𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬━𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡

Ⅸ

IT WAS THE NEXT MORNING WHEN REAGAN SAW HER FRIEND AGAIN. She had gotten up early that morning to try and get ready. She told her mother that she and Arvin were heading over to Lenora's grave to talk to her. That's the one thing she's wanted to do with him since the funeral, they just never got the chance to. 

She left a note on the table, telling her mother where she was going and what time she might be back. Reagan had planned to spend the whole day with her best friend...or whatever they were at this point. She didn't really know, and neither did he. 

Reagan had cleaned out her car that morning as well. It wasn't that messy, but she wanted to be safe. It was another short ride over to Arvin's house. By this time, it was later in the afternoon. Right after lunchtime. Once she had gotten out, She didn't even have to knock on the door when Arvin came running out of the house. 

"I would've knocked.." Reagan told him as the two walked back to his car. "Grandma's sleepin'. She hasn't gotten out of her bed since the funeral. It's gettin' real bad, Reagan." He sounded genuinely concerned. Reagan nodded as she got in the passenger side. "She'll get better, Arvin. I promise. My mama got better. Your grandma will too. We're all still copin' with the loss of Lenora." 

He nodded and started the car. The two talked the entire time they were in the car. It was another short ride to the church. It was the same church that they went to every Sunday. Lenora's grave was a few feet away from where the car was parked. "Go ahead over, I wanna go in." He told her, staring at the church.

"What? Why do you want to go in the church?" Reagan had asked him, before noticing the blue car sitting next to them. "Oh. Don't do anything...illegal, alright?" Regan asked once more as she opened her car door. He didn't respond and just stared at the church. She walked out of the car and walked over to Lenora's grave. Reagan sat down next to her tombstone and did what any person would do when they went to someone's grave. She began talking to her. 

"Hi, Lenora..." she hesitated for a minute, "where do I start? Arvin's completely lost it. He's gonna do somethin' to that preacher man. Mama just got better after daddy. Um...your grandma is still devastated, Lenora. She's very upset."  

She waited for a minute, looking back at the car, which was now empty. "I know you didn't do it, Lenora. I know you didn't kill yourself. Arvin misses you. I think he's takin' it the worst. Lenora, I miss you too. I miss you a lot. You were like my sister, too, you know? I hope it's good up there. You're spendin' time with your mama, maybe your daddy, who knows. Do me a favor though, alright darlin'? Tell my daddy I say hi." 

It was quiet for a few minutes when there were loud gunshots coming from the church. "Oh, lord Arvin.." Quickly, she got up and ran over to the car. She got in and waited patiently for him to come out. She stared at the door, watching for him to come out. When he came out, he looked more stressed. He looked different. 

He started the car immediately and pulled out as fast as he could. The two were quiet for a moment before Reagan finally spoke up. "Arvin...I'm going to say this as calmly as possible because I don't want to cause an argument, but what I'm about to ask may  cause an argument. But...what the fuck did you do inside that goddamned church?" 

He didn't speak to her, but just glanced over.  "Did you kill the preacher man?" Again, he didn't respond. Reagan sighed and looked out the window. "Dammit Arvin, what did you do?" She mumbled.

The rest of the car ride was quiet. They drove back to his house, where Reagan's car was. He slowly pulled into the driveway, trying not to make the car make to much noise. "You gotta go home."

Reagan turned to him. "What?" He glanced over at her and then looked back at the house. "Reagan, you gotta go home. You can't come with me. Your mama needs you."

"And your grandma doesn't need you? Arvin, she's just getting over Lenora. Leavin' ain't gonna change nothin'. You killed that preacher man...he ain't comin' back. You run, I'm runnin' with you. I was there, Arvin. You don't think they ain't gonna wanna question me?"

He looked directly at her this time. "Get out of the damn car, Reagan." She stared at him blankly. "Seriously?"

He didn't answer her again. This seemed normal for him at this point. Angrily, she got out of the car and shut the door. Reagan watched as he sped out of his driveway.

She quickly got into the car and looked around for something that was in there earlier. "Shit. It's at home." She mumbled as she realised she had taken her gun out of the car.

Reagan stepped on the gas as she sped out of the driveway and she drove home as fast as she could to get her things and leave as fast as she could, without putting her mother in danger.