A murderous summer

Chapter 13

Their plan was simple: Joelle had to sleep – hoping to dream about him – to provoke and preventing him from killing someone else. Very simple, but the girl had doubts that it will work. She didn't know if she would be able to control everything. She had never tried that before, but she wanted to try.

The atmosphere surrounding them was becoming heavier. They felt it all. They emptied Christine's flask before separating. Joelle felt the effects of alcohol invade her. The euphoria she felt once numbed her brain and lessened her grief. She even happened to smile as she walked towards her house. Arriving near the park, she stopped. She closed her eyes, looking up to the sky. She stretched her arms and took several deep breaths. She felt fine. Huge change regarding other days. She regretted that her feeling isn't natural. She wanted to keep feeling like that for the rest of her vacation. She opened her eyes. The sky was gray again. She suspected it was going to rain soon. She sighed and took the road.

She entered the house shortly before the rain starts to fall. Joelle went into the kitchen and rummaged in the pantry. She found an already open bag of chips. She took it and dropped down in front of the television. The girl settled down to watch a movie. She didn't want to think about anything. Her brother joined her soon after. They ate some chips without uttering a word. The film was not very interesting, but it didn't stop to listen.

Their parents came home and prepared the meal. No one dared speak to Joelle. There was an uneasiness that she was beginning to hate. In the middle of the meal, she loudly put down her fork on her plate.

"Enough, please," she said impatiently.

Her family stopped eating to watch.

"I don't know what you mean," her father replied. "We have perhaps nothing to say..."

"So look at me!"

"Honey," her mother began, "calm down..."

"There was my ex-boyfriend's funeral today. Why do you act as if everything was normal?"

Gilbert was the only one who had been there for her during the day. Her parents didn't look at her. She hated their attitude. She rose from the table, taking her plate.

"I'm very sad because he died. You are sorry for me, but at least look at me."

"I just thought you didn't want to talk..." her mother said.

"It's not worth discussing. But a simple gesture would be welcome! A hand on the shoulder, a little look... Anything!"

"Are you drunk?" her father asked, frowning.

"Yes I drank! With my friends! They all know what I can feel."

"But you..."

Joelle shook her head and walked to the stairs. She preferred to eat in her room rather than with them. Now she had said everything that was bothering her, she felt much better. She put her plate near her computer before settling in front of the screen. She really preferred to eat alone with her computer instead of her parents. At least, Gilbert treats me normally. She opened the machine and she wondered what she could do. She fumbled a bit on her files. She found a few videos. She opened one, a small smile on her lips.

She clicked on a file to view it. The video was filmed on the beach last summer. They were not only their small group. There were other teenagers danced and sang with them. Joelle didn't remember who was filming. She thought it was because she saw Christine nowhere. Her heart suddenly stopped in her chest. Among the teens, she saw a shadow sneaking up behind them. She widened her eyes in horror. He was there... She took her cell and sent a message to Christine. Seconds later, her friend called her.