The Perfect Witness

Monday Madness

Days rolled on as all I could do was lay in my bed, curled up in the fetal position.

I hadn't eaten in days. Whenever I tried to, my stomach hurled back up.

I hadn't seen Vincent since the day we found Zoe dead, and honestly, I hadn't seen or talked to anyone since then.

A few days ago, my mom even gave up trying to get me out of bed or get me to talk.

I just wanted to die, I just wanted to curl up and die.

Sadly though, it's Monday.

The school gave students a week off to mourn the loss of yet another three students.

Another one of my friends.

Remember Annalise and Lucas?

Yeah, they were found two days ago dead. Well, only Lucas was found.

Their car from what I was told was ran off the road where they plummeted to their death off the side of a mountain.

The police and search and rescue team couldn't find Annalise's body, so they assumed she was dragged off by animals because no one could have survived that fall.

Everyone of my still living friends got to take this week off, but I couldn't.

I couldn't skip any more school unless I wanted to flunk out of my junior year of high school.

Which means, I was going to have to face all of my classmates alone.

* * *

The warmth of my fuzzy blanket cascaded feelings of safety all throughout my body as the soft fuzz caressed every inch of my achy limbs.

I just didn't want to get up.

I felt so safe here.

I felt safe in my little nest of warmth.

I didn't have to worry about psycho killers or psycho brothers.

I didn't want to worry about the three stitches that pulsate pain on my face.

I was comfortable and warm and safe.

My brain was clear and fully functional when I was in my cocoon.

From down the hall, I heard thunderous footsteps that in no way can be my mom's.

The loud stomping was headed straight for my door, and all I wanted to do was shrink further into my warm nest.

When my door finally opened, I was surprised to see it was Masen and Vincent.

Some part of me thought the worst and was expecting Noah or Colton.

"Good morning, Ivy," Vincent cooed, slowly approaching my bed.

"What-what were you doing here?"

"Your mom talked to us. She said you haven't been out of bed in over a week. So I thought Masen and I could see what we could do to help." Vincent's lips held this fake smile that I knew he was using to cover his sadness.

"I bought strawberry doughnuts and a black coffee!" Masen declared, using the little energy he had to try and enthusiastically show off the goodies.

I didn't want to move; I didn't want to see people.

My whole face was numb, and I had no energy to fake a smile like the two of them.

My whole body hurt from the hours of strenuous crying and not sleeping.