Page 31 of Slaughtered Firefly
“Hey Jeff, I am calling in that favor you owe me,” Marshal responded with a chuckle.
“Oh really? Here I was thinking you missed the good booze,” He gave a smile that could disarm as he crossed over to his liquor cabinet and pulled out a crystal bottle. “Does he drink?” Jeff asked offhandedly as he pulled out a few glasses.
“Detective Jones, and no I’m good thanks,” I commented, walking around the broad office.
“Alright … suit yourself, son.” He replied as he handed her a glass. She took a sip as he sat behind his desk. There was something eerily familiar about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. “Now, what can I do for you Sharon?” Jeff said as he took a sip from the glass and focused his attention towards her.
“Well Senator Mathews, I need that favor. Do you have any sway with a judge that would grant us a subpoena for adefense lawyer?” Marshal asked. That’s where I knew the name—Mathews, the dude that was responsible for this splitting migraine I had.
“I’m intrigued, which one?” he set his glass on the desk and leaned in.
“Addams, I believe he represents your son? If I am not mistaken,” I supplied.
“Psst, he’s no son of mine. Troubled kid really, he’s been like that since he was this high,” Senator Mathews gestured to about the desk’s height. “It’s a shame really. So much potential wasted.”
“That must be hard for you, with your campaigns,” Captain responded, falling into the role of supportive friend. I almost rolled my eyes at how well he played the politician even in his own office.
“Well, it is what it is. Now I can put in a good word with Judge Porter, we go way back. He should be more than willing to help out an old friend.” Mathews finished as he stood with an outstretched hand.
“Thank you Jeff, I appreciated it,” She shook his hand and clasped it like she meant it.
“Nice meeting you Senator,” I half saluted as I turned to walk out the door, not giving the senator any chance to sink his grubby hands into mine.
“What is wrong with you Jones?”Captain Marshal asked as soon as the elevator doors had closed around us. What was wrong with me? I almost laughed.
“I don’t do politics,Sharon.” I enunciated her name.
“Enough, Senator Mathews happens to be one of the most influential people in all of Riven. Your lucky I have faith in your hunches or else I would not have wasted a favor with him over Addams,” She heaved a sigh and turned toward the mirror door.
“I’m sorry okay, just something about that guy feels off. Thanks for taking the chance, I promise I won’t be wrong.” I flashed her a cocky smile.
19
THE SHED
Twenty-two years ago
The clouds lazily danced in front of the sun, splitting the rays every so often; those were the moments I enjoyed. The field was coated in a grim shadow that mirrored my thoughts. Sunshine was too good for me; it was too pure, too clean for my addled mind, and no one would care about the ache for sunshine that coursed through me.
She used to call me her little ray of sunshine.
Smack.
Tears welled in my eyes as I withdrew my hand from my cheek. I shouldn’t be thinking about Mom; it was — unproductive. She was dead now, and there was no changing that. Weaken thoughts of a dead woman couldn’t save me no matter how much I wished for it. I deserved to be here, locked in this place forgotten by everyone. Even my own dad wouldn’t stay longer than ten minutes every couple of days or weeks. I’d lost track again.Stupid girl.
Accustomed to my role here, I became the perfect daughter, never showing how hungry or hurt I had become in his absence. Learning was my only passion of late. I was desperate to show Daddy I meant something, that I wasn’t useless. That I might be a mistake, but I could fix myself … for him.
My eyes latched onto wisteria blossoms around the caked windowpane, and I momentarily forgot my bout of self-hatred loneliness. Wisteria blooms in May or June. Has it really been a month since I saw him? A month. Stomach growls resonated around the room as if to remind me it’d been a few days since I told myself I could eat. If I rationed well enough, I wouldn’t look horribly pale and skinny by the time Daddy came back. I glanced back towards the bathroom. The corner of the mirrornot covered by my blanket reflected a stray beam of light, a short, quick gasp slipped out. It was Momma’s eyes that shone back at me, a fraction of the glow they were before she died. I turned away. I couldn’t look at myself with her eyes. I didn’t deserve to share her beauty. I fixed my gaze out the window, at the soft hues of purple, maybe pinks. It all blurred as I blinked away rapidly increasing tears, fidgeting with my hands to keep from wailing out. It was stupid to think of her after all this time. I was an idiotic girl who couldn’t keep from crying about a dead woman.Momma, I missed you.
Wind twirled around the new wisteria, paused only for a moment before it whipped around the tall weeds, spinning wildflowers. Finally, it shooed the insects to their next source of pollen. This was a perfect day for imagination’s hold around my adolescent brain. There was hope of a knight — no that was silly; knights only rescued beautiful princesses. I shook my head; the dirty curls tickled my lower back. I would need to wash soon. Soon was an awfully long time.I’ll be back soon, my little sunflower.The unspoken thought echoed within the silence of the room as I tried to picture the voice that went with those words. A promise never fulfilled. “You stupid girl, you shouldn’t be thinking these thoughts,” I whispered to myself as I continued to stare outwards towards freedom. My mind cracked the longer I waited for Daddy’s return.
“One day someone would come across the shed and save me. I know it,” I said hopefully. Tricking my brain into a false sense of security was never easy, but I felt momentary hope. I had prayed that one day someone would come to end my existence, but when I opened my eyes next, it was like that prayer didn’t matter. “Stop moping around, it’s depressing, do something useful,” I chastised myself. I had to remind myself to speak more; it helped when Daddy came back. My throat was sore; it must have been a few days since I last spoke. Why speak if therewas no one to hear you? Silly stupid little girl, you should know it doesn’t matter if you lose your mind; Daddy would set you right again. Be patient.
The wind shook the big tree, knocking it into the side of the shed. I frowned, picking bits of the window caulking out of my broken fingernails, “Great, even my own body doesn’t want me to leave,” I sighed.Chatty today, aren’t I?It wasn’t like anyone heard me.
Frustrated, I banged against the window pane. “LET ME OUT,” I screamed. My fists pounded against the frame, willing it to budge against my assault. “AHHHHHHH,” I yelled with less steam than before. The screams vibrated my throat, making me nauseated the longer I expended the energy.
“FUCK!” I slammed my palm against the glass this time; the curse slipped free when my strength backfired. Hot tears raced down my cheeks, my lips quivered with the realization I couldn’t go anywhere unless Daddy wanted me to.
