Charleston Downs

Was It You?

In the week following Hailey's shooting, I was numb. Incapable of moving, as if my world had plunged into a thick, viscous treacle. Sounds echoed, like they were rushing along a long tunnel. Thinking was a challenge, my mind pierced with interrupting flashbacks of Hailey staggering back into that ticking fountain, counting down the last seconds of her life. Hailey really was dead. It was a fact that was still taking time to sink in for me.

The police had called me in to make a statement, and later called me back for further questioning to see if anyone has motive to kill Hailey. They didn't seem to have much to go on at the moment, which disheartened me. Hailey was a good person; if anyone deserved to be put in the ground it was me, not her.

I turned over, the light was beginning to stream in around the curtains of the living room window. I sighed, raising off the couch and planting my feet on the ground in the spaces between food boxes and empty cartons. The air in the room was heavy and thick, weighed down by the stench of remorse. I peeled the shirt off my body, flinging it away with my arms over my head. I stumbled to the kitchen and stared into the fridge light for answers, picking out a cold leftover slice of pizza and taking a bite. I turned the slimey lump over in my furry mouth, forcing a swallow and then dumping the rest in the bin.

I flicked on the faucet and let chilly water guzzle into the empty sink, I eyed the pile of used plates beside it but this water wasn't for them. Once full, I dunked my head in, letting the cold water suck the heat from my face. I counted the seconds, getting to 40 and then loosing count. I watched the bubbles drift upwards from my nose. I resurfaced with the obligatory gasp. Slicking my hair back with my hands and wiping the water from my eyes. I heard shouting from outside and skulked over, dripping wet, to the French doors. It was Charlie, with Molly in pursuit.

"Don't you dare!" She bellowed bounding down the sloping green towards my house, Charlie storming ahead, his pale blue jeans splattering with mud and his curly locks dancing in the wind.

"Charlie stop! Charlie!" Molly yelled, red faced with exertion and anger, her long black hair whipping around her face, clutching at her thin lilac shawl. "Charlie stop it right now! You owe me this!" She stamped, the wind howling around her causing her hair to dance wildly. Charlie stopped in his tracks and craned his head back towards her.

"Owe you? I don't owe you shit." He hissed.

"You slept with my boyfriend! I think you owe a lot more than just this." She exclaimed, gasping at the betrayal as if she was witnessing it freshly.

"Let it go Mol, who hasn't?" Charlie sneered, returning his focus towards the house again, dismissing his sister.

"How can you be so heartless? Get back here! Charlie!" She cried out, but he'd stormed off again and was almost at the house. Now Molly had spotted me standing in the windows, briefly our eyes met before she turned away and defeatedly trudged back to the mansion.

Charlie reached the French doors, and I slid them open. He stepped inside solemnly, leaning in the same spot in my kitchen as he had the first time he'd kissed me.
"How are you doing?" He asked softly. I picked up a mug filled with water from the protruding breakfast countertop and sat on the small stool beside it.

"I've been better." I sighed, taking a gulp from the mug and settling it noisily in the counter. He watched me closely, his adoring, green eyes hunting for tells of my emotional state.

"What can I do?" Charlie whispered, stepping forward, holding my arms loosely, staring deeply into my eyes. I tensed at his Judas touch, my hands clenching into fists.

"Was it you?" I demanded, sharply. Charlie dropped my arms and stepped back against the counter.

"What are you asking me?" He hissed, looking out of the window, away from me. I caught a sob, clasping my hand over my mouth.

"The police said the gunshot came from the mansion."

"So, you think I did it? I didn't even know Hailey." He exclaimed, spinning round and slamming his fists on the counter-top.

"But you would have seen us together," I stammered, "you would've realised we were together." I clasped my head in my hands, raking my hair.

"Finn don't flatter yourself, I knew you were f--king my sister first don't you think that would have bothered me more." He retorted, taking a swig from my mug and realising it wasn't water. "Vodka, really?"

"So you didn't." I asked, desperately.

"No, Finn."

I gasped, my eyes filling with water, "Thank goodness, I don't think I could've coped if it was you."

"So, the gunshot definitely came from the mansion?" Charlie pondered aloud, and then with a horrified realisation asked "If it's not me, do you think it was Molly?"