tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"She saw what she wanted to see," he said slowly.
Mark studied him more carefully.
"What does that mean?"
Michael did not answer.
The engine hummed quietly as they continued down the road. The only sound was the tires rolling over the gravel.
The river looked exactly the same.
The narrow path led them through tall grass and old trees, and the wooden bench near the water leaned slightly to one side, as if it had been waiting for them all these years.
The air was warm, heavy, and still, carrying the faint smell of water and dry earth.
Michael got out of the car first, closing the door harder than necessary.
Leo followed him.
Mark climbed out more slowly than the others.
"What now?" Leo asked, looking around.
Michael walked toward the river and stopped near the edge of the water. His shoulders were tense.
"I think..."
Mark sighed wearily.
"About what?"
Michael turned toward him, his expression harder now.
"About what really happened!"
Mark crossed his arms.
"She left."
"That doesn't make sense," Michael replied.
"She's done things like this before," Mark said.
Michael shook his head immediately.
"Not like this."
Leo stepped closer.
"What's the difference?"
Michael looked at him.
"The jacket."
The word hung between them.
"It was hot," Michael continued. "Far too hot for that jacket. And yet she took it with her."
"Maybe she didn't think about it," Leo said, although he did not sound convinced.
Michael gave him a quick look.
"Mom thinks about everything."
Leo lowered his eyes.
"And then she gave it to Mrs. Parker," Michael continued more slowly, building his thoughts one step at a time. "Outside. In broad daylight."
Leo rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah... that part is strange."
Mark shifted his weight.
"Mrs. Parker said Alicia lent it to her."
Michael let out a dry, humorless laugh.
"Yes. That's what she said."
Leo looked from one to the other.
"Do you think she's lying?"
Michael kept his eyes on the river for a moment before answering.
"I think she's far too interested."
Mark frowned.
"She offered to help."
"Exactly."
"That's normal."
Michael's voice became sharper.
"No. It isn't."
The air suddenly felt heavier, almost pressing down on them.
Leo looked confused.
"Why not?"
Michael stepped closer, his voice calm but firm.
"Because when someone disappears, you call the police. You don't come back the next day with a jacket and act as if everything is normal."
Behind him, the river flowed quietly.
Mark looked away.
"Maybe she's just worried."
Michael turned toward him.
"Why? About us?"
Nobody answered.
Leo shifted nervously.
"She said she hadn't seen Mom for days."
Michael nodded slowly.
"Exactly. That's another thing."
Mark looked at him.
"What?"
Michael looked at both of them.
"How did she know that? We didn't even realize it ourselves."
Leo opened his mouth but stopped.
He had no answer.
Mark remained silent.
Michael continued, speaking more quietly now.
"She watches the building. Who comes in. Who goes out. When the lights are on."
Leo's expression changed.
For the first time, there was real fear in his eyes.
"Do you think she's been watching us?"
Michael did not smile.
"I think she watches everyone."
A light breeze moved through the trees, just enough to break the stillness.
Mark slowly shook his head.
"That's too much."
Michael shrugged.
"Or maybe we never paid attention."
Leo looked around again before turning back to them.
"Maybe we should call someone."
Michael spun around immediately.
"No."
The answer came too quickly.
Too strongly.
Leo blinked.
"Why not?"
Michael looked away, his jaw tightening.
"It's too soon."
"That doesn't make sense," Leo said. "Mom has been missing for days."
Michael said nothing.
Mark stepped forward.
"He's right. We should at least..."
"No."
Michael interrupted him again.
This time his voice was even firmer.
Something in the air changed once more.
The tension became almost impossible to ignore.
Leo stared at him.
"Why are you so against it?"
Michael let out a slow breath.
"I just think we should wait."
"For what?" Leo asked.
Michael did not answer.
Mark watched him carefully.
"What happened that night?"
Michael looked back at him.
"Nothing."
"That isn't what I asked."
Michael's jaw tightened.
"I already told you. I came home late."
Leo spoke more quietly now.
"You said it was after midnight."
Michael kept his eyes on the river.
"Yes."
Leo hesitated.
"Mrs. Parker said she saw you earlier."
Michael let out a short breath through his nose.
"She's wrong."
Mark did not move.
"Were you here?"
Michael turned toward him.
"I told you I came back."
"That wasn't my question."
The tension between them became almost unbearable.
Leo took a small step backward.
Michael ran a hand through his hair. His movements were quicker now.
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does," Mark said.
Michael looked at him, his expression colder than before.
"No," he said quietly. "It really doesn't. We need to find our mother, not talk about my private life."
The river continued to flow, calm and indifferent.
Leo swallowed hard. His chest felt tight.
Something was wrong.
Not only with their mother.
Something was wrong here.
Something about Michael.
Michael turned back toward the river and stared at the water for a long moment.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, controlled, almost emotionless.
"We are not calling the police."
This time, neither of them argued.