Here's the link to the first part: http://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/2yejc9/my_daughters_new_friend/
Hello again. Since I posted my story a couple of weeks ago, I've decided to do some more digging into finding out exactly what happened in Layla's past. I wanted to find out more about her parents; her REAL parents. Although it wasn't easy, I was able to track them down, but I kinda wish I hadn't.
I didn't know what to expect of these people. I almost expected them to be as strange as Layla. But what I found was far more disturbing. I guess, I'm getting a little ahead of myself here. So, after about a week or so of internet searching, phone calls, and finally some help from a friend of mine that works with social services (which I'm pretty sure is what helped the most, since I really wasn't getting very far with my methods), I was able to retrieve the names of Layla's birth parents. A little more digging around and I was able to find an address, which coincidentally enough was in the same state that I now live in, but still a 3 hour drive from my residence. I held onto the info for a couple of days, debating with myself whether to open up the can of worms, or just leave well enough alone. A part of me wishes that I had done the latter.
Harmony, now a sophomore in college, was due to come home for the weekend. Once she arrived, I debated with myself once again whether to let her in on my plans or not. She is not the same naive girl that she was a few years ago. I am proud of the person that she has become. She still has a heart of gold, but she is definitely more aware of the dangers of letting people get too close too soon.
Anyway, I decided to tell Harmony about my plans to make the 3 hour trip to visit Layla's parents. I was surprised when she protested, telling me that it wasn't a good idea and that we should just leave the past in the past.
"Mom, Layla is where she belongs. She's getting the help that she needs", my daughter said to me in a sympathetic but stern tone. "Besides, what's the point in talking to these people? What are you hoping to find out?"
To be honest, I didn't really have an answer to her question besides I was just plain curious. I wanted to meet these people and talk with them-find out what their reasons were for giving Layla up in the first place. At this point, I had already had my mind made up. I was making the trip the following day, with or without Harmony in tow. She decided that I shouldn't go alone, and although she protested the entire time, we set out on our road trip.
When we reached the address, I parked on the street in front of the home. The neighborhood was normal, although the houses were a bit small and rundown. However, the house that Layla's parents were supposed to occupy looked abandoned. We glanced at each other, and I could detect a bit of relief in Harmony's face.
"Well", Harmony said, raising her brows, "looks like we just made a 3 hour drive for nothing."
"Well don't look so smug about it. Let's just...check it out. Maybe they're just not...good with keeping up the yard work." I said, still keeping my hopes up.
Harmony gave me a look of disdain. "Mom, the mailbox is hanging off its post, the grass looks like it hasn't been cared for in years, the paint is chipping on the house-"
I cut her off. "Harmony, honey, take a look around at the rest of these houses. They aren't in much better condition." "Maybe not, Mother, but you can still tell they're occupied." "Let's just...check it out. I refuse to leave here after driving for 3 hours, without at least being able to say that I checked it out first." Harmony scoffed, rolled her eyes, and gave in. We got out of the car and cautiously walked up the walkway to the front door. It was then that we noticed the Police line that had apparently been hanging across the door at one point, and now lay on the ground in front of it. We also noticed some on the ground along side the house. We looked at each other, brows raised.
"I wonder what happened here." I said. By now, I can tell that Harmony's curiosity is beginning to get the best of her. "I wonder if it's unlocked", she said, and we both looked down at the knob. I slowly reached for it and as soon as my hand touched the cool rusting metal, a voice came from behind and startled us. Harmony let out a screech as we both quickly turned to see a heavy set elderly man with a blind eye and overalls, glaring at us with his good eye."I apologize. I didn't mean to frighten you ladies", he said in an unexpectedly high pitched voice. "You wouldn't happen to be lookin' for Bella and Chance, would ya?"
I recognized the names as Layla's birth parents' names, and I nodded. "Yes sir. Wh-what happened here? Was there a crime?"
"You two must not be from around these parts, huh? The whole town knows the story of what happened in that house. T'was all over the news. The way those folks were butchered...unreal," he says as he looks down and shakes his head.
"Butchered?", Harmony asks.
"More like gutted, like fish." He begins to shake his head again as he places his hands on his hips. "I was the one that found'm. I heard their screams late in the night. Horrific screams, like you'd hear in one of them horror pictures. I'm an old man, 84 years to be exact. I couldn't get over here as fast as I wanted to. Called the police, grabbed my shotgun and came over with John Boy in tow, that's my dog, may he rest in peace." He lowered his head as if saying a silent prayer. "Died last month, old age."
"So, what exactly happened in this house?" I asked, trying to keep the old man on track.
"Well, when I got inside, I found the 2 of'm, as I said before, gutted like fish. Couldn't believe what I was seein'. Looked like some wild animal had come up in there and ripped'm wide open. Back door was ajar, so I figure who or whatever it was musta already made their escape. Awful scene, I tell ya. Just awful."
"So, they never found out who..or..what..was responsible?" Harmony asked.
"Well", the old man started, "there's been some speculation that t'was (he lowered his voice at this point) the girl."
Harmony and I glanced at each other, realization in our expressions. We looked back at the old man. "The girl?" we both asked at the same time.
"The daughter they gave up for adoption years ago. Layla, I think was her name, if I'm not mistaken. Wasn't even a year old when they sent her away. They used to always say that somethin' wasn't right about her. I used to always wonder, what could be so off about a little tiny baby?"
"Sir, when did this happen?" Harmony asked.
"Oh, about a year ago now, if I had to guess." he answered.
"No, that can't be. Layla was put into a mental institution over 2 years ago", I said, my heart feeling as if it were about to jump out of my chest.
"She was there all of 7 months before she pulled off her escape. They think it was an inside job-somebody that worked there helped her out." We couldn't believe what we were hearing. I was feeling a mixture of anxiety, fear and anger. How could the authorities have not let us know about this. Our lives could have been in danger-still could be.
No one knows where Layla is at this point. The entire drive back home was quiet. We were both just trying to process everything that had occurred. I watched Harmony as she bit her nails to the point that she drew blood, a nervous habit she's had ever since she was a child. My head was filled with so many questions. I planned to call the authorities and rip them a new one for not filling Harmony and I in on these events. Also, I was surprised that during the research to find Layla's parents, nothing came up about their deaths. My friend simply gave me their last known address, which is the same home they had been living in for the past 25 years.
For now, I'm still trying to process and deal with the news we received. I will be sure to give you an update soon to let you guys know what else has transpired since our visit to Layla's parents' home. I feel as though I am on the brink of a nervous breakdown, and Harmony has taken some time off from school to deal with this turn of events. I have added extra security to my home and neither of us go out alone at night, or even at all if we can help it. In a way I wish that I had just not let my curiosity get the best of me, but if I hadn't, how would I know that a deranged psychopath could be hunting me and my daughter down as we speak?
I'm really scared for you and Harmony. Be safe!