Lamb to the slaughter

the mother.

My eyes sting as the sun pores down on me. "Geez I should go outside more." I mumble to myself.

"You should, you look like a vampire." A familiar voice says in the distance, they continue by stating, "You act like one too, are you sure you aren't allergic to the sun?"

"You're so funny."
I say sarcastically back to them. My eyes adjust to the light as a tall figure falls into view.

"For real though, I thought you died because you wouldn't answer my texts." They say in the most dramatic tone ever.

"Shut up you big baby." I mustered up.
Walking slowly to him I shove my hands in the pockets of my hoodie and say, "So why were you standing outside my house?" I ask. "Little creepy if you ask me." I mumble

"I was.. looking for something." It sounded more like a question.

"Something?" I question to him. "Like what?" I stare at him realizing he was not going to answer.

I start walking past him to get on the sidewalk.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"I don't know." I answer honestly "Out."

"Hope you don't mind if I tag along!" He says cheerfully.

I do but I know you're just going to keep following me anyway.

~~~

After some time of walking I realized where we were. I knock on the door and wait.

And wait.

I knock again.

And wait.

I knock again..

And wait some more..

I look at the text that my friend had sent me:

Val: dude where are you?

Me:  I'm coming geez.

Me: I've also brought a bug with me.

Val: Idk what your problem with jaz is, you should stop being such a loser.

Me: idk how you don't have a problem with him.

Me: btw im here.

Me: open.

Me: dude, it's not that hard, just open the door.

Me: Val?

Me: I'm using the key under the doormat.

I put my phone into my pocket and look under the door mat.

No key.

I look under the plant.

No key.

I try opening the door.

It's unlocked.

I look at Jaz with a concerning look. And his face says, 'what the fuck'. I open the door and I smell something rotten.

Not fruit.

It smells like rotting fish.. garlic maybe?

I move deeper inside the house. The house creaks. Jaz closes the door behind me. I look at him like, 'If you don't open that door right now you will get hurt'. He opens the door again. I start thinking the worst as we walk in further. And when we get to the living room I stop in my tracks.

I see Valeriana's mom, Bailey, sprawled out on the floor covered in a thick layer of red, he mouth foaming with white bubbles. I gag at the site and start backing out. My back bumps into Jaz, as he looks horrified at the body.

He grabs onto my arm and starts booking it to the door. When we get out of there he fumbles on his words saying something about calling the cops and something about Val. I ignore him completely still trying to figure out what just happened.

How was Val okay one moment but then not the next?

I take out my phone and dial the first number that comes to my mind.

~~~

Cops arrive and so does our parents. My mother just sits in her car while Jaz talks to his parents out on Val's front yard. I sat on the sidewalk not able to move. Just me and my thoughts.

Is Val okay?

Was she in the house? We only saw she mother.

Then I realize Jaz was sitting next to me. He put a hand on my back, rubbing it in circles.

I wasn't to sure what just happened still, after almost 2 hours of thinking about it.

I turn to Jaz. His eyes were puffy and red, with dried salty tears on his face. I rest my head on his chest, thinking over and over again, as my tear pore out.

My best friend is dead.