A Letter Before Death

8

I sat on the bleachers watching as our team rounded the bases. I looked down to the envelope in my hands. My name was plastered on it in angry red writing. It was the same envelope that had the little coffee stain in the top right corner. The note was almost the same as the others. But I was special. I got more. 'Here in the forest, dark and deep. I offer eternal sleep. I'll make you suffer, I'll make you scream. But not a single peep.'

The note was waiting on my bed when I had gotten home from school. I hid it so Katie couldn't see. My main goal is to keep her safe. As for my own safety, I plan on doing what needs to be done. I picked up the box card the detective game me and walked away from the stands toward an area untouched by others. I dialed the number on the card and listened as the ringing finally went to voicemail. "Detective Lyle, it's Sara... I received a note just like the others and I know who is behind the murders. I did a little digging after school today. If you want to catch the murderers, you need to get to the school's softball game. That is where it is all going down... Please get this message." I said as I hung up and walked back to the stands.

"Hey you." I heard a familiar voice before I felt his hands on my shoulders. He spun me around to face him. "You haven't texted me."

"Nate." I sighed, relieved he was here. "I know, I'm sorry. I have had a lot going on these past few days."

"Well, I'm glad you're here if it's the only time I get to spend and talk with you. Do you want to go somewhere to talk?"

I stared at him. I did not want to be caught alone with anyone even if it was him. "Actually, I was hoping to watch the game." I lied, not really caring about watching the game.

"Ok, would you mind if I sit with you?"

"Sure."

He took my hand and led me to the bleachers, finding enough room for the both of us. We sat in the bleachers, hand in hand for the entire game. It was nice just being there with him. He was a sweet guy. He wasn't pushy, or overbearing. It was nice just to have some form of contact with him. It made me think back to that wonderful moment before everything turned to red. I could still imagine the tingling feeling on my lips after he kissed me, while we were running to see where the scream came from. How twisted is it that our best memory led to my worst memory? How twisted is it that after I finally get to kiss and dance and have fun with my crush, that my best friend turns up dead. My best memory, was the worst.

"We won!" Nate screamed as he stood up and threw his fists in the air. He turned to me and quickly kissed me in victory. The minty freshness of his gum lingering on my mouth. I pulled my hand up to my tingling lips, a bit in shock. He looked back to the field and yelled a big 'whoop' into the air.

I looked around for Katie. She was being led into the woods by someone. I quickly pushed passed Nate and a bunch of other students, sprinting toward Katie. I grabbed her arm just before she stepped past the trees. "What are you doing?"  I looked over to the girl she was with. It was a freshman named Hannah. She was one of the better players on the team. She had hit three of the four home runs from our team.

"We have to retrieve the balls that were hit over the fence tonight."

"I don't think anyone should be going into these woods."

"I'm not alone. Hannah is going with me. You should come with us. That way there will be more."

I shook my head. "No, leave the balls for later."

"The coach told us to get them though." Hannah chimed in.

"Tonight would be the perfect time for the killer to strike again, we need to go somewhere where there is plenty of people."