The attic - Chapter 9

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After Moira stopped crying, Billy made her a cup of his famous coffee. She felt a little bit more relaxed but she was very worried about Vincent now.  All she could think of was that he heard the truck and decided to hide again. Other than that, she had absolutely no idea where he could have gone.  They sat drinking their coffee at the kitchen table and Moira told him the whole story again. Billy took his phone and dialed the sheriff's number. 

He explained the whole situation to Sheriff Jones, and told him to please wait for them at the station. After he put the phone down, he told Moira to get dressed.  He was taking her down to the station to see if they could get behind the whole story. If this boy was who he said he was, they had to report this to the police.  

Moira quickly got dressed and grabbed all her stuff, including her cigarettes.  She was very nervous, and that was the only thing that could calm her down now.  She took her handbag and climbed into the truck. Billy started the truck and while he reversed out of the driveway Moira had her eyes on the attic.  She couldn't see clearly but she could've sworn that she saw someone standing in front of the window.  She did not want to alert Billy and kept her mouth shut.  

Vincent obviously trusted her, and she did not want to betray his trust, but she had to find out the truth. For both their sake. 

Billy drove straight to the sheriff's office and she helped push him up the ramp. Sheriff Jones was an old family friend of her grandfather and he was glad to see her. He offered them some coffee and invited them both into his office.  

Moira told him exactly what happened and he just nodded all the way.  Sheriff Jones had a very good reputation in the area, and he told her that he would go out of his way to find the boy. She gave him the number of the detective that she spoke to the previous night and he told her that he would speak to the detective on her behalf.  

Moira seemed relieved when they left the sheriff's office and thanked Billy for supporting her.  She just hoped that Vincent would come back to the house, and that he realizes that she only wants to help him.  

"Would you mind if I just drop you off? I have to go and open up the garage, but please if you hear or see anything, phone me immediately."

"Thanks Billy, just remember to take your phone out of the truck this time."

He smiled at her and waited for her to get inside before he drove off. She was very surprised to find the kitchen in a perfect condition. Vincent must have come inside to have breakfast.  

She put her stuff down and walked towards the attic, and pulled down the ladder to climbed upstairs.  She opened the latch and called his name. Not a sound came from there, and she was just about to close the latch again, when she heard a box move and saw the familiar face peeking out.  

"Vincent, I'm so glad to see you.  Why did you run away again?"

He looked all nervous again and didn't answer her. 

"That man that was here, he is our friend.  I have known him for many years.  He would not hurt you."

"Do you want to come downstairs and have something to drink?"

Vincent nodded and climbed out behind the boxes.  He followed her downstairs and went to the kitchen.

"Thank you for cleaning the kitchen for me. Are you still hungry?"

Vincent shook his head and took the glass of milk that she handed him. She asked him to sit down at the table and took a seat opposite him.  

"I spoke to someone about you....don't worry, no one is going to hurt you. Everyone just want to help. They can  help us find your parents. Do you want to tell me about your parents?"

Vincent shook his head, and put down the empty glass.  He looked so lost and vulnerable. She could see no emotion in his eyes. Staring back at her was a six year old boy in a thirteen year old body. Moira sighed, but she couldn't force him to talk. 

"Did you go to school Vincent? " He shook his head. 

Every question that she asked him lead her nowhere.  

"Would you like to watch some television?" 

For the first time there was a faint smile on his face. She steered him towards the living room and switched on the television.  He took a seat on the floor right in front of the television. She sat with him for a minute when her phone rang in the kitchen. It was sheriff Jones.  

"Hey cupcake. Any news on the boy yet?"  Moira told him that Vincent came back and that he was safe in her care. 

"I thought that he would come back. I spoke to the detective you mentioned, and he is flying down the day after tomorrow. Do you mind keeping Vincent safe for another day or two?" 

She assured him that it would not be a problem. It was clear that Vincent felt safe with her, and when she told him that he had to stay there for another day or two, Vincent smiled. 

It was clear that she was not going to get much work done while she had to keep an eye on Vincent and decided to invite Billy for lunch.  She asked Vincent if it would be okay if she brought her friend, and assured him again that he did not have to be scared. Vincent nodded and followed her into the kitchen. She phoned Billy and told him that Vincent was back, and that she spoke to the sheriff again. He accepted her invitation and told her that he would see her just after twelve. 

She wanted to bake some pies for them, and asked Vincent to help her. Vincent did not talk much, but he laughed a her when she spilled the flour on the floor. Moira could see that he was getting more relaxed.

When Billy arrived just after twelve, Vincent did not run away again, but hid himself behind Moira.  She went out to help Billy inside and when she pushed Billy into the kitchen Vincent stood in the corner of the room.  

"Hey Vincent.  My name is Billy. Come over here, I brought you a present."  

Vincent walked closer while making eye contact with Moira, as if he needed her permission to do everything. 

-To be continued-

Chapter 1 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-1

Chapter 2 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-2

Chapter 3 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-3

Chapter 4 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-4

Chapter 5- https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-5

Chapter 6- https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-6

Chapter 7- https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-7

Chapter 8 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-8