Eden Lake

Chapter 22

We saunter through the woods in complete silence, not having exchanged any words in quite some time and it's starting to make me lose my mind. I fear that if it stays like this for the rest of the time, I might actually go insane. "So.." I'm the first to break the ice, "what made you change your mind?"

"I hate myself for what I've done and that I haven't done anything to try and stop it. I want to do the right thing and-" He stops midsentence, staring down at the ground.

"And..?" I look at him curiously.

"And.. Nothing.. I just, wanted to.." He stops for a moment, "I couldn't let them hurt you anymore, I couldn't stand seeing you in so much pain."

"What?"

He sighs, biting his lip, "I never hated you. I have never stopped caring about you. All those things I said at the beach.. they were all lies. You were right, Brett saw us and beat me up. Not only that, he told me he'd kill you if...." He speaks fast and I can tell he feels anxious.

I look up at him with a surprised yet sad look on my face. I look back ahead and open my mouth to say something in return, when I see something on the ground in the distance. I squint my eyes as I try to see what it is, but it's too dark. I nudge Harry, pointing in the direction as I cautiously make my way over there. As we're nearing closer, I can tell that it's a person. They are not moving and I recognize the light blonde hair of the sixteen year old boy. "Oh no.." I mutter under my breath, Harry stopping next to me. I squat down next to Cooper who's laying on his back, covered in his own blood. Harry squats down next to him as well and starts to cry, trying desperately to keep it down. I'm not shedding any tears for this kid, but at the same time, I cannot help but to feel for Harry. I get back up and just watch as Harry's crying at his friends side.

Footsteps are nearing us and I slightly tilt my head, trying to listen. Harry continues to sob and my breathing stops as I look and see Brett and Paige standing a little in front of me. I back away instantly, but neither of them move a muscle. Paige looks shocked, sadness visible on her face as her eyes land on Cooper. Brett stares at his dead friend in front of him, a look of shock on his face and his lips part slightly.

"Look at what you've fucking done!" Harry hisses through gritted teeth, tears still streaming down his face. "You know what, Brett? Fuck this- I'm gone, mate." He stands up, visibly shaking.

Brett's shocked expression slowly turns into anger, "what?"

I watch quietly, afraid of what's going to happen. Brett's eyes land on me and for a second, I fear that he'll go and attack me. Harry notices Brett looking at me and steps in front of me in a protective way. But to my surprise, Brett leaves me out of it, barely even acknowledging my presence. Instead, he turns to Paige, who looks as if she's about to walk away, "no. No, no, no. Paige. Phone."

She hesitantly hands him the phone, before looking at me. But this time, she looks remorseful and completely worn out.

"Look! Look, look, look." Brett moves over to Harry and pushes him against a large green container, holding him by the collar of his shirt. He turns on the phone and shows him something, "look, that's you. That's you."

I close my eyes upon hearing the sounds of the video. The video of them cutting and stabbing Steve. Torturing him.

"I didn't want this." Harry cries, shaking his head. "I didn't want to kill him and I didn't want to fucking burn that lad either! And I don't want to go to pen."

I take a step forwards as I see Brett tighten his grip onto Harry, but Paige gives me a certain look. As if she is warning me to stay out of it.

"What do you know about pen?" Brett asks him. "Have you been inside? What the fuck are you crying for?" He slaps him across the head and that is enough for me.

"Hey!" I chime in, "stop it!"

"Stay out of this, you little shit, or I'll fucking kill him!" He lets go of Harry and takes a step towards me. I step back, but stop when Harry dials a number in the phone. He moves away from the large container, making his way over towards me. "Maysa, I promised you you'd be alright and you will be."

"Who are you calling?" Brett asks and for the very first time, I can hear a hint of fear and panic in his voice. Getting no response, he repeats the same question again, his voice louder this time, "Who are you calling?"

Harry doesn't say anything in return. He stands up straight and looks Brett dead in the eye, letting him know that he's not afraid of him anymore. That he can not be controlled by him any longer. I smile and feel a certain amount of pride within me.

"Put that down. Put that...."

Brett looks at Harry, his eyes boring into his, "put that down. Put it down. Put it down." He gets more and more agressive every time he repeats his words. Harry doesn't move and for a moment they're just staring each other down. Harry's eyes flicker over to me and he gives me a sad smile, "I'm sorry.. Run!"

I open my mouth to protest, but before I can even say a word, Brett charges at me.

"Run!"

I hear Harry shout, but just as I turn to run, I feel Brett pulling me back. He smirks as he takes out his knife. I try to fight my way out, but I am too weak. I quickly glance over his shoulder and look at Paige, who stands still like a statue. Her eyes connect with mine and she opens her mouth to say something, but decides against it anyway. She seems hesitant, like she wants to stop Brett, but she is terrified of him. She glances around and quickly regains her composure, running off further into the forest and diesappearing into the trees. Leaving us alone. I look back at Brett and he raises the knife, ready to kill me.

"No!" Harry charges at Brett, managing to take the knife from out of his hands. He tries to take back the knife, but is unable to. "Paige-" He turns to where Paige was standing only seconds ago and his face drops when he sees that she's gone. Harry rushes over to me and pulls me into his arms and I almost forget about Brett who is staring into the woods, realizing his girlfriend has just left him. Harry takes my face into his hands and presses his lips against mine, "I love you."

Wasting no more time, I take his hand in mine and start to run, pulling him along with me. A rush of adrenaline is surging through my veins and I'm starting to feel determined, as if we can make it. That is, until I feel Harry's hand slip out of mine. I whirl around to see Brett grab a hold of him. Harry locks his eyes with mine, a desolate yet happy smile on his face, "you better get out of here alive." He throws something at me and I look to see it's the knife he took from Brett. I pick it up and before I can even react, Brett punches him in the face. Brett throws Harry down onto the ground, continuing to violently beat him up. The tiniest bit of humanity he may have had, now completely gone. I spin around and sprint away from the scene. Tears pour down my face and I cry loudly as I hear Brett yelling as he keeps on beating Harry. I don't want to run, but I also know that Harry sacrificed himself so I could get away. I run through the trees, crying out loud, not even caring if there is anyone who can hear me. I keep on running, my lungs feeling as if they could burst out of my ribcage any second now.

I collapse onto the ground, completely out of breath, continuing to cry as the images of Brett beating up Harry flash before my eyes, over and over. I sit still, my arms folded on top of my knees, which are pressed up against my chest. I try to stop the tears from falling and it feels like I can barely even breath. He wanted to call the police. He wanted to do the right thing. He saved me and he got brutally murdered for it. By his own 'friend'. After getting myself together, I wipe away my tears and jump up, knowing I can't stay here for long without being found. I must get out of here alive. And if I have to, I will kill.