...

"So?" He stood in the doorway. I looked to him, confused.

"So...?" I repeated the phrase.

"Travis." He simply reminded. My stomach churned. I didn't want to. Every inch of my body wanted to not ask her, in fear that it may be true. And if it were true, why would she keep that from me? How could she ever do that? I let out a sigh. Slowly walking out of the room, I looked towards the living room. My mom was on the floor, playing with Bri. Under her eyes were bags, but still had a bright smile on her face. I turned to Rowen.

"I can't do this.." I whispered.

"Yes you can." He pushed me slightly in the direction of the living room. There was no use in arguing, he would make me do it eventually.

"Mom.." I said quietly. She looked up at me and grinned. "Can I talk to you?" She got up quickly and I gestured to my room. We sat on the bed.

"What's wrong?" She asked, putting her hand on mine. My throat seemed clogged as I started to open my mouth to say something, though it seemed my own tongue had decided to tangle itself to prevent me from saying anything. I gulped and avoided her gaze as the words poured out of my mouth in stutters and shakes.

"T-Travis said that the d-diner had a m-murder... H-h-he said you did-" I gasped for air as my lungs shrunk inside of me. The cold sweat started to appear as my mind seemed to grow loud and numb at the same time. 

"Chip!" Mom broke me from the static. I looked up into her pale eyes. "What he said was.. true. I didn't tell you kids because I didn't want to scare you. The police are investigating, and I am a suspect but so is everyone at the diner." She flashed me a warm smile. "It's nothing to worry about, they'll be off my case by tomorrow probably." 

"Is that where you were tonight? Under investigation?" I sheepishly asked. She nodded her head. 

"It's nothing to worry about, baby. There might be some officers who question you and your sisters, but that would be the extent of it." She brushed her hand through my hair.

"Did you see the murder?" I asked. She frowned. 

"Yes.. it was.. awful. Disgusting that anyone could do such a thing. I don't know who did it though, they're still at large." The anxiety started to bubble up at this comment. 

"Are they going to keep-" She hushed me before I could speak.

"We're safe. Nothing is going to happen, I won't let it. But.." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Maybe you should tell Rowen to stay tonight, being out there alone isn't safe at all."

"Momma, you know he won't listen to me." 

"He might.. maybe just this once." She stood up and kissed me on the cheek, and resumed her playtime with Brianna before bed. Rowen came back in and sat where she had previously. He put his arm around me.

"I knew you could do it." He said softly. I leaned into him.

"I didn't like it." I paused. He looked over to the alarm clock next to my bed.

"I think I should go now." He usually left a while after dinner. I had no idea where he would go.

"Maybe you should stay tonight." I suggested. He knew how much I didn't like him going out alone. He did it all the time and constantly reassured me that he'd be fine, but the thought of it made my stomach hurt.

"You know why I can't." He replied, pulling away from me.

"I actually don't. I know my mom wouldn't care if you stayed for a few nights, especially with some deranged murderer on the loose! Why do you always want to leave?" I retorted. He had gotten up and was ready to run out the door. He only shrugged and turned away from me. "That's not an answer! Why are you so opposed to spending the night?" I was starting to get upset. This had bothered me for a while, but I had never brought it up. "I don't even know where you go at night, or who you hang out with. It's scary, Rowen!" He still wasn't looking at me, just staring at his feet. I got up and walked over to him. "I just wanna know you're okay. That's all." I said in a softer voice.

"I'm fine, don't worry." He paused, thinking of what to say. "There's some people, and I don't want them knowing where you guys are." That didn't help my nerves one bit.

"What kind of people? Why can't they-" He knew I was about to ask too many questions, so he interrupted me.

"That doesn't matter. I just have to leave, okay? I promise nothing is gonna happen." I didn't believe him, but I let him go anyways. I then realized how tired I was. I started to get ready for bed, trying to keep my mind off of everything that had happened. It didn't work.