November 2010...
Katherine
Even though she expected to hear what she said, it still felt like a shock to her. Savannah was the killer and there was no denying that fact.
No. Maybe Savannah wasn't the killer. Maybe Mariah just forgot how she looked, there was a chance of that, right?
"Are you sure?" Katherine suddenly asked after a while of just plainly staring at Mariah. She needed anwsers and she didn't have time to waste.
"Yes. I remember her, she was the one who attacked me that day and I'm sure of it". Mariah replyed. Katherine just stared at her in shock before shoving her phone in her pocket and standing up.
"Okay", Katherine said before turning to look at her mother, "thank you for your time, I'll be on my way". Katherine said before smiling at her mother and walking out of the house.
The news still felt odd to Katherine as she ordered another cab. Savannah was the killer? Katherine could only think to herself as she waited patiently by the sidelines. This thought felt odd and no matter how many times Katherine tried to deny it, she couldn't change the fact that it was the truth.
The cab came a few moments later and Katherine got in. She felt uneasy. Was it the change in whether or her exhaustion, she couldn't tell. All she knew at that moment was that she craved sleep. She'll have to talk with Nathan tomorrow about everything.
...
The next day...
Katherine woke up early and was ready before 8 o'clock.
She was just about to make herself a cup of coffee when her phone started ringing. I don't have any plans today, who could be calling? Katherine thought just before picking up her phone. Nathan. Why would he be calling Katherine, did he find out that Savannah was the killer?
Without thinking twice, Katherine answered the call on the first ring.
"Hey, uhm, are you busy, I really want us to talk". Nathan said as soon as Katherine answered the call. He sounded tense and Katherine didn't like the sound of it.
"I'm not busy, but, what do you want to talk about. Is it about Savannah".
"Yes actually. Have you made any progress on her case".
"Yeah and I wanted to tell you something important. Don't worry, I'll meet you at your place, if that's fine with you?" Kather asked.
"Okay, sure". His voice sounding more tense than before. Now she began to wonder what he had found out about Savannah.
"Are you okay? You sound a bit tense, is it because of Savannah ?" Katherine asked. She didn't like the thought that something bad was going to happen and prayed he didn't have bad news.
"No, well, actually", he sighed and didn't say anything for a while. Katherine had a bad feeling about this. "Just come over, I'll tell you everything then".
"Okay, well, expect me by 11".
"Okay, bye".
"Bye". Katherine said before ending the call. She didn't know why she felt like whatever Nathan wanted to say to her was going to be bad news. Shaking off the thought, she made her coffee and made her way to her living room, she stretched her legs on the couch and turned on the TV, maybe this would calm her thoughts.
...
As soon as the clock struck 11, okay maybe 11:30, Katherine changed her clothes and put her phone in her purse before heading out.
The whether was already getting chilly outside so Katherine grabbed a coat before making her way to her car. She hopped in and started the engine. The whole ride, she kept thinking of what Nathan said and what he wanted to tell her.
Katherine stopped the car when she arrived at Nathan's house. She still remembered the last time she came to his house to discuss the same topic. She stepped out of the car and texted him of her arrival. After waiting a few minutes, she heard a door creak and then clicking. She turned around to see Nathan standing by the gate.
He led her into his house and offered a few drinks but Katherine refused.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Katherine asked, breaking the silence between them.
Nathan immediately stopped what he was doing and walked to the livingroom before sitting on the couch next to Katherine. Katherine suddenly felt uneasy and knew that whatever he was going to say wasn't good news.
Nathan abruptly held Katherine's hand before saying, "Promise me, you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you". He looked oddly serious and worried. It made Katherine wonder what was going on.
"What do you mean? Everything a patient tells me is confidential and the only reason I broke that rule is because your sister deserved justice". Katherine said. What could Nathan know about Savannah that she didn't tell her?
"Just promise".
"Okay fine, I promise. What happened? Why are you looking so serious?"
Nathan sighed before letting go of Katherine's hand. "It's about Savannah's childhood. Something she didn't tell you or me, but I found out anyway. It's complicated". Nathan said before running his hand through his hair.
"What happened to Savannah?" Katherine suddenly asked, she felt restless.
"It was a few years back, before Savannah or I moved here....
FLASHBACK.....
"Have you met the new math teacher?" Debbie asked Savannah while they were taking their books out from their locker.
"No, have you". Savannah replied before closing her locker and resting her back on it.
"No", Debbie said before closing her locker. "But we'll get to during class. Let's go before it's late". Debbie said as she grabbed Savannah's hand and dragged her to class.
The teacher was already in class when Savannah and Debbie arrived. He was tall and slim with a mustache. He looked a bit young to be a teacher. He turned to look at them. He eyed them suspiciously before saying, "why are you two late?"
"We were in the restroom when the bell rang". Debbie said . The man didn't say anything and just signalled for them to sit.
Savannah had a weird feeling around him. They just met yet she didn't like him.
....
As soon as class was over. All the students left but Mr. Francis, the new teacher, asked her to stay.
"Savannah, stay here". Mr. Francis said as he walked towards the door and locked it. Savannah felt alarmed and slowly walked to the back.
"Why did you lock the door?" Savannah said softly as he approached her.
He didn't say anything and just walked towards her. Savannah felt scared as her heart beat faster . She didn't know what to do and quickly rushed towards the door but he was fast enough and held her back by her waist.
She wanted to scream but he held her mouth.
....
Things took a turn from there and who would have guessed that her new teacher could be a rapist.
He forced himself on her and threatened her not to tell a soul.
He made her stay late everyday at school for a week and lied to everyone that Savannah had to take extra classes.
She was traumatised by the incident and stopped talking to Debbie for a few days. She couldn't trust anyone and kept that secret to herself, she couldn't even tell her family.
Mr. Francis ended up getting fired from his job after he was caught raping a student.
END OF FLASHBACK...
I only got to know once when Savannah and I went to a bar and she got drunk and told me everything about the incident ". Nathan narrated to Katherine. Katherine couldn't believe her ears. Savannah suffered so much for so long and couldn't tell anyone.
For a while she was left speechless. She didn't know how to react to this news.
"S-so, Savannah was r-raped when she was just a minor?" Katherine stuttered.
"Yes. I don't know if this information could help you in determining whether she has the disorder or not, but I just decided to tell you". Nathan said slouching on the couch.
"Then why didn't you tell me before?" Katherine asked, now curious to know more about Savannah.
"I forgot. Like I said before, I was drunk and just this morning I bumped into a video we made that day",Nathan explained." And, you said you wanted to tell me something?"
The sudden question made Katherine remember the main reason she came. This news might not come as a shock to Nathan, but it's better to tell him. Taking a deep breath, Savannah said, "so, yesterday I did my research on the girl that claimed to have been attacked by the killer. To cut the long story short, I met her and asked her if Savannah was the girl that attacked her and she said yes". Katherine said in one breath, she didn't know how to explain it better.
"W-what?"
"I'm being honest. Savannah is the killer".
"....."