I walked home from the hospital. I was about a half a mile from my house. I had my clothes delivered to my room, washed, and ready. Anthony had left an hour prior and was expecting me back soon. It was that cold April morning, with the dew and mist like always. I walked down the street with my headphones on, listening to my usual list. They all reminded me of her, which made me sad. But I had to be strong. People who knew me well, who was generally everyone in the town, watched me from windows, and some even came out to talk. I dismissed them, and they understood. I was the talk of the place, and it was going to be that way for a while. I'm glad I had Mac Demarco playing loud in my head, or else I would have been tempted to say things in return. Everyone knew, which I wish they didn't. But I couldn't stop them. Live and let live, I guess.
About 14 minutes later I got home. It was about 8 A.M. on that awful day. My dad and brother were waiting in the front room for me, and I came in. We all shared a hug, my father using all of his little strength to stand up for us. We exchanged some words, and we all went our separate ways. I walked up into the bedroom area of our small house but didn't go into mine. It reminded me of her too much. I just couldn't at that time. I went into Anton's room and stepped up onto his bed to climb out the window. I slid my body out onto the damp, rough surface of the second-floor roof. I walked over to where I always sat on the edge, and that is where our story began.
Montgomery Dean Montross was another respected person in our town. One of my closest friends, as long as I can remember actually. There were a few others in the friend group, along with myself, Montgomery, and Regan. But we'll get to them later. He was 17, the same age as Regan Vantse, and everyone else in our circle. Monty was the volleyball club team captain, which I had been a part of for a while. He was athletic, smart, and most dangerous of all, charming and kind. This is how he got you. Monty was not a good person. He manipulated people, hurt people, and helped a certain someone commit a certain act against a certain girl. At least I thought he did. I would find out soon. Being one of Regan's best friends, Montgomery was shaken up about the event. An act, I presume. He hid his true feelings from everyone at that school, and everyone in the world. I saw him stating on the local news earlier, talking about how 'I had no idea he was capable of doing this. She is such a nice girl,'. Yeah, total bullshit, in my opinion. My opinion was usually correct.
I sent Monty a message the day after it happened, which is today.
Our conversation reads:
V- hey, sorry man. I was going to text sooner, but I was still processing a lot.
M- It's ok Vince, want to meet up and talk about things?
V- sure, thank you. how about 11 at the park?
M- sounds good.
Playing him like a Gameboy. I was a bit worried about how I'd make it less suspicious, but the guy dug his own grave. See, whichever manipulation techniques Monty used, I was better. And so with our plan, all I had to do was wait until 11 A.M. on that second day of descension. It came quickly.
I walked to Mayland County community park around 10:32 A.M., so I would be there early. The same thing happened, people watch and talk, but whatever. I could hear them this time but didn't care to listen. I had work to do. I used a shortcut that I always took to get to Angie's house because she lived right near it. I thought of stopping by, but I was the last thing her parents needed to see right now. The thought was insane. I was in the small woods area of the back when I could see Montgomery from afar. Unmistakable. Tall, good build, strong legs, everything good in a man. Except he wasn't good. I stayed hidden and watched him. I had very good eyesight from far away, I could even read his Nirvana shirt. He sat down on this bench right by the center pond, which made me stand up and start walking over. He and I were of the same height and weight, but he had a little more strength than I did. But that was okay. Without saying a word, I sat down right next to him. He looked at me and smiled with a blatant sarcastic sad expression. This prick was responsible, alright.
"Hey man, how are you doing? I was so disturbed at what happened to Angie, I liked her. And can you believe that asshole Regan? I know one thing for sure, if he ever gets his ass out of fucking prison he's off the team." He said. That had to have been the fakest and stupidest thing I've ever heard someone say. First off, Regan was MIA. Second off, he wouldn't even be coming back to school. Whatever. Just play into him.
"Yeah," I said. "So was I. I didn't expect this at all." He shook his head.
"Fucking hell, this cruel world." He replied. Yeah, and you're what's making it cruel. We talked things over for a while, and I acted grateful and happy to hear his words. I was too busy thinking of what I wanted to do to him to notice he was smiling a lot. What a creep. It was time to get things started. I waited until there was no one really around us in earshot. Which there usually wasn't at this place.
"Hey, show me your arm," I said while getting up. He smiled evilly.
"You're on, bitch."
I had a strong arm for throwing, but I wasn't paying much attention to how far my rocks skipped. I was looking for a bigger one.
"Jesus Christ!" He exclaimed. "That one must've skipped town!" He laughed hysterically like he always did. I hated this guy. His throw didn't go far, but mine always did.
"Yeah. Pretty good for both of us," I said with a fake smile. "Hey, Monty." He turned his head without turning his eyes at first.
"Yeah-" Sentence cut off by the blow to the face. I hit him so hard that he sort of spun sideways before hitting the ground. He spit up a bit of blood, then looked back. "What the FUCK Vincent? What's your problem?"
"I don't have a problem. But you're about to." I said as I picked up the large, round rock I had found.