What Remains of Rebecca Bennet
“Captain Matthews, does the family have any idea who may be responsible for Rebecca’s abduction?” asked an eager journalist, breaking out from the sea of her colleagues, on the front lawn of the Bennet family’s beautiful suburban home.
After using his right hand to smooth out his salt and pepper hair, Captain Matthews leaned closer to the field of mics before him and said, “That is a great question, Miss Loqez. Unfortunately, the Bennet family has yet to think of anyone.” He held a hand out to his side and continued, “I’d like to have Mrs. Bennt come up to say a few words she’s prepared. And don’t forget, together we can bring Rebecca home.”
Reaching over, Captain Matthews put a hand around Mrs. Bennet’s shoulder and guided her to the center of the cameras and microphones. She stood there for a moment with beet-red eyes before looking down at her prewritten speech.
She read, “Thank you all for coming here today to help find my baby Rebecca Ann Bennet. She is… she is… she was…” and Mrs. Bennet burst into tears. Mr. Bennet walked up, put his arms around her, and she buried her face into his chest to let loose a deluge of tears.
“Thank you all for your help bringing attention to our Becca,” said Mr. Bennet to the mass of cameras. He led his wife away from the media attention and into their house, as Captain Matthews stepped back up to the microphones.
“That was Jack Bennet,” said Captain Matthews. “Rebecca’s father, and the former right fielder for the Kane County Cougars minor league team.”
Mr. Bennet brought his wife to their bed so she could lament in peace, and gave her a glass of water. He left the room, closed the door behind him, and made his way down into the basement.
After turning on the light, Mr. Bennet went to the corner of the room where the family kept a bunch of boxes for storage. He moved a few boxes so he could have access to a large 24 by 24 by 24 cardboard box marked “Dad’s Stuff” that had a metal bat leaning against it. Mr. Bennet removed the tape keeping the box sealed, and out popped a 16-year-old girl.
Rebecca fell back into the box and said, “Shit my legs are asleep.”
Catching her and helping her back up and out of the box, Mr. Bennet said, “You need to be quiet. You’re mother is resting but she might still be able to hear you.”
“I need you to bring me more food and another diaper,” said Rebecca, leaning on her father with one arm and using the metal bat as a cane with the other. “This one is already used up if you know what I mean. So is everyone worried? What are they saying at my school? How many news stations showed up?”
“Becca, your mother is worried sick. This was a bad idea.”
“Daddy, what are you doing out there? I need to make national news or what’s the point?”
“Honey, don’t you think this has gone on long enough?”
“It’s only been two days. I need to be missing at least a week. That will get national attention.”
“A week? You said you would only be hiding out for three days.”
“Daddy, I have to do this,” said Rebecca solemnly, looking into her father’s eyes. “You always said to stand out from the crowd and not let the world just put you away in a box. Well, nowadays this is the only way to do it.”
“This is not what I meant, honey.”
“This is happening. Are you with me or not?”
“Jack?” they could hear Mrs. Bennet call from upstairs in sorrow. The beginning of a crying spree could be heard before she was able to get out another, “Jack?”
“I never should have agreed to this. I’m going to go and tell your mother you’re alright,” said Mr. Bennet, and he turned to walk away.
“No, Daddy, stop,” said Rebecca as she tried to hold him back with one hand. “You can’t do this to me.”
“This has gone on for too long,” said Mr. Bennet as he made it to the bottom of the stairs. Rebecca lifted the metal bat in her hand and smacked her father’s knee with it. He fell down to the basement floor, writhing in pain.
Rebecca held the bat above her head and said, “I love you, Daddy, but you have to understand that this is the only way. This is your fault. God!” and she brought the metal bat down on her father’s head as hard as she could. She did it again and again, screaming, “Why did you do this to me? Why? Why?” When Rebecca's arms got tired, she dropped the bat and looked up to see her mother standing wide-eyed at the top of the stairs. Mrs. Bennet screamed as if she were the one being murdered.
The police entered the home and brought Rebecca out in handcuffs. Wading through the sea of reporters and television crews, as two officers escorted her to a cruiser and Captain Matthews led the way, Rebecca Bennet held her head down in an attempt to shield her face; not because she was embarrassed or scared, but because she didn’t want anyone to see her poor attempt to hold back a smile, as tears ran down her face.