Always Awake

Chapter 13

I woke up to a dark, grey sky that loomed with ragged, murky clouds. Which at any moment could strike a fierce bolt of lightning. I shivered at the thought. My mood was low and not positive. I yawned and rolled out of bed. My oak floor boards chilled me as my bare feet touched them. A bad feeling lurked in the air. I ignored it. I raked in my wardrobe for slippers and a dressing gown, I didn't usually need them.

Cameron was up, which was surprising. Luckily we had a long weekend, so I got a break from school. I padded into the kitchen, peering in the fridge for juice. Cameron seemed to be in a hurry, he was devouring his cereal like some kind of dog. He grabbed his hoodie and slipped on his trainers. "Where are you going? " I asked puzzled. "Beach" he replied blankly. "Dude, its 8am" I said pouring my self a glass of pomegranate juice. "Haven't you heard?" He said in alarm. "No...?".

I felt worried, I knew something wasn't right.

"Last night, a load of shit happened down at the beach".

And with that, a strong, chilling gust of wind blew in as he slammed the door. I had to know what was happening. This was bad, I don't even know what happened. I didn't eat breakfast, I just had another sip of my juice and went to change.

The weather was still down and depressing. I rumaged in my wardrobe for clothes suitable. I found a pair of slit at the knee jeans, and an oversized grey hoodie. I tied my hair up into a messy bun, not a nice one. The whole floor was filled with pumps, sandals, pumps. I panicked and found a pair of trainers for school, not ideal for the blistering storm outside.

Rain pelted down on my whole body, I was already soaked and freezing. I tried to run, but I was still half asleep. I passed a cafe, that just opened. I was dying for a huge stack of pancakes, drowned in syrup. My stomach growled at the thought.

I didn't expect the beach to be such a scene. It was swarmed with people, police, and medics. This must be bad. I trudged through the sand, it was already in my shoes. Mixing with the puddles of water in there. There was so many people I felt claustrophobic. What was happening? I tried to push past, everyone was either giving me sympathetic looks. Weird.

I remembered back to last night in bed. When I heard the sirens. Oh my god. This was bad. I tried to push past, but I felt like I wasn't even moving. I was just getting shoved side to side. I felt panicky and shakey. My whole body was trembling with fear. I wasn't sure if I was prepared to see what had happened. My hair was a complete mess, all stringy and frizzy from the rain. I had no makeup on, and I basically got out of bed 10 minutes ago. I must look dead right now.

Through the crowds of people, I could see vibrant yellow police tape, sealing off the area. There was guards around the edge warning everyone to stay back. I felt really sick. I was not ready for what I was about to see.

A group of paramedics were crouched in a huddle, in the middle of the scene. I stood with all the other people, trying to figure out what had happened. It must be big if everyone is out in this weather. I asked multiple people what happened last night, but all I got was shrugs. I needed to know.

One of the paramedics marched over to speak to a police man, there was a gap in the huddle. I stepped forward to look. The rain was blurring everything out, I think. Or it could be my lack of food making me dizzy, seeing as I didn't eat dinner last night. I felt extremely faint and light- headed.

The oceans waves roared, and sudden blast of rain started bucketing down in sheets. All I saw in the gap, was a navy tarpaulin covering something. I didn't know what. I kept on staring at it. I felt wobbly, like I was literally about to collapse.

I cried out as I saw what lay beneath the tarpaulin sheet. The wind had blown up the sheet , the whole crowd gasped, many people burst into tears of shock. Underneath was a body. A pale, lifeless body. I wasn't hungry anymore. Blood was on the face of the body.

Before I knew what I was doing, I was tearing through the yellow tape. Tears streamed down my face, dripping, not noticeable though. My face was bitter cold. And the rain pelted off my face like pebbles. I tried to get close, but bulky police men, pushed me off. They refused to let me past. I don't think I had ever cried so much in my life. I broke down on the cold sand in dispair, my heart cried out for him.

"Please!" I begged, punching my fists into the sand. "I'm sorry ma'am but this is a strictly private investigation, I need to ask you to leave now" he said strictly. I hated that man. I looked up at him desolate. My eyes were red and puffy from crying already, my hair was like a birds nest. "Do you not have any heart?!" I whimpered. "You need to leave" he said firmly. "No? So it's just a useless organ? Cold and empty? " I wailed. One of his partners grabbed my arm violently and he grabbed the other. I tried to struggle free. I screamed, cursing at them to let go. My heels tore through the sand. I kicked and screamed. I gave up trying to escape. I wept as they pulled me along the sand. My arms ached. "No!" I sobbed. I had almost lost my voice from shouting.

"Zak!" I choked.

I was forced into a police car, and had was driven down to the station to wait for mum to pick me up. I wasn't crying anymore. I was out of tears. Lousy, grim thoughts bulged in my brain but I said nothing.

Mum finally showed, she looked glum too. News sure does spread fast in this town.

She took me to the car, we didn't speak. I sat into he car, staring at the raindrops dribble down the window. When I got home, mum made me a cup of tea and I sat at the table. I didn't know what to think anymore. The radio was chatting away quietly. Mum was at the sink, washing dishes.

When the name Zak was mentioned, she froze. I wanted to cry and scream at the same time. I hardly knew him for long, but we had already made memories. They were talking about the situation, no one knew the details. All they knew was...

'LOCAL BOY: Zak Reid is dead at the age of 17'.