Death Rush

Chapter 8: New Friend

The principal had been informed of what had happened to Richard's family and decided to hide everything from the students to avoid panic. He was as shocked as the neighbours that found out about it. The police was investigating. Joel's family still wasn't found dead.

Remi decided he wanted to have a friend so he wouldn't go completely insane. Being alone with his mind was doing him no good since the guilt he was accumulating was killing him inside. Cozen was among the possible choices.

Cozen was a mysterious but attractive guy, he didn't talk a lot and he was friends with the bullies. Remi thought Cozen was different from them and maybe he could become a close friend of him. He decided that he wanted to try.

Remi got closer to Cozen.

"Hello, my name is Remi" he said, looking at Cozen in the eyes.

"My name's Cozen. Why are you talking to me?" he answered. He was always cold and obnoxious with everyone.

"I don't really know anyone in this school even though I have been here for years. I would like a new friend." responded Remi.

"Why would you choose me?" responded Cozen. He was suspicious.

"You look.. interesting. You don't look as boring as everyone else." responded Remi with a smile.

Cozen looked around, then he stared at Remi.

"Is this the only reason?" responded Cozen. He was still suspicious.

"Yes, I guess." responded Remi.

"I don't mind having new friends. You can sit there" responded Cozen as he pointed at the desk on his right.

"Is it free? I remember someone else sitting there" asked Remi as he looked at the desk.

"He.." Cozen stopped, almost as if he was trying not to grin.

"He's not here today. You can sit."

"Alright" replied Remi. Cozen was giving him a weird feeling.

"So.. do you know the guy that sat here before me?" added Remi.

"Yes, I know him" responded Cozen.

"Do you know why he's not here today?" responded Remi.

"Not really, we don't talk as much. I just know his name." responded Cozen. He looked pissed.

Remi remained silent. Cozen looked like a cool guy but something about him was off.

The school day went on and Remi kept talking to him, making him smile at times. Cozen wasn't a guy that smiled a lot.

"So, what happened to Carla?" asked Cozen to Remi at one point in their conversation.

"Police is still investigating.. I don't know what happened to her but my life went for the worst since she disappeared." replied Remi.

The devil appeared and started laughing.

"What the hell is he doing here?! Why is no one reacting?" thought Remi as he looked at him.

"Why are you looking at the ceiling?" asked Cozen with curiosity.

Remi realized he was the only one that could see him.

"Nothing.. I was just thinking." answered Remi.

"I think it's about time for you to move on and find a new girlfriend or something, you can't keep going on like this." replied Cozen. He looked mad.

"Maybe you're right. We'll see." responded Remi. He was a bit intimidated by Cozen's gaze.

"This guy.." thought Cozen. "He looks so useless and rundown.. what is he even living for? Is he waiting for his girlfriend to magically reappear out of thin air? I can't stand people like this."

"Yeah" was the only thing that came out of Cozen's mouth. You could hear the disappointment in his voice.

Remi was lost in his thoughts while Cozen was staring at him.

Remi noticed him but didn't say a word. He thought Cozen was a little weird but nothing more.

"What if she doesn't come back?" asked Cozen.

"I'm 100% sure she'll come back." answered Remi.

"Quit this bullshit Remi, you don't believe it yourself. What if she doesn't come back?" asked Cozen again with an angry and raised tone of voice.

"I.. I don't know what I'll do Cozen. I'll find a way to cope with this." replied Remi. He was scared.

"Why don't you find it now?" asked Cozen.

Remi did not answer.

"Fine. Take your time." added Cozen. He sounded more disappointed than before.

"I will" answered Remi.

It was 1:00pm. It was time to go home.

"Hey Cozen" said Remi.

Cozen looked at him.

"Can I have your phone number? We can text whenever you want." asked Remi.

"Alright." replied Cozen.

They gave each other's number.

On Whatsapp, Cozen had a status saying "Failure is not an option". They chatted for 2 hours and only stopped because Remi went studying.

Cozen's past was a grueling one. He never told anyone about it and he felt like Remi was the last person he would have talked about it. In a way, Cozen saw Remi more as a nuisance than a friend, but he stuck with him for some reason.

REMI KILL COUNT: 7
DAYS LEFT: 57