"Mind Games.."

Chapter 9: "Whispers..? Derek..?"

As crazy as it sounds I showed up at the bridge at 7:55pm.. To wait for Derek... I cringed as I saw my blood on the pavement of the bridge's ledge.. I stared out off the ledge, in the same position I was yesterday.. Just watching, looking into the distance.. Hoping to see Derek.. Is he really coming..?

8:30pm rolled past and nothing..

9:15pm rolled past and nothing..

11:00pm came upon me and still nothing.. My mom was already texting me and telling me to come home and asking where I was so late.. I just told her I'm coming home already and the traffic's bad.. I stared out for another 5 minutes until I thought, 'He's not here anymore.. Why'd I believe he would be..? I think I'm losing my mind.. What's wrong with me??'

Frankly, I was too tired to worry too much, so I got to my car and started the engine. Then my phone vibrated. Someone was calling me, and under the caller I.D? Derek..

"Hello..?"

No answer..

"Hello..?"

Faint laughter, a girl's voice, as if she's far away.. and she sounds familiar..

"Hello?! Who's there??"

"Bye Keri... "

"What??"

Then I heard a boy sobbing on the phone.. Derek's voice..

"Keri? Why didn't you show up? I was waiting for an hour until I found someone else to talk to... "

What?! No! This isn't real! I'm not talking to him.. He-he's dead!

"What? No, I was there! At the Harlem Bridge right?? I got there at like around 8pm! I was waiting until 11pm! I'm still here!"

"Yeah, sure.. Okay Keri.. Do you think I'm dumb?! You weren't there! I thought I could trust you! And you weren't any help pushing me off that bridge either!"

"What?!? I never pushed you off, Derek,"

Hot tears of sorrow and frustration flowed out of my eyes and colored my shirt dark blue instead of light..

"I tried to grab you, but you jumped too quickly!! I fell down and started crying, regretting EVERY SINGLE SECOND I took of your life with you for granted!! I made a huge scene, Derek!! I never pushed you!!"

"Yeah, yeah, sure! Bye Keri... !"

Then the familiar girl's voice came back on the phone,

"You're NEXT KERI!"

Then all I heard was static.. Those last two words pierced through me like long fingernails slicing a chalkboard, with every movement made.. I hung up the phone and threw it to the backseat..

"What's going on with me..??"