The Blood Lake

The Confrontation

I picked up the phone, "hello?" I didn't want to answer but I had to, at least I thought I had to. Is it illegal to ignore a phone call from the police? No clue. But I answered anyway. "Hi this is Officer Anderson from the Scottsdale police department, is this Dellah Anne Everdeen?" He sounded sweet but not too sweet, he was detached and robotic. It isn't surprising he probably does this same call daily, just different tragedies. "Yes, this is her," I responded
"Ok so as I said before I am George Anderson the officer assigned to your case."
"What do you mean? There is nothing left to question. You guys know who did this, so what is left to investigate?"
"Well, Ms. Everdeen there is more to it than that."
"Call me Dellah."
"Well...Dellah, we need you to come in for questioning."
"Wait, why is my case in Scottsdale and not with the authorities in Bellsburg where the Crime scene is? I mean they are who I called."
"Well they transferred you over here to your hometown because the victims involved are residents here and so I am directing your case with them on the side if need be"
"So when do I come in?"
"How about Tuesday at noon?"
"That's only a few days"
"We need to work quickly Dellah, and since you are still technically a minor at age seventeen your parents have to be present. See you then." He hung up without another word. This is ridiculous, don't they know I'm grieving? I continue down the stairs and go to the kitchen to find my parents. I see my mother in the kitchen doing that thing she does when she's nervous. Non-stop cleaning, I don't know how she does it. How do you clean a room that is already spotless? The answer is you can't, but she will try anyhow. She spots me around the corner and shoots me a glance, "Oh hi honey, how was your nap?"
"Didn't sleep, got a shower instead."
"Ok well, How are you feeling?"
"The police called" I just blurted it out, I'm not into small talk anymore, I just want to get this over with.
"So...when do you have to go in for questioning?" She said annoyed like it was appalling that I need to tell the in-depth details of the most traumatizing event of my life. Which it kind of is, but it's something I'll have to do.
"Tuesday at noon," I responded
"I'll have to see if we need a lawyer just in case they try and pull the blame on you somehow." Before I could respond there was a knock on the door. My mom went to answer. Charlotte, otherwise known as Lottie and Richard, must have gotten the news. "YOU!" Yelled Lottie as she pushed my mother out of the way. "You killed my daughter! You bitch! I loved you as my own and then you go and kill my only daughter!" I've never seen her so angry she's like an aunt to me same as Mae, I can't imagine how Mae feels, Marcus was a miracle baby after years of fertility treatment. He was their only child. "I hate you, I wish you never planned that stupid trip, if you hadn't then my baby would still be here!" Mel is not a baby and Marcus planned the trip but I won't correct her. My mom won't stand her yelling at me for one more second
"Charlotte...DO NOT talk to my daughter that way!"
"Your daughter is a MURDERER." That was it, my mom slapped Charlotte across the face so hard her head flew to the side from the impact. I was in awe
"You know what karma is, a real bitch Elenor." That's when my dad walked in he had gone for a drive to cool off after the whole conversation this morning.
"Charlotte, Richard, I'm so sorry for your loss." He had no idea what just happened.
"Ha, sorry my ass." I've never heard Charlotte speak such absurdities, she's usually a calm put together trophy wife. This is a change.
"What are you talking about?" He's so clueless, you gotta love him.
"Well, your daughter is a cold-blooded murderous monster." Richard chimed in trying to back his wife.
"Get out of my house." I've never heard my Dad's voice go so cold, chills went through my whole body.
"Andrew...I-."
"Richard, get your wife and GET OUT!" At this point I was bawling so I excused myself to the bathroom. I had no idea what to do or say. My life is in flames and I don't think I can extinguish it.