Clouds of Violet

Chapter Six

Monday, September 8th, 17:05

"Police have found more of Camila Young's belongings, stay tuned to find out what they are. This is the Summer Cove Five O'Clock news and we'll be back right after this message."

The lady with the too-red lipstick disappears and some cereal commercial starts playing. I put my hand on my chest and feel my heart beating at the speed of light. Beads of sweat have formed on my forehead and I wipe them away. My chest feels heavy like a million dumbbells are weighing my heart down. My hands are shaking and I try to still them, but it's no use.

At this point, it's useless denying that she might be alive. I mean--that was obviously blood. We might know whose, but the chances of it being hers are astronomical.

I grab my bag and run up to my room, slamming my door shut and pulling my phone out. My trembling fingers dial the only number I can think of. He picks up on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Max, hi," I say shakily. "D-did you see the news?"

"No, I just got home," he says. I hear him throw the keys to his counter and walk to his room. I hear a door close and he sighs. "Why, what was on the news?"

"It's Camila...her sweater was found," I say. "The one she was wearing on Thursday. The...the last day she was seen. And there was a note with it." I swallow before I speak. "Max, it was written in blood."

"Holy shit," he says. "Whose blood?"

"Whose blood do you think?" I snap.

"Sorry," he mumbles.

I sigh and take my face in my spare hand. "No, I'm sorry. I'm just scared."

"What did the note say?"

"'You're next,'" I tell him. "Max, this is really freaking me out. It's so sudden...and God knows who that note was meant for."

"Listen, do you want me to come over?" he asks. "I mean if you need someone to talk to."

"My mom would actually kill me," I say. "But..." I hear slippers sliding against the floor down the corridor; they squeak like Mom's bunny slippers. "Max, I have to go. Don't come over."

"Sky-"

I don't hear what he says after that because I hang up and toss my phone to the side. I never considered the fact that he might call me, but I really couldn't care less right now. My door creaks open and Mom comes into view.

"Did you know that Camila girl?" she asks. Ha, that's all I get. No How are you feeling, honey  or Are you okay? You seemed kinda upset since you literally bolted to your fucking room at the speed of light while shaking like a psychopath.

Not even a hug.

I nod because I feel like my throat's going to burst to dust if I speak. These are the first words Mom's said to me in a week, and they sound like accusations even though they aren't.

"Okay," she says. She spins on her heel and heads for the door. I want to say something, but my throat's a ticking time bomb and I just sit there with my hands in my lap. As soon as I hear her footsteps retreating, I lay on my back and stare at my ceiling light. The heaviness in my chest is getting harder and harder to carry and knots start forming in my stomach. My phone lights up beside me and I begrudgingly open up my messages.

It's the grade group chat.

Aaron: BRO DID ANY OF U SEE THE NEWS
ITS CRAZY I SWEAR
Zara💙: I cant believe someone would actually do that
And the note...
Max: i just found out abt it
who do u think coulda done it
i mean it has to be someone at school cus nobody else rly knew her
@Sky what do u think
You: yeah i mean, it doesnt rly make sense if some rando on the street did it
Alora: Guysss we don't even know if she's dead yet
She could still be alive
Aaron: @Alora yes and the world is a little snow globe called la la land
shes alive my ass
be realistic
Alora: You're not funny
Zara💙: Yall lets focus on what actually matters
Who do u think it could be?
Aaron: maybe its the suicide squad
Ezra: who?
Aaron: u know those kids that sit at the end of the cafeteria
by the trash bin
u know those weird emos
Zara💙: They wouldnt kill someone
Aaron: ur right theyd rather kill themselves

Just reading this conversation is making me sick. I switch my phone off and close my eyes. I can't bare to read what they'll say next.