Kal sank into the light, rattan chair on the porch. She was thankful they'd decided to hold the wake at Cherry's house instead of a cramped viewing hall. Two urns sat beneath the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. It's what they'd wanted, although it hadn't been necessary. From what she understood, there was much less trauma than expected from an animal attack.
Kal focused on the scent of flowers, an almost futile effort to take her mind off the small crowd that had come to pay their respects. She wanted to support her friend, but was starting to worry that being here was a stupid idea.
The eulogy had been short and to the point. Bill and Tess had given their only daughter everything she could have wanted. And now they were gone. There would be no one to walk her down the aisle or to babysit or do any of those usual things parents do after you grow up.
Beyond the open sliding door, Kal watched Seth shift uncomfortably. He squeezed Cherry's hand as they thanked another family friend. I'm glad they have each other. He caught her watching and smiled back.
"I thought you were coming to support your friend. Instead, you're spending time with the lawn furniture?" Devin's voice came from directly behind her, outside the screened-in porch. He'd made sure to speak softly enough that the mourners inside wouldn't hear him.
The sound had been so sudden it had startled her, but she tried to make it seem it hadn't. "You're following me now?"
"I was invited." He replied.
"By who? You don't even know anyone here?" She looked around the room, trying to figure out who could have sent him an invite.
"Those wishing to pay their respects are welcome to attend the wake in their honor…" He recited the passage out loud. "Humans really should think about who they are inviting when they write obituaries."
Kal shifted her weight in her seat, trying to decide if she should ignore him or run outside and confront him directly. The last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene.
"I'm not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to make sure you're okay." Devin said.
He sounds genuine enough. And in a way, she was kind of relieved he was here. She knew that if anything happened, Cherry could stop her, but her friend was already dealing with enough. "I appreciate that, really. I don't even know why I came. It's too much pressure to be in that room."
"I'm sure it's enough. Having you here. Knowing she can talk to you. Losing your parents isn't easy." Even at a whisper, she could hear the pain in his voice.
"I can't imagine," Kal replied. This was her chance. He'd brought it up again, maybe he wanted to talk about it.
Before she had the chance, he changed the subject. "I met him once, her father. He was a genuinely nice guy."
"Yeah, he was. I used to spend every weekend here when we were kids." Kal leaned back into the chair and closed her eyes.
---
Kal wasn't ready to get out of bed yet. The good cartoons didn't even start for at least another hour. She rolled over and pulled the covers over her head.
Refusing to accept defeat, Cherry pulled with all her might. Pulling both the covers and Kal off the bed. Cherry shouted triumphantly. "I win! Time to get up."
It was a big weekend. Kal's dad had dropped her off last night for a sleepover. Tomorrow was Cherry's tenth birthday. And they were going to do so many things. Today was her actual party, and tomorrow Mr and Ms Sullivan we're going to take them both to Dizzy World.
"Hurry up!" Cherry called from the stairs.
"I'm coming," Kal called back. She picked up a brush and ran it through her hair a few times before following her friend downstairs.
Cherry was already seated at the table, pouring syrup over a stack of buttery pancakes. Her dad was carrying a tall stack of pancakes to the table. "Help yourself. What can I get you to drink? Juice or milk?"
Kal climbed onto one of the unmatched kitchen chairs and slid a few pancakes onto her plate. "Juice, please." Then, remembering the rest of her manners, she added, "Thank you."
On the other side of the kitchen, Cherry's mom was putting the final touches on a large sheet cake.
---
The cake had been Cherry's favorite. Kal remembered. Even if her mom insisted on writing "Cheryl". Every single year.
Kal had been so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed one final mourner approach from the front room. No, not a mourner, her.
"Hey," Kal whispered, but there was no reply. I bet he took off. Can't blame him, that's my plan too. Kal looked to her left; the screen door was so close. She could make it there before the woman saw her. Too late; she couldn't move. A cold chill ran down her spine. The woman stared at Kal, her sharp face framed by brilliant red hair, and smiled warmly.
"I'm not here for you." She whispered, knowing full well Kal could hear her. "I was friends with Sully."
Kal was shocked. This woman knew the Sullivans. How was that possible? Kal had never seen her at their house or at any point before last year, period. She watched the woman approach her friend; watched as Cherry's soft smile turned into a frown. Silent and immobile until her captor walked out the door.
"Be seeing you." The redhead whispered as she left.
Two seconds later, Kal was at her friend's side. Cherry jumped, not expecting the other girl to be there.
"Did I hear that right? Did she really say that?" Kal found it difficult to believe she'd heard correctly.
"She...she…" Cherry stared into the distance.
"Yeah, she said Cherry's parents were murdered." Seth lowered his voice. "Wants to have a meeting."
"Wait...what!?" Kal asked.
"Gave me this." He waved a card.
Kal took it, flipping it over. It was nothing more than a typical business card for a law firm. Embossed in fancy gold text was the name, Selene Talbot.
"You're not seriously going to meet her? Are you!?" Kal put her hands on Cherry's shoulders, begging for an answer. It's too dangerous. It could be a trap.
Cherry stared into the distance, unable to find words. She'd thought this same thing a few nights ago. But to hear someone else say it, to confirm her fears.
"Why not? If she knows something." Seth said.
"She's the one that kidnapped me," Kal said.
"All the more reason to go," Cherry said.
"Cher, she's dangerous," Kal said.
"So am I." She replied.