Avery
A ray of light peeking through the crack, shining only my shivering feet. There was no sound other than my shallow breathing, which I tried to hold back. Sweats broke despite the cold air, mixed with tears that slowly streamed down my cheek.
Why isn't he moving anymore? Does he give up to the pain?
I hugged my knees tightly. I wanted to get out, but I couldn't. I couldn't even close my eyes to ignore the body that was sprawled on the floor. I couldn't scream, I couldn't move, I was helpless.
He can't die. He promised. He promised that I would be okay.
The blood already dried and my body became numb. No one knew where I was—not until much later, when I could finally hear someone coming. Two. Three. So many people, including my mom with her distressed voice calling my name.
***
Someone shook my body frantically, forcing me to open my eyes.
"Honey?" The soft voice belonged to my mom who was sitting on my bed.
It was just a dream.
"What's wrong?" She asked while wiping the sweat from my forehead. It wasn't even hot, but I sure sweated a lot.
"Nightmare," I replied shortly. Ah, I panted too. Was I really having a nightmare or running around the neighborhood?
"I haven't heard that word in a while," she smiled. "You must've had a very tough weekend."
Tough? Not even close. Between the new physics project and the plagiarism allegation, came what apparently to be my side job: helping Rhett solving cases. Solving, not catching the suspects or even endangering myself out there. Running away from the people who would do anything to hide their crimes wasn't even on my list when I agreed to work with Rhett. Yes, breaking and entering was one thing, but almost getting killed was another.
"School has been really upsetting lately," I said. Ever since I knew Rhett, I had kept secrets from my mom. My mother, damn it, one of the two people I fully trusted in my life. I just couldn't tell her what we had been doing, or even tell about the guy from Bensworth named Rhett Carver. Instead of being happy because I finally had a friend, she would get mad and move us out of Bridgewald.
"If you're complaining about school, I know it's not about the lessons or the assignments," she assured. "Is someone bothering you? Please don't tell me it's that Danna Jennings."
"Uh, Mom, I'm already stressed enough, and now you bring her into the subject," I whined. "I'm just... tired, that's it."
"Alright," she stood up and put the blanket back on me. "Just try to empty your mind and forget all the problems. You'll have a good sleep—but, don't forget to get up for school."
YOU ARE READING
Mystery Loves Company
Mystery / ThrillerA crime-mystery lover Rhett Carver only wants two things in his life: first, to be taken seriously as a young detective, and second, to get rid of his never-ending bad luck that always gets in the way of reaching the first thing. Those goals bring h...