A Letter Before Death

3

"So explain to me exactly what happened, and why you are covered in the victims blood." A bald man in a sheriffs uniform said as he held a pen and notepad in his hands.

I stared off into the woods, watching as two people rolled Taren's tarp covered body out into the clearing toward the large metal box on wheels that would transport her to the coroners office for further inspection.

My tears had dried hours ago along with the blood that covered me. "Ma'me, I need you to answer the question so we can figure out what happened here. Start from when you arrived."

I fought back the urge to start crying again just thinking about what had happened. "Taren and I parked our car over there and walked to the other side of the fire where we talked to a group of people. Then Taren walked off to talk to Cameron, a guy she had went on a few dates with. I was standing by myself against those threes when I saw them making out. Then Nate walked up to me and we were dancing when we heard a scream which sent us running to find her body." I said almost as lifeless as her body.

"Did Taren have any enemies?"

"Not really. There might have been some people who were jealous of her, but no enemies."

"Who was jealous of her?"

"I don't know, Haley Dotes, Michele Jordan, and maybe Mia Lang. Other than that, I'm not sure."

"Ok, well Miss Farr, we will probably be in touch again soon, but as of right now, that is all the questions I have for you."

The deputy walked away as I stood still, staring into the darkness which felt as if it could just swallow me whole just like it had done to Taren. Part of me wishes I could reverse time and never go to this party. Convince Taren not to go. Then maybe she'd still be alive.

"Sara?" I heard the familiar voice of my father. I turned around to see him walking toward me. "Sara! Sweetheart, are you ok?"

I ran to him, locking my arms around him as he locked his around me. "She's gone, Taren is gone." I said as my voice squeaked its way to a little whisper.

"Oh, Honey, I am so sorry!"

"Dad, who could do something like this?"

"I don't know sweetheart. I don't know."

We stood there in silence while my father just held me in his arms. His embrace was safe, ensuring, comforting. I tightened my grip a little more and buried my face in his chest, muffling out my sobs as I began to think about her body just laying there, lifeless. Drained of her warm circulating blood that had circulated deep into earths soil.

"Nooooo!!!!" I heard the high wail of an older lady. I jerked my head around to see a chocolate colored woman wearing a cream colored dress standing beside the gurney. An older, grey headed man stood beside her wearing a dark navy suit. The woman threw herself into his arms as she almost fell to the ground in shock. Her cries were loud and long, carrying throughout the woods. I knew how the pain that left me numb felt. I could only imagine how she had felt.

I slowly walked over toward Taren's body. I stared at her bruised face, her busted lip. Whoever killed her did a number on her face. If Cameron did this, I swear I will kill him. I thought as I balled up my fist. "Sara." The soft whisper of Taren's mother sounded through her sobs. I looked up to see her eyes filling with tears as she motioned for me to come to her.

I walked around the gurney toward her. She quickly grabbed me and wrapped me into her embrace. Tears soaking my hair and shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her and begun to cry into her shoulder. "How could someone do this?" Her muffled cry vibrated my body.

"I don't know." I said softly in between my sobs.

She slowly let go and stared at her daughters lifeless body. "Oh my baby girl. My sweet sweet baby girl. How could anyone do this to such a beautiful girl?"

Two people in medical uniforms walked up and covered up her face as they rolled the gurney closer toward the ambulance. Quickly lifting it inside. They closed the doors behind her body and drove off. I watched as my best friend left. I fell to my knees as tears raced down my cheeks again. My eyes stinging from the salty water and brisk air that hit them, trying to dry them quickly.

"Sweetheart, I think it's time I take you home." My father said has he helped me to my feet. I nodded and followed him to his truck. Nothing was ever going to be the same anymore. I would never be the same after this. I don't know who could be.