The Girl and The Murderer

10. Who's This Bitch ?

-Hey darling, had a good sleep ?

I jump. The voice's coming from downstairs. When I get there, a woman with brown hair, pretty short and plump is blocking the way.

-Excuse me...

She turns to me, scans me from the top to the bottom and smiles, with a little spasmodic gesture that tells me it's a forced one.

-Hey dearie ! You must be Ray right ? My name's Catherine but you can call me Cathy if you prefer !

Who's this bitch ? Where does she come from ? Everything seems wrong with her, from her smile to her voice. Despite the strong desire to hit her in the stomach, I say calmly :

-Hello Catherine. My name is Rachel Gardner. And it's totally out of the question that you call me Ray until I know what you are up to.

She lets me pass, probably surprised by the icy tone of my voice. I climb down the last few stairs and catch Lenny's furious stare.

-Ray, what's up with you today ? You're not that vicious usually !

I do as if I didn't heard. Vicious ? I'm not vicious ! It's this Catherine the vicious one ! Can't you see it Lenny ?

I grab my keys, a jacket and my shoes, say goodbye vaguely and exit to go to school.

On my way, I realise that Zack is still in my room and that I don't know what "Cathy" does of her life...

I'm anxious all day long. That ends with an express meeting with the school conselor.

At midday, I can't eat anything and can't do a thing properly. The others look at me with pity and try to confort me (I said to the conselor that my biological father had died and that I was still chocked).

Finally, the final bell rings and I'm free to go. I hurru outside. Lenny doesn't wait for me in front of the school but it's normal. Less normal is that the bitch from this morning is waiting for me, chatting with others parents. I do as if I didn't see her and follow a group of older people before hiding in an alley nearby.

Phew, she didn't see me... I lean against a wall and sigh in relief.

-Oh hi Rachel.

I jump hearing Zack's voice. He leans against the wall too, our arms touching slightly.

-I knew I would find you 'round here. Why you're hiding ?

I turn pink. Is it so obvious that I don't want to be found ?

-Don't sweat it. I'll be as quiet as a stone. By the way, you could have wake me up this morning ! I slept until midday ! It's no good for me...

I laugh softly. Zack gives me a knoxk on the bad of the head and my laughter grow louder.

-I finally found you Rachel ! You gave me an awful fright you know ? Come, we're going home !

I look around to see that Isaac has run away.

-What do you waiting for ? Are you deaf or something ?

The bitch gets angry. I guess that this one won't be off for a moment.

I shrug and follow her with the words "kill me" written on my face.

On our way home, she tells me that she's going to live with us and she hopes that we'll get along well soon. Stupid woman.

At the very moment the door opens, I dash to my room. Maybe Zack is back ?

He's not there and I fall on the bed. His smell is still here though he's gone. It's so nice to smell it.

I do my homework hastily and wait for Lenny to get back home.

-He will come home late tonight, says Catherine. You're gonna eat with me.

Boring dinner... Catherine sends me to bed from the moment the meal ends. What's good about it is that she goes to bed too. I'll be able to go out !

I creep down the steps ans look at the clock. 9 p.m. Seriously now ? I know that I'm a kid but for godness sake !

-If I knew, I'd eat faster...

I wear my shoes and take my keys before leaving.

Once I'm outside, I don't know what to do. It's nice that I'm outside but where do I go ?

After a short time thinking I say to myself :

-Let's go see how Zack is doing !