Chapter 10 - Identifying the Unknown

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength"

Corrie Ten Boom

I have never seen Mike move so fast in my life.  He rushed into my room and started demanding information.

“Where did he go? Was it a him or her? What were they wearing? How long ago did you see them?”

“MIKE!” I finally interrupted, “If you continue to ask questions I will not be able to answer any of them!”

“Right, right, sorry.  Ok let us start from the beginning.  What did you see?”

“All I seen was someone run behind the barn.” I exclaimed.

“Was he holding anything?” he asked.

Now I knew he was trying to be helpful, and I was truly grateful for that, but for Pete’s sake it was two in the morning, and like most normal places at two in the morning, pitch black. My reply to him reflected my annoyance.  
“Well, Mike, from what I could tell, he had a black leather man in his right pocket, tucked underneath that pink handkerchief he stole from Betty Sue in third grade.”

“Ok, you were right, that wasn’t the greatest question.  Let me rephrase that. Was there anything large in his hands, such as a gun?”

“Not from what I can tell, but it is pretty dark outside.”

“Ok, I think we should call the police.”

“Mike…” I started to protest.

“Rorey, don’t even start with me.  There is some creep creeping around your barn.  And may I remind you that your house was broken into today.  I have a pistol tied to my leg, but that doesn’t mean I could hit the broad side of a barn.  I would much rather the police put a hole in your dad’s barn than myself.“ He exclaimed, trying to keep the subject as light and humorous as possible.  Mike was always good at doing that. 

We called the police and they came immediately to investigate.  When they got their I got another round of questions.  It seems as if men have better night vision than women, because they asked me the same thing Mike did.  I started to reply the same way I did to Mike, when he interrupted me clearing his throat and saying “No, she didn’t see that he was carrying anything worth taking note of.”  Men.  I watched the sheriff tighten the gun holster around his waste.  I wondered if he could hit the broad side of a barn.  I mean Mike carried a holster and according to him he couldn’t, so that made me wonder, do all men do that just for looks.  And if so, maybe I should invest in one.  I could trick everyone into thinking I was a good shot.  That would help me figure out who really loved me real quick right? I know what your thinking.  These funny thoughts shouldn’t be going through my head at a time like this, but lets face it.  I had gotten like an hour of unrestful sleep and I was getting to that point of silliness.

Hearing gun shots snapped me back into reality real quick. 

“WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?” I screamed. 

Mike covered my mouth.

“Rorey, don’t yell.  You need to get to the back, lock the door, shut off the light, and keep your voice down.” Mike whispered strictly.

“Did you really just cover my mouth?” I asked.

“Rorey, this is not a laughing manner.  Go.” He pointed to the back of the house.

“Mike…”

“Rorey, I am not kidding.  Get back there NOW.” He repeated more sternly this time.

Emma had just walked into the room and I grabbed her arm and guided her to the back with me. 

“What are we doing?” she asked confused.

“We are following orders,” I exclaimed.

As Emma and I settled back in our parents’ bedroom in the dark she put her arm around me as asked, “Rorey, are you scared?”

“I don’t know, I feel calmer than I feel like I should.  I feel like whoever it is, is harmless you know?” I answered.

“I know what you mean.  Like its sort of like to get our attention, not to hurt us.”

“Exactly,” I sighed.

“So how is everything with Charlie?” she asked.

“Well, I think we are almost officially dating.  He told the doctor I was his girlfriend,” I answered.

“Wow, that’s a change since yesterday,”

“I know,” I nodded.

“How do you feel about that?” she questioned.

That’s what I loved about my sister.  She could always sense when things just weren’t quite right.

“Well, I am excited.  I mean I really like him.  I just don’t understand why all of a sudden I am ok with it and three days ago I couldn’t even stand to be in the same room with him you know,” I explained.

“Do you think it has anything to do with you guys being in serious trouble and seeing him hurt made you scared.  Maybe made you realize that you might not have forever?”

“You know yes, I think that might have something to do with it.  I was thinking about then when I got home.  I mean, I don’t want to bet all close and then freak out once he gets out of the hospital you know.  What do you think I should do?” I asked.

“I think you should pray about it my dear.  And I think you should listen for an answer.  I wish I could give it to you, but unfortunately I am unable to do that.  Just pray about it.  God will reveal the answer to you if you trust in Him.”

“Thanks sister,” I smiled and hugged her.

“Anytime my dear,” she said.

An hour later, Mike came back and told us it was safe to come out.  As I walked out of the room, I was shaking.  Questions about the events that had happened in the last half an hour consumed me.  Has someone been shot and killed on our property?  Who was it?  Was the police officer ok?  The questions were about to be answered.  As I walked into the living room I seen the police escorting someone to the police car in hand cuffs. 

“MIKE, who is getting in that police car?” I asked.

“Rorey, I don’t know.  We are going to have to wait for a report from the sheriff.”

About that time in walked the sheriff. 

“Rorey, Emma, Mike, I think we have found the intruder,” he announced. 

“WHO?” we all asked at once.

“I didn’t know him, but this is his driver's liscense.   Do any of you know him?” He asked.

My knees went weak and I felt like I might puke.  He had done this.  Why on earth would he? I swear men are getting stupider by the day!  The sheriff handed us our journals back.

“I found these in the barn,” he said.

“I opened it to a page that was written more recently only to find that there were red marks through Charlie’s name.   I couldn’t believe it.  He had taken our journals to read them, mark out any name that wasn’t his and … My thought was suddenly interrupted by a glance at the last page in the journal.  A note singed JJ.