The Aftermath

Chapter 3 - You Can Call Me... What?

Chapter 3 - You Can Call Me... What?

⠀⠀⠀⠀My first night in the Manson's consists of a vicious cycle of falling asleep, having a nightmare, waking up in a bed that isn't mine and then the daunting realisation of what has happened.

⠀⠀⠀⠀No matter how hard I try, I only manage to get ten consecutive minutes of sleep. When light finally seeps through my curtains, signalling that it's morning, I feel the relief radiating off me in waves.

⠀⠀⠀⠀At seven o'clock I contemplate getting up but decide against it, worrying that Mr and Mrs Manson may find it suspicious for a seventeen-year old to get up this early on a Sunday morning.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I stare at the ceiling for a long time, my hair sprawled around my head messily. Soon the silence in the room is unbearable so I peel my bedcovers off and pad over to the other side of the room where my bag rests on an arm chair.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I unzip the side pocket and retrieve my battered mobile phone.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I know I shouldn't go on it, I know that anything I see on it will remind me of what I've lost. I glance around the Manson's empty guest room and ignore the logical side of myself, unlocking it with trembling fingers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I click the messaging app and wait for it to load, my eyes cringing away from the screen brightness. As soon as it opens, my phone starts vibrating.

"97 New Text Messages"

⠀⠀⠀⠀I guess news travels fast.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Careful not to click on any of the conversations, I scroll through the list of new messages.

Aaron Hyde - Sierra, I'm so sorry about what's happened-

Roy Winters - I just saw the news and I'm in complete shock-

Natalie Walsh - Are you coming back home Sierra? The whole town is-

⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyes sting as I sift through the pity-filled messages and I stop on one that contains a video link. The video opens and a serious news reporter appears on my screen.

"-And tonight's headlines. Four local citizens were allegedly shot dead on a cruise ship yesterday evening at six o'clock. The ship was evacuated and the hooded gunman was searched for but is currently still on the run. The violent act of cruelty is believed to be connected with an escapee mental patient case but there is little information about the man the police are searching for-"

⠀⠀⠀⠀I can't listen to the monotonous voice anymore, I shut my phone off and jam it back in my bag.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I crawl back into bed, burying my face in my pillow. When tears threaten to spill, I bite down on my lip so hard that my mouth clouds with the taste of blood.

⠀⠀⠀⠀The thing is, crying won't make it better - crying won't bring my family back. I'm alone in a new town where I know nobody and nothing will change that.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I lay motionlessly in my bed for a few minutes. Finally, I heave myself out of bed again and walk to the en-suite bathroom.

Caldersands - new town, new chance.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I've never been one to crack under the pressure, always determined to stay positive no matter what was going on. Who said I couldn't slap a smile on my face and laugh through the loneliness?

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Do it for the Mansons." I whisper aloud, turning on the shower and hopping in while the water is still cold.

⠀⠀⠀⠀First days are always difficult but I'm determined for this one to go well.