It doesn't take him much efforts to sleep, in fact nowadays...he lays holding my bump carefully and within minutes you can see bubbles coming out of his nose. Alright just caricaturing him....it's not true.
So, once he slept around my belly I took my chance and stealthily stepped out of his grip. If I tell you the truth, it's been my habbit now because every once in a while I was slipping out of his cage when he was fast asleep and putting ends to my halfway left deeds. Deeds which can't be shared.

I very stealthily opened the closet, without even turning any light on or even using a torch. I was pretty used to darkness now. I opened the closet and put my hand, fortunately, exactly at the same place where I hid the file when Derek popped out of the bathroom out of blue. I had hurriedly shoved the file inside the clothes right in the front, so I now put my hand inside his clothes and could feel the zigzag-y cover of the file right beneath my palm. I took it out and closing the closet back again smoothly, I came outside to check it thoroughly.

I opened the file and the first page I saw was an official letter from the NewYork Police named on Jeremy Woods. It said that *A black SUV with number plate BGY-4680 (New York- The Empire State) which belongs to Mr.Jeremy Woods was found 90% burnt down the cliff on the south of Zoar Valley. There was no trail of any body around the accident area.*
Dated with 12th-february-2016.

The car was burnt down, which explains the burn wounds on Nathan and Cathy. Police couldn't find any trail of their bodies and that's why they never cared to put a funeral or anything, in fact, didn't even see in what condition they were. Zoar Valley, where was it even? Was there any trace of something more complicated and heinous in this case by police or others? But why would be, why would police won't give away Nathan and Cathy's body if they would have found it. What if they never found it? I needed to go there and see through myself and I somehow knew Cathy would come in between me so I made a plan.

The next morning, I woke up early before Derek and went downstairs after getting ready and taking my bag with me. Gradually everybody came around and asked me when did I wake and did I eat anything or not? I just plainly nodded to them and didn't say a word. Derek came at last and I fumed at him.

"When did you wake up honey...and why didn't you wake me up?" He asked coming around me and sitting beside me.

"Because I didn't want to. I mean is there anything normal in this house. I woke up because I felt presences of abnormal and weird things in your house. We have been here since almost a week and you are not ready to just leave your home. Till when are you gonna hide behind your family Derek. Your sister died, I get it.....but let's move on shall we?" I said thumping the table with my fist and putting all my anger out on my face and mouth.

Derek was petrified with my this version, actually, everyone was. They all were staring me with weird eyes.

"What....what is wrong Iris...?" Derek said finally and my heart sank, trust me. But I put my hand in my pocket and took out the ring.

"This....this is wrong Derek. First you hid from me that you had a son and an almost fiancè who died and now your sister. I mean do you not get it, this environment....it's all toxic for me and my baby. Of course, why would ya care, it's not your baby after all. Listen Derek, I need to leave today and ASAP." I said putting the ring on the table with another thud and with my each thud Derek just blinked and inhaled.

"Listen, you are just hyperventilating...you need to calm down and think...." He said forwarding his hand towards my shoulder but I jerked them away and cutting him in between I yelled.
"Which part of I NEED TO GO you not understand? Lord...what kind of mumma boy you hooked me up with. You have no potential, no strength, you cry behind the bed, you are vulnerable....till when do you think I'm gonna survive with you, along with a newborn. This is over Derek. US.....is over" and I exhaled a sharp one looking straight into his eyes. How much I was petrified and slapping myself in my insides was beyond words to explain. I could see his face when I used all his flaws, not even flaws but those natural human behaviours, against him and cut him through right in half. He kept staring me while I suddenly reminded myself of the plan and rolled my eyes in annoyance over him.

"Alright you know what...before you start crying again...imma leave myself....goodbye" and saying so I just picked my bag and left the dining area.
Derek was broken, and I knew this was the time when Cathy would definitely show up and guess who was right. Me....!!!

She stood in my way on the door stoping me from going.
"I have met alot of bitches in my life but you......you Iris you are one of your kind. Not even the whole world could come up with the amount of cruelty and bitchiness equal to yours. I pity you for choosing this pathetic life and thank God for making you leave Derek. It's for his own good" she spit all her venom and I just rolled my eyes on her and replied "you think you are perfect for him right....go....have him...make you son meet his father...go" and smirking my bitchiness on her, I left the mansion in another sway.

First part of my plan was successful, now the next part was coming. I had to go to the sheriff's office and look out for her files so that I could see all the minor-major details of the case. Before I could have left the mansion completely, Derek came running behind me and I cursed god for making it more difficult than it already was for me.

"I'll drop you" he said in his cold hoarsed voice and I looked at him but he didn't look at me, he kept fiddling his car keys in his fingers and looking downwards he kept walking towards his car.

"I....I dont...." My throat forgot all the cruelty and these half words came out as a plead but before I could complete he literally dragged me by me elbow and pushed me against the car door. He came very near to me and I could see rage dripping in his eyes. I was never scared like this in my entire life.

