Lightning Skies

Chapter 23

As I held the knife in my hands, the blood got everywhere. I tried wiping my hands on my shirt, but it just made a read streak. So I dropped the knife, and began slowly backing toward the door.

"Listen, I didn't kill Annaliese" I told her "She's my best friend!" Annaliese's mom set Annaliese down on her bed, and began walking toward me.

"Was her best friend" she hissed "Not anymore because she's dead! Because you killed her!" She picked up the knife, and I knew what she was going to do with it. So I ran.

"Stay away from my house you devil child!" she screamed to me from the window. Then she slammed it shut, and I slowed my running to a walk. I was so scared, and I began shaking all over, tears pouring out of my eyes. I saw a wooden bench coming up, so I decided to sit until I stopped shaking. I curled up into a ball, and just sat there.

I jumped when I felt someone put there arm around me. I was scared it was some homeless guy who slept on the bench. But I was wrong. It was Daniel.

"What do you want?" I said angrily. Daniel gave me a look of pity and regret, but kept his arm around me.

"Why are you so angry?" he asked sincerely.

"Well, wouldn't you be sad if your best friend was killed by a maniac??" I retorted. He gave me a sad look, and then stared at his shoes.

"She was once your girlfriend you know" I said "Why'd you have to go and kill her??"

"I never really liked her" he said softly.

"You what??" I shrieked "You were Annaliese's boyfriend, and you didn't even like her? Jerk..." Daniel's eyes settled to an icy blue and he gritted his teeth.

"Maybe I was trying to make someone jealous!" he said, trying to keep his temper.

"Who was so much better than Annalise that you had to go and break her heart?!" I yelled.

"YOU!" he yelled back, and then he was gone. I stood there, shocked, for a few seconds before I started walking again. But it was then that I realized he had never tried to deny killing Annaliese...

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I walked the rest of the way home, and was greeted by my mother.

"Hello Juliette" she said cheerfully "How was Annaliese's?" I nodded to her, not giving an exact answer, but not lying either.

"Okay..." said my mom, a little awkwardly. I shifted in my chair, making it squeak, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence. I eventually ended up going to my room.

"Wait!" called my mom when I was heading to the stairs "What's that red stain on your shirt?"

"Ketchup" I lied "We had hamburgers at Annaliese's house."

"So does that mean you're not going to want any shrimp stir-fry?" she persisted.

"I'll have a little" I replied, and went up to my room and shut the door.

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Two days later, we went to Annaliese's funeral. My mom eventually found out about the blood stain on my shirt, and we threw it away.

The funeral took place at the Greenhill Church. I went up to Annaliese's coffin, and started talking silently to her.

Annaliese, I know you can hear me, and I hope you know that I didn't kill you! I think it was Daniel, but I have no proof. Please keep an eye on him! I miss you so much Annaliese!!

After everyone was finished, the priest said a few words about Annaliese. I didn't really listen though, I was too upset to listen to anything.

Then after the priest, Annaliese's mom came up. Her eyes were red and puffy and she carried several tissues.

"My daughter was a lovely girl" she said shakily "I loved her so much! But she was betrayed! Betrayed by her own best friend! That girl over there, is the murderer!"

And I realized she was pointing at me.