A Night In The Rain

    The crimson rays of the sun kissed my face; my legs jogged across the dry land with the autumn leaves scattered everywhere. The silent nature calmed my nervous veins; the pleasant winds; along with the chirping of the birds was a rare phenomenon for the town. My breathing hitched as I stopped for a second; drops of sweat fell to the ground as my brain went back to that memory. There were drops on the window pane too but it was raining that day. Shaking my head of that memory I started jogging again.

Running a mile ahead I saw people around our local church making preparations. I didn’t realize Father Thomas was calling me until he waved when I looked at his direction. Pulling my earphones out I walked towards him. “Hello, Alyssa. How are you feeling?” Father Thomas asked. “I am trying to get better.” I sighed. “Dear child it has been six months you need to give yourself a break.” Father Thomas replied. “I know Father. It’s still difficult to wrap it around my head. Anyway, how’s the preparation going?” I asked changing the topic. “Things are going well, the mother is still running all over the church to make sure things are perfect.” Father Thomas spoke while my heartbeat rose a bit. “She’s here?” I spoke reluctantly. “No one can imagine the pain she is going through so I allowed her to do things her way.” He replied with a sigh. “I should go now,” I spoke looking at the time. “Sure. I will see you in a while.” With that, I jogged back home without looking back.

“You can do this, Alyssa.” I tried to convince myself. But my reflection in the mirror still haunted me. My honey eyes had lost its spark, brushing my straight caramel brown hair; the wrinkles were quite evident on my fair skin. The nightmares were real, along with monsters. Adjusting my black polo dress; paired my black heels I never thought I would be going to their funeral on this day.

 

Six months ago.

Ringing the doorbell I waited in the cold. “Oh, honey you are home.” My mother smiled giving me a hug. “Hello. How are you?” I spoke getting my luggage inside. “Where’s Dad?” I spoke looking around my cozy home. “I am right here.” He spoke making an appearance. “Hi Dad, I missed you,” I spoke giving him a huge hug. “I missed you too.” He smiled. “Anyway, I am  heading upstairs to get some sleep.” I yawned in exhaustion. “Of course you have travelled for thirteen hrs from New York to Riverhead; you deserve to rest.” She kissed my cheek as I headed to my room along with my bags.

A week later the day of the anniversary of my parents had arrived meaning my mom running around like a maniac in the entire house. “Mom relax, things are perfect. You need to get dressed, I will finish the rest.” With a timid nod, she went. The arrangement was done when I heard a cough. There they were the most beautiful couple of all times. My mother looked exquisite in her red cold shoulder dress, her brown hair tied up in a messy bun, black eyes sparking with joy, her fair skin shined. My dad in his black tuxedo, jet black dyed hair, honey eyes, a clean shaved face he looked like a stud. “Let me take a picture.” I squeaked unlocking my Iphone. A couple of pictures later we heard the doorbell ring and the guests started pouring in.

My off shoulder white top paired with my black pencil skirt and black heels did attract a lot of people but not the one I wanted. Standing in a corner I thought none of my high school people would show up whom my parents had practically invited without my consent; until my ears caught a familiar voice. “Alyssa?” There she was looking like a model as always. “Hello, Jenny.” I smiled. “How’s your work going?” She asked. “Well being a magazine editor is fun until the models mess up,” I replied as she let out a little laugh. “The industry is quite wavering in nature.” She sighed. “Anyway, what about the medieval project, did you get good photographers?” Jenny asked. “Yes along with one of the best designers.” I nudged her. “It’s my honour working with you again.” She smiled. Just then one of our other high school friends chimed in. “Hello, Jason.”

“This is like a forced reunion,” Kiara spoke sipping her rum. “No need to be rude about it.” Jason rolled his deep brown eyes. “It seems like that but all of us being in town together with a mystery,” Toby spoke. “ What if it’s a conspiracy?” Jenny laughed. “To get one of us killed.” Liam joined the drama. “Are you guys done with this nonsense?” I spoke sipping my vodka. “Typical Alyssa; ruins stuff as soon as they get fun.” Toby shook his head in annoyance. “Typical Toby, who comments on everything.” I snapped as he shot me a glare with his deep grey eyes. “Stop it now. Let’s play a game.”

“This is your idea of a fun game; Secret Santa?” Jenny flipped her recently coloured copper hue long hair. “It will be fun since we have become known strangers, so each one of you has to pick up a chit from the bowl. And then you have until next week to pick them a present and the limit will be 50 pounds.” Kiara explained. “We are not 14 and I am not doing this,” I spoke trying to get out of this mess. “Common Alyssa, it will be fun.” Liam gave his puppy dog look. “You know we dated in high school not 3 months ago.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “So, it’s fixed next week,” Kiara replied along with her stubborn attitude. In the end, I decided to go with the flow.

