Red Writers

Chapter 6

The neighbours were dead...

They were lying there on the cold floor of their house. It made me nauseous. The shock passed, I noticed that something was wrong...

The body which I remember belonged to Mrs. Gutenberg had her husband's head, and vice versa. I threw up on the beautiful tiles and my companions did the same... Although I did not know these people much, seeing them lying like this on the floor, lifeless, saddened me greatly...Daniel, who was trying to call for help on my phone, pointed out that there was no network left. I cursed new technology and went to find the doctor, Victor Blunt, Emily's tutor who was among the guests. This was formal, the murder had been committed between 5 and 6 p.m. I broke this gruesome news to the assembly.

Everyone looked shaken ... We went to bed knowing that no one was going to sleep that night ... All night long I had this horrible image of dead neighbours in my head. I couldn't imagine the pain these good people must have felt... Despite my fear, I managed to fall asleep.

The next morning, I was the last one up, the others had apparently slept better than me. The only one I suspected to have had difficulty resting was Daniel Lee. Considering he was with me the day before, I didn't find it strange that he was surrounded to the elbows! He must have had the same problem ...

Although everyone offered me activities, I was too tired to accept anything. I went to my room to read my novel a bit, just to rest. Emma Monroe came to wake me up later.

- Charles, you slept all afternoon, you have to get up, we're going to dinner.

- Okay, I'll be there in two seconds ... I said slowly.

- Perfect! But don't delay too long, you are expected. I nodded and started to stand up.

I got downstairs and saw that everyone was lively, in a big discussion. I felt out of place. I was going to go back up but told myself that I had to have dinner, so I went back reluctantly ... Besides, everyone was really nice to me, but all I wanted was to sleep until in the morning.

After a good night's sleep I was getting better, more playful and willing to have fun... I took a long walk with Stephen Ackroyd, then we all watched a movie together... it was good to feel normal.

In the evening, however, everything went much less well. I went to bed, read, and turned off the light. But what awaited me was not a tender dream ... I had a horrible nightmare. All night long I saw the neighbours' heads rolling down the hall! Then I would go to their house and it was the scene from the day before that started again. The good people lying on the ground, heads exchanged, Felix and I vomiting...

I woke up in a sweat, this atrocious sight followed me all day. I tried to silence this dreadful haunt inside me but it stuck with me all day... I tried to have fun but these horrible images came back to me every moment. Stephen Ackroyd was the first to see it.

-You don't seem well Charles. Do you think about the... uh... neighbours? he said to me in a cough.

-Yes, I had a nightmare last night. A vile sight that never leaves my mind.

-It happens sometimes, don't panic you will forget it sooner! he said to me gently.

These words cheered me up. Soon I was more able to have fun. Even though I thought about it quite often during the day, my activities lessened my sense of horror, to the point where I even forgot that Emily was coming today! I rejoiced at the thought and walked into the living room to wait for him. "Charles, you fell asleep again," Clovis said gently.

-What? What do you mean !? Emily hasn't arrived?

-No, she's coming tomorrow.

- You may be sick... he said, putting his hand on my forehead.

-It would surprise me, I stayed here most of the afternoon.

-I'm not a doctor but it seems to me that your forehead is hot ...

-No offence, I don't think so.

-Let's call the doctor, he'll tell us.

The doctor arrived and confirmed our apprehensions; I had a cold. I ate alone so as not to transmit my disease to others. I then went to the living room to read my Stephen King book, "The Shining".

Going up the stairs to go to bed, I noticed blood on the carpet, I followed the trail and found Mrs. Gutenberg's head in the toilet bowl!

I woke up the next day on the living room sofa. All my efforts of the day before to forget the nightmare went up in smoke. And my delirium of the night made me sour.

I got up and went to the kitchen.

-Hello! You still look better than yesterday, Emma tells me.

- When is Emily coming?

-In about an hour.

This hour passed exceedingly quickly. I heard the doorbell ring. I rushed to the door, flourishing! I opened, my friend fell on top of me...

I took her pulse, she was dead.