“Don’t be a brat. You went through something traumatic today. I think it’s safest if—” Griffin cuts himself off when he hears the door open and Knox starts talking.
“Hello, Officer Langston. Come on in.”
The front door slams shut, and footsteps tread to the kitchen.
Langston removes his hat and greets me with a handshake. “Sorry for the late hour, Miss Henry.” He’s dressed in a denim shirt and denim jeans. The white in the scruff on his face and in his hair is an indication of his age. His tired eyes speak to the long hours he works.
“Not a problem, Officer. And, please, call me Raven.”
He nods and turns to the other two men in the room. “I didn’t catch your names earlier.”
“I’m Knox Montgomery, and this is my brother Griffin.”
“Nice to meet you. And how do you know Raven?”
“We’re her?—”
“Neighbors,” I interrupt forcefully. “They’re my neighbors.”
Griffin and Knox share a secret smirk.
“Please, have a seat.” I offer one of the wooden chairs to Langston. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you, ma’am,” he replies as he sits down.
The rest of us occupy the empty chairs and scoot in.
Langston pulls out a pen and a small notepad. “Could you tell me what happened today, Raven?”
“Yeah, sure,” I agree, but my stomach is rolling at the thought of having to relive it all over again. Griffin drags his chair so there’s no space between us and places his arm around my shoulders. Knox discreetly reaches for my hand under the table, tangling our fingers together and resting them on my thigh.
I’m not alone.
I recount Seth entering the library, his disheveled appearance, the pocket full of grenades, the creepy rhyme he recited, and the way he didn’t register when I was trying to talk to him. I recall every sound, every scent, and every word.
I keep my story factual. I know I’m distancing myself from what happened. My eyes don’t fill with tears, and my voice is monotone through the whole retelling.
However, the same can’t be said of Griffin and Knox. Griffin’s shoulders move up and down as his breaths get shallower and closer together. Knox tenses but is careful not to squeeze my hand. But neither interrupts me, nor do they lose control.
By the time I’m done, a cold sheen of sweat covers every inch of my skin.
“Thank you, Raven. I know that wasn’t easy,” Langston acknowledges.
“No problem.” The smile on my face is forced.
Langston positions his pen on his notepad again. “I have a few more questions if you’re up for it.”
I swallow. “Sure.”
“Did you know your attacker?”
“No.”
He flips a page. “According to a few witnesses, his name was Seth Beauregard. Does that name sound familiar?”
“Um. No. I can’t say that it is.” I shake my head.
“And this poem?—”
