Not Backing Down

If Frank thinks that I will leave it up to him to discover information about my father, he is a complete moron. I don’t know him, and I don’t fully trust him either. I look around. I know that he left, but it still feels as if he is in the room. Maybe he isn’t human? It doesn’t matter because I didn’t come to explore myths and legends. I came to learn if my father is still alive or not, and I won’t leave until I have proof. There has to be a way out of this room without Frank noticing. I find what I need. There is a vent behind the dresser, and I can fit through it. Perfect! Catch me if you can, Frank!

I am a few blocks away when I get a message. Frank is asking if I am ready to go. Get ready for a surprise, big man! “Why aren’t you opening your door? Didn’t you hear me knocking?” he asks.

“Um, not really. I was a bit busy trying to enjoy myself, so you may go.”

“I have tried being nice. In five seconds, I am coming in. I have a key thanks to the clerk on duty.” He responded with a smirking emoji.

I reply with an angry emoji followed by, “WTF is wrong with everyone in this town? He had no right to do that even if you know each other. I am reporting this fucking place! Just go sit in the damn car and wait.”

“Nope, I am getting you myself.”

“NO!” I typed as I laughed. I would love to be able to see his face right now.

“Where the hell are you? Tell me now!” I can almost hear his loud growl of frustration from here because he is clearly used to getting his way.

“Not in the room,” I quip.

“You seem to think this is funny. Well, ha fucking ha. Now, where are you?!?!” He types devoid of any emojis. Serves him right for thinking that he had any right to order me around.

“I already told you that I won’t leave until I have information about my father. So go back to finding that girl to walk in the moonlight with and leave me alone,” I type as I keep walking further from the motel.

“While you were misbehaving, I found a bit of information. It isn’t much, but it is something. How about I tell you in my car? Come on, sweetheart, it’s worth it,” he messages.

“I don’t trust you because you want me gone too badly.”

“Sugar, it’s not about what I want. You are in some serious fucking danger. Stop being an ass and try to understand,” he replies.

“Listen, I am an adult and can take care of myself. I am not going to let some psycho vampire wannabe scare me away from learning the truth. I have come too far and even sacrificed a great internship while I finished my degrees. I need to know if my father is alive or not. I deserve it!”

“Fine, try and play tough. Good for you, but it isn’t smart. You could get yourself killed. You are in my territory, so go ahead and run, but I will find you. I have a special talent for it,” he responds.

“Okay, sniff a way, good doggie, but you won’t root out this fox. I don’t care if you’re a damn bloodhound.”

“I ain’t a damn dog! Didn’t last night teach you anything? You aren’t safe walking around alone. What if you get attacked again?” he asks.

“I will handle it, besides, I found a lead. I found a place he used to live in, and by the looks of it, it has been abandoned for a long time.” As I was walking around, I saw a house that resembled what was in the background of the photo. I found a weathered plaque and cleaned it off. Underneath it had my last name. Yes, it is common, but this can’t be a coincidence. 

“I don’t think you should go in there. Besides, what do you think you will find? He could have just dumped you and your mother.”

His statement stings a bit because it could be the truth. “I don’t care if he did. I just want to know.”

“You won’t get in, so just come back to the motel,” he urges.

“I will find a way in. I have skills.”

“B&E, huh? Don’t do something so stupid. I am on my way,” he replies.

“You don’t even know the address, and I have location turned off on my phone.”

“Don’t need it. I have my ways. When I get there shortly, I expect to find you standing on the lawn waiting for me. Be a good girl, sweetheart.”

I laugh. “Too late!” I ran into a cobweb. “Ick, it is so dark and dusty. There are several families of spiders living here. I am going to need an exterminator.”

“GET OUT NOW! It isn’t your family’s place anymore. It belongs to some very wealthy and powerful people.”

“So what if it does? I can go through the courts to reclaim my heritage, that’s if I even want this place.”

“Are you trying to die? Nothing is worth that. Sugar, get outside now.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you trying to tell me that everyone in this town is some kind of freak who thinks they are a supernatural being?”

“Not everyone. Just the clan that guy was from.”

“Don’t you mean cult?”

“Don’t nitpick words, smartass. It is too complicated to explain via text, and it isn’t any of your business,” he replies.

“Well, it is my business because some dude is sleeping on my dad’s old couch.”

“Describe him.”

“He seems passed out from drinking or drugs. There’s part of a blood bag on the floor by the couch. Is his cult into roleplaying?”

“Get your little hot ass outside now before you get yourself into more trouble!”

“I won’t leave empty-handed. I will search each room and not break anything. Besides, if it is so dangerous, why don’t you come fetch me?”

“I don’t fetch! I am nearly there. Get outside.”

“I think I found something. There’s a photo taken before he left of my mom, him, and me.”

“How touching. Grab it and get outside. I can look at it when I am driving you home.”

“Why not look right now? I can hear you, you know.”

“I am not out of my car yet.”

“Sure you are. You are a terrible liar.”

“Sugar, I am not lying. It must be that guy. Get out NOW!... Sugar?...Damn it!”

“HELP!”