Hello lovely readers!
This story literally came to me randomly one night when I couldn't sleep and now here I am! Critic and opinions welcome, please no hating. This takes place 9 years into the future:
Clare, Alli, Adam ~ age 24
Eli, Drew ~ age 25
Johnny ~ age 27
Italics ~ Flashback
Description: I need to find the truth. It's the only way to bring justice to her death. But It's not as easy when your in this deep, and every new piece of information slashes a deeper wound within you.
Prologue
As I sat on the cold wooden swing suspended from the over hang on my house, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing down my face. The cool December air nipped at my arms through my thin jacket. 'This can't be happening' was the only reoccurring thought running through my mind. I just wanted a way out. Out of the pain and emptiness I felt brewing in my stomach.
I felt the bench shake and the presence of another stilled beside me. Before I knew it warm arms encircled my waist and I felt a hand brush my curls out of my face. I looked up to have my icy blue eyes clash with emerald green ones. And then those simple words escaped his lips.
"It is going to be okay. I've got you", he whispered.
I broke into another fit of sobs until I was being lifted from the ground and carried into our warm house. I was immediately aware of my surroundings as I nestled further into Eli's warm embrace. I could hear the fire crackling in attempt to warm the house. I smelled the cinnamon from the forgotten gingerbread cookies half made on the counter. Most of all I was aware of the feeling of Eli's heartbeat steadily pounding underneath my cold hand.
Soon I was gently laid down on our silky bedsheets and I was consumed by the coolness of the dark room. I felt the bed give away behind me as Eli crawled up and pulled me against his chest. He raked his fingers through my auburn curls as he murmured soothing words to me. I couldn't understand why this had to happen. 'Why her? What did she do to deserve this?'
~ 11:32 am this morning ~
I grabbed the cookie cutter from the drawer on my left and positioned it over the brown colored dough. The feeling of Christmas was all around and I couldn't help but smile at the carefully decorated Christmas tree in the living room across from me. As I slowly pushed down on the thick-figured cookie cutter the phone began to ring.
I spun around and wiped my hands on the towel hanging on the cabinet and dashed over to grab the phone before it went to voice mail.
"Hello?" I breathed into the receiver.
"Yes hello, is this Miss Clare Goldsworthy?", a deep voice asked.
"Uh yeah, who is this?", I was a little unsure what was going on.
"This is Detective Walker from the Toronto Police Department," he started.
ELI! What have you gotten yourself into this time? I pondered what he would have done to end up in jail as Detective Walker continued.
"I have on file that you and your family are very close with Alliah Bhandari, is this true?" He asked.
I instantly froze. What does this have to do with me? Did something happen to Alli? The summer after our sophomore year in High School the Bhandari's announced that they needed to move back to India to be with Alli's grandmother, for she got terminally sick and needed help. Alli threw a fit and was completely broken when she discovered that she had to leave. After consent from my parents, and a lot of convincing towards Alli's parents, Alli got emancipated and she spent the rest of our time in High School living with my family and I. Things were great, with only a few fights here and there, mine and Alli's friendship became even stronger..
When it came time for college Alli ended going to the University of Ottawa while Eli and I went to the University of Toronto. Alli moved back after college, and continued to date her long-term boyfriend. Eli and I got married just two years later and life seemed to settle down, but things were never the same since Alli's return. Her personality was no longer vibrant and cheery. It was like her mind was gone and all was left was a ghost of a girl. She changed and the time we spent together lessened. I currently haven't spoken to her in over a month.
I snapped out of my trip down memory lane and responded back to the Detective. "Yes we were, she live with us for a few years and I have been her friend for almost 10 years. What is this about?"
"I am afraid I have some bad news. You might want to sit down for this..."
After a few more minutes of explanation from the Detective he hung up. The phone slid from my grasped and crashed against the floor. This was too much. It hurt too much. I collapsed onto the floor and sobs broke freely from me.
It wasn't until two hours later when Eli came home to find me in this state.
~ Current time 8:57 pm ~
Eli could sense my mind start to wander. "Why don't we watch T.V.? It's almost 9 o'clock and your favorite show Saturday Night live is on now", he asked in attempt to calm me down.
I slowly nodded my head and murmured, "Yes, thank you. I love you Eli."
His eyes softened even more and stroked my cheek lightly, "I love you too" he sighed. He leaned back and picked up the remote from the night stand and clicked the T.V. on. The screen lit up the room in a soft glow. My heart plumetted as I watched the screen. The reporter stood in front of a house. A hous I knew all too well. I watched as the reporter gave his story.
" Local girl, Alliah Bhandari, age 24 was found dead this morning on the floor of her apartment. Details are to be revealed as the investigation moves forward. The question is, is this a tragic accident? Or should Toronto be on the look out for a murderer lurking the streets?"
Eli hit the remote in panic, the T.V. clicked off. I was left with the darkness.
