Darker Than Black

:Darker Than Black: [Chapter: 38]

"Oliver! Oli!"

I frowned when my cat didn't respond to my calling. I walked further into my house, looking around for him.

I smiled slightly, entering the kitchen. It felt nice to be home. Being in the hospital for two days wasn't fun at all. Especially since the police had interrogated me for the better part of one day. I scowled at the memory.

I checked Oliver's food bowl, not surprised to find it empty. I hastily went to the cabinet and grabbed two cans of food, opening them and putting them on a plate. I also grabbed the bag of dry food and filled up his bowl.

I heard the jingle of his collar as I did so. I turned around with a grin as he came trotting into the kitchen.

"Oli!" I cried, bending down to pick him up.

To my surprise, he lashed out at me with a clawed hand. I yanked my hand away in surprise. Oliver seemed to glare at me before going to his dish of hard food and eating it.

"If you're going to have an attitude then you won't get your soft food," I told him, frowning. "It's not my fault I couldn't come home to feed you because I was in the hospital!"

Oliver looked up at me and I stared flatly back. After a moment I gave in and put the plate of soft food on the floor.

"You're lucky I'm so kind," I told him.

He began purring as he ate the soft food. I smiled at him, squatting down so I could pet him. This time he didn't attack me.

I went to my phone to check the messages. To my surprise, the blinking red light on the message machine flashed 25. I hit play.

"Honey, it's mom. Happy birthday! I guess I had a chance to call you today after all! I hope you have a good day! I've got to go now, but I'll try calling again later!"

There was a beep, and I hit delete message.

"Hi Em, it's mom again. I guess you're still out with your friends or something. I hope your enjoying yourself! Happy birthday again! Your stepfather says happy birthday too. Call me, alright?"

There was another beep, and I deleted the message again. I smiled slightly, glad my mom had called.

The next few messages were telemarketers, and then a few more from my mom telling her to call me. I frowned slightly as the messages grew more frantic. I started listening to the last message, my finger on the delete button.

"Hi, Emmery," a deep voice started, surprising me. "I don't know what you've been doing the last few days, and I know it's not really my business, but call your mom. She's been worried sick about you."

I gasped in realization when I realized it was my stepfather.

"I know that you want to have your own space," he continued, "but please at least come home to visit. You know, not only your mother has been worried about you. And don't you want to see your little sister? Please give us a call. Much love, Emmery."

The message ended with a beep and I stared at it for a moment. My step-dad had called me? I moved my finger down the message machine and pressed in.

"Message saved," the machine said.

I swallowed, picking up the phone nervously. For the first time in a very long time, I dialed my home phone number. After the third ring, someone picked up.

"Hello?"

I opened my mouth to say something, but suddenly found it dry.

"Hello?" my mom repeated.