Dissolve (14 page)

I turned the stereo on and settle into a dark alternative song. I watched the road signs in the dark, illuminated by headlights as we moved along. My eyes grew tired and I pushed back the seat until I was practically in Noah’s lap.

“Sorry, I am getting tired.”

“No problem, better view out the front window anyway,” he joked.

That was the last thing I remembered before I drifted into an uncomfortable sleep. I tossed and turned, dreaming of Tom’s murder and replaying it like a film reel in my head. Then the motel murder slipped into the reel until I was dreaming of a never ending roll of murder. I didn’t come to until we stopped and I realized that we were at a Starbucks. Oh thank god, coffee.

“Good morning Cora, did you sleep well?” Noah asked, his muddy eyes meeting mine.

“No, I had nightmares of murder all night long. It was disgusting.”

“No offense honey, but you look like hell,” Nessa said.

“That is why I am thankful for Starbucks and the caffeine I am going to inhale. My bloodstream is going through withdrawal.”

“Mm, let’s go in and get it. What do you boys want?” Nessa asked.

“I would like coffee with cream please,” Noah replied.

“Same for me,” Shane added.

“We will be back in a minute,” I said, linking my arm in Nessa’s just like old times.

The minute we are out of earshot, Nessa gives me an eyebrow raising look and asks, “So what is the deal with you and Noah?”

“No deal, just getting to know each other. I just lost my fiancé, remember.”

“Yeah, but Tom is gone and Noah is totally into you and I can read both of your thoughts, remember.”

“Thinking and acting are two different things,” I said as we stepped into line.

“Speaking of boys, what about you and Shane? He sure seems to like you and I saw how you were with him yesterday.”

“He is pretty hot. I don’t know though, got to sort this thing out first,” she said sounding bereft.

“Do me a favor Nessa, and take your own advice,” I told her before turning back to the line at Starbucks.

We ordered our coffee’s and grabbed a paper as well. When we made it back to the car, two coffees in each hand and a newspaper under my arm, the guys were engaged in conversation. As soon as they saw us, the conversation abruptly stopped. I frowned, then handed them their coffees.

“Hey Nessa,” Shane said shyly. “Can I sit up front with you? I need to get out of this cramped backseat. Besides, I have the address and can help navigate.”

Nessa looks at me and I nod. “Sure, no problem,” she answered.

I went around the car as Shane was getting out of the car and I took his place. It felt weird to be alone in the backseat with Noah. He looked tired, his brown hair messy. I gave him a weak smile and drank my coffee, savoring every sip.

Shane took control of the radio and settled on a heavier “Hawthorne Heights” song. The bass vibrated through me as the caffeine kicked in and I relaxed. I looked at Nessa in the rear view mirror and she winked at me. I just rolled my eyes and sat back enjoying the warm summer air coming in the windows.

I had forgotten all about the newspaper until Shane abruptly turned down the radio and said, “I think it happened again.”

We all became instantly alert as the words penetrate. “Where,” I asked.

“This time it was the state of Washington. It is the same as last time, no survivors and nothing but dust. The president is calling it a national state of emergency at this point and is urging limited travel at this time. He is talking of closing borders to states and countries. Looks like we might be stuck in Missouri for a while,” Shane said.

“Let’s hope we aren’t walking right into a trap then. We may need to seek refuge off the grid if this goes sideways,” Nessa replied.

“I agree, they are probably still looking for us in connection to Tom’s murder and we can’t afford to go to jail right now. What if I dissolve in prison? They will lock me up and through away the key,” I said.

“Well, for better or worse, we are in this together okay?” Noah said, easing the tension.

“Shane, what was that address again? We are getting close to Salem now,” Nessa asked.

“1504 Wildfire Lane is where we are headed. Let me get the map out and find it.”

While Shane was observing the map, Noah turned to me. “Goth suits you. You look good in that,” he said looking my thrift shop outfit up and down.

“Thanks, it feels a little too bold for me though. I am more of a flower child, although I am thankful for something to wear other than Nessa’s jeans and tees.”

“I understand because I feel ridiculous in this cowboy getup. I am way too casual for an outfit like this,” Noah said laughing just a little.

“Man, this is like looking for a needle in a haystack. This street is not on this map. We need a GPS or something in order to find this address,” Shane said.

“Looks like we need a trip to RadioShack,” Nessa suggested. “Do we have enough cash?”

“I still happen to have my wallet and I am not wanted so I can pay,” Noah said. “It isn’t like creepy man doesn’t know where we are headed. There really isn’t an element of surprise.”

We agreed and managed to drive through Salem with the blink of an eye. Nessa turned around and we finally saw the store in a small strip mall next to what looks like the only video store in town.

Shane and Noah went in and we waited in the car for them. There was no reason for all of us to go in given the situation. We didn’t want to draw any more attention to ourselves. Five minutes later, they came back with a small sack and jumped back in the car.

“Let’s plug in the address and see how far we are,” Shane said, unpacking the GPS and starting it up.

“1504 Wildfire Ln. Salem, Missouri, distance 12.4 miles. At least we are close. Go left on the main road and it will walk us through it,” Shane added.

“Great, hope this isn’t a trap. I am all frayed nerves just thinking about this trip. Just the thought of the creepy man sends shivers up my spine. What if he is there and he wants to harm us?” Nessa said.

“We don’t know what we are walking into, but Noah and I will protect you and Cora if this thing does go askew. I promise,” Shane said. He placed his hand on her thigh and squeezed.

“We have to do this Nessa, but hopefully you are wrong and maybe we just get another piece of this crazy puzzle,” I told her.

