Another One Bites the Dust

Chapter 1

~ 4 weeks earlier ~

The glistening lake reflected in the enourmous windows of the house. The stare of the palacial villa observed the giant inflatable unicorn on the water. The white, boat-like unicorn floated majestically on the lake, its head held high, with its flowing rainbow locks. On it, laughing and joking, a group of friends sat.
"... and then he said 'You can't be here!' And I said, 'Of course I can, it's my house!"
The entire inflatable erupted with laughter. Rocking back and forth, waves formed around it. The floatie swung wildly, knocking Madeleine off it. Her long brown hair flashed as she flew towards the jetty. The sickening crack could be heard for miles.

The teenagers in the inflatable screamed as her body lay facedown on the water. Blood seeped from the wound in her head. The group quickly scrambled for the paddles and rushed rowards the jetty. Serenity ran off, dragging Madeleine out of the water. Her hair covered her face in deep brown waves, cascading down, as her dark, delicate hands begin compressions.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..." her hoarse voice whispered, exasperated. The others ran to the yard, Jesse staying behind, his green eyes wide in panic.
"Call 911!" he called.
"It's too late," said Serenity. "Her breathing's stopped, and her heart's not beating. She's gone."
Jesse collapsed onto his knees, sobbing. Wailing sirens could be heard from the yard just as the ambulance arrived.

. . .

"15 year old Madeleine Wight drowned earlier today in a lake in the suburb of Westchurch. Paramedics arrived at the scene, but were too late to revive the girl," The news reporter stated. "Police are investigating her death, which is currently believed to have been an accident. We have not been permitted to go to the crime scene, but from what we can tell, the parents were not there at the time, and are completely devastated. Not onto sports with Jack. Jack?"
"Thanks Marlene. In last night's game between West Tigers and East Panthers, West Tigers won, scoring a..."

Jesse sat slumped on the sofa, his curly red hair nothing more than a saggy mess on his head. The television acted as nothing more than white noise. His green eyes stared blankly at the screen.
I should've been out there with her, He thought. Then maybe she would've lived. I loved her, and now she's dead. Now she'll never know.