A Time for Murder

Close Call

Luke, head hung, wandered the Highschool hallway quietly, abreast of Kenny, his body becoming immobile with each step that he seized. They too, he, Dillon and Kenny, had all received strange phone calls from a mysterious woman who had made threats upon their lives. It could have just as easily been any one of them to whom the morning announcement had been made. The realization of this morning events weighed heavily on Luke's mind, nearly consuming his very body. Any one of them could have been the unfortunate victim of this prank caller, the one whose life was ended prematurely. It could have been his name to whom rang through the overhead PA system. Luke swallowed hard at that thought, something was sticking in his throat, was it fear?

"So, where do you think he is?" Luke shot a sidelong glanced at Kenny, who did not wait for a response. "I bet he is home right this minute, hanging out on his sofa playing video games. "

"Who?" Luke had been to deep within his own thoughts to have been following the conversation, the very core of him seemed as though it was turning to ice with each step that he took, his legs became heavier, almost as though his own shoes had been fashioned from cement. "You mean Dillon?"

"Yeah, Dillon." Kenny paused, turning towards Luke, his face twisted with something between disgust and disbelief. "Who else?"

Luke shrugged lightly, the two of them turned and continued to stroll down the hallway. How could Kenny believe that his thoughts would be on anything else? On anyone else? Someone lost their life today. Who was next? Were they too in danger? So many questions swarming his mind, Luke found it near impossible to concentrate on whatever it was that Kenny had droned on about. Were they next? The question seemed to hover over him, twirling about his head as it invaded his mind.

Luke suddenly felt ill, a knot forming in his stomach, as though he had been struck repeatedly by a board right across his torso. He stumbled towards one side of the hall. Luke clenched his teeth against the pain, his hands clasping over his stomach. He abruptly stopped walking, leaning against a row of lockers for support as the room began to spin out of control. He drew in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring against the pain.

The room began to blur, his head pounding as he pressed up against the lockers with all his might. Kenny, now a hazy vision, was standing in front of Luke, his voice sounding as though it was nothing more than radio static. Luke was unable to make out what Kenny so desperately was trying to say. Another sharp pain emanating from his gut, followed by a wave of nausea. He was going to puke. Oh God! He was going to puke, right there in front of everyone.

Bright light flashed into one eye, and then the next. The blinding light was sharp and fierce, foring his eyes to close. Total darkness. The soft mumble of voices humming in his ears as his eyes once again were assaulted by a blinding light. Instant pain at his temples caused Luke to let out a whimper. He tried desperately to open his eyes but couldn't, the pain was to unbearable. It wasn't long before Luke felt the soft ease of floating on water, his limbs weak as though he were no longer in control of his own body. Before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep despite the terrible pain that engulfed his body.

Cool wind upon his face brought him closer to reality. Luke pried his eyes open, immediately clutching them shut again. The bright light that hung overhead was a weapon against his senses, causing immense pressure behind his eyes. A cool cloth was laid across his eyes. As a soft, soothing voice assured him that everything was going to be fine now. Luke wanted so bad to jump up, to open his eyes, to know what was happening to him, but his body would not move. He tried desperately to shout out, but his throat was to dry, a lump had developed and try as he might, he could not produce enough saliva to clear the obstruction. Luke's heart began to race as his panic level rose, higher and higher, faster and faster.