Secrets Can Kill

Chapter 1: Suspicion

Pain. That's a word that was in the constant forefront of my mind, whether emotional or physical. My methods to escape seemed futile these days. Dealing with Paige and I breaking up, her breaking my trust, Alison returning from the dead, Maya's death, A's tormenting, secrets escaping my lips faster than water travels in a river, losing the ability to swim for enjoyment. Everything became too much and I turned to things I probably shouldn't have. The thought of it makes me weak at the knees for my dependency as well as sick to my stomach for becoming another statistic. It's a secret I've managed to hide from A for a little while, but who knows how long that'll last. Sometimes I would wonder when I lost my ability to care what others thought, and I guess it was around the time when I lost my ability to swim how I used to. It was my passion, still is and the thought that A took it away from me makes me angry beyond belief. I sometimes dreamt of my hands around A's neck and squeezing the life from their eyes. I guess my sadistic nature came out only in my dreams after a night of weeping because I wasn't able to release my emotions in the pool I like I once could. My thoughts always turn dark after I walk past the swimming pool gazing longingly, or when I have pains in my shoulder, or when I see the swim team walking around smiling, or in general at night when I can't rest, like now. The physical pain in my shoulder is beyond unbearable especially with the new storm rolling into town. My thoughts are interrupted by a text. It's 12 am, who'd be texting me this late. And my heart jumps when I see whom it belongs to. Alison.

Alison: Are you awake?

Me: Yeah, why are you?

Alison: Can't sleep. My dad's away on business and Jason is out.

Me: Oh?

Alison: Can I come over?

I already knew my answer once she told me she was home alone.

Me: Yeah, want me to pick you up?

Alison: I could walk

I scoff at the idea of Alison walking alone in the dark especially by the most recent attack from A.

Me: Not going to happen, I'll be there in fifteen.

I text and jump out of bed and throw on sweats. I thank God that my mother is visiting my father in Texas because I don't know how I'd explain me driving so late especially with all these thoughts running in my head. As I head out towards my car, a biting breeze hits me in the face and I feel the familiar ache in my shoulder. I squeeze and massage it as I turn on my car hoping that the pressure will be relieved, but the pain is not going away. The drive is relatively simple since I know it like the back of my hand. I get out the car and notice a light in Alison's room. I open the door with my spare key and make my way up the stairs to enter her room.

"Hey you ready to go," I say and I see her jump in shock that I'm here. I guess I should've texted.

"Yeah, thanks Em," she says sincerely while gathering an overnight bag.
"Anytime," I say without a filter and I want to slap myself in the face expecting her to chuckle but instead she throws me the most beautiful smile that I've seen since she's been back in town. We head outside and the breeze hits me again and so does a shooting pain in my shoulder. I clutch it hoping Alison doesn't notice, and thankfully she doesn't while she's locking the door. I get into the drivers seat and wait for her to enter the car. The pain has yet to subside, so I begin to count back from ten and massage it. I'm too wrapped up in what I'm doing that I didn't notice she'd already entered the car looking at me nervously.

"What's wrong Em?" she asks with concern etched in voice and face.

"Nothing, I'm fine," I say with a grimace. I sigh once the pain stops and I begin to start the car, but a hand stops me.