Destined

Sixty One

Tyler is dead.

Talia was beside herself with grief. The detectives had already left by then, after dropping their intense bombshell of information. No, Tyler hadn't run off. He wasn't out exploring anything. Nope, he'd been dead and buried in the woods in the outskirts of the university for almost two months. And the rain had uncovered him.

Maddie was holding Talia in the living room as she sobbed. Liz was on the phone with Matt about the situation. And I... I was numb. The detectives said Tyler was shot. Six times. In the chest and torso. All this time, Talia had been heartbroken thinking he'd left her and yet he'd been dead and buried right under our noses.

Who the hell killed Tyler? Was this what our life was becoming? Would we lose someone each year? Was someone hunting down the soccer team? Did this even have anything to do with Roger's death?

Finally, Talia's wails penetrated my foggy mind and I snapped out of my shock. My friend needed me. I went to her.

"Hey," I knelt in front of her where she was seated on the couch, Maddie beside her. "It's going to be okay, T. I'm so sorry about this. I know you loved him," I said and she stared at me, sadness pooling in her eyes. My heart broke for her.
"H-how can he be de...dead? He..." she took a deep breath. "I thought he left me, Krissy. I was angry and resentful because I thought...and he was dead the entire time," she cried.

Liz hung up the phone and came to us. Talia looked at her expectantly.

"All the guys are getting questioned," she said. "No one knows anything, everyone's pretty shocked,"
"Who would shoot him?" Maddie asked but no one had an answer and Talia succumbed to her sobs again.

My phone started ringing from the table and I got up to answer it. Vince.

"Hello," I went to the kitchen.
"I just heard about Tyler. Is Talia okay?" He asked.
I looked back at my best friend, "No, no Vince, she's not,"
I heard him sigh, "I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
"I don't know. I'm a bit slow in reaction right now. I mean, it's barely been a year since Roger and now this,"
"I'm coming over. Do you need anything?"
"Just you please,"

To make myself feel useful, I made Talia some tea. She'd calmed enough to drink it but the sadness in her eyes had not wavered one bit. Maddie had to excuse herself when her dad called and she went to her room to have a lengthy conversation with him. Then Matt arrived and after speaking to Talia for a few seconds, he and Liz went outside. Vince arrived afterwards, finding me and Talia on the sofa in the living room. Talia was asleep with her head in my lap.

"Hey," he whispered kissing my forehead.
I gave him a small smile, "Hi,"
"How long has she been asleep?"
"A few minutes, I think she's emotionally wrung,"
He nodded, "I brought her some comfort food. You girls are always eating those potato chips and candy bars,"
I smiled, "Thanks, can you put them in the kitchen please?"

I watched him walk into the kitchen with his shopping bag. Talia shifted on me and sat up.

"I think I'll go upstairs," she said then noticed Vince. "Hi Vince,"
"Hello Talia. I'm sorry for your loss," he said to her.
"Thank you," she stood.
"I'll come with you," I said. "Vince, can you give me a few minutes?"
He nodded, "Sure, I'll be in your room,"

He preceded us up the stairs.

Talia sat down on her bed.

"Would you like something to eat?" I asked her. "Vince brought you some snacks,"
She laughed, a dry humorless laugh that scared me more than I cared to admit, "He's just the perfect guy, isn't he?"

Something about the way she said it didn't feel right.

"What?" I asked.
"I just hope he's not another wolf in sheep's clothing?"
"Talia, I know you're hurting, and I'm sorry, I wish I could do something to help you,"
"Let me sleep. And hope this is all a nightmare,"