The Fallen Parler: Part One (A supernatural mystery thriller) by B.C Safari Read Free Book Online Page B

between Allan Roterbee and Arthur Mannox. However, Junior could not shake off the inkling that there was some deeper connection between the two men. For weeks he had questioned why Allan, in the event of death, would send his children to a secluded town in the North of England. Was there something that Allan wanted them to learn? A secret that Mr. Roterbee wished to finally uncover? Junior reflected on the long weeks his father often spent away from home. What exactly was Allan Roterbee doing? Somehow, the uncanny resemblance between Arthur Mannox and Allan Roterbee was too suspicious to disregard as measly chance. He would find a link between the two men if it meant pulling it from thin air. The walk back to the cottage was one of Junior’s strangest walks. He was wholly convinced that there was something more about his father’s history, on which he had been poorly informed. He questioned whether anything Allan had ever told him was the truth.
    ‘Listen to yourself, you sound loony,’ Junior spoke aloud. Hearing the sound of his own voice made Junior suddenly aware of his surroundings; he was dripping wet. Like Charlotte had predicted earlier that morning, it was raining.
     
     

Chapter six
     
    ‘One Bold Disappearance’
     
    The next days had a similar pattern to the first. The Roterbee twins would be awoken by a sounding alarm at precisely 7 am, get dressed and have breakfast, all before departing the Willow Lodge at 8. Luchia escorted them to school for the first few days but was forced to stop (after Charlotte explained how uncool it was for a 17-year-old to be walked to college). Nevertheless, Luchia watched over the Roterbee’s each day, as they powered over the tapered bridge. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s predictions about the weather, and seemingly everything else, had become spookily accurate. In just the past three days alone, Junior had staked, and lost, thirty pounds to Charlotte; now, he had given up making bets altogether. Sasha was also astonished by Charlotte’s precise forecasts after she’d predicted their history homework two days in advance. Apparently, Sasha’s Haitian grandmother would’ve called Charlotte’s ability ‘ the gift of foresight’… either that or she was a psychic. Charlotte naturally found it odd that Junior and Sasha were surprised by her guesses, as to her, they appeared perfectly sound and logical. Meanwhile, Junior struggled through troubled, long days and sleepless nights concerning his absurd discovery. He considered sharing the secret with his sister but found himself more discouraged the more he dwelled on it. Charlotte would think that he was paranoid; she would brand his theory an illusionary link. He couldn’t let that happen. If only he could find evidence stronger than a remarkable resemblance to prove that Allan Roterbee was somehow linked to Arthur Mannox. Then, and only then, would Charlotte be forced to believe him. Until that time, the newspaper cutting would be tucked away at the bottom of Junior’s blazer pocket. He contemplated asking Dr. Willow about the paper, but on the few occasions on which Dr. Willow was at the lodge, he was brash and impatient towards everyone, Luchia especially. The Roterbee’s each observed the impolite manner with which Dr. Willow often ordered Luchia around. Before they arrived, she would’ve been stuck with the insolent doctor, day in day out, for years. One of these days, Junior was going to stand up to Dr. Willow and demand he treat Luchia with an ounce of respect. This objective became even more important than getting the doctor to explain the newspaper cutting.
    It was Saturday, and one would’ve guessed from the loud growl of the lawnmower that Dwayne-the-gardener was hard at work. Charlotte had been skyping Sasha all morning and Junior, who was bored out of his mind, finally resorted to playing computer games. Every now and then, he would squeeze a pillow over his head, desperate not to overhear Charlotte and