The Shrinker

CHAPTER NINETEEN (PART-3)

Even her friends stared in horror. A scared Isabella uttered, "W-What?"

"I thought you'd get soft on me if I suggested this, so I dumped the water and replaced it with kerosene," Gabriella explained, as though this was something everybody did all the time, "Aren't you two curious? Why didn't the tea leave any burns, Jamie? And why don't you seem hurt after the beating Emmy just gave you? Something very odd's been happening with you lately and I want to expose it. Let's see what happens if you're set on fire."

Jamie vaguely recalled the horrific agony of when the fire consumed her in the corner shop and couldn't prevent herself backing away in fear. Gabriella smiled triumphantly at this show of weakness.

Isabella quickly stepped between them, "W-Wait Gabs, put that lighter down, please. I wanted revenge for that punch sure, but this is way too much. It's GBH at best, attempted murder at worst. L-Look, let's just head back to mine, ok? We'll have a party, compare fashion, guys, makeup- -"

But there was a disturbing madness in Gabriella's eyes which told them she was beyond reason or swaying, "Just be a dear and step aside, Izzy."

Emilia stepped in front of her too, "Listen Gabs, we love you and always will, and we know how much you hate her, but we can't let you do this."

"Oh, you've NO idea how much I hate her. Not yet," Gabriella whispered softly, flicking the torch open. A small flame emerged, like those in her eyes, "Either she'll just shrug this off too, or...well, if she dies, she dies..."

With a blast of horror, Jamie realised she meant to throw the lighter at her if necessary. She quickly spoke, "You're forgetting something, Gabby."

Gabriella raised an eyebrow, bright and cheerful, "Oh? What would that be?"

"I've got friends too," Jamie said proudly, looking over their shoulders.

Come on, Izzy dearest, did you see anyone come in here on the way?

At the sudden clear sound of Denny's voice, Gabriella's eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she span around. Emilia and Isabella slowly turned too; the former with rising shock, the latter with impending fear.

Meredith and Shelley stood side-by-side a dozen feet away, both holding their phones aloft. Shelley's mobile was playing the same recording of Isabella and Denny that Jamie had sent to her as a backup, whilst Meredith's phone was recording the whole beating Jamie had suffered. They'd hid among the bushes the entire time, exactly as planned, I beat Frankie at his own game. Now looks like I've beaten Gabby two-face at hers.

Gabriella hastily put her lighter away and looked at Jamie, thunder-struck as realisation hit her, "You LURED us out here all along, using yourself as bait? You were keeping all our attention focused on YOU."

"Bingo. About time you finally snagged on the fishing hook," Jamie grinned triumphantly. Meredith smiled grimly. Shelley looked nervous but defiant.

Gabriella tried to reach Meredith and Shelley to snatch the phones, but Emilia held her arms out to stop anybody passing her. She continued to listen to the recording with growing rage. Isabella grew increasingly pale, slowly creeping behind her friends and into the nearby bushes to flee.

When the recording ended, Shelley put her mobile away, glaring furiously at her friends' bullies without looking away. Meredith put her phone away too, satisfied enough evidence was recorded. Gabriella looked stunned, uncertain about what to do next. Emilia looked around for an absent Isabella, her face full of terrifying wrath.