heartache

sixteen

There was not a doubt in my mind when I said, "I love you too Sodapop Patrick." The word 'smile' or 'grin' does not stress how happy Soda was when I said that.

"DID YOU HEAR THAT TULSA? I LOVE STELLA MAE AND SHE LOVES ME! YOU HEAR THAT COLIN? THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!" he yelled into the street. I laughed and my jaw dropped at the last part.

"Okay, we're getting you inside now. Let's go cuddle and watch a horror movie, 'kay?" I basically demanded as I dragged Soda in by the hand. Two-Bit and the rest of the gang was already sitting in the living room, flicking through the channels. The couch was empty so Soda and I grabbed it. He pulled me close and I snuggled into him.

"OOOH, HOW ABOUT EYES WITHOUT A FACE?" Two-Bit exclaimed.

"I've never seen that one...sure, why not?" Two-Bit eagerly put it on the TV and turned out the lights so that the only light was coming from the TV. We started the movie and let me just tell you, that was the weirdest and creepiest movie I've ever seen. The title says it all! I basically had my head in Soda's shoulder for the entire movie. It was just too gross for me to watch. Soda rubbed my back and tried to coax me out of his arm but it didn't work. I was not coming out until that freak doctor stopped kidnapping young women, cutting off their faces, and trying to make his daughter look better. No, siree. Anyway, Soda's arm was quite comfortable. I eventually fell asleep before the movie was over.

I woke up when Soda's arm was no longer there. My eyes blinked open and I looked around to see no one in the room. I couldn't even identify what room I was or where I was. It was a hue off of pitch black. Then a light flicked on behind me. My head whipped towards the light. Another one flicked on. And another. Soon the room was filled with bright lights. I could barely see anything as result of the blinding lights.

"Turn them down, the girl can't see," a masculine voice said from behind me. A young man, probably around 25 or so walked into view and sat down at the metal desk in front of me. Wait, where did that desk come from? Where am I?

"Alright, let's cut to the chase. Why'd you do it?" the man asked.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," I stuttered.

"You know. ROLL THE TAPE PETE!" A screen flicked on the wall in front of me. I was scared to watch but intrigued as to what I did. A New York City alley came onto the screen. It was in black and white, like a security camera would capture it. Nothing happened for the first minute or two, but then I saw a gang jump out and grab two people, who looked vaguely familiar. Then the horror hit me. The people grabbed were me and my brother. The gang members talked to us and my face turned dreadful. Then I closed my eyes, turned to my brother, and punched him in the face. I continued to beat up my brother until he was barely breathing. Dread, horror, and fear coursed through my veins. Was I really the one who killed Willy? The tape ended when police and ambulances came to the scene. The man in front of me turned away from the screen and looked me in the eye.

"Why did you kill William Peter Banks?" he asked again. Tears welled in my eyes.

"I didn't!"

"The tape says it all!"

"But mister, I didn't!" The man banged his palms on the desk and shook his head, obviously frustrated with me.

"WHY. DID. YOU. KILL. HIM."

"I swear, I didn't!" I yelled back. The man shook his head and lifted up his shirt to reveal a gun.

"I'm sorry, but if you don't tell me why, I'll have to kill you. Why did you kill him?" he asked one last time, in a very calm voice. Tears were pouring out of my eyes.