The Witness

The Home Renovation

Things were pretty rough between us after that. I just sort of shut down on her, completely given up hope that anyone would ever find me. People probably assumed I was dead by that point. I had been missing going on one month. She left me alone for a few days, we just resumed our original silent agreement of her coming to my room to feed and clean after me. I could tell she wasn't satisfied with that arrangement, because that arrangement made her feel like a real monster. Locking a prisoner in a room all day definitely doesn't help the argument that you aren't a monster. She tried to think of ways to get me to come back out of the room, and she got pretty creative.

The Home Renovation

"The Witness to a murder and now the subject of a statewide manhunt. Melony Black was kidnapped by the suspected killer of Antonia Hernandez. Earlier today the chief of police held a press conference and had this to say," I stare at the tv.

"We hope she's still alive, but we are also being realistic. We have gathered a group of volunteers to search all nearby areas for clues or anything that can lead us to Melony. And if you are watching this right now and you have Melony, please bring her back home safely, don't make this worse for yourself. Because we will find you, it's just a matter of when."

I flinch when the tv gets turned off.

"I need your help with something," Dakota said from the doorway.

"What is it?" I stare at her.

"Come here."

I frown but sit up and get off the bed.

She grabs my hand and leads me downstairs to the kitchen. The old burnt oven is gone and waiting on the other side of the kitchen island is a new one but the spot the oven is supposed to be in has been cleaned out. The wall tile has also been removed.

"I was just going to repaint it, then I thought, what the hell, might as well redo the whole thing." She shrugs.

"Okay," I say.

"And, you're going to help me. First thing is first, which color," she hands me a color pallet with five colors on it.

"Do I have to?" I whine.

"Well... no, but I thought we could do it together." She frowns.

"I'm tired," I hand her the pallets back and move to go back upstairs.

"What's your favorite song?" she asks.

I turn back around to face her.

"Why?" I ask.

"Just tell me."

"Okay fine, my favorite song of all time is Bidi Bidi Bom Bom by Selena."

"What? I've never heard that song before."

"My mom is Hispanic, she loves Selena."

"Hold that thought," she walks to the living room and puts the song on, and turns it up really loud.

"Ooh, I love it," she dances over to me.

I can't help but smile at her silliness.

"It's so fun," she shakes her hips to the beat.

I cover my mouth to hide my laugh.

"Ah, I see it, I see your smile." She teases.

She walks over to me and grabs my hands, pulling them away from my face. Then we start dancing all silly like. I start singing along and she laughs.

"Do you even understand anything I'm saying?" I ask.

"Nope, but it sounds fun."

I laugh.