The Peterson's

Chapter 13

Seeing a person dead is the worst possible sight. Not being able to bring them back, see them smile again or hug them and feel them hug you back breaks your heart and knowing you could have helped them or stopped them from dying is
the most horrific feeling ever.

I never thought I would ever have to see someone dead again until today.

• • •

I wake up to the sound of my phone constantly beeping, it's only 2am, I've been asleep less than an hour. I grab hold of it and check what the racket is all about. It's Cameron. He's called me 27 times and is telling me to call him back.

Oh no. I remember what happened last night. There is no way I can call him, It was so embarrassing, he probably is going to tell me he regrets what happened due to how drunk he was.

The phone buzzes in my hand. It's him. I quickly decline the call and put my phone back down.
I can't deal with him right now. I climb out of bed and then suddenly my head starts aching.
I need to take a tablet.

But where is my bag? I look under the bed and all around my room.

I left it at the party, right next to Melody, I need to go and get it.
After getting changed, I walk downstairs to see Liam in the kitchen. He raises his eyebrows at me.

"I'm just going to Melody's to get my bag. I'll be back soon." I run out of the house before he can respond.

I'm really in no mood to hear what he has to say about it. I climb on my bike and ride. It's going to only take me five minutes to get to where the party was. I briefly remember the route Cameron took last night via the tree.

As I approach the house, my heart sinks. It's still dark but the house is surrounded by light. The whole street is crowded and everyone is standing outside of their houses in their pyjamas. There are three police cars parked outside and an ambulance. I hear people screaming and others crying.

Something has happened. I jump off my bike and throw it on the floor. My heart is beginning to race. I run towards the scene and people's heads begin to turn to me. They all start to mutter among themselves. One girl's face is familiar and stands out within the crowd, it's Jessica, the girl I sat next to in English. Her left eye is badly swollen and lip is split open. She is crying hysterically. What happened to her?

I walk all the way through the crowd and make my way towards the house. I feel like everyone is staring at me from behind. I walk through the house, which is submerged with police officers and detectives.

A woman in a police uniform places her hand on my shoulder as I make my way past her "Excuse miss, you can't be here" I ignore her and continue to walk to the back door, her quickly following me from behind.

The door has a yellow banner across it which reads "crime scene".

I look down at it and gulp, My eyes slowly lift from the banner, wary of what lies behind it.

Slowly but finally my eyes meet with what I was terrified to see.

My breathing stops.

My bag lies on a bench, and on that same bench lies Melody Salvore, three bullets in her chest, dead.

Just like my Mom.