“Of course not, sweetheart. The stupid phone just isn’t working. That’s all.” She prayed her daughter would buy the bluff.
“Ok.” Tara turned around and went back to her room, leaving Sasha to breathe a sigh of relief. But her panic wasn’t over yet. She still needed to get a hold of Harrison. Then, she remembered the slip of paper he had given her. His address! The phone might not work but she could drive to his place. Getting out of the house would help to clear her mind. Knowing someone had entered her home drummed up feelings of violation and being there only served to make it worse.
“Tara, sweetie, would you mind getting your shoes on? We have to make a quick trip.” Her daughter called out in acknowledgement a few seconds later. Sasha grabbed her keys and led Tara out of the house. Her cell phone rested on the back of the couch where she had slammed it down. Sasha had completely forgotten about it.
Standing in the cover of darkness, a hooded figure watched as Sasha loaded her little girl into the car and tore out of the driveway. The hooded figure watched long past Sasha’s departure. It stood there, staring at the house almost as if it would do a trick if watched long enough. Finally, after ten minutes had passed, the hooded figured stepped from the shadows and marched across the street towards the house.
Sasha pulled into Harrison's driveway and flicked off the headlights. Being at the sheriff’s home made her feel foolish. After all, it had only been a candle. There were a thousand explanations for where it might have been. Was it really important enough to disturb the sheriff so late in the evening? And on his own doorstep no less. She told the familiar doubting voice in the back of her mind to be quiet. It always doubted her. Tonight, she would not listen to it. Tonight, she would be making the calls. There was a killer out there somewhere. She had to keep her daughter safe.
She pounded on the door and tapped her foot on the concrete below. Tara stood nervously by, staring at her mother in bewilderment. There was nothing Sasha could have said to Tara at that moment which would have made sense. Instead, she remained quiet.
Harrison opened the door in jeans and a plain, white tee shirt. He stared at Sasha in confusion. Then he perked up like he saw something in her eyes. "What is it? What's wrong?" Sasha pulled her daughter in front of her like a shield.
"Can we come in?"
"Of course." He gestured them inside and shut the door, but not before scanning the darkness behind them.
"Please, have a seat." He said and Sasha did. "Would you like-"
"Someone was in my house."
"What?"
"I mean, they were in my house. Not while we were in it, well not that I know of, but someone had been there."
"Wait, slow down. What are you talking about?"
"Someone was in my house."
"Yeah, I got that part."
"Something was missing, Harrison. They broke in and took something. I don't know why they did. It was just a stupid candle. Why would someone want to steal a black candle?"
"Did you say a black candle?"
Sasha nodded.
"I found it in the end table after we unpacked. I thought it was weird looking but it smelled pretty nice. Why would someone take it?"
Harrison turned towards Tara. "Hey there, sweetheart. Would you mind giving your mother and I a moment? You can go to my room and watch cartoons on my TV."
"Ok."
"Thank you. It's the last door on the right. Can't miss it."
Tara got up and headed to the bedroom, rubbing her eyes. Sasha felt bad for her. She could see the exhaustion in her daughter’s eyes and she felt awful for being the reason she was still awake. What was worse, it may have all been for nothing. Just her overactive imagination and frazzled nerves. God, she hoped it was that simple. Nothing would please her more than to find out the candle had been knocked under the couch or Tara had hidden it in her room.
"Sasha, this candle, was it solid black?"
She nodded.
"And you found it in your house?"
Again, she nodded.
"You're absolutely sure it's missing?"
"Jesus, yes. I looked everywhere for it. What's with this candle? Please, tell me what's going on, Harrison. I'm scared out of my mind here."
"There was something I left out of the report concerning the first murder. The killer left behind some markings which made the scene seem satanic. I believe it's a ruse to throw me off the trail. But, there was a solid black candle found next to the body. Sounds like it might be exactly like the one you found."
"What the hell was it doing in my home?"
"I don't know but what worries me more is why it was stolen."
"What do you mean?"
"One was found at a murder scene. Odds are, it was stolen to be used at another."
Sasha's blood ran cold.
"How did the killer know I had one?"
Harrison shook his head.
"I can't go back there tonight," Sasha said, scooting closer to Harrison on the couch. She hoped he would catch the major signal she was sending. Please let me stay at your house tonight. Harrison grabbed her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Don't you worry. You and Tara can stay here tonight."
"You don't have to do that." Oh, thank you, God.
"I do, though, don't I? Serve and protect, right? I figure this
