Short Stories

Jealousy Kills

"Korey, guess what? You're gonna be a big brother!"

That was twelve years ago, though I remember it like it was yesterday. It's the first real memory I have, everything before was just a blur. Afterwards, my memories became clearer and I could see things I couldn't see before. I can see when someone is sad, I can see when someone hates another, and I can see when someone is lying. My sister lies all the time. She's a liar; a nuisance.

Her first lie was four years ago when she and I were riding our bikes up and down the road. She still had to use training wheels while I didn't. She had asked to ride my bike but I told her no, so she there herself on the ground and started screaming that I pushed her. The entire neighborhood heard her. I was grounded for three weeks.

Her second lie was only four months after that. I had a Kid Krow t-shirt, she wasn't a fan. She took a pair of scissors and cut it into pieces. Afterwards, she had told our parents that I had done it, that I didn't like the singer, and had my mom spend forty-four dollars on a shirt for nothing.

Her third lie was when a dance was coming up. I had denied going to a family event just so I could go, but my sister didn't want to go either so she ended up telling my dad I agreed to go with him.

  You get the idea. She gets whatever she wants, whenever she wants. My parents won't listen to me, even if it kills me.

  When I walk through the door, I see my sister and her friend.

  "Marie," I say, "I didn't know Dana was coming here today."

  Marie doesn't look up. "I needed help with homework."

  "Hi, Korey," Dana greets as she toys with her gloves. I've always liked Dana. She takes all Marie's attention away from me.

  I bow my head. "What subject is it? Maybe I can help."

  "Just math." Marie leans back on her chair and tries to rub the strain out of her eyes. She looks tired and in need of a break.

  Perfect.

  "Marie, wanna take a walk in the woods," I ask her. "You know, on that abandoned track."

  She finally picked her head up and peered at me. "Korey, I really need to do this."

  "It'll only be ten minutes," I insisted, "Afterwards, you can go back to your boring life of fractions and decimals."

  Marie looked at Dana, who had the same look on her face as I did. Marie rolled her eyes and slammed her laptop shut.

  "Fine!"

  God, she's so dramatic.

  I look over towards Dana, who looks concerned. As if she knows how much of a hassle Marie can be. She probably does.

  "Good luck," she mouthed. I nodded my head and opened the door for Marie.

  "Come on, Marie. Let's go."

  "I'm coming. Wait!" A half-minute later, she came running from her room wearing that same old miserable, yet emotionless expression.

  I can't wait until I don't have to see it anymore.

  "After you." I gesture to the outside. She walks out without saying anything. Not even a 'goodbye' to Dana, unlike me who waves at her as I step out and close the door.

  The walk was silent. It was completely silent. It was silent to the point where it was awkward. I could hear things a person couldn't hear if it was a normal hike. The sound of the rocks was so distinct that I could count how many rocks were crushed with every step, I could hear the wind blowing despite the trees staying still, most of all, I could hear my heartbeat. I could hear it beating faster and faster, louder and louder with each second. Every moment was a moment closer to what I needed to do, what I should've done twelve years ago.

  "What's the real reason you wanted to walk with me," She suddenly asks. "We're not close. I don't wanna be around you and I'm sure you don't wanna be around me, so what's the deal?"

  "It's been years," I say as I kick a rock, "Thought it could change."

  Marie crosses her arms. "It's only going to change if we both want it to change, and I don't care enough to change it."

  I wanna tell her I don't care enough to make things better either. I wish I could tell her that I've never loved her the moment I found out about her and I hate her with everything I have. However, I say nothing. I keep my head up and place a small smile on my face. I want her to feel bad before she does. I want her to beat herself up and suffer before she dies.

  "That's too bad, actually. I always hoped we could be closer." I slowly reach into my pocket.

  "We can't." She crosses her arms. I grasp onto the handle of the knife.

  "It's upsetting. I wish I could've hung out with you and Dana more." I slowly pull the knife out of my pocket.

  Dana doesn't want to hang out with you, trust me.'' She sounds bored.

  "Too bad she'll have no choice."

  "Huh?" Before she could continue, I completely took out my knife and jammed the knife in the side of her neck. My stomach is burning and my heart is racing. Finally, finally! I'm free! My heart sped up until it nearly gave me a heart attack.

  Suddenly, my heart stopped. I took a couple breaths and took a step. I heard the sound of blood staining my shoes. I laugh knowing I'll have to throw them in the dumpster later. It was amazing.

  I look down to see the corpse of my sister, bloodied and lifeless. Eyes closed and laying on the ground. I only saw myself.

  I saw my corpse. My bloodied and lifeless corpse. My eyes closed and laying on the ground.

  What? I think. I just stabbed her. Right here I stabbed her. She didn't touch me.

  "Finally." I hear a voice behind me say. It sounded like Marie.

  "He's gone." Another voice said. My eyes widened and my world started to spin.

  That voice sounded like- no, it couldn't have been.

  I turn around to see Marie talking to Dana. They were talking about their days and the weather. They haven't acknowledged me yet.

  This couldn't be happening.

  I ran back to my house as fast as I could. I started tearing up on the way.

  This shouldn't be happening. The plan was going so well. I couldn't be dead. I have to be hallucinating.

  I stumbled my way into my house and went to my parent's room, where my dad is on his phone and my mom is typing something on her laptop.

  "Mom!" My voice is scratchy from crying. "Dad!"

  They don't turn. They didn't hear me

  "Please, listen to me!" Nothing.

  Hot tears stream down my face as I small my back into the door.

  This can't be happening to me.