A murderous summer

Chapter 12

"This is not the same," DJ sighed. "He died in a car accident."

"He could have been killed like the others," Joelle retorted, looking away, "one day or another. He perhaps died too early."

"We will never know," Christine said with a shrug.

They remained silent for a moment. Joelle looked towards the lake, quickly wiping a tear from her cheek. Marco straightened slightly. The news had circulated quickly about the death of Samuel. The friends contacted each other to meet near the dock in the early evening. The rain had stopped. DJ brought hot chocolate for his friends. Christine clutched hers. She didn't seem in better shape than the others. No one really slept since Simon's death. Marco took a sip before saying:

"What we all have in common?"

Joelle turned to him.

"Friendship," Christine replied. "We are all friends."

"And we're all killed one after the other," DJ said, tapping his goblet.

"Exactly," Marco said, rising. "Besides friendship, there is surely something that connects us all. You understand?"

"I guess you have a specific idea in mind," Joelle went on, not really convinced.

Christine giggled, pushing her hair back. Marco seemed almost convinced of what he said, but his friends were still skeptical. Then he told them a little more of his theory. They were bound to have some link in common. He asked them to think about it for a moment. His friends frowned but did what he asked. Joelle rubbed her neck, eyes still looking the lake. What can they have in common? She had not thought for a moment similarity other than their circle of friends.

"We go to the same school," Christine laughed, bringing the cup to her lips. "What more do you want?"

"If it was the case," Joelle began shaking her head, "there would be many more dead before the end of the summer!"

"A secret," DJ mumbled, eyes unfocused.

His three friends turned to him, puzzled. He shrugged before looking at them.

"Friends, but we do not know everything about everyone."

"So what?" Christine asked, shrugging. "Isn't always the case? Friendship has no law about it."

"This is why I believe that we are the target of this psycho."

"You seriously believe that this guy knows all our secrets?" Marco said, frowning. "What could he do with it?"

"Maybe he's using it before..."

"This is ridiculous!" Christine laughed, shaking her head.

"Why do you say that?" Joelle asked. "You don't believe it?"

"Simon had no secrets for me."

The two boys threw a quick glance. The girl frowned. She asked them what was wrong. DJ began by telling her that Simon was very in love with her. Christine suddenly lost patience.

"I advise you to talk!"

"Do you know something?" Joelle asked. "What is it?"

They looked at each other again. Nobody wanted to give them the answer, but Christine wanted to know the truth. Marco replied that Simon had some doubts about their relationship.

"What? Doubts?"

"He loved you very much, you know," DJ hastened to add.

"That's not the point!" Christine retorted. "What kind of doubts? Why did he say that to you instead of talking with me?"