“Tett! Tett! Tett!” the alarm clock woke me up from my beauty sleep. Annoyed, I shut it off and rolled to the right side of my mattress. Then, I heard loud knocks on my bedroom door. Oh my God, why can’t they just leave me alone on this Sunday morning, I whined to myself and didn’t move an inch out of my bed.
“Julie! Wake up! Cassandra is in the news!” shouted my sister, Grace.
Hearing her words, I opened my eyes wide and jumped out of my bed in lightning speed. I dashed off towards the television. What? Why? How? Those were the questions playing in my mind at that time. I watched the news in disbelief.
“Cassandra Swede was sent to Elizabeth General Hospital for some treatments. She was also attacked by the murderer but only have minor wounds on her hands and head. Her parents, Wilbur Swede and Denise Swede were brought to autopsy. The police head chief said that they would do their best to find the murderer,” the news reader explained.
Cassandra needs me, that was my first thought. After taking my bath and put on simple clothes, I hurriedly drove my car to the hospital. I was so sorry for my best friend’s loss and could not imagine what would happen to her after this tragedy. Her relatives were far away from this country and she had no other friends but me. I was her best friend and I must be by her side at this mournful moment.
I was guided by the nurse to her room. I knocked on her door but there was no answer to it. So I opened the door and saw her looking outside the window with a shady look. Her appearance made my heart broke to thousand pieces. I tried to hold my tears from falling and called her name. she looked at me with those lusterless eyes. I came next to her to hug her. “I promise that I will take care of you,” I whispered to her ears. At that moment I couldn’t hold my tears any longer.
From that day, my routine was all for her. I brought her food; I brought her books to read and also accompanied her days and nights. I spent all my time for her so that she would not feel lonely at the hospital. I tried not to push her too hard to get over the tragedy. She looked very ill because of depressions. After two weeks, finally she could enrich a wide smile again. She said it was no use regretting over spilt milk. She was being positive once again. I was so happy for her. The next day, she was discharged from the hospital.
I took her to her house. I asked if it was okay if we went to the murder scene and she kept convincing me she was okay with it. We spent the whole day watching movies at her house. After watching dozens of movies, she told me that she wanted to cook something at the kitchen. I offered my help but she said she wanted to surprise me with a new recipe she learnt from the nurse at the hospital. So, I just sat down in the living room. I scanned the room and an old book took my attention. I reached for the book but just before I opened the book, my phone rang.
“You’ve found the murderer? That's great!” I was so happy hearing the news from the police officer. I was about to tell Cassandra but the next explanations from the officer stopped me.
“No way! She’s with me right now at her house,” my voice was shaky. The police officer hung up the phone call.
I turned around and found Cassandra behind me. She was there the whole time and heard the conversation. She had a knife in her right hand.
“So, you’ve found out?” she said. Her eyes were fierce. “Yes, I did. I’m sorry, Cassandra,” I hit her on the head with the book in my hand. The officer advised me to make her unconscious because she may harm me. Not long after that the police came and took her to the police station. It was unbelievable and unpredictable that She was the murderer of her own parents.. I was about to leave the house but I remembered about the old book. I was curious so I brought it along with me.
Three days later I went to the mental hospital to meet her. She was diagnosed having mental problems caused by depression. I looked deep into her eyes and she was looking into mine. It was an awkward moment. I started the conversation.
“Cassandra, I’ve read your diary. Why wouldn’t you tell me? Why would you keep it as a secret? If you’ve told me about your parents abusing you, this would not have happened. I know you were depressed but it’s also wrong to take lives of your own biological parents. You could have done it in a better way by making a police report.”
She didn’t respond to me. I held her hands and said, “Nevertheless, you are still my best friend and always will be. I’ll visit you occasionally. I had promised you that I’ll take care of you, and I’m keeping my promise.”
The nurse came to take her. I stood up and said, “I’m leaving now.” As I turned she held my hands and said, “Thank you.” I turned around. Her face was emotionless but I know she really meant it. My hearts were throbbed by it but I held my tears and enriched a wide smile for her. We said goodbye and went our separate ways.
