Chapter Sixteen

There were so many questions. So many cops interrogating me as if I were the criminal in this. And in a way, I was. Because I knew exactly who was murdering all these innocent people. And I knew exactly where to find him. But I wasn't doing anything about it.

The cops came immediately after I called them. Of course they knew it was the work of the 'social stabber'. But instead of fleeing me from the scene for my safety, they were throwing questions in my face.

"What time did you arrive home?"

"I already told you that."

"Tell us again."

"A little after five fifteen." I sighed.

"And no one was here when you arrived?"

"Only the dead body."

"No one else?"

"Do you think I'd be alive if the murderer was still here when I arrived?"

"No reason to get snappy."

There were plenty of reasons for me to be snappy. The cops kept asking me the same questions. There was a dead body being lifted from my living room floor. I needed to see Ryan. And my house smelled terrible. I had every fucking right to be snappy!

"I'll take it from here." A woman in an ugly pantsuit approached us.

"But-" One of the cops objected.

"I said I'll take it from here." She glared. Both cops scurried away. "You're Urie, right?"

"Yeah." I said slowly.

"Come with me."

She didn't give me anytime to question her. She turned and began walking out of the house. So of course I followed. She stopped at a car. Pressing a button on the set of keys in her hand. The car beeped twice and she got in. Reaching over to open my door.

I looked around. Was this safe? Was I supposed to go with her? She made an inpatient noise and I sighed. She must be important if the cops in the house listened to her. So I got in the car and shut the door. She locked them immediately.

"Where are we going?"

"Airport."

"What? Why?"

"Because you're being put in the WPP."

"What the hell is that?"

"The witness protection program."

"Why?"

My voice was panicked. But not for the reasons she thought. If they were flying me out at this very moment, I wouldn't be able to see Ryan. What if they made me leave the country? How was he supposed to find me? I couldn't leave without telling him.

"Because that killer went to your house looking for you. And since he knows where you live, you aren't safe anymore. You have to leave and start a new life."

"What? No. I don't want to!"

"You don't have a choice."

"Then I need to see your phone."

"Why?"

"I-just, I need to call my mother."

She glanced at me quickly and returned her eyes on the road.

"I can't let you do that."

"Please! I was supposed to meet her for dinner tonight. B-But if I don't show, she'll be worried. She's just an old woman. I'm all she has. I have to tell her goodbye."

The lies were slipping out so easily. I could feel anxiety starting to build. What if she didn't give me the phone? Ryan would be so pissed if I just left. I needed to call him. I hoped he didn't have my phone on silent.

"Fine." The woman muttered. I exhaled in relief. She slipped her phone out of the holder around her belt and handed it to me. "But make it quick."

"I will." I took the phone and dialed my number quickly. It only rang twice.

"Hello?" Ryan's voice was lower. than usual. He was probably trying to disguise it.

"Yeah, mom." I put extra emphasis on the word. Please understand, Ryan. Please. "It's, Brendon."

"Mom?" I could hear the confusion in his voice. Please understand. He inhaled sharply. "Are you with a cop?"

"Yes mom. I won't be able to make it for dinner tonight."

"Where are they taking you?"

"Some things came up and I'm actually leaving town. For a while."

"Its the witness protection program isn't it?"

"Yeah, mom. You're right." I laughed nervously. Switching the phone to my other ear.

"Are they driving you or are you flying."

"Now, mom. You know I don't drive. But I'll visit."

"So you're flying." He said thoughtfully. More to himself than to me. "Where are you?"

I glanced around me. This was a small town. Hopefully Ryan knew his way around here. We drove past a sign. Dallon Drive.

"Of course Dallon Drives mom. But he might not take me to visit you." Please understand.

"Dallon Drive. There's a gas station a mile or so up." He was talking to him self again. Mumbling. And then he spoke into the phone. "Vomit."

"What?"

"Vomit. You have to get them to stop at that gas station. When they stops, stay in the bathroom until I arrive. It won't take long. I'm on my way."

I didn't bother to ask how he was getting there. I didn't really want to know.

"B-But-"

"Vomit." He hung up.

"Love you two mom." I handed the woman her phone. She took it without questioning me. I wonder if I sounded suspicious. I tried to be as casual as possible.

"We're almost there." She told me.

"I-I need to go to the bathroom."

"You can go at the airport."

We drove past the sign signaling that the gas station was just ahead. Shit. I turned to face the window. Lifting my finger up and jamming it down my throat as far as possible.

I could feel the bile filling my mouth. So I turned forward. The vomit spilled from my mouth just in time. It splattered over the dashboard. The woman slammed her foot on the breaks. I looked up and almost smiled when I saw we were in front of the gas station.

"I have to go to the bathroom." I said again.

"Damnit, Urie, get out of my car! There's a bathroom inside. Now I have to clean this shit up."

I ran to the inside of the gas station. The bathroom wasn't hard to find. I opened the door and rushed in. Locking it behind me. Now I just needed to wait for Ryan.