"I'm vulnerable because I'm human, but sadly you are not Iris Stevens. You are nowhere around a human being and I pity your child for being born from such toxic inhumane womb. I pity it " he said with his gritted teeth and I couldn't even gasp for air because Derek, his breathes, his anger, his words....all of these things have clogged up my air so whatever I inhaled, it hurt my lungs and heart. I was getting diseased by him but of course, he was right. I was no human.

Tears trickled down my eyes even after I tried my best to not. I knew I wasn't meaning a single thing I said in the hall but he, he meant them all. I could feel his resentment through his grip on my elbow, which I afraid was going to leave a scar. I could see regret in his eyes for loving me and all these clearance couldn't just go un-cried.
He loosened his grip the moment he could also see me writhing with pain, be it external or internal. He stepped and went to his side of the car and sat inside. I sat silently inside after wiping my face away.

He drove all the way to Brooklyn to our home and just gave me the keys.
"Live here until you find home for yourself. I'll return once you will be out of here." He said, his voice still cold and firm. I stepped out of the car silently and went to the home without even looking back at him. I was not that great of an actor so it was more than just difficult for me to maintain myself in my act even in the reaction I was recieving. Once I reached the doorstep, I heard the engine igniting again and with the loud screech, he turned around and left. I gagged for air once he left and entered the house.

First thing I did entering the house was to grab a bite. I was dieing with hunger and so was my baby inside. I grabbed an apple and munched it while preparing cereal for us two.
Finally after the moment-of-savouring I felt relaxed and energised to do all the ghostly things I had scheduled myself for.

I had stolen that paper last night only and put it inside my bag. There were pictures of the burnt car as well which wasn't in so much of a good shape, I didn't steal that. I just needed the paper for more documentation stuff.
I went outside with my bag hoping for my invisibility to show some of it perks now that I needed them.

Taking the subway, I reached the county sheriff's office. No one in the all through while could see me of course which I was happiest for.
The office was filled with alot of sheriffs and officers along with few normal people as well. Some of them were begging to the officers while some of them were crying with their complaints. The police force in America is very strict and precise. I had to be careful anyway. I went to the main sheriff's office and looked out for files. This was most probably the only time when I was happy being a ghost and not seen to everybody.

Inside the office, there was another door which led to a big library kind of room. That library was filled with various shelves filled with files categorised according to different years and departments like robbery, murder, accident, etc. I had to look out for accident category in year 2016. I kept walking and walking searching all the shelves precisely in order to not miss a single thing. This just made me realise that the world was filled with Crimes and crimes. I was getting tired now when suddenly I heard the sheriff entering the library. I immediately ducked my head down and put my hands above my head, and then I realised I was invisible. How stupid!

The sheriff came inside and took a file from the first shelf only and looking here and there suspiciously, he left.
I rose again and resumed my search.
Minutes later, I finally reached the perfect shelf and searched for the name I was looking for. Finally after reading like hundreds of names I reached the one I was searching for.
I immediately took it out and looked through it.

It had the  copy of the same letter I was carrying with myself along with Cathy and Nathan's id proofs and receipt signed by Jeremy taken over the car and whatever remains it had. There was no mention of the body. I looked through the file alot of times and read every word of each paper but there were no trails of the finding their body. They just said they couldn't find it. Was it even possible.
I took the exact adress from the file and left the library, not before putting the file in the exact same place.

I came out of the police station and went to catch the subway to reach where I needed to be. I was hoping for Angela or Lucifer to just show up so that I could ask them what to do now. What if I'll never find the body. Why was Cathy even moving to zoar valley, it's 320 miles away from New York. It will take me six hours to go there. I was busted at that moment, I broke up with Derek to find out about Cathy and now when I had information, it seemed all useless and unrealistic to have them. It would take a six hour ride to even reach there. Wasn't I supposed to focus on saving my life instead of cremating others. I was frustrated as hell at the moment.

I took the subway back home. Going there, I just rested my muscles and bones on the bed and let out a stifled groan out of frustration and exhaustion. My delievery date was getting closer each day by now and I had no clue about it and here...I was stuck with solving mysteries of Cathy's death and funeral.

"Why do you think you are doing too much than required?" I heard suddenly from me behind and I knew who it could be so instead of getting scared and rushing up to see who it was, I kept laid there knowing who it was.

"Because I know that I'm. Who digs out her boyfriend's ex-dead-fiance's death mystery and tries to set her free?" I said with annoyance in my tone.

"Those who love their boyfriends and also who gets troubled by the ex-dead-fiances." He said coming in front of me. I put a pillow on my chest and curled my knees up as it felt really awkward to lay straight effortless in front of Lucifer. He looked downwards for a while and then sat in front of me on the chair.

"Where were you all these times...?" I asked getting up as the awkwardness wasn't going away anyhow. I rose up and sat with my legs spread straight and back rested on the headboard.

"I have other jobs to do, not appointed to make acquaintance with Iris Stevens only." He said barbarically. I rolled my eyes....of course.

"Where's Angela, god I miss her." I said putting my hands down on the pillow with a thud.

"Woah someone's cranky. Well see I thought you might have understood but you are dumb so, me and ang work together...if I have works, she has works too. No one's free for your bickering and stuffs okay." He said leaning comfortably on the chair. I frowned on him with my twitched nose and lips.

