Stripped to the Heart

Chapter 19 - How to kill

Walking into my home I remembered that I had promised myself to talk to my parents, about all this messy business that was happening. Honestly, I didn't care about my brother I just wanted to know what happened.

Why was Mia killed? How was Jack involved in it all? My thoughts were spinning rapidly when my Dad walked into the kitchen, bringing the stuff they thought I would need for the next 2 weeks. "Dad, I've heard about Mia's murder and how Josh, Charlie and Jack were all involved. You just need to explain it to me, every detail." I said, meaning every word.

"Anna, we might go upstairs and have this conversation somewhere a bit more private" he said, carefully moving towards the stairs. I followed him and jumped onto my bed as he found a stool from my desk and sat down. "Look, you should know that your mother and I had nothing to do with this and your brother was drunk. Apparently Charlie had taken Mia on a date and they were going to the club when Josh turned up. Your brother was already there and he wandered over there towards them. Josh was drunk and Mia had gone to the toilets, Josh started a fight with Charlie and Jack was defending Charlie. It began to get violent and they were fighting over you, Mia and Joy. It was all about girls and the bouncers chucked them to the street, it became worse and then Mia walked into it." He paused for a moment watching my reaction.

I left my face blank, listening intently and waiting for him to continue speaking. " They all saw her and suddenly Josh disappeared into one of the houses across the street, Jack followed him and they both came out with knives. Josh had a bigger one, but they came back across and Mia was confused she ran in front of Charlie. They both had no idea what would happen, Josh and Jack began playing with them, eventually Jack attempted to stab one of them but stood down and stopped himself. Josh thought they were killing both of them so he plunged his into Mia's heart and she was killed instantly, Charlie fell down before running for his life. Josh would have killed both of them but Charlie ran, Mia died and Jack has been locked up for 2 years for attempted murder. A life sentence has been issued for Josh, he did something unforgivable and everyone rallied for the life sentence. Charlie is in the hospital, but will be released soon and you may visit Jack soon too, if you wish. I know Mia caused you harm so you don't have to go-" I cut him off and said " No Dad, I can go. I should at least since this is partly our fault." I finished my sentence and then ran, ran to my tree and just sat there and thought.

My Dad tried to make me come down but in the end handed me a sleeping bag, pillows and blankets so I could sleep up here. He also tried to tell me it wasn't my fault, I believed him but also remembered that Mia had been bullying me about Josh and myself for weeks, months and it hurt. But ironically the one she held so highly and loved so dearly actually killed her, I laughed at this and walked around, looking at photos I had stuck on the tree. All the scratches, writing and pictures hidden on the branches.

"Anna, you okay?" a voice from below asked, I looked down and saw Leo. I grinned at him and he climbed up to my little platform with a roof, he sat down next to me and wrapped a blanket around himself. "Yeah, just thinking about how Josh killed Mia and my brother, Jack, almost killed someone too. Funny how I knew all these people, almost as if someone wants me to know something." I snorted and got a funny glance from Leo, he looked a little occupied.

"What's up Leo?" I asked him "Not much, just my mother, she was in a car accident...she broke her back, paraplegic now." He looked tired and worn out, I didn't blame him. It was probably be hard to adjust to this news, "Is she ok?" I asked another question and he glanced at me with a worried expression "She seems ok but they aren't sure yet" he trailed off and I gave him a supportful nudge "She'll be ok, do you need any money?" "We do, but I don't know how we are going to get the money" he sighed and I brought out my wallet. "Here have a thousand, that should cover most of it. Don't worry, I've got plenty of money left. Just get her better, k?" I reassured him when he looked doubtful and unwilling.

I just gave Leo $1000 and he looked at me like he wanted to punch me, how rude and ungrateful!

I brushed it off and looked up at the stars, breathing deep breaths before relaxing and losing myself in a song. The song was going through my mind and I softly sang the words to myself, Leo hummed the tune and I watched a shooting star cross the sky. "Make a wish, Leo" I said it and he looked up at me, our eyes locked into each others and I saw the smile appear in them. He closed his eyes and mouthed something that looked suspiciously like 'make the girl of my dreams be mine' I sighed as I realised that he probably had some girl at his school.

"Finished" he said as he opened his eyes and they shined at me. "So, who's the lucky girl?" I said and he turned his face away, I saw a hint of pink reach his cheeks and I chuckled. "You embarrased?" I teased and I saw his face fall, just a little but it still fell. "I just don't know if she would like me back...that's all" a weird silence fell on us and I snuggled up into my makeshift bed, enjoying the warmth.

I noticed movement in my peripheral vision but I didn't move, just lay there. I was almost asleep when I felt something soft on my forehead and a quick whisper "I love you Anna, you're probably asleep and that may be good. But I am in love with you, I know you probably won't return it to me but..." he sighed and then continued " I will give you space but, I will always love you."

I reacted quickly and moved my head back and suddenly his lips were on mine and my arms were around my neck. We stayed there for a while before I broke away and said one final thing "I don't know my feelings, I already told you to give me a month. You should be going" I said and he stood up, climbing down before walking off.

"Why is this so hard?" I asked myself as I fell into sleep and I honestly didn't know what to do about any of this. 'What happened has happened and what will happen will happen' my conscience spoke to me one final time before I was asleep.