Keeper (bajancanadian) editing/re-writing

I'm Not Okay

Ring, ring

A pause, then:

Ring, ring

My phone rang 3 more times before I finally woke, opening a single eye and glaring in the direction of my brightly lit-up phone. It rang irritatingly again, making me sit up despite not wanting to. I picked up my phone; it was a number I've never seen before, but something told me to answer, so I hit the button. My voice was groggy, but I spoke my greeting anyway. "Hello?"

"Is this Brittany Wilde?" The voice on the other line asks, seeming somewhat soft.

"I, um.." It took me a moment to compose myself and rub the sleep out of my eyes. It sounded important, so the polite side of me kicked in. "Yes, this is her. May I ask who's calling?

"My name is Jared Becker. I'm an officer with the Pennsylvania State Police Department." The man introduced himself to me, making something in my stomach drop. It didn't sound good, but it didn't occur to me what would've happened for a police officer to call me-- especially this late. "I apologize for calling so late into the night. Mrs. Anna Wilde, your mother, was not responding."

"It's alright. She's on some business at the moment, it doesn't surprise me that she wouldn't be able to get to the phone. But, um, did I do something wrong?" My voice was quieter this time, losing the earlier confidence and politeness that enveloped my tone when I had answered. Staring subconsciously across the room as I waited for his answer, my heart rate seemed to speed up significantly. I leaned my hand against the bed behind me, trying to think of any potentially illegal things Mitch's forced me into. Anything to explain something so strange and unexpected.

"No, no, not at all, Miss. I'm calling about your sister, Cassidy Wilde."

Horrible thoughts crossed my mind then. I couldn't stop myself from speaking my concerns. "Did she get drunk at the party or something? Do I have to go pick her up from the police station?" I asked, my voice a mix of slight irritation and a sigh.

"No, unfortunately that won't be necessary--"

Uncharacteristically, I cut him off due to my pounding heart. Something was off. I could hear it in his voice. I could feel it in my veins. "Is she staying the night there? I guess that's not all bad. Should teach her a lesson about those types of things."

"Miss Wilde, I sincerely apologize that I have to deliver this kind of news to you." I could hear the beating in my ears now, every fiber of my being screaming that this was some kind of twisted dream. My mind screamed for this to be a sick joke. I needed him to tell me something strange so I knew this wasn't real. "Your sister has passed away."

I froze.

Everything froze.

Time stopped. My breathing hitched, my eyes widened in silent horror. I wanted him to tell me so badly that this was a joke. That this was a sick, twisted, cruel joke.

"I understand you may be in shock but I need to request your presence at the scene."

"Mr. Becker," I said with a soft voice, unable to control the slight trembling it brought to my words. "Is this a joke?"

There was a slight pause but the man replied to me. "I'm afraid not, Miss."

I was silent for a moment, sucking in a shaky breath before I composed myself enough to reply. "I'll be there as soon as possible."

He gave me the address. I immediately dropped everything, putting on a random pair of shoes and jacket. Numb, I grabbed my phone and keys, stepping down the hallway and then downstairs to the laundry room, which I had to go through to get to the garage.