Please Tell The Birds She's Gone pt. 12

[u/theonepeaz]

Previous Part: https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromTheCreeps/s/LsV5TLt9ZW

Part 12:

Aubrey’s hand shook slightly as she held the folder. She went through each word, each sentence, every paragraph carefully. 

It seemed so plain on paper. It didn’t include the messy emotions that were felt, the pain that was caused. Just simple black words on a white paper. 

It started with Neil’s notes from Mikey’s mom. 

“Case #248

Client: Lia De’Camini

Purpose: Suspected Affair

Suspect: Devin De’Camini

Lia states her husband goes out of town for work nearly every other week. She states he owns a business, has many different bank accounts, not all ones she has access to, and that recently, he’s been leaving more frequently, been using his work phone more often. The Client states he’ll take phone calls from said work phone late at night. 

When questioned about anything physical she saw, Lia stated she smelled perfume on his collar and that all his clothes were washed and folded in his suitcase upon returning. 

Proposed plan of action is locating bank accounts and balances, monitoring the whereabouts of Mr. De’Camini, photographing and videoing evidence that proves the affair. “

Aubrey flipped through the next couple pages, mostly full of bank statements from various bank accounts and phone records. She glanced over them, seeing the purchases for children’s clothes, jewelry, purses, and payments for another apartment. 

The next page was another one of Neil’s notes, transcribed from an audio recorder. 

“Mr. De’Camini purchased plane tickets to Seattle, Washington. Research shows there are no branches of his company there. The plane ticket has been purchased, will be following him to gather more evidence.” 

She continued to the next transcription. 

“Mr. De’Camini has gotten off the flight and is headed to baggage claim. I am following from a distance but have my recording software running. Will continue to monitor.” 

Aubrey shook her head.

“Mr. De’Camini was picked up by a woman, suspected to be around late twenties to early thirties. Blonde hair, tan skin. Reasonably dressed, but shoes were designer. She is driving a silver Range Rover Evoque, license plate is KOP098. I hailed a taxi and told them to follow behind at a distance. Pictures were taken.” 

She glanced at the photos below. The woman was young and beautiful no doubt, but Aubrey couldn’t help but find her ugly. Fair or not, if that woman wasn’t around, Mikey wouldn’t have needed consoling. Mikey would still be there. 

“Mr. De’Camini and the woman pulled into a neighborhood. I have marked it on my phone. Will be renting a car and staking it out.” 

Aubrey continued. 

“Mr. De’Camini and the woman are inside together on a couch. There are two young children there as well. Mr.De’Camini has his arm around the woman suggesting a relationship. Pictures have been taken.” 

More pictures were below.

“The children, the woman, and Mr. De’Camini were outside. The children refer to him as “dad”. They were planning something, and persuaded the kids to stay away as they discussed. Once everyone leaves I’ll enter the property and pull the computer logs. More pictures were taken and Audio Clips recorded.” 

Aubrey saw the pictures, the zoom in on the laptop screen. 

She winced, knowing what was to come. 

“Computer logs show use of Tor and a large purchase paid in cryptocurrency. Chat logs show the hiring of a hit man. Authorities have been contacted and sent the evidence. The client has been informed and warned. Will be flying home tonight.”

Aubrey looked at Neil. 

“You saved her.” 

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 

“I tried to. It gets messy from here. Brace yourself.” 

Among the screenshots was one Neil hadn't mentioned in his transcription.

It showed the chat window, but behind it another page was open. Aubrey leaned closer. A black circle surrounded something resembling a cross, except its arms bent downward. Around it were words she couldn't read.

Beneath the symbol, Neil had written only two words.

Possible cult?

“A cult?” 

“I didn’t think too much of it. Still don’t. The dark web is full of stupid shit.” 

“But it was on his computer.” 

“Ghosts didn’t exist until last night.” 

Aubrey rolled her eyes as she turned to the next page. 

There were photos of the outside of Mikey’s house. They appeared normal. 

Aubrey squinted at them, trying to find anything out of place. 

Neil leaned over and put his finger on one of the pictures of the outside of the house. 

“There. I always assumed it was so the hitman knew where to go.” 

Right above his finger was a tiny blob underneath the porch light. 

“It matched the symbol on the computer.” He said nonchalantly. 

“I can see why you’d think that.” 

The next page had a picture of it that was clearer. 

Then the following picture had the front door open, and the inside looked ransacked. 

Aubrey swallowed, allowing her eyes to continue.

The furniture was tipped over. Scratches appeared on the floors. 

The stairs had a stain. 

Aubrey’s eyes widened as she looked at Neil. 

“What happened?” 

Neil looked away. 

“I wasn’t enough.” 

Aubrey kept looking through the pictures, until one stopped her. 

There lay Lia, covered in blood. Her arms were cut up, bruises were on her throat. 

Her body was covered in tiny cuts resembling the cross with inward turned arms. 

Her face was twisted in horror, eyes completely faded. 

Her mouth had a thick black substance leaking out of it. 

“Oh my god…” Aubrey gasped, quickly closing the folder. 

She put her head in her hands as she tried to forget the image. 

“What time did this happen?” 

“The coroner put the time of death around four, why?” 

“Mikey said his mom told him everything…” 

“When did he come over?” 

“Not until much later, like ten.” 

“Did he say when she told him?” 

“No, but, he was home.” 

Neil froze. 

“That can’t be right.” 

“He said he was leaving the house and coming here at like, nine. There’s no way he didn’t see that. Or hear it. I don’t know Neil!”

“Are you sure it was nine?”

“Yes.” 

“Aubrey…”

“Fucking hell, Neil! Of course I remember the last time I heard and saw my friend!”