"I can't go to zoar valley. What the hell was she doing there...six hour ride away from home...why?" I asked in annoyance.

"See that's not the point. Point is how to get rid of her. Did you find body?" He asked and for the first time, for me, he took out a pipe from his pocket and lit it with a lighter.

"Well....since when did YOU started smoking pipes..." I asked with bewilderment.
He took a long puff and another second he let it out like a typical classy rich brat and then looking at me with his one eye open and other one squeezed half, he said "you don't think you know me totally, do you?"  And I couldn't help but just roll my eyes again. My eyes will start to hurt if I'll keep rolling it every other second. I was more angry and annoyed than required...I noticed moments later.

"So....you mean I don't need to go...and...how will I give a funeral if there's no body found?" I said while he was busy in puffing.

"See that break up thing with Derek was thoughtful but you have messed up your game a bit. But now that there's no coming back, you must see through another option and find out why she was going towards zoar valley. Also, funerals are last rites procession. It's for the peace of the soul and remembrance of the dead. It doesn't always have rules." He said and before I could deem out and ask him questions, he vanished away. I balled my fist and screamed in another frustration.
How will I know about Cathy and why was she going there. I had to find out from someone trust worthy and reliable.

I went upstairs to our.... Derek's room and took out the phonebook from drawer. It had Naomi's number. I thought of all the words I said to Derek in front of all of them and then thought will it be good to call her or not but sayin so, I had no other option so I just dialled the number and waited for her to pick up.
First time, it just went to the machine but then I called again and this time she picked up.

"Hello" she said with her mild calm voice.

"Hello Naomi.... Iris here" I said with utmost guilt in my voice which wasnt the part of plan but I had to put my foot down for Naomi.

"What the....why are you calling me?" She said in tad bit anger.

"Naomi listen....please don't hang up on me or tell anyone about it...please...I beg of you" I said and Seriously hoped for some brains and mercy from her.

"What is wrong....iris..." She said and I huffed in relief.

"Naomi listen to me very carefully. I didn't mean a single word I said there....but I know you won't trust me. I have to do something really important for us....for you people and for that I needed to be out of there. Naomi will you just please help me out?"

"Iris...I don't understand a single word you are saying....what's happening?"

"Alright listen....just meet me will ya? I need you please..."

"But how can I....?"

"Naomi please....please for Derek and Alex and Mr. And Mrs.Woods please....trust me for one last time."

"Listen I still don't understand what you want from me"

"Of course....just meet me at times square 4 this evening and I'll tell you everything. Please don't tell anybody and meet me. Will ya?"

"Alright fine but if anything goes wrong ..I'm telling Alex and Derek right away"

"No I swear nothing will go wrong.... Seriously"

"Alright then...4 today."

"Thanks"

And I hung up the phone.

Times square, 4 o'clock

I reached the place minutes before and waited for her. I had the believe that she would come. After like ten minutes or so, I saw her coming towards me. I beamed with happiness inside.

We went to a shady cafe and I chose a distant secluded table. She was looking at me suspiciously.

"Before we begin anything, I just wanna say....I believed more in you iris and what you did today...was heartbreaking." She said and I hung my head low feeling every word of her.

"Listen I want information about Cathy and Nathan. I played out this cruel game today morning because......well.... Naomi don't think I'm a freak but...I have felt presence of Cathy and Nathan at our home. That day when Sarah got hit....she saw them.....and I know you this because I saw them too and I want to end this all. There are there Naomi believe me or not...and so I played out this act so that Cathy will feel that I was gone from Derek's life forever." I told her enough information she needed.

"What are you saying....it's.....bullshit....we never felt that....and....and why would they hurt Sarah..." She said in her bewilderment which was obvious.
I held her hand gently and looking in her eye said " it wasn't for Sarah...it was for me, Sarah got victimised instead of me....(tear shed down my eyes) Cathy hates me like she must have hated all other girls Derek dated after her."

After a minute pause.

"You are the first one after her. Derek didn't date anybody since last three years."

My mouth dried with another hit of guilt in me. How much have I hurt my guy. I looked down and tears took their place again and rose again after wiping my face. Naomi looked away for a second too and then looked back.

"Naomi...tell me why Cathy was going to zoar valley that too with Nathan...?"

Naomi's face faced another shocking expression as she must be thinking where did I find that.

"I just went through some papers...relax. Just tell me please.."

"Iris....this is all too much....I don't understand why am I even here...." She said and jerking my hand away she rose from her seat ready to leave. I panicked seeing her leaving like this in middle.

"Because Naomi, for the sake of Derek...I have to get rid of Cathy and Nathan...they need to get peace which they haven't." I said from my seat only and Naomi stopped in her tracks.

She turned around and sat again putting her head in between her hands and inhaled for few moments.

"Her mother lives in Irving...she was going to meet her"

*****************************

Iris is this close to end Cathy and her chapter now.

Btw, longest chapter written today(3.6k words). Pardon the typos I'm having headache.

Don't forget to vote comment and share the story people.

Lots of love from Cathy.
Signing off
Shruti!