“Ok, turn left up ahead on Spring street,” Shane added, reading the GPS.

Nessa did as Shane said and soon we were headed out of town and into the winding country. We passed barns and farms with fields of corn swaying in the storm laden breeze. It was beginning to look overcast and stormy. I couldn’t help but have an eerie feeling about this whole thing.

“Turn right on US route 63 up ahead, about a mile,” he instructed her.

A few minutes later we were headed down a windy highway further into nowhere.

“Ok, turn left up ahead on Harvester Road.”

“You mean that dirt path up there?” Nessa asked skeptically.

“Yeah, a little out of the way here,” Shane noticed.

We turned onto the dirt path and soon we came to a T that indicated Wildfire lane. “Which way do I turn?” Nessa asked Shane.

“Turn right, then it is up ahead two miles,” he replied.

We were all surprised when we came to a full stop in front of a huge mansion. The driveway was full of cars and we pulled our rusted out mustang among them. Nessa shut off the engine and we all just sat and stared in awkward silence.

Chapter 13:

“This is totally not what I was expecting,” Nessa said in awe.

“I wonder who all the people are,” Shane replied, looking at a driveway full of parked cars.

“People with secrets,” Noah said solemnly.

“No matter what, let’s all try to stick together. I don’t want anything to happen to any of us,” Nessa stated.

I was not sure what to think of this situation. We were out in the middle of nowhere at a gorgeous southern mansion with wraparound porches. The siding was white with soft buttercream shutters. The front porch led to a set of French doors. There was no telling who or what we would find on the other side of those doors. With a sigh, I took the initiative.

“Okay guys, let’s go. We can’t get answers sitting out here.”

Nessa got out, looking great in her new floral dress and pulled the seat up for me to slide out of the back. Shane did the same and soon we were making our way up the drive and towards the French doors. Shane knocked with three swift wraps. We heard the snick of the lock before the doors swung open.

Standing in front of us was a girl about eight or nine. Her blue eyes were warm and inviting when she smiled at us. She was wearing a dress and curtseyed when she met our eyes.

“Come in, we have been expecting you. My name is Julia.”

“Hi Julia, thank you so much for having us at your party,” I said guessing.

“Oh, it isn’t my party. This party is for you and your friends.”

Then she turned and ran deeper into the sunny house. Confused, I crinkled my face and stepped inside. I followed the sounds of talking drifting throughout the house and everyone else followed me. Noah brought up the rear and shut the doors behind him.

There were fresh cut daisies throughout the house and I smiled at how inviting everything looked. The floors were parquet and looked like the original restored floors. There was a sweeping southern staircase just inside the foyer. All the woodwork was white and the place reminded me of a sunny summer cottage.

Soon, the sound of footsteps brought my attention back to focus. A graying woman with a gentle smile approached us.

“Hello, my name is Helen. I am glad you found the place okay.”

“Why are we here?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Helen gave a soft laugh before answering, “You are here to celebrate coming together and making it this far. My son Stephan has gone to a lot of trouble to gather the lot of you. You are very special.”

“Wait, Stephan is your son? Is he here?” Nessa asked.

“Yes, he is my son and no, he wasn’t able to make it. He gave us all the instructions though and we will answer any questions you might have. First though, I would like to introduce you to his cousin Mia.”

A short and petite girl with creamy skin and auburn hair stepped forward and smiled as well. “My name is Mia; it is a pleasure to meet you. I have been looking forward to this party all week.”

Mia looked to be around our age and full of self-assurance. She was wearing a dress as well, grey and professional. There were so many questions swirling through my head, I didn’t even know how to respond. Luckily Shane had recovered and introduced us.

“My name is Shane; this is Noah, Nessa and Cora. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance as well I think.”

“Your honesty is refreshing. Please, follow us into the sitting room and we will answer some of your questions,” Mia replied.

We followed Mia into the living room and sat down on the flowered couch. I couldn’t help but think I was sitting down in a house of the Stepford wives. There were women everywhere drinking glasses of what looks like tea or lemonade, all topped with lemons. All eyes were on us and I felt as if they were going to burn a hole in the back of my head as we sat there.

Helen and Mia sat in the loveseat and a small round woman came up to us. “Can I get you a glass of iced tea or freshly squeezed lemonade?”

I thought about it and worried that maybe they had poisoned the drinks, but felt it was only polite to agree. “Lemonade would be great,” I said.

The others looked equally as hesitant but asked for the same. Once the woman turned away, we brought our attention back to Helen.

“We have a lot of questions. Why did Stephan do this to us? What do we have in common? Why are we all from St. Louis? Why was my fiancé murdered?” I started.

“I can only answer one question at a time. As for why Stephan did this to you, it was a gift. You are special in every way for a reason. Soon you will understand what having this gift means and how it will make your life worth it.”

“Ok, why are we all from St. Louis?” Noah hedged.

“That is a little easier to explain. That was primary based on close proximity to us and statistics. It is the nearest city that met his criteria for the operation.”

“Why was my fiancé murdered?” I asked as tears began to blur my eyes.

“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was an accident, he wouldn’t let Stephan speak to you and he knew you would dissolve in just a matter of time. He tried to move him out of the way and he fell, hitting his head on the statue. He is truly sorry for that.”

“That is no excuse for murdering him! I loved him!” I spat, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“I am sorry for my son’s actions but it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things. I can understand your anger and we are all sacrificing a lot for this, some more than others.”

“Why did he choose us in particular?” Shane asked, effectively changing the sensitive subject.