Suicide Notes

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Anna-

"Anna, do you ever think about what it would be like to die?" Jessi asked.

"Don't talk about stuff like that, Jessi. Don't you know how badly we'd all miss you?" I replied harshly, terror filling my heart. Turning to stare at her, I was surprised to find she was no longer in her room with me. Moving in a complete circle, I wondered where she'd gone. "Jessi?" I called, as I left her room and entered the hallway. The sound of running water came from the bathroom but, for some reason, my feet seemed reluctant to move in that direction. "Jessi?" I called louder, but there was still no answer.

"What's the matter?" Caleb's voice interrupted, sending a soothing feeling through me. If Caleb was here, then everything was going to be okay. He was always protecting Jessi and me.

Something wet soaked through my shoes and I glanced down to see a river of water rushing past me and tumbling down the stairs behind Caleb.

"Something's wrong," I said, gesturing to the water soaked floor that was now ankle deep. He simply stared at it, a blank expression on his face. Wading through the water to the oak railing, I peered over the edge into the living room below.

Danica was standing in the rising water with her hands on her hips, glancing around. "Hank, I think we have a leak somewhere." She didn't panic or move, merely continued to watch the rising water, while Hank dug into a closet, pulling out a fishing pole. He procured a worm from his pocket and proceeded to bait the hook before casting it into the water.

Shaking my head, I glanced back at Caleb who was still staring at the water.

"Jessi?" I called again, remembering my search. I forced myself to go to the bathroom door, pushing it slightly. Peeking inside I saw a giant swimming pool that was overflowing. So this was where all the water was coming from. Stepping inside, I searched behind the door for some type of valve to stop it. A splash sounded behind me and I turned to find Jessi floating face down in the water.

"What are you doing?" I shouted, waiting for her to get up. "Help me find a way to shut off the water!" Suddenly, the water turned red as the blood began gushing from her wrists, spreading quickly outward and staining the water.

"Help me!" The scream tore from my lips as I struggled to get to her. "Jessi! No! Not Jessi!" The water became too deep for me to walk and I had to start swimming through it. A metallic coppery taste filled my mouth—it was her blood. I tried to grab her sleeve, but she kept floating just out of my reach. My limbs grew heavy and I started to think I was going to drown in this pool with her.

"Somebody help me!" I screamed violently, spraying drops of the vile liquid from my mouth. "Please! Help!"

"Anna!" Caleb's strong arms grabbed me and I sobbed in relief. "Annalisa!"

My eyes flew open to find Caleb leaning over me, his eyes wide with worry.

"Are you awake now?" he asked. I blinked several times. "You were having a nightmare."

Wrapping my arms around his neck and dragging him closer to me, I sobbed against his chest, the remnants of the terror I'd just experienced still clawing at me. "Don't ever let go of me," I pleaded, keeping him close.

"Never." He spread out next to me, continuing to comfort me. "It's okay now. It was only a bad dream."

"No it wasn't. I was dreaming about finding Jessi. It's all too real," I replied, my words muffled against his chest. "I have been having nightmares like this a lot lately."