Sirens rang. It deafens me.
I'm sitting on the back of the police car, clutching the blanket the police gave me. I was done being interviewed by the police while Jess is still talking to them, relaying what she can remember. I sighed, remembering what I said earlier to the police.
I lied. I didn't know what came to me to tell them I didn't see his face. I did and he was crazy.
"Ree." Jess sat down beside me. "Will be okay y'know." She quavered, I know it's hard for her. Jess is a scaredy cat. I put my hand on top of hers, held it with comfort, rubbing circles to calm her shaking hand. "I know." I whispered. I heard her heave a deep sigh then she turned to me. She put her hand on top of mine holding hers. Jess is putting up her brave face, it could be funny if it wasn't comforting and endearing at the same time. "I know this harder for you Ree, if you need any help, if you need someone to talk to, you know I'll be here." And those words are all I need to break down once again.
The experience and the guilt forming in my throat like puke.
---
"Jessica! Oh my sweetheart!" came a familiar voice. We turned around to see Jessica's parents jogging towards us. I smiled ruefully at them. They hugged, comforting their dearest daughter. This. This is one of the things I wished I had. I envied in her. Her family's so sweet, so loving, so opposite of mine.
Mr. and Mrs. Walsh went to me. Jessica's mom touched my shoulder and smiled. "Ree, darling, if you want you can stay with us for the night." There's a familiar ache in my chest. At this time, I knew, I would never have a family like them. "It's okay Mrs. Walsh, I already called Harold to pick me up." And just as good timings go, I heard a screech of car. It was our car. The door opened and my Mom sauntered towards us. I didn't expect her to be here at such late time in the evening. Poised, glam, a shiny pouch on her hand. Her calm but deadly face contorted into a much deeper disgust when she saw Mrs. Walsh. I never knew what came down at them at the past, but my Mom really hates her, and her family as an extension.
"Let's go Reena. I wouldn't want you to go near dirty garbage."
I winced as those words left her mouth. Jess' mother frowned at her too. "You can't even play nice when you're daughter's stressed with a traumatic experience. My gosh, you are such a great mother." Mrs. Walsh sarcastically retorted at her. Her husband clearly did not want a cat fight now, held his wife's hand as if telling her to cool it. I'd actually appreciate if Mrs. Walsh can make my Mom utterly speechless and graceless. Just for her to taste her own medicine. But alas, my Mom's got a sharper tongue than anyone else I've known.
"I am not a softie as you are and your daughter. My Reena can handle this little incident. She is not pathetic like other people around."
I knew this would continue to be more than sniding each other so I grabbed my mother's hand and hauled her towards the car. It was disrespectful but other methods would be futile. I'm tired and I just want to shut my eye and block everything out.
The car door shut with a heavy thud. I sat at the back, my mother in the shotgun, Harold driving us home. Everything was silent (though my mother kept on making little sound but atleast not directed to me) until my Mom decided that it was the best time to nag me. "Reena! How many times do I have to tell you, stop being friends with that skunk's daughter! She gets you into trouble all the time! And I don't want our name beside that bitch."
I sighed. "Mom. Do I look like I care about your reputation and stuff? Because let me tell you, I. Don't. Care. You don't get to choose who I am friends with. You won't even care if I'm friends with robbers or thieves! Just because it wad Mrs. Walsh you're throwing a fit! And fyi, it's me who brings trouble, not her. Stop badmouthing Jess!" My voice went higher than what I expected. But I'm just so angry and frustrated and guilty and...
We got home. I stumbled out of the car, ran to my room and locked it. I knew my mother would lash out at me the next time we talk. But I just wanted some peace of mind. Silence.
I started sobbing once again inside the confines of my room, tears won't stop running out my eyes. I can't hold it, I cried and cried and cried. Moments from earlier crept back, the woman's scream. Her face, her blood. The necklace. The killer's face. I shuddered thinking of him and the blood on my hands.
I slumped on the floor, wheezing and shaking. I didn't care if anyone heard me, I just sobbed until my eyes hurt. Until my erratic heart numbs. It felt like forever but when I rolled to my side, small tears trickling down my face, I saw the necklace. The necklace I stole from a dead woman. You're such a freak Reena. Fvck.
I grabbed the heart pendant necklace. It was silver and shiny, swaying from side to side from my hand. I got dizzy, my surroundings feel like melting and woozy. Before I know it, I blacked out.
---
I woke up feeling a little different. I feel heavier, and apparently standing in a yard full of chairs and tables. How the heck did I get here?
I tried to walk but I couldn't move. I was stuck. I tried moving any part of my body, it doesn't work. Sht, what's happening to me? I starting to freak out. Is this a nightmare? Yep, this is a simple bad dream. I'll just wake myself up.
But then suddenly someone spoke behind me. "Robert." She called, soft and loving. Without my consent, my body turned around to look at her. I felt myself smile even if I am totally not wanting to smile. Why? 'Cause the woman who spoke, smiling lovingly at me, calling me Robert is the dead woman. That woman in the park who I saw life bleeding out from her.
What the?
My body moved on its own again, raising my hands to gesture a hug... Wait. It's not my hands. They're thick, and hairy like that of a man. "Darling." I said in not my voice but of a man again. Sht. Did I cry myself to death and possess bodies? Did I inhale drugs?
'Darling' walked towards me with a sunny smile. Nope, nope, don't come near me! Despite me not wanting her to, she did. She embraced me/the man named Robert and I/Robert hugged her back. I or Robert pulled back and got out a long little box. "For you." I/Robert said (I am seriously confused). The not so dead woman received it. She was so happy. She opened it and it was the necklace. "Happy Anniversary."
---
I probably passed out again, or I woke up from my acid trip, I don't really know. But what I know is I'm crying. Crying my heart out, clutching the necklace in my hand. My body hurt like I was somebody's punching bag. I wad slumped on the floor, having trouble breathing. Then, the door opened loudly like someone forced the entry. I did not bother to look up. It was probably our driver since he's the only guy besides my Dad in the household.
Boy I was wrong.
That someone grabbed my arm rather rudely and hauled me up. It hurt. When I looked at the person holding me, it was the guy. The guy in the park. Terror rose up like bile in my throat. His face's full of anger and wildness. Like he can't see straight, like he isn't himself. His slightly graying beard scared the hell at of me too.
"Robert please... Stop..." I said. No, it wasn't me. There was a mirror behind Robert and there I saw, Michelle covered in bruises. Her face black and blue. Her blond hair in messy ponytail like someone (probably Robert) pulled it hard and harsh. Her clothes rumpled and torn in some places. Michelle, the woman who died in my arms got punched straight to her stomach.
---
I woke up. I think this is for real because I saw the familiar ceiling of my room.
I never dared to move. Too numb, confused and exhausted to cry anymore.
What the actual fvck happened to me?