Under The Lake

Closure

After the police arrested Julia for attempted murder of me, and the murder of Nicole, she would never see daylight again. The cops said they'd search her house for any signs of Nicole, but I doubt they'd find anything. The other bodies recovered from the lake were connected to Julia, former people who got in her way. She was a serial killer. When I told Jason about it he was shocked, so was Steven.

"You went through all that and she knew the whole time...it was her fault the whole time. Wow Ben I'm really sorry. I never imagined her to be like that" Steven said over a cup of coffee.

"I just can't believe she was killed. To be honest Steve, I feel better about her death now. I know it wasn't because of me, and she's probably at peace now. I miss her like crazy but, there's nothing I can do. I just wish I had noticed Julia stalking me for fifteen years. How could I not notice?" I felt myself loosing my strength.

"Look man, we don't see things like that when we're in love. You were focused on your woman! It's good that you didn't notice another girl. She's locked up now, it's all good. I'll see you later I gotta head back to the office" Steven left moments later and I sat alone in the coffee shop. I felt content with how things ended, but still heartbroken. I could've stopped the death of my wife if I just payed attention. Now I have to continue living for myself, I can't worry about Nicole anymore, I'll only look desperate and feel miserable.

I wonder if she's watching this story unfold, maybe she'll send me signs she's still with me now that I know the truth. I felt my phone ringing in my pocket, it was Jason.

"Yo, how you feelin?" He asked, I looked down at my wedding ring hugging my finger.

"I'm feeling good. I think we need a night out" I replied, I hung up and walked to the lake for the last time. I looked down at my hand again, this time sliding the ring off my finger, I kissed it gently feeling tears well in my eyes. I got to the edge of the water and dropped it in, freeing myself from the burden of this. Later I went home to get ready for my first night out as a single man in twelve years. This was the start of a new chapter, a new life, a new me.