A murderous summer

Chapter 8

She had taken refuge in her room after the departure of the inspectors. Knees drawn up under her chin, she looked straight without seeing anything. She was now obsessed with an idea: she should never sleep. Could she do it?

Joelle wasn't crying. She felt more anger than sadness. She had to talk the others to get a better idea. It was necessary that this guy is stopped. At the rate he was committing his murders, there wouldn't be no one in her circle of friends. And would her turn come? At that time, she surely would have a good look at his face. But I want to fight him. And even kill him. That's what he deserves. She frantically rubbed her face, barely controlling her rage. Why the police couldn't find anything to stop him? When she asked the inspectors, they refused to answer her.

She took her phone and resigned herself to write to the others. As expected, they all knew about Laurie. Messages from Christine were very brief. At least, she didn't sway her series of insults. DJ suggested they meet somewhere. Joelle raised her eyebrows while biting her lower lip. She really hated to be punished. She wondered if she could play with her parents' feelings to obtain special permission. Or even "regain her freedom".

She gave up her phone, submerged by a wave of fatigue. But she shouldn't sleep. She couldn't sleep. She didn't want to risk that another of her friends die. She got to her feet and began hopping on the spot to wake up. Don't sleep. I can't sleep! Her tactics worked a little, but she didn't know if she was able to repeat it often. She shook her head and took a quick glance at her computer.

She decided to continue her research. And especially to take notes. If she wanted to find the murderer, she had to be better organized. She pulled out a small notebook to note a few details. Later, the girl wanted to use them to ask all her questions to her group of friends. She insisted him before he made another victim.

Her brother knocked before entering, uninvited. She barely turned her head toward him.

"I'm busy," she said, staring at the screen.

He approached her and sat on the corner of the bed.

"Sorry for Laurie."

She said nothing.

"Did you know it was her?"

"No."

"You had doubts? Because of your dreams?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"But you're going to have to do it one day or another. You can't keep everything for you, kiddo. This kind of thing can eat you up inside..."

She abruptly turned to him.

"That's enough."

"How can you..."

"I don't want to talk about it! I want you out of my room."

The pain was making a comeback. She clenched her jaws until her brother leaves. But he didn't move. He was just looking at her. The pain climbed an additional step, making the girl even crankier. She hated when Gilbert refused to listen.

"Get out!"

"You have the right to be sad or angry."

"Shut up, please. You have no idea. You don't know how I feel."

"So tell me."

"No! Leave me alone! You completely ignore what I can feel and talking won't change anything. They are dead and will never come back. Now, get out of my room."

Gilbert looked at her for a while before finally getting up. He sighed heavily and shook his head. She was very relieved to see him leave. She took a pill she hastened to swallow. Then she returned to her research, focusing on something else. She took a lot of notes. She hoped that her friends were able to answer all her questions.