Friends Sometimes Lie

Lost in my mind

I woke up during the middle of the night, looked around me and saw officers patrolling everyone and some sleeping. No one else was awake. The officer saw me and told me to go back to sleep. I asked him what the time was, he said it was 4:07. Ok, not long left until sunrise.

I was thinking of what to say in my alibi like how I knew Vinnie, what type of friend he was, how close were we but the one thing I was stuck on, was proving it wasn't me. I was stuck. It's still all so new to me, one of my best mates dying will not go out of my mind quickly. I'm wondering what I'm going to do when i'm eventually free but I honestly don't know. Life won't be the same, school won't be the same and the past day and probably more, will haunt me forever.

I can't go back to sleep now, I feel wide awake after just recounting all my thoughts. The pillow is warm... ugh, I hate that. I can only sleep when I have a cold pillow. I don't have my phone on me either, the officers confiscated everyone's phones when we went in a lockdown. My parents aren't allowed back home until the murderer is found so that's great. I wonder how they reacted when they got the call from the police, I assume not very well.

Who could it be? Who killed Vinnie?
Why did they do it? Was Vinnie a bad person?

"No" I muttered out loud.
An officer looked at me and put his finger over his lips vigorously, warning me to stop. I don't get why they're so strict, it's not like I'm doing anything bad. The police are constantly circling round me ever since I got up, I checked the time, 5:29. Darn, still got ages until sunrise.

The room was cold and the heating wasn't on. If I asked the officer he'd probably put me in cuffs for disturbing him too much, stuck up arsehole. I wrap my blanket tightly around me to stay as warm as possible but my pillow was still warm. It's just so uncomfortable like this and I'm not sure how much longer I can go until I have another mental breakdown.

I closed my eyes once again and tried to fall asleep, I tried too ignore how warm my pillow was, come on Josh, fight the urge. Fuck! I sat up and turned over the pillow to the semi cold side. And again, tried to fall asleep, this time I eventually did.

"Everyone up!"
A sudden shout woke me and everyone else up. An officer was standing on the same chair from last night and waking everyone up. I couldn't find any clocks or watches in the room so I didn't know what the time was. The room didn't feel right either, it was very cold, looked slightly wrong and smaller. Something about the whole atmosphere had changed.

I couldn't understand what was going on, I ignored the feeling and went over to Lola.
"You ok?" She asks with a smile
"Yeah I'm good, just feel a bit weird"
"It's probably just nerves" she replies with a comforting smile.

For a second time, the officer stood on the chair and addressed everyone,
"Right, interrogations will now continue, get into a single file line and wait for your turn to come. We'll start with close friends and family."

"Does that mean us?" Mia asks
"No shit Sherlock, your well oblivious" I laughed at her.
"Oh shut it!"
"Hahaha."

We made our way to the front of the queue, while Lola was at the back. We had to leave her considering she didn't know Vinnie. I feel bad but there's nothing I can do about it.

I had that strange feeling again. Nothing felt right. I can tell something bad is about to happen.

But nothing did happen, I zoned out and eventually got with it again after I heard Mia calling me.
"It's time for my go" she says
"Ok good luck!" I shout back as she's walking up the stairs to the loft.

Ten minutes had passed, no sign of Mia still. I looked around the room and saw something I never expected too see ever... Vinnie.
He was standing in the kitchen by himself, no one noticed him. He was having a drink before choking violently and dropping down to the floor, frothing from his mouth.

His eyes rolled back and he started shaking all over the place...

I sat up quickly. I looked around. It was dark. Everyone was still sleeping. Phew, it was just a dream. It felt so real. Like I was watching Vinnie die. I shook the feeling off and had a drink of water, much better. I looked at the time, 6:43 am. The sun was starting to rise ever so slightly. Two different officers were patrolling the room now.

I could see one person get up and go to the loo with the officers permission. They were very nervous to ask a simple question like that, they were also probably around twelve. Someone's younger brother probably.

Mia was still sleeping, so was Lola. Everyone was from as far I could tell and see. I don't get why I just can't sleep. It could be because I'm worried and scared, it could be because of the traumatic events that occurred last night. I really don't know. I gave up trying to go back to sleep, I just lay there peacefully. No one disturbing me and no one coming between me and my thoughts. The perfect silence.

I drifted off swiftly, feeling a lot calmer and safer. I knew everything was going to be ok for me, for Mia and for Lola.

I was dreaming quite peacefully, but it felt too real. I think I'm lucid dreaming. I thought about walking outside and seeing a fresh Lamborghini, I walked outside and there it was. I then thought about a clock, nothing happened and the time wasn't appearing to be anyway. Now I definitely know I'm dreaming as there's no time when stuck in your mind.

This is great, I don't have to worry about the police or Vinnie, I can do whatever I want with no consequence or emotion. I wonder if I can control when I wake up, I tried it, it worked.

I sat up rapidly, it was pitch black. I was moving, quickly. I didn't know where I was and if there was anyone with me.
"This must be all part of the dream" I muttered, but everything felt so real. I spoke, "Is there anyone here?" I asked. No answer. I tried to get up, but my head hit the ceiling I think. I couldn't even stand up. My body jeered to the left. My head hit the wall.
"Ow."
I started feeling everything around me, I was in a small enclosed space. I could hear an engine.
"Ohh no... ohhhhhh no!"
I knew where I was. In the back of a van.

Through the gap in the doors I could see light, ok good, it's day. I found my way to the front wall of the van and started banging, hoping the drivers knew I was awake and knowing I've been kidnapped.

Kidnapped.

It dawned on me, I might not see any of my family or what's left of my friends again. What are they gonna do to me... torture me, lock me up. I don't even know who they are!
"Help!"
No answer.
"Help!!!"
Nothing.
I tried one last time,
"Help!!!!"
I gave up. I was scared. I was alone. I was kidnapped.

The van jeered to the right, I followed a second after. That hurt again. The van came to a halt, the engine stopped. And I prepared myself for who I was about to see.