The aftermath of that horrifying night lingered like a heavy cloud over our small town of Zepotha. The once vibrant memories of Lydia's party had transformed into a chilling reminder of the darkness that could unexpectedly descend upon us. Police tape surrounded Lydia's house, casting an eerie shadow over the lawn that had once been alive with laughter and music.
Detective Mitchell, a stern and methodical officer, stood by the entrance, his eyes scanning the somber crowd that had gathered. The town was small, and everyone knew everyone, so we had expected him to show up.
He approached me, his expression grave. "Alaine, I need to ask you a few questions about what happened. Can we talk?" Numbly, I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as he led me away from the group. The questions were a blur, his voice a distant hum as my mind struggled to process the events of that fateful night. I recounted the screams, the frantic efforts to save the girl, and the terrifying realization that we had witnessed a tragedy unfold before our eyes.
As Detective Mitchell continued his questioning, I noticed Maxine and Danny being interviewed by other officers. Their faces were pale, their eyes haunted by the trauma we had all experienced. It was surreal, like we were caught in a nightmare from which there was no escape. Francine stood off to the side, her arms crossed and her expression a mix of anger and frustration. She had always been one to hold her emotions close to her chest, but her clenched fists betrayed her inner turmoil. Lydia was nowhere to be seen, her absence a painful reminder of the darkness that had overshadowed her party.
The night stretched on, the air heavy with tension and uncertainty.
"Did you notice anyone disappear shortly before the event? Was anyone missing from the count?" I snapped back into attention. I tried hard to think.
"N-no I don't remember anything like that. Most of us were gathered around the bonfire playing truth or dare and there was a girl who wanted to tell me something, Jordie, but my friend Lydia wanted me back by the bonfire and then everything went back to talking and stuff. I really don't know what else happened!"
"Jordie? As in Jordan Richards?" I nodded. The officer looked confused and then talked into his radio. "Did we have records of Jordan Richards at the party? Any sightings? No?" He sighed. "Was that the last time you had seen Jordan?"
I shook my head. "I did see her when we first heard the screams. After that she was gone." Then a realisation hit me. "Wait you aren't saying that she could be... Right?"
"We aren't ruling out any suspects. We haven't found any murder weapons linked to the crime. That large gash didn't just magically appear, but we can't find anything. This place is a crime scene now. Once these interrogations are over, find your friend Lydia and go home. She and her parents will have to stay elsewhere for the time being."
Jordie, a suspect. My mind raced back to the words she said. What had she wanted to tell me? Why was Lydia so annoyed with her.
Eventually, the questioning ended, and we regrouped. Lydia was staring at the pool intensely.
"Do you want to stay over at mine Dia? Your parents are back on Tuesday, right?"
"Nah, they'll be here tomorrow," she smiled weakly. "Cops called them."
"You can still stay over," I said firmly. Francine seemed irritated that I asked Lydia before she did, but she said nothing. We got our things and checked with the cops if it was okay to take them and we could.
"Let's talk once we're home, get there safely!" said Maxine. She and Danny lived in the same neighborhood, so they walked together. Francine had called her driver and left without saying a goodbye.
By the time we had gotten to my place, the news had spread like wildfire, and whispers of what had transpired reached every corner of the town. Rumors swirled, painting a picture of a twisted game gone wrong, of secrets and lies that had led to the tragedy. My parents looked possessed and shook me as soon as I got to the porch.
"What were you THINKING?!" my mom cried. "A young girl KILLED in a matter of a few hours, at HER party!" She pointed at Lydia.
"Don't blame Lydia! She's just as wigged out as the rest of us, and we don't need you to add onto it mom!" I pushed past her and pulled Lydia up to my room. I placed her onto the bed and rummaged through my closet for some spare clothes for her to wear.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't be, it's extremely out of character for you and to be quite frank, kinda creepy too," I said without looking at her. She let out a short chuckle.
"Haven't been here in ages. You sure don't change things much do you?" I looked around my messy room. Posters on the wall that I hadn't taken down since I was 10, silly projects from middle school on the shelves, books littering the floor and a black and purple dream catcher by my bed.
"It's called organised chaos thank you very much, it helps me think," I sniffed. I threw a large baggy white shirt at her.
Fit or not it'll be fine for pjs. Lydia wasn't very tall so it wouldn't be an issue. The shirt was a dress on her that reached her thighs.
"Classy, thanks."
She plopped herself onto the bed and lay down. I reached for the landline and dialled Maxine's number. It rang three times before she picked up.
"Home safe?" she asked.
"Yeah, mom blew up at us though. Danny at yours?"
"Just for now, he's waiting for his parents to give up the worry and go to bed." I shuddered at the thought of Danny's military parents feeling anything but stoicism.
"Yikes. I think me and Lydia will head to bed then. Probably in for a shit show tomorrow with more calls. Heard from Francie?"
"Yeah, she got home really quick and demanded me to hang up so she could get her 'beauty sleep'," scoffed Maxine
"Leave it to Francine not to be shaken in the face of a literal murder...Goodnight though Maxxie. See you at Saber's tomorrow?"
"You can bet on it! Night."
I put the phone back down and decided to change too. Lydia was looking from the bed as I began to change. Her face went from nonchalant to panic.
"Hey! Not even a warning!" She said turning around frantically.
"What's the deal, it's just us. Not like Danny's here or anything." I finished off changing as Lydia swore quietly. "Move over I want in." I gently shoved her to the side of the bed.
Laying down I felt exhausted. My chest felt sore. Lydia looked over at me and then decided to turn the opposite way and sleep.
"Goodnight then I guess," I muttered. Sleep was only possible by my tiredness and exhaustion, otherwise the events of the night and the questions would have kept me up. But even as I slept, I felt the same feeling I did before when talking to Danny. The stabbing stares. The feeling like knives were pointed at my throat. My subconscious decided to ignore it and let me get the rest I needed.
