The Target

Rebound...

Dad entered to find us three grouped together in a hug. He pulled Adam aside and asked him what was wrong. Adam told him about my encounter with Beverly, leaving the rest of the story to me and mum.

Mum saw dad and wiped her tears, I followed suit. He was confused when he saw my bruised arm. But he didn't question it. He just walked over and gave me a hug. That night, dinner was a very quiet affair. Mum was still processing everything, I was deep in my thoughts over my new observation of the similarities between Grace's, Dylan's, and Brian's death, Adam was both hurt and angry, and dad was just angry. Soon after dinner, my phone buzzed to reveal Harry calling. My face brightened at his name. I picked up, trying to keep my grip as my hands were a little soapy from the detergent I used to wash the utensil. "Amy?" Harry asked, sniffling. My heart nearly stopped.

"Hey, Harry. What is it? Are you okay?" I asked.

"It's Lewis! He's... he's" Harry stuttered.

"What?!"

"He's dead!"

My mouth dropped open. No no no, not Lewis. Why? I thought as tears streamed down my face. I knocked over some utensils as I fell to the ground. Adam rushed to me, my mum and dad following him. My phone was still stuck to my ears as I heard Harry's description of Lewis. "Stab wounds all over the abdomen, finger marks on the neck, and two missing fingers!" Harry sobbed on the other end.

Adam took the phone from me and talked to Harry while mum and dad squatted down beside me and started comforting me. Adam came back and this time he was talking to a cop. "I don't get it! It's the third murder and you are not doing anything? Do you want another body, this time perhaps one of Amy? Whoever the killer is, he or she is getting closer to Amy with every single murder. I want them CAUGHT." He screamed on the phone before hanging up.

The next day, I bade farewell to my parents. I wanted to be there for Lewis's funeral. He was a great friend. And I feel guilty for his death. Actually, all of the deaths. If the killer is after me, then why can't he just take me? What is the point in killing my friends and thus reminding me of my worst nightmare?

Before I got in the car, I saw a familiar person walk towards me. I backed away when she was clearer. "Beverly!" I said with fear in my voice. Mum and dad held on to me while I held on to Adam, who was standing beside me, eyeing Beverly with anger.

"Amy?" My eyes widened. I haven't heard her call me by that name in a long time. I gestured Mum and dad to loosen their grip while I loosened mine from Adam. I took a step in her direction while she took one in mine. Her eyes glistened with tears. She wasn't saying anything and I probably knew why. I turned around and asked mum, dad, and Adam to give us some privacy.

"You still know what is going on in my mind..." She said in a very guilty and embarrassed tone.

"Yeah, well. I don't forget my best friends so easily. Even if they treat me like crap." I said, trying to keep my politeness. Right now all I wanted was to call her out for everything she did to me. But if she was actually guilty, I'll hold back. She raised her head to meet my eyes. "I- I am sorry. I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. I despised him and I felt really uncomfortable that he did all those things to you, even though you were there for me." I just kept staring at her, trying to push down the lump in my throat. "When he got arrested, I don't know what happened. I just wasn't the same..." She stopped and turned around to hide another wave of tears coming.

I felt pity for her. It was difficult for me to believe her. She did bully me. But I put on a kind face. I turned her around and gave her a hug. She just mumbled apologies for everything as she held on to me tightly. I pulled back and said, "I was a bit disappointed when you started bullying me. I needed my best friend because I lost my brother and got, you know. But mostly, I wanted to be there for you. You went through something much worse than me. But what made you change?"

"After I cornered you, I felt a wave of guilt come over me. I bullied you all those years. I blamed Brian's death on you. I showed no compassion, whatsoever, towards you after everything. Honestly, when I saw you, all I wanted was to apologize and hug you. But I don't know why I continued acting so shitty with you." She explained in the most genuine and friendliest tone I've heard in years. But still, I couldn't shake the whole experience off.

I smiled at her, who gave a small smile back.