The Water's Edge

Chapter 1: Nightmare

Flowing down to the bottom of this forsaken river, it pulls me down like a weight on my shoulder. I felt my body being lifted from the water; I felt cold to the touch. It was like I wasn't alive anymore; why and how I ended up here is a story all on it's own. 

The day was like any other day, the sun was bright, my blue eyes taking in the scenes around me. Those feelings I had,I never knew 'He' would ever hurt me or even try to kill me. I trusted him and yet he was that friend, that one person to whom I told everything. 

"Preda, I would never hurt you I promise." He said as his brown eyes stared into mine, it made shiver go down my spine. It's like I knew, what was coming, but I just simply let it go. 

"Thank you, Jeremy." I felt safe as he pulled me into a hug; the hug itself was a tight embrace. I pulled away and I waved goodbye as the weekend was here. I was going to the river with some of my friends, though none of them like Jeremy. 

They thought he was weird, he always saw things nobody else could see and he talked to himself. Though I never minded the way he acted around me, I just didn't care. I drove home that day, having the windows down, the warm sun and the wind on my face. Both of the sun and the wind in my hair reminded me of my last few moments alive; the last time I looked into his eyes. The only thing that made me witness the real side of Jeremy Andrews. 

I arrived to my house I set my backpack behind the door on the coat hanger.  I walked into the kitchen. Seeing my mom doing dishes from this mornings breakfast, walking up to her with a smile. 

"Preda, are you leaving tonight to go spend the weekend with Aras and her family? If you are going in a while, I made you lunch to take with you. Preda I love you.." 

I nodded my head at my mother.

"Thanks mother, I love you too. Where is dad? I'm going to find him, then I will pack my things." 

"Preda, he is in the study." 

I hugged my mother once more as if I knew, all too well. It was like I almost felt a tear roll down my eyes. 

I found my father leaning over a book at his desk, he seemed to be too focused to even notice I was standing in the doorway. My eyes scanned the old cherry wood bookcase and the oak wood desk. The books that laid on the selves, the lamp shining on the green wall made it illuminate. 

I knocked on the door with my knuckle he looked up at me and smiled. 

"Hello Preda.. How are you?" He said as his green eyes looked into mine, I stood there feeling a deep pain in my heart. 

"I'm fine, dad." 

I lied through my lips I never lied, but I did anyway. 

"Oh, your mother told me that you're going to Aras' house this weekend. I want you to be safe, I love you Preda." 

He grabbed me into a hug, I felt the tears roll down my eyes. I hugged him back as if it would be the last time, only I knew that it would be. 

I wipped my eyes quickly, and I smiled at my dad. 

"I love you too, dad.." 

I left the study and made my way towards my room when I went up there, I found a black rose sitting on my bed with a note. I walked over to my bed, my hands and body shaking. I picked up the rose, along with the note that was written in red. 

'Give a gift, give up your life...' 

My heart was racing, my body felt cold I sat down clinging to the last image in my mind of my family. I repeated the words aloud but only in a whisper.