The Forest Remembers -C7

 The Forest Remembers 

Chapter 7

“The Forest Remembers”

The days after her visit to Mrs.Crooks felt heavy. Annie couldn’t focus on anything, not the residents, not her chores, not even herself. 

Everytime she passedb by Mr.Crook’s room, her heart raced. He had been quieter than usual. He barely spoke to anyone anymore. 

Soemthing had canged in his eyes.

That evening, Annie decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She needed answers, all of them.

When shr knocked on his door, it cracked open slowly.

Mr.Crooks sat in his chair by thewindow, the same spot always sat in, but he wasn’t looking outside. He was staring staright ahead, like he was waiting for her.

“Mr.Crooks?” Annie said softly.

His voice was low. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you? Asking questions that aren’t yours to ask.”

Annie froze. “I’m just trying to understand what happened to Natalie.”

He let out a quiet laugh. “Understand? You think there’s anything to understand about monsters?”

Annie’s chest tightened. “Monsters?”

He turned to her. His eyes dark and sitant. “You want the truth so badly, don’t you? You want to feel some kind of hero. But heroes don’t survive in stories like this.”

Annie took a careful step back, her voice shaking. “What happened to  Natalie, Mr.Crooks?”

He smiled, not kindly, but like he’d been waiting for this moment.

“She wasn’t some sweet angel, you know,” he said slowly.

“Always running, screaming, ruining everything. I worked all day, and all I ever heard was her crying. Margaret begged me to ccalm down, but she didn’t understand what it’s like to lose everything. Losing your job, house, pride, just because of a child.”

Annie felt sick. “You hurt her.”

“She wouldn’t stop crying. I told her to be quiet. I told her to listen. But she didn’t. So I made her, “He said with a rough voice.

It was quiet after that. Peaceful, even. Maragaret screamed when she found out, and said she’d tell the police. I told her if she did, I’d take Claire next.”

Annie was schocked. “So that’s why she left you.”

He nodded slowly “She buried the truth because she was scared. She sent Clare. But it didn’t matter it was too late. Everyone thougt Natalie wandered into the foresr. It was the perfect story.”

Annie ould barely stand. The air felt thin. You’re a monster.” She whispered.

Mr.Crooks smiled. “Maybe. But monsters don’t live in forest, dear. They live in houses. They wear smiles. They have families.”

Annie stepped back toward the door, her heartf racing. You’re going to pay for what you did.”

His head titlted. “Maybe. But tell me Annie. Who would beliee a caretaker with a diary full of wild stories?”

Th words froze her.

She turned and ran, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. She didn’t stop until she was outside, gasping in the cool night air.

Dear diary,

I can’t stop shaking. 

He told me everything , very horrible detail. He did it. He wasn’t sorry. He said he felt peace when it was over.

I ahev to go to the police tomorrow. I dont care if they don’t believe me, I’ll show them everything I’ve written, every note, every word.

I keep thinking about Calire. How she must’ve lived all these years knowing her father did it. Maybe that’s why ran away too.

Mr.Crooks is evil. Pure evil. And now that I now, I cannot stay quiet.

If anything happens to me before morning… this diary is the truth.

(End od Diary Entry)

The next morning, the home was unusually silent. Annie walked toward, Mr.Crooks’s room, planning to make sure he hadn’t left.

When she opened the door , the chair by the window was empty. On the small table beside it lay the photo of his family, and a single cup of tea, still steaming.

Mr.Crooks was gone.

Some say he walked out that night an never came back. Others said the forest took him.

But Annie knew better.

As she stood there, staring out at the line of dark trees in the distance, a shiver ran through her. The leaves rusteled in the, almost like whispers.

“The Forest Remembers.”

And this time, she believed it.