I was cold. So cold. The water was only part of it - Abigail's last words had been like ice being poured through my veins. I sat there, on the dock, recalling the events of the last 24 hours in vivid detail. The Hitchcock movies references, the clues, the game we'd been forced to play. And it had affected the people closest to me. I blamed myself for all of it. How could I have thought that I could beat this psychopath? How could I have been so sure? My dad had taught me well, but no one's perfect.
I suddenly realized that I was shivering, my whole body shaking. I had been in that cold water and I was still wet. The early morning breeze chilled me and I wrapped my arms around myself. I wasn't sure where anyone was. I felt alone and seprate from it all, my inward self-deprication taking a hold on me.
"Shawn!"
I was startled from my thoughts by a familier voice.
"Gus?"
How had he managed to get here so fast? I looked up, saw him running toward me.
"Shawn, are you okay?" Gus sat beside me, hand on my shoulder, concern in his eyes.
"G-gus..." I whispered, still in shock.
"Shawn, you're soaked through!" Gus took off his coat and draped in over my shoulders. "Come on, let's get you warm."
He helped me stand up and guided me to the end of the pier. The Blueberry was parked beside Dad's pick-up truck. I saw Dad wave to the last cop as he got into his cruiser and left.
Dad turned, saw me, saw Gus. He gave a nod that I assumed was meant for Gus and then gave me a half smile before getting into his truck and driving away.
I was silent as I slumped into the passenger seat of the little blue car, watching Gus slide into the driver's seat. He turned on the car and turned the heat up all the way.
"She left, didn't she," Gus said softly.
I nodded.
"Is she really okay?" I was staring out the window as I spoke, as if I could see Juliet's face in the sky.
Gus signed. "Physically, yeah, she's alright. But She's gotta be freaking out mentally."
I looked back at my best friend. "I - I was so scared. The whole time. I mean, they almost died...I almost died."
I closed my eyes and suddenly it was as if I was underwater again, cutting the ropes that kept Abigail trapped, holding my breath, trying not to panic..
"She said she didn't want to die, Gus. Abigail. And I can't blame her." I leaned my head back against the seat, opening my eyes, looking through the window again. I suddenly realized that I was crying, silent tears rolling down my face.
I felt Gus put his hand on my arm, but I didn't want to look at him, didn't want him to see my tears.
"It's okay, Shawn," Gus said quietly. "It'll be okay. Whatever happens, I'm here."
I turned back to look at him then, saw his sad smile.
"I know," I whispered, smiling back.
