A murderous summer

Chapter 6

She didn't believe that Laurie was dead because she had been unable to find her body in the lake. She dived again, swimming deeper. She rose to the surface the more she swam, the surface seemed far away. She needed air. Her lungs were burning. She accelerated the rise, feeling a wave of panic invade her.

She suddenly sat up in her bed, gasping for air. She recognized the walls of her room, bringing the reality back. She fell back on the pillow. That was a hard get back to reality! She pushed back the sheets to go to the bathroom. She splashed her face with cold water. She returned to her room, but she didn't get back to bed. She sat near the window, her knees up under her chin. Joelle was still convinced that Laurie wasn't dead. Unlike the others, she really tried to save her. Peggy asked her and she was unable to do so.

* * * * *

She remained locked all day despite the beautiful weather. She took the opportunity to spend time with Gilbert. They spent the whole afternoon playing video games. The girl let go, rejecting all her anger on enemies who came to her. It was virtual massacre. The final score was very surprising: Gilbert had been beaten at his own game and he wasn't really happy...

"I know you're angry, but it's not worth revenge on a game."

"The greatest psychologists will tell you that you must express your emotions. This is exactly what I do."

He looked up at the ceiling, shaking his head.

"Don't keep it to yourself, isn't it?"

She nodded.

"Wonderful therapy."

She put the controller near the console. Her hands trembled as she left the room. Her brother might be right. She had done too much during the match, but she had the right to be angry. A little pain showed up on her right temple. She leaned over, grinning. Gilbert spoke to her, but she didn't hear. The pain increased in intensity. A black veil started to cover her eyes. She managed to find her pills. She took one before collapsing near the bed. She felt like a creature wanted to be out of her skull.

She waited for the crisis to calm down before crawling on her bed. She took deep breaths before opening her eyes. She was beginning to feel a little better. She ended up back on her feet. She approached the window. Her eyes fell on some pictures she had brought with her after the funeral of her friend. The one on top was taken at the party before the accident. They were all four, holding their shoulders and laughing. Joelle laughed, remembering this evening before going to cry.

* * * * *

Towards the end of the day, she wanted to go out to breathe fresh air. She went to the beach where there were still several people. Children amused themselves a castle that looked a little more to the ruins of a fortress after a bombardment. But they laughed and played. Surfers were enjoying the beautiful waves. She sat in the sand to watch the scene before her. She rested her elbows on her knees. The girl closed her eyes to concentrate only on the waves.

She felt a presence beside her. Opening her eyes, she was from the corner of her eye Marco let down heavily beside her. Joelle didn't expect to see him here. Especially not to come and sit with her.

"Summer vacation doesn't announce relaxing," Marco said, lowering his head.

"Indeed. Rather crappy."

"What are you doing here all alone?"

"I'm thinking. And you?"

He shrugged, playing with a shell with his foot.