A murderous summer

Chapter 10

He lost too much blood to be saved. The paramedics noticed his death. The police took statements from young people who haven't left prior their arrival. Joelle was transported to the hospital for nervous shock. Her parents brought her back to the house while she was still sedated. But she was very agitated. She clutched the sheets, moaning. Her older brother stood beside her a long time. He was trying to calm her.

At the end of the morning, she had trouble getting out of bed. Her body was covered with sweat. She remained a long time in the shower, barely standing on her feet. She sat at the bottom of the cabin and began to cry. She blamed herself for not having managed to save Simon. She wanted so much to do everything to save him and catch the bastard who did this to him. Why she couldn't do it? He was so close... She could have stopped this whole thing. Joelle stopped the water, but remained in the cab until she began to shiver. She dried her hair and wiped her body. She returned to her room to get dressed. She went back to bed to stay overnight.

Her mother brought her something to eat, hoping to make her move. Joelle put the tray in front of her.

"Thanks mom."

"Do sedatives helped you?"

The girl shrugged. Despite her agitation, she still slept a little. She took a bit of toast without really being hungry. Her mother told her that the doctor had given her other pills if she needed them. Joelle nodded. They were still pretty strong. She wouldn't take too much. She asked her mother if she could see the doctor who normally followed her case.

"I can arrange that. And what do I have to say?"

"My headaches... They are stronger sometimes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Not to worry you."

Joelle looked up at her mother.

"Not working, I think."

"I'm your mother. It's normal for me to worry about my children. I'm here to take care of you. I'll make this call, okay? Promise me to rest, please."

The girl nodded. She kept nibbling her toast without appetite while her mother left the room. When the door was shut, she abandoned the plate and closed her eyes. She was again invaded by horrible images of Simon covered in blood. She clapped her hands over her face and began to cry. Why those images wouldn't disappear? She wanted to do more. She wondered if she could grab something to throw and perhaps hurt him.

She stood up and pace in the room. Her breathing accelerated. She felt a wave of rage invading her quickly. She was furious against herself for not having managed to save Simon. How could she have missed such a chance? He was so close to her! She expressed all her rage on her bed, pounding the mattress, constantly grumbling. The plateau soon found itself on the floor, spilled its contents. She began to cry as she found herself kneeling by the bed. She curled to sob.

After a moment, she crawled to the damage she had done. She cleaned up while taking deep breaths. Then she got down to the kitchen. She went out in the backyard to throw the bag everything away.

As already out, she decided to walk a little. She wanted to clear it. Joelle walked a long time, with no specific purpose. Hands deep in pockets, she looked straight ahead. She felt more or less relieved. Her small crisis did her good. She had managed to express some of her anger. She veered into the park without actually realizing it. She heard sobs. From the corner of her eye, she saw a girl on a bench. She was crying. The girl thought that the problems of others didn't concern her. She had enough to do with her own! She went on her way, but stopped short when she heard her name. She turned to the girl on the bench. Christine looked at her, cheeks soaked with tears. Without really thinking about it, Joelle hastened to join her. She took her in her arms to comfort her.