“So, who’s going to die today?” Nate asked. “Now’s not the time to joke Nate.” Sophia said. “What? Loads have people have almost died, surely it’s time for someone to actually die.” Nate said. “Yeah well the last one could have been Amelie so careful what you say.” Sophia said. Nate’s face dropped. “They wouldn’t have killed her.” He said. “They would have if we hadn’t stopped them.” Sophia said, “Well done by the way, you almost killed Tom.” She said sarcastically. “You don’t want him dead? He tortured Amelie.” Nate said. “Of course I want him dead. But, we need him alive.” Sophia said. “What are you talking about?” Amelie asked waking into the room. “Just stuff.” Nate said. Sophia watched Amelie get into her bed. She didn’t think Amelie understood the severity of everything that was going on. That made sense though, she was only seven. This was not something a seven year old should ever have to go through.
Parties and drinking. Everyone having fun. My father being miserable, Until he got to shoot his gun. He shot his gun at the target, And everyone clapped and cheered. Except for me, Who hated loud noises, The hate came from what happened last year. Parties and drinking, Everyone having fun, Me being miserable, As father shot his gun. He shot his gun at the target. And everyone clapped and cheered. Except for me, Who fell to the ground, In silent, blood shot tears.
The social worker placed her hand on my shoulder to guide me to the car. I tensed. She sensed that so asked, “Are you okay?” I didn’t answer, just nodded my head. She smiled at me and got me in the car. I looked at the house. The house I was finally leaving. The house of horrors. The house of nightmares. The house I would not be at if I could help it. The social worker took me to the foster home. I met the family and they took me in. They cared for me until I left home. But I was never happy. I was always worried whenever they would have alcohol. Always tensed when one of them got too close to me. Always frightened. Never got peace from the memories. Never will get peace from the memories
“I hate this.” Will said. He threw his bag against the wall. “Well what did you expect would happen?” I said ducktaping my shoe together, “We’re the two best students at the academy, of course they’re going to put us in the task.” “I know but I never expected you to get in.” Will said. “Thanks ever so much. That’s so kind of you.” I said sarcastically. “Shut up Evelyn.” Will said. I smiled sarcastically, “Anyway, what should we do first?” “No clue.” I said. “I thought you said you were one of the best students in the academy.” Will said. “Yeah well so are you. What should we do?” I said. Will looked around the room. His eyes rested on a box on the wall. He got up and went over to it. He tried opening it but it didn’t open. “Wow. Well done.” I said sarcastically. “Shut up.” He said. I looked around the room. How on earth were we going to get out of here?
“Mary.” I heard the soft voice call. I went about my daily routine as normal. The voice still there, saying my name, getting louder throughout the day. I looked at myself in the shattered mirror. Many different versions of me staring back. I went into the kitchen, the knives left on the side. I went up the stairs, past family and solo pictures with my face scratched out. I went into the living room. I pressed the TV remote even though it had no batteries in it. I laughed at the smashed TV as though I was watching the funniest show on Earth. I opened the draw near the sofa to find the charred note. Don’t listen to the voice in your head. I grabbed the lighter and started burning it again; not much but just enough that I felt better about it.
“You want her gone?” A woman on the other line said. “No.” My husband said. “Then what? Why would you call me? We’re not having an affair if that’s what you want.” The woman said. “Hang on, you would be willing to kill her but not have an affair?” My husband asked. “What can I say. Marriage vows are sacred.” The woman said, “Anyway, what did you want me for?” “Well, my wife loves murder mystery. It’s her birthday coming up and I was thinking you could plan a murder mystery surprise party.” My husband asked. “Oh. Yeah sure.” The woman said. “Okay. Thanks. That’s great.” My husband said. “Wait, why did you call an assassin to plan a surprise party?” The woman asked. “Well an assassin would know how to kill and how to get away with it. Also, your mum says you used to be a party planner so.” My husband said. “Yeah I was. Okay. I can do that. When?” The woman asked. “This Saturday.” My husband said. “Okay. I can do that.” The woman said. I put the phone down. I didn’t think I’d ever have a surprise party. I was so happy.
“I didnt think about that.” Ellie said. “You don’t think about anything.” I said. “Shut up.” Ellie said. “I’m not wrong.” I said, “You don’t! This was your fault. You brought it on yourself. Now you’re going to have to live with the consequences. Have fun in jail.” I turned around and started walking away. “No, Charlie please!” Ellie siad desperately, she grabbed my hand, “I can’t do this alone!” “It’s not my problem. You killed him.” I said. “Okay, yes. I did. But I did it for a good reason.” Ellie said. “I know. I’m just being a dick.” I said. “It’s not funny.” Ellie said. “Okay I’m sorry.” I said before kissing the top of her head and pulling her into a hug, “We’ll get through this. I promise.”
21st October 2024 I’m going to quote a song for you, ‘Oh dear diary, I met a boy’. The new guy at school, Dan is sooooo cute. I almost died when he asked me for a pen in biology.
23rd March 2025 Dan flirted with me today! I’m so happy.
27th March 2025 Dan’s an arsehole. He flirted with me all week and then I find him kissing Ellie at Lucas’ party. Fuck him.
29th April I wish Dan would leave me alone. He’s so creepy I don’t know why I ever liked him. It’s sods law isn’t? The second I stop liking him he gets all handsy. Well not handsy yet but I’m fearful.
5th May My head is throbbing. I have no idea what I did last night but fear for the worst. I think it involved Dan. UPDATE! It did involve Dan. I slept with him. I am such an idiot. I don’t know what I’m going to do.
7th June I’m scared of Dan. He keeps making lude remarks and innuendoes around and about me. I don’t want him anymore but I’m afraid he doesn’t care about that.
10th June I did it again. When will drunk me realise I don’t want him. What do I do?
People say you see red when you’re angry. I hadn’t experienced that until I swung at Maisie Peterson in Upper Sixth. No one insulted my younger sister like that. I swung at her but she dodged it. She punched my nose. I heard a crack and fell into the sink. Scarlett red blood gushed from my nose. Maisie kicked my side a few times. I tried to get up but she punched my face again. I bit my tongue. More red blood. Red everywhere. I was seeing red not just metaphorically aymore. I gave up trying to fight back. Just then the fire alarm went off. Maisie kept punching. A teacher stormed in. She tore Maisie away from me, helped me up and walked us bith out of the bathroom. More red as I saw the red fire alarm going off. More red as I saw the fire. No, that was orange. We went outside. More red as I saw the fire engine. Red everywhere until I blacked out.
I picked Alice’s phone up. I saw a text from her the night before that she never sent me: Hey Grace. I wanted to let you know that I slept with Martin. I feel awful but I wanted to tell you so you didn’t find out from anyone else. I’m so sorry and understand if you don’t want to talk to me ever again. I was dumbfounded. My best friend slept with my boyfriend? “Hey.” Alice said walking in. I looked up from her phone; mad as anything, “What?” “You slept with my boyfriend?!” I said. Alice froze. “Shit you saw the text.” “Yes I saw the text.” I spat. I pushed past her. “No Grace please.” “I thought you didn’t mind if I never spoke to you again.” I said walking down the stairs. “I said I understand not I don’t mind. They’re different things. Look I’m sorry Grace.” I scoffed, wrenched the door open and left. Never to return. Not until years later when her brother and I would announce our engagement in that very house. We didn’t even speak that day. I kept my word on never speaking to her again.
