Crystal Clear

Chapter Twenty Six

GABBY

Oh no. What happened? Does Moe know? Can he hear us? Is Matty okay? I'm worried.

Oh no, oh no, oh no. I call Dee since I didn't want to reveal myself just yet, in case Moe doesn't know.

"Hello?" someone picked up the phone, I can hear the rustling. I hold up a finger to Tony, to show him to be quiet and wait for my attention.

"Gabby! OMG... Matty—he—he said that he wanted to go outside with you, because he thought you went to the pond, I think, he wanted to ask you if he could go, I told him it was raining though—I don't know where that is—," I drop my phone, then toss my shoes off. I begin sprinting barefoot into the forest. Oh my goodness, Matty.

"Matty!" I'm screaming as I run, there's too many trees, I'm sliding in this mud,

"MATTY!" I continue to scream, frantically searching for my brother. I can feel the makeup that's all coming off because of how heavily the rain is falling.

I'm deeper into the forest now, I'm screaming at the top of my lungs for Matty, the rain is falling hard and washing out my voice. Tears are running down my face. I reach the creek, finally, and the water from the pond is flooding. I began to search for Matty. When I follow the creek to the pond, there's waves from the water fall that's crashing. Matty's shoes, his socks, his shirt were where we usually kept them. How long had he been out here? From when Dee answered the door? My mind is racing. And then I spot him, his body, crashing down under the water fall and going in and out from the water. I sigh, close my eyes, say a small prayer to God for the both of us.

And I take a deep breath, dive into the pond water and open my eyes under the water. I can't see anything but white foam surrounding me, a little boys feet kicking from under the water. I found him! He's here! I go above the water to take a deep breath, feeling the water from the water fall crash around me.

"Mat—," I try screaming before one of the waves crash into my mouth. I'm spitting up water. I keep pushing myself forward, trying to grab Matty.

When I crash spiraling underneath the water, I open my eyes and I'm closer to Matty. I grab his hand and drag him along with me in the waves. I can feel a pulse, his eyes are closed.

I glance at Matty, his eyes still closed, maybe he's unconscious. Finally after what feels like hours of dragging myself and Matty out from the water, I finally reach the land. I don't know how strong I am physically but it seems pretty strong. I'm freaking out.

I drag Matty's body out. How am I supposed to get him home? I wonder to myself. I mean, I can barely breathe and I feel like I'm hyperventilating. Tears are running from my eyes. My brother needs a doctor, I think. That's the reason why I have to pick my brother up, carry him on my back about a half-mile to my house where we can call the police. I'm breathing heavy.

I'm trying to run, but I can't anymore, my legs feel like they're giving out. I'm so tired, the rain has made it so much harder. Finally I'm home, I can see my house. The police were already here, so was an ambulance, even my dad had just pulled up, that's how worried they must have been. My dress is torn, ruined completely. I don't know where my shoes are. There's dirt and mud all over me, my make-up is washed, the wig has basically fallen off. Everyone's calling me a 'hero'. And I refuse to go to the hospital, that I need any sort of medical help, because I don't. My dad goes with Matty to the hospital, the police ask me a series of questions. Now it's just me, Dee, Tony and Moe.