Funhouse (Incomplete)

Seventeen. Alexia.

          "Why would he be there?" My heart is thumping so loud now that even I can't hear my own words. Isla excuses herself and runs upstairs but I'm too confused to question her. The lake? That's so... far away. What would Trys being doing at the lake in the middle of the night? And after he'd dropped me off here? It makes no sense. Officer Denvers turns to me quickly.

          "We'll already have officers at the scene, you can stay here if you want. We'll keep you posted." I shake my head. I need to be there. I need to see him. "Very well. I'll have to leave instantly but you can follow behind." I nod but I'm staring away into the distance. It feels as if I'm in a dream - or nightmare - and all I want is to wake up to a message from Trys to say he's okay. But he's not. I know he's not. And that scares me. So much. I violently shake myself out of the trance, and leap to my feet. Andrea is already ushering me out the door, Tay following hastily behind. I barely notice. There's a loud ringing in my ears that won't go away.

          I'm pushed into the back seat next to Tay and thrown back against the padding with force as Andrea puts her foot down. I feel my neck crack at the impact but I don't care - I can barely function with my brain in this state. It's whirring with emotion, buzzing and full to the brim with images of Trys splayed on the banks of the lake, limbs mangled in too many different directions.

          "Lexi!" Tay shouts at me, clapping her hands in front of my face. I blink.

          "Sorry," I whimper, fumbling to push my hair out of my face. Her eyes soften and she takes my hand in her own, running circles over my skin.

          "I'm sure it's not him," she attempts to comfort me, but I can tell she doesn't believe her own words. Her olive palms are trembling against my own pale skin and I squeeze her hand reassuringly. In reality, we're both just two friends struggling to cope with the same thing. I brace myself as Andrea slams on the brakes suddenly and my arm reaches across Tay's body to stop her from smashing into the seat in front. She shoots me a thankful smile before we take a deep breath.

         We burst out of the two rear doors and race towards the police cars parked several metres away. Officer Denvers and Officer Warp are already ducking under the tape, their steps purposeful. I don't understand how they can stay so calm in these kind of situations; my own heart is lurching at my own imagination, let alone what they've seen in their lifetimes. My heart pumps loudly as I shake away my thoughts once again and push against the ground, picking up speed. I follow the pair under the tape but am immediately stopped by another set of police officers who wrap their arms around me and pull me backwards.

          "Sorry Miss, nobody is allowed past the tape. Just routine," the greying man sighs, his eyes warm. "I'd let you if I could but these are strict orders I'm afraid." I nod and give him a weak smile before turning back to Tay and Andrea who are huddling next to the tape. Beckoning me over, Tay opens her arms and pulls me into an embrace, as we look out into the lake.

          "I can't see anything..." Andrea's voice is raspy, and I can hear the lump in her throat. Tay rubs her hand over her back.

          "No news is good new, right?" She presses her lips together but I see fear flicker in Andrea's eyes as she nods. After what seems like forever, Officer Denvers appears again, running her tongue over her teeth. Even for a trained officer, her expression was one of evident confusion, and my eyes flare to life, shining with hope.

          "We found a shoe." I let out a sigh of what I think is relief. "But there is evidence to believe it is Trystan's. Do you know what he was wearing last night?" I cast my mind back to the top of the tower but all I can remember is him shaking me awake and staring into his smoky, grey eyes.

          "Red Adidas," Tay says, staring at the grass. My eyes dart to Officer Denvers and she chews the edge of her lip, her chest falling quickly. She looks away before Officer Warp returns holding in his gloved hand a large object, droplets of water shimmering in the cold sunlight. A Red Adidas trainer.