My Keeper

1 The dream

P.O.V Allyson.

"Allyson, William called, he said to tell you that he won't be able to make it tonight." Yelled my mother, from inside the kitchen.

"Okay!" I yelled back, popcorn bits spraying out of my mouth as I spoke. My little brother Lyle, who sat so close to the TV His eyes burned red. Turning up his show even Higher, I guess my yelling disturbed him. Hmmptt, William never cancels on me; tonight was supposed to be our study night. I reached into my pocket to grab my phone to find out what was more important than our studying. When I unlocked my phone there were three missed calls from him. No wonder he called the house phone. Oops. I sent him a quick text, "Loser, you better have a good reason for ditching me. "He replied almost instantly saying, "No, Not really." I laughed and slid my phone back into my pocket.

William is my best friend. I've known him ever since I was three so pretty much my whole life. Will and his mom moved in next door thirteen years ago. Our mothers used to set up a lot of play dates, so that way they could hang out and watch us at the same time. Both of our dads were never around. My father died not too long before Lyle was born. I remember very little about him, I know that he used to paint and I would just sit there for hours and watch him turn a blank canvas into a picture full of life. It was absolutely beautiful the way he could turn a simple line into a flower soaking up the summer sun. He was a simple man; my mother said he died a peaceful death. He had Lung cancer. I don't remember very much at all but if he were ever in pain he never showed it. My mother still cries sometimes at night. She is the strongest woman I know, raising two kids on her own must have been hard. As for William's father he never talked about him, I asked once and regretted it instantly. He cried and wouldn't talk to me for days, we were only six. He forgave me over a chocolate chip cookie.

Whelp I guess I'm studying alone tonight, Oh joy. On my way to my room I had to stop by the kitchen to grab my books, so I grabbed a can of coke too. The walk to my room was pretty short; it was just up the stairs and all the way to the left. My computer desk was to the right of the door. Noisily I dropped my books down and plopped down in my chair. Leaning back, I typed in my password for my laptop. Not too soon after opening my math book my thoughts began to drift. I really need William here. He's Good at keeping my thoughts on track.

<<.>>

My Imagination was on high demand tonight. Here I am walking through little creek park, it's empty. My furry slippers getting muddy and wet, in the distance you can hear crickets rubbing their legs to make that chirping sound. From under my feet there's the sound of snapping twigs and swishing mud. My direction was toward the trees, Away from the playground and basketball courts. I have no idea where I'm going but my feet are set on walking this way. I let them lead me because well they have never steered me wrong before. Idly I walked through the trees kicking rocks and twigs as the ground got dryer. Slowly I reached a clearing, but I wasn't alone. There was a boy lying soundlessly asleep in the middle of it.

Slowly I approached him, Careful to not startle him awake. As I got closer I began to make out features. Instinctively I thought, It's Will! But why in the world would he come here without me? We went everywhere together, so I threw that thought out right away. The boy was wearing all black, William wore black a lot. His face was turned away from me. Even closer now I notice he is not moving, not even the slight lift from his chest as he breathed in life. The grass around him was a thick dark color, my stomach tightened as my thoughts went back to Will. No it's not him, he's home safe sleeping. In fact, this isn't real. I'm asleep at my desk. And for some reason I continue walking, the limp body becoming clearer and clearer. His shirt was ripped; you could see a huge gash leaking blood. My eyes slipping to his wrist, He wore the same bracelet I did. It was the bracelets we gave each other in 5th grade; when we made our first pact to never let anything get in the way of our friendship. My eyes watering as they reached his bloody face, William's bloody face.

Dropping to my knees I cradled his face. It feels so real, I began to slap myself "Allyson! WAKE UP!" I fumbled for my phone almost dropping it into the muddy grass, the time read midnight exactly. William's body, his dead lifeless body, was laying here in front of me. Tears rolled in a lot faster now, it's real... Shakily I dialed 911. "Allentown police department, what's your emergency?" A woman's voice answered.

"Help me; I'm at Little Creek Park and my best friend is dead. I found him here and I need help."

"Okay Ma'am Are you sure that your friend is dead. did you check for a pulse?"

"Yes" I answered. "I'm sure."

"Okay I'll send a patrol car over there. Where are you exactly?"

Taking a deep breath, I answered, "In a clearing in the woods of little creek park."

"Someone will be there shortly."

I cradled Will's head as I waited; Memories flowed through my mind one after another. The first time I tried rollerblading how he was there to catch me every time I fell. The first time I broke my arm he rushed me inside to our moms so they could take us to the hospital. The first time a guy broke my heart he broke Joey Roberts nose, threatening him that if he ever looked my way again he would break more than just his nose next time. William was there for everything I can't lose him. Losing him is like losing a part of me. A part I would never get back. I know it's selfish but I can't lose him, not before our life even has a chance to really even start. We were supposed to go to prom together and Take ridiculous pictures with me, and spike the punch. So we could dance tipsy and lose our shoes on the way home. He's supposed to be here with me always.

"Excuse me, miss? Could you stand up and answer some questions?" Shakily I placed Will's head on the grass, but before I stood I placed a kiss on his forehead. Wiping my eyes seemed pointless but I did anyway and brought my attention to the cop. "I'm Sorry for your loss."

I shook my head, "His name was William Keeper, He was 17, and his birthday was just yesterday." The police officer wrote down every word.

"And what's your name?"

"Allyson Montgomery."

The cop led me to the ambulance that sat outside of the clearing, Paramedics' raced past us. "Allyson how did you find him?" My gaze swept to his name tag 'Officer Barks', He was tall and skinny. His brown eyes grew weary as he waited for my reply. I knew if I said that I didn't know, that I thought I was dreaming he would think I was crazy. Maybe I am crazy, I mean who wanders through a park not knowing exactly how they got there?

Looking into the officer's eyes I replied, "I was wondering around when I found him." Tears flooded down my cheeks, "He was my best friend..."

"Allyson dear, what are you doing in Little Creek park in the first place?" He flipped to a new page in his little notebook.

My answer came easily, "I wanted to walk around to clear my head."

"Is that your car in the parking lot?" He asked pointing behind him at my little blue car.

I nodded, "Yeah I drove here and then started my walk through the park." Officer nodded as I spoke and wrote down every word. "You're going to find his killer right?" I blurted.

He held my gaze as he answered, "We're going to do our best."

Shakily I turned away from him in my heart. I knew they would never find his killer, no one would. "May I go home?" I asked over my shoulder.

"After a few more questions, then you may go."