Parallel (discontinued)

Jonah- Chapter XIII: Letters & Words

Louis Turner. I couldn't think of a single person in the world that deserved death any less than him.

Mr. and Mrs. Turner were weeping by the sidewalk. The Fosters stood next to them, trying to console their misery, with little avail.

My mind was struck with bewilderment and sorrow. He was so intent on telling me something the day before, and now it'll remain a mystery for the rest of my days. Louis Turner. Humble. Innocent. Whose worst crime he ever committed was mistakenly taking Charlie Baskins' seat. If anyone deserved to die, it was me. I was restrained by two cops when they saw I was running into his house to see his body. I fought and punched and swore I was about to commit another murder scene on the spot if they didn't let me see my friend. I thought of what Louis would say if he saw me, and I gave in. As they dragged me away, I screamed at the cops, the only question in the world that really mattered

"WHO DID IT?! WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING?!"

WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO? WHO?!?!!!!

...

I sat in the hospital, where they took me. This was where his body lay, as doctors were performing an autopsy. According to their investigation, he was able live a few minutes after he was shot. He was able to breathe a few more breaths before finally taking his last. And I was too late.

I grew angry. If I had just not been in school. If I wasn't in that prison of a school, I could've been at the side of my friend's deathbed.

Dr. Baskins came up to me. Yes, Charlie's dad. People often wonder how someone as brilliant as Dr. Baskins with a PhD in Medicine and a diploma in Forensics could bring up such a thug like Charlie. Must've been from Mrs. Baskins' genes, but nobody dares speaks of her.

"You're lucky you're here and not in prison, Mr. Kai"

Oh yeah, another thing. He doesn't like me. Surprise surprise.

"This is what happens to kids like Louis when they hang out with hood rats like you. They get hurt....Is my son next? You going to let him get hurt too?"

I gave him a look to show I was in no mood. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel there was truth in his words.

"Is there any idea who did it? Who did..this?" I asked.

"No..but from what I understand, the police is looking into it...they should have an answer soon enough..."

I had a face of disgust. I grew impatient.

"I hope this is a lesson to you"

"Sir, I know you don't respect me. I know you think I'm a bad influence on your son, even though it's more so the other way around, but Louis Turner was my friend. One of my best ones since childhood."

A tear began to emerge from my right eye, crawling down my cheek. It itched. I had forgotten what it was like to cry.

Dr. Baskins' face transformed. "I know" he said.

I looked up. He went into his office and came out to hand me three envelopes. They were stained with blood.

"These were in his sweatshirt pocket. Police said he was just finished writing them right before the incident. He addressed two of them to you, Mr. Kai, which is strange."

I looked at them, ignoring the fact that my hands were touching my own friend's blood.

Sure enough, two of them were to me. The last one was to Tori.

"They seem private, but I was told to let you know they existed. But also to tell you that if there's anything there that could lead to some hints about his murder, to report the police immediately."

"Understood."

"Interesting that this happened yesterday. Just last evening, another kid was seriously injured too, but in a very different part of town. Another girl almost lost her childhood friend too, but luckily he survived."

I began crying again, so I stood up to leave.

"Good for him, I'm glad to hear some people are spared", I lied.

As I walked past the halls, I shot a glance through the rooms. Seeing so many lucky patients survive, but knowing that Louis wasn't one of them.

What makes them special?!

I was hoping nobody I knew would be there to see me bawling my eyes out.

Then, lo and behold, in one of the rooms, stood Jackie "Kee" Jones. She was looking pretty shaken up herself. I wondered if she ever took that beanie off. I wondered what she was doing here. I wanted to ask if she was okay. But I just couldn't confront her. Not like this. She was talking with some other guy, who looked pretty messed up, himself. I figured it best to let it be. Besides, with the way she already sees me, I couldn't risk having her see me in such a sorry state like that.

I turned around and left the hospital. I had to walk all the way, since the Fosters couldn't drive me. Well, I guess they could. But of course they wouldn't. They're much too busy to do anything else when they'd rather work. So I walked. All the way home, feeling lonelier than I've ever felt before.

...

"Hey, we're sorry about what happened" Mrs. Foster said when I came in.

"Yeah, sure" I replied, knowing full well that there was no authenticity in their voice. All I heard was the sound of typing that has become all too familiar in my house.

"What's that you got there?" said the old man, looking to the envelopes.

I looked down at them, hiding the fact that they were half-painted in dry blood. I had forgotten I was holding them.

"Nothing...it's my business" I said, as I ran to upstairs to my room.

I carefully placed the envelope for Tori aside where I could see it the next day and remember to deliver it to its intended recipient.

I opened the first one with my name on it, and looked with surprise as I glared into its emptiness.

There's no way I dropped it...NO..where's the letter?

Angered and confused, I figured it must've been a mistake on Louis' part, decided to open the next one addressed to me, and I read what remains today as the most terrifying message I had ever laid my eyes upon. I had hoped that the second letter would redeem the mysterious absence of the first, and perhaps grant me some closure. Some peace of mind. But nothing, not even my experiences in this prison, have struck more fear into my soul, when my eyes read the daunting words:

YOU WERE WARNED, JONAH KAI.
YOU SHOULD'VE FOLLOWED ORDERS.