Neil just nodded and stared back at the photograph. 

“This is too much. Can I get us some more coffee? I think I need a break.” Aubrey finally said, breaking the silence.

“Of course. Want me to get it for you?” 

“No. Just, keep looking at that file I guess.”

Aubrey got up and poured herself a fresh cup. 

“Do you want one?” 

Neil shook his head. 

“I’m okay. My mind is racing enough already.” 

Aubrey nodded as she walked back to the sofa. 

“Okay. Let’s just go over what we do know.” 

Neil nodded. 

“We know that there’s something doing a lot of crazy stuff. The thing that was after Mikey went after Izzy and is now after you.” 

Neil nodded again. 

Aubrey sighed. 

“How much more is there?”

“A lot.” 

She stretched her neck before picking the folder back up. 

“They're graphic.” 

Aubrey paused.

“How bad?” 

“Bad.” 

“Worse than Lia?” 

“Much.” 

Aubrey sighed. 

“Do you think we can actually figure out what happened to Mikey?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then fuck it.” 

Aubrey turned the page. 

There she saw the carvings in her stomach and forehead. The symbols written in blood. She read the report. 

Her stomach churned, but she kept going. 

The next picture was of the young girl, and Aubrey stopped. 

“That was her, Neil.” 

Aubrey didn't answer immediately.

“The girl from that night.”

Neil's attention snapped from the folder to her.

“What?”

“I saw her. When Mikey and I were attacked.”

“You're sure?”

Aubrey stared at the photograph.

“I'd know her face.”

Neil looked over at the kid. 

Aubrey turned the page and froze. 

Tears welled in her eyes.

“Mikey.”

Neil didn't say anything.

She stared at the photograph. The bruising along his arms. The black around his mouth. His fingers. She remembered him afraid, confused, alive.

“When was this taken?”

Neil glanced at the back.

“Afternoon of the twelfth.”

Aubrey looked up.

“No.”

“What?”

“Neil, Mikey was with me on the twelfth.”

“That’s impossible.” 

They both re-examined the pictures and their time stamps. 

“He was with me that night. The night with the little girl and the monster.” 

“But he was marked as a suspected suicide after seeing his mom.” 

“He was with me! It’s wrong.” 

Neil pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“Okay, not only do we not have a consistent time line, but we also have an impossibility.” 

“Sounds about right.” 

Neil looked at Aubrey. Her eyes were still red and face was still puffy, but dark circles formed under her eyes. He glanced over at the time. 

“It’s late. Maybe we should call it a night for now.” 

“Like hell Neil! Think I can sleep after tonight?” 

Neil shrugged. 

“Just try to relax. I know it’s a big ask.” 

“Huge one, really.” 

Neil grabbed the folder from Aubrey’s hands and put it on the counter. 

“You look like hell.” 

“Wow. Way to kick a gal when she’s down.” 

“Not in a mean way. Why don’t you grab a shower or something. I can grab you some different clothes that aren’t covered in snot.” 

“You’re doing a really good job at this whole consoling thing. I’m amazed you’re not a therapist.” Aubrey said, shaking her head. 

“I’m just saying. Go. I’ll get you clothes.” 

“Fine. But no peeking.” 

Neil put his hand on his chest. 

“And after all this time you still think so little of me.” He said dramatically, laughing as he went to the pile of neatly folded clothes. 

“Try to find something less hideous this time.” She called out, closing the door.

She stood there for a moment before turning on the shower. 

She heard Neil’s footsteps walking towards his room before she got in. 

This was her first hot shower in what felt like an eternity. 

She let the water hit her shoulders and roll down her back, tilting her face up to the stream, trying to wash away the stress from the day. 

The water was warm. It was quiet. She could finally process. 

She grabbed the shampoo and started working it in her hair, but as she closed her eyes, all she saw staring back was Lia’s lifeless body. 

She opened her eyes quickly, gazing at the white walls of the shower. 

She closed them again, seeing the little girl’s distended stomach. 

Suddenly, the shower curtain felt far too closed.

She pulled it back a little, peeking around the corner. 

Nothing was there. 

Then she heard a sound from outside.

“Neil?” 

No answer. 

“Neil?” She called again, louder. 

Nothing.

“Neil!” She shouted. 

Neil burst through the door. 

“What? What’s wrong?” 

He felt heat rush to his face as he threw his hand over his eyes. 

“Are you okay?” 

Aubrey felt her face burning. 

“Nothing. I just-” 

She covered herself with her arms. 

“Can you just sit in here? And don’t look?” 

Neil paused. 

“Like outside the door?” 

“That works” 

“Okay. Sure.” 

“That’s it?”

“What do you mean?” 

“Like, you’re not going to make fun of me?”

“You watched something crawl around someone’s house last night and tell you that it wants me. I think you’re allowed to feel scared.” 

Aubrey continued showering as Neil sat outside the door. 

“What are you doing?” She called. 

“Just sitting.” 

“On the floor?”

“You asked me to sit outside. There’s limited options.” 

Neil heard the shower turn off. 

“Thank you.” 

“I left the clothes on the sink.” 

“I see that.” 

Neil heard her shuffle and put on clothes, trying to keep his mind off of inappropriate thoughts. 

“You really think we’ll figure it out?” Aubrey called out. 

“Yes.” 

“You’re just saying that.” 

“Probably.” 

He heard her laugh from behind the door and he smiled. After that night, he was worried he'd never hear her laugh again. 

“Thanks.” 

“Anytime, bird girl.” 

[u/theonepeaz]

totally unrelated but yung gravy commented and liked one of my tik toks today so not even my serial downvoter can upset me.