Time To Die

Chapter 3 - Too much talk

Marie Spellman was the best friend and double act to Jet, complete opposites but ultimately best friends. Marie was tall and beautiful, but had a quirky flare to shock all. No verbal filter. This blunt honesty and humour was what Jet loved about her. No bullshit approach to everything. Sat across the kitchen table, brews made, smokes rolled Jet began to tell Marie the events of what had actually been happening over the last two years, although they spoke every day, and saw each other twice a week, Jet had chosen to keep quiet about the three counts of murder, until now.

"Holly shit! I can't believe you got away with it. That's mental Jet... Just mental. So let me get this straight. You killed a lass no one misses, she was dying and wanted to die anyway, so you put her out of her misery, and you killed two inconsiderate assholes that deserved it... Hmmm I don't see a problem with this somehow."

"You have to promise not to tell a soul. I mean it Marie you can't tell anyone about this."

"As if I'm going to tell anyone this is madness, but I tell you what, if you want proof I will keep quiet, I will go in on it with you."

"Eh, how is that possible? They are already dead."

"Nah mate I'm talking you help me bump someone off too... Sure you won't have a problem with it when I tell you who and why." She cackles at the thought. "You remember Shell Web? Here's a quick rundown for ya if you don't. She had her dog put to sleep because she couldn't get anyone to look after it. She's been pregnant three times, and had all children taken off her. She's a drug addict and an alcoholic, and to top it all off she's pregnant again... Sorry for the rant but she's right royally pissed me off... What do you say? One more scumbag off the streets. You remember her now, right?"

Without thought or hesitation the answer shocked Jet herself.

"That would take some serious planning, and at least a fresh brew." They laughed as though this were some episode of CSI they were discussing. Marie clicks on the kettle.

"So let's do this, me and you we can make this work I'm sure."

"She's an alcoholic for a start that makes life a little easier; she's always off her face too, so no one will bat an eyelid if she has a fatal accident." They laugh, Jet unsure as to whether or not Marie is serious, something in her gut instinct tells her it's true.

"Let's get on to another subject. Have I told you what my mother has done... again!"

The two go on into long conversation, a three hour bitch fest about everyone and everything that's pissed them off that week.

"It's getting late. I best set off and walk home." Jet suggested.

"Yeah that's not a bad idea, I want to have a hot bath and sort my stuff out for work tomorrow. I shall message you in the morning for a brew and a smoke before I go."

"Ok then darling I shall talk to you soon." As Jet started down the street, she suddenly realised in the cold air that it had already gone dark. Reaching into her pockets and finding a pair of gloves she shivered putting them on. Three streets down music could be heard blaring from a house party, yelling amongst singing and lights, there was definitely an argument of some sort on the street. As I got closer to the corner I could see the small block of council flats, lit up like Blackpool illuminations with disco lights and loud rap music. A voice comes from out of the dark.

"Oi Jet you coming up?" The voice was no other than Shell Web, as if that wasn't freaky enough she was inviting me to the party. It was then I saw the opportunity. Shell standing there, in her forties hanging round with all the scumbag kids of the town, full on tracksuit socks tucked into the trainers, hair scraped back from her dishevelled face. The years have not been kind to Shell, but drink and drugs probably had a lot to do with that. She stood at the top of twelve hard concrete steps, with concrete walls either side courtesy of the council's best efforts, to stop vandalism of what once stood metal railings.

Thinking of this, I realised I had been walking forward and was now at the bottom step.

"Long time no see." Shell slurred. All I could think about was those poor kids, and her beautiful dog. The things that Marie had reminded me she had done. I reached the top step. Shell looking heavily pregnant and ready to drop, yet highly intoxicated on whatever concoction the night holds. Previously all her children had been born with problems, and taken directly into social care.

"Want a pill?" were the next words out of Shell's mouth, and I saw red. A quick glance around told me there was no one else around outside, and she was so close to the edge of the step, swaying left and right. "Well? You going to party or what?" The question went unanswered as I pushed firm and hard in the base of her back, the bag of pills flying everywhere. Shell hit every step on the way down, smashing her head against the sides and colliding in a heap at the bottom, head bouncing one last time off the curb.

"Shell?" I said quietly with no reply. Heading down the steps to what was now forming a large pool of surrounding blood, I quickly checked the pulse, and she was dead. Looking around again hearing the noise of the party raging inside, I knew someone would come out soon. "Think Jet... Think." With no apparent onlookers, I quietly walked away and headed home.

The next morning I awoke to my usual video call with Marie, she seemed very excitable.

"Jet, have you seen socials yet this morning?"

"No, I have literally just woken up." She said laughing. "I'm going to make a brew."

"Before you do anything, get yourself online... Dude Shells DEAD!" not able to contain herself she squeaked.

"Really? What happened?" I asked, knowing full well the answer.

"She took a load of pills and fell down the flat stairs silly cow, we don't have to do anything now."

"We don't have to do anything. You're right there... But I already did." Jet said, winking at the camera.

"No waaaay, you didn't?"

"I did. One hard push, and walked away." So simple and no one will know any different bar us. So again I repeat. DO NOT TELL ANYONE!"

"I won't, pinkie promise." They continued to discuss the details over a morning brew and a smoke, Jet constantly thinking how unbelievably easy this has all been, and how she still has no feelings of guilt or remorse. Jet turns to Marie on camera.

"I think I'm going to jump off for a bit and clean the house now Hun."

"Yeah me too, and just think while you have your tunes on cleaning, you can be thinking about who's next." She cackled in a rather evil way. Maybe she was right. I had kind of got the taste for murder.