A/N: This is a pretty small chapter. I am deeply sorry for that. Though, if it were any longer it would not be a "decent" chapter for me. If that makes any sense...Any way! Hope you're enjoying your last days of summer. I know everybody says this but: this summer went fast. Like, Michael Phillips fast. BTW thanks for the reviews, they truly are the light of my day.

Chapter 16

RHIAN

I get out of the bathroom from brushing my teeth, then I change into my bathing suit. I put sweats and a tee over it. I finally want to do something more than sitting and looking at a blank page on my laptop. Those days are over.

I've learned that sometimes you have to accept things, not because you want to, but because you have to. That doesn't mean I regret all those days grieving over Nick, that takes time. Many people don't want to hear it but the only cure for those type of things, is time. Time to grieve, to let it all out, and to heal. To heal completely, in and out. What I do regret is not letting the people I love help me earlier. It's hard accepting help and letting people know something that was only yours. It's hard letting people know who you are, where before the only person who could magistrate you, was yourself. We're only human though, we can't do everything by ourselves. We're like baby sea turtles; we need help getting to the water. In the end, I did let someone help me and that's what matters.

My phone starts buzzing. I grab it, it's a text from Seth.

Can't meet you. Have things to …resolve. Come over though. The keys under the third rock. I think you know what I mean.;)

Despite the sadness that washes over me from hearing that, I smile to myself. That rock was the rock that Seth told me about that one time when he and Nick were twelve. Nick swung the rock around and around, until he let it go. The rock smacked into Miss Jensen's window and 'shook the whole house'.

I go grab my car keys and drive over to Seth's house. It's time for a change to be made.

xxxxxx

SETH

I get to Nick's house in record's time. Taking the fast way there. I've called his Mom a billion times and she hasn't answered. I pull into the drive way and get out. I ding on the door, I think she's there but doesn't want to answer.

"Aunt Carey! Come on, please answer!" I knock louder. For some reason I feel like I should wait to hear some footsteps. To hear her soft pink slippers hit the rough wood kitchen floor. To know that she's up and walking.

When I don't hear either, I go to the back of the house. I knock the back door then wait again. No noise at all. I try to calm my breathing because it keeps hitching up. I bend my legs and put my hands on my knees catching my breath. After a while, I straighten out and pull my phone out of my pocket. I dial my mother's number.

"Hello?" My mom's voice rings out the phone.

"Mom?" I say concentrating on breathing in and out. In. Out. In. Out.

"Honey? What's the matter? Are you okay?"

"Mom, didn't you say that you were watching over Aunt Carey?"

"Well, yes. But she said she needed alone time today to wash herself up and think. I was thinking of going anyway but she begged me not to come. Why, is something wrong Seth?" Mom urged. I thought over her words and thought of the next words I was going to say.

"No. Nothings wrong. I just…wanted to visit her. But I keep knocking on the door and no one answers." There's a pause on the other line as my mom thinks this through.

"Seth, listen to me carefully. There's a key under the flower pot in the backyard. Grab it and get in there fast. Don't panic, just do what I tell you. I'll be there in 5 minutes." And with that, she hangs up.

Usually when someone tells you to not panic, you do. I try to remind myself that I'm just overreacting. Why would something happen? It's been eight or nine months since Nick died. My mom tends to overreact too.

I lift the flower pot and get the key. I go over and open the front door. Once I enter the house, there's complete silence. I shrug. I walk around the house calling my aunt's name softly. I go upstairs and glance at Nick's bedroom door. I still hear nothing. I reach my aunts bedroom and there's no one in bed. Or at least I think there isn't. I pull down the cover, just to make sure. No one. After a survey of her room, I go to Nick's. Unlike last time I was here with Rhian, I don't hesitate to open the door. The door opens and it's looks the same as last time.

Except this time, there's a dead woman in the corner.