Until the day we die

Chapter one

Chapter one

"Who wants a soda?" yells Spencer from the kitchen.

"Me" call Maya and Sara as they reposition themselves on the cream coloured three-seater couch. I am about to agree but I look down at the large wooden table I am sitting at, which is currently covered by huge piles of papers with geography notes scribbled on each page. I have to study for this test or I'll fail. If you're a straight A student like me, failing is not an option.

"April!" scolds Spencer as she walks into the room with two green-coloured cans of diet soda, one in each hand. "You have to stop studying, it's been 3 hours and we still haven't gotten to watch the movie."

I hesitate. I don't know what to say. But a few seconds later as I'm about to reply, the doorbell rings. I'm saved by the bell.

"I'll get that, its probably just my mom" sighs Spencer as she runs to get it. Two minutes later, I hear a deafening scream. I immediately drop my things. We all run to the door to see what's wrong.

As I run I hope it is just a prank. Spencer loves to play pranks. We always fall for it. Maybe it's just high school senior Milo Kastor asking her out. The scream is kind of excited-like. Milo Kantor is the dreamy captain of the swim team whose father is the head of a big research facility. Spencer has always wanted to date him or go skinny dipping with him. But that scream is just so real. I can almost see the look of terror as I hear it.

"Spencer!" I call with a look of horror on my face. A gust of wind blows the door wide open. Intense raindrops fly inside. Suddenly, the crimson walls looked grim. The pictures on the wall no longer smiling. Just then, Maya whispers the question we are all thinking "Where is Spencer?"

I scream only to notice I'm in my warm, cozy, safe bed. It has been a month since Spencer's disappearance and I've had the same dream every night. Sometimes, I imagine her standing at the door, flipping her long auburn hair saying "Did you miss me?" But deep down I know that is never going to happen.

I try to wash away the memory in the shower yet, it never works. I try this everyday but it always fails. This memory will always haunt me. I pull out a cute pink tank top but i can't bare to wear it, it's hers. After 10 minutes of digging through my extremely disorganized closet, I finally decide on a wool red cardigan that I got for my birthday with some classic jeans. Who can go wrong with some classic blue jeans?

When I walk down the stairs my mom is sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming cup of coffee but, no paper. She is a mess. Her icy blue eyes have bags, her face looks somber and her once perfect red hair is now all over the place.

I sit down. I stare at her like she's crazy. How long has she been awake? But then she rests her hand on my shoulder. I can feel her cold hands as her eyes begin to water. She shakes her head ever so slightly to either side. Inside, I am freaking out. This is going to be bad news. I haven't seen her like this since, dad left. I know it. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and looks me in the eyes.

"They found her body." she mutters with a sympathetic look. There is no need to explain, I know who her is: Spencer Johnson.

I feel this indescribable pain of sadness overwhelm me. After all these hours of waiting for Spencer at my door, praying for her safety and peeking through her old house, I can't bare to stay. As a single tear rolls down my cheek, I run outside with no patience to put on a coat. The cold autumn air blowing against my arms.

Down the street there is a huge crowd of people. I look down. In the sewer is her body. Her long, beautiful auburn hair is now tangled. Her silky soft skin is now rotting. I remember Spencer's perfectly rounded nails but now they are all chipped and falling off. This is not Spencer. It couldn't be. But I know that it is. I cautiously back away in shock. I wonder how Maya And Sara are taking it as I slowly approach them.

Sara is still in her pajamas. She obviously heard about it before me. She is trying to wipe her tears away. But as she brushes one away, another one falls. Unfortunately, I can't say I don't feel the same way.

Maya's dark locks are falling out of her pony tail. Her face is buried in her hands. I feel bad for her. She was closest to her. Unlike Sara and I who just moved to Belleville three years ago, Maya has known Spencer since Kindergarten. They knew each other like the back of their palms.

I turn to my right. There is Lucy Snow wearing her signature shade of lipstick, Cherry Blossom. The queen bee of Belleville. She has a smirk on her face. I know she hates us and that now she won't have any competition for prom queen but, is that really necessary? I am about to strut over there and smack that smile off her face but, Maya interrupts me.

"I always thought she would come back." admits Maya solemnly.

Without words I know Sara and I agree. A chill runs along my spine as I realize that will never happen.

Finally the police arrive to investigate the scene and evacuate the area. I don't want to leave but, if the police can find out what happened, I will do anything.

We all walk down the road. There is no laughter or kids playing even though it is a beautiful Sunday morning. All the neighbours are staring out their window trying to figure out what is happening. Honestly, I don't even know. No one talks. Speaking is too difficult. But I know we're all thinking the same thing: What happened that night, the night Spencer Johnson disappeared?