The Last Victim #JustWriteIt

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Jay turned around looking at the girl, hoped he would be dreaming. He pinched himself without vain. Dawn stood beside him wide eyed and glaring at the ghost who in turn gave her a serene smile. Then she said.

'Come on Carmela. Tell Jay. Tell him the truth you owe him. Why did you commit a cold blooded murder of your friend? What was so wrong?'

And Jay was sure his breathing must have stopped. He stood there, holding his breath, as his oxygen starved brain protested in pain, and he was not there.... He was falling; he had no idea what to do..... Was it true? The love of his life.... A murderer? He tried telling himself otherwise but all made sense now. The fear Dawn had had all this time was of the vengeance the dead girl might unleash against her. His eyes replayed all the scenes..... There was no turning back now.

Dawn remained silent, looking at the girl. The girl's eyes narrowed and her smile vanished. She coldly stared back at Dawn. At the same moment, her eyes went dreamy and out of focus and the whole story came tumbling out of her lips....

As each moment passed, Jay could feel himself going into a pit, cold and harsh. This is what the real Dawn was? Or would it be better to call her Carmela? His throat was tightening and his face was covered in sweat. He tried to run; he did not wish to hear further, but his legs seemed to have forgotten how to function. His entire body seemed to be carved out of stone. The more he heard, the more everything made sense. The girl stood on her position with pursued lips as if just listening to another normal conversation, filling out parts which Dawn forgot..........

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Jay finally was able to move again. The story had finished and suddenly, Dawn seemed to have recovered her memory. Jay felt sickened and weak. But he had to take Dawn. They would go home and he would try to get everything to work out for both of them. He loved her and would not give up on her due to some mistake she made in her childhood. She was mature now. She knew what to do. He breathed calmly and took her hand.

'Let's go home, Dawn. I know what to do.'

The girl watched them, a slight smile on her face as if she knew a secret they didn't. Jay tried to drag Dawn but she wouldn't budge. She stood with a sad expression on her face, pain etched on the lines of her face. Jay dropped her hand and took her face in both of his own.

'Come on, Dawn. This is a chance for you to start a new life. I'll make sure everything is going to work out alright?' Then giving her a tired smile and a kiss on the right cheek, he added. 'I am not giving up on you. I have loved you from the time we met and I always will.'

Dawn seemed to jerk to life and pushed away from him. Seeing her distance, Jay felt sad but at least he could make her feel better. She spoke, resentment in her eyes.

'You know nothing about me, Jay Aston!'

Jay looked at her shock. Her expression changed until it reached a maniac one. Her eyes showed hatred again. Jay took a step back and felt his back touch the bridge support. Uh-oh. Dawn looked at him and cackled in a horrible way, nothing like her usual self. Jay caught the red gleam in her eyes and his heart pounded in anticipation. As she advanced onto him, Jay's heart skipped a beat. This girl had shown eight years back that she was capable of murder... Could she... Would she do that again?

'Listen, Dawn. You need help. Let us get home. I'll try to make everything...'

'Shut up!'

Her shout rang out, sharp and clear. Jay stopped.

She stopped in front of him and glaring at him in the eye as she spoke each word clearly.

'Unfortunately Jay, you know too much. I can't have you babbling my secrets all over the place.'

Jay looked at her in fear. She was really............? Oh My God!

She smiled a smug smile placing a fingertip on his shoulder blade. Jay's hold on the support behind tightened. She whispered.

'I am sorry, Jay. But you had to pay.'

And with that she pushed Jay with all the strength she could muster, but Jay was ready, he whipped around and slided past her. However, she had been trying too hard; she lost her footing on the bridge and went over the bridge. Jay's bloodcurdling scream echoed over the cliff as he got to his feet to save her. Too late. All her heard was a low splash and a cry before complete silence enveloped him.

'DAWN!'

He shouted. There was no answer. He fell to his knees, crying hysterically, and craving for the past wishing things could have happened differently. The ghost girl taking one look at him and shaking her head sadly disappeared saying...

'I am sorry Jay. But she was not loyal to anyone..... Not even herself. She loved you and yet did not mind killing you....'

Andfor the first time since she had talked, Jay accepted the truth of her words.Somewhere above him there was a loud thunder as if started to pour again, thecold icy drops feeling like a remedy to Jay burning skin and hot tears, heremained on the bridge hoping to drown in the rainwater. What was life going tobe without her?