 Sitting inside Jenny’s guest house in front of the fire was a delight considering the freezing cold weather outside. “So who’s ready to start opening the presents?” Jason clapped his hands happily. His copper brown short hair looked wonderful with his classic white shirt and black jeans. “Calm down, here’s a little twist, if you guess the wrong name you have a shot.” Kiara kept the tray of vodka and tequila in the middle. Somehow I was questioning; every move of hers, I never liked her that much first basis but today was something different. Her strawberry blonde hair couldn’t hide the layer of fear in her brown eyes nor the fidgeting of her fingers. The mustard yellow sweater with black jeans was an odd choice for her. “Alright let’s begin.” Liam interrupted my chain of thoughts.

 Half way through the game, everybody was slurring words or just talking made up sentences. As for me I was drinking water for half an hour, didn’t trust a soul here. Finally, Jenny guessed that hers was Jason who gave her a necklace. Next Toby said Jenny who gave him a pair of white shoes. Liam got a watch from me; Jason got a bottle of perfume from Liam, Toby got his favourite beer bottle from Kiara who got a pair of earrings from Toby as for me Kiara gave me a one of her own photographed pictures in a frame and that session finally finished. In the end, we all went bed but the sinking feeling in my stomach was still there.

The sound of doorbell along with bangs woke us all up as I sprinted downstairs. Opening the door I was greeted by the Sheriff himself. “Yes?” I looked at him in utter confusion. “Could I come in?” He asked. “Sure.” I lead in when Liam entered with his dirty blonde messed up hair. “What’s wrong?” He asked. “Your friend was murdered last night.” The sheriff spoke and my heart stopped for a second. “Wait, what?” Liam shuttered as the rest of them entered with shocked faces except the one.

Present Day.

“Alyssa!” My mother’s voice snapped me back to reality. “You okay darling?” She kept a hand on my shoulder as I nodded. “I am right here for you.” She gave me a small smile. Without a word I just hugged her as she rubbed my back softly. “I can’t face this.” I let out a sob. “You can Ally, just take a deep breath.” She advised. “Sorry to interrupt the moment but we have to go,” Dad spoke leading the way.

The entire town was present; while my eyes were searching for only a few of them when I spotted Jason standing in the crowd. His eyes were just staring at the grave in front of us. “R.I.P. Kiara Matthew.” “Year 1992-2018.” “I still can’t believe she’s gone.” Jenny leaned on my shoulder. “I am relieved they caught him,” Jason spoke. “It took them six months to catch that bastard.” Toby snapped. “At least her soul will be at peace,” Liam spoke.

“So I heard you’re leaving tonight along with Jason?” I asked. “Yes, a case has come up; I have to defend the client, while Jason has a company to run.” Liam replied. “Toby is leaving tomorrow and Jenny next week. So this will be the last time we are together.” I sighed. “I might be coming to New York next month, maybe we could meet.” I saw a sparkle in his blue eyes. “Maybe, we could.” I smiled as he left.

 

The funeral was over and everyone went back to the comfort of their home. Memories rushed back to my brain; the glimpses of her body covered in blood; her mother weeping profusely in the arms of her husband; us getting interrogated by the police and an eye witness. The girl only saw three things A mustard sweater, curly hair, and a shiny dagger. My heart ached in my chest, tears flew down my eyes, clutching the back of the bed, my body slumped to the ground. Remembering the night I could still see those raindrops on the window pane and Kiara leaving the house. I wished I never followed her.

Six months ago. That night.

The loud thunder along with hard hitting rain woke me up with a gasp. Jenny was still in deep sleep as I stood beside the window when I saw Kiara meeting with a curly head one in a car. Immediately my mind when back to him and my breathing got stuck. The images of what he did to me; I couldn’t let Kiara suffer that; wearing my black jacket I took my car keys and headed out to save her.

The rain made my vision blur, yet I managed to follow her to considerate amount of distance when I lost her car. Driving a few minutes ahead I saw it parked in front of the woods. Stopping my car I sprinted inside the woods while praying to God she is fine. Searching for her in the dense forest seemed like forever when I heard voices. Running towards it I saw his face; water dripping from his black curly hair, green eyes, a usual smirk on his face. Taking a deep breath I screamed “Kiara!” her head turned towards me. “What are you doing here?” She asked with shivering with fear and rain I guess. “Why are you here with him? Did he do anything to you?” I yelled with rage. “I haven’t done anything to her.” He snapped. “Don’t lie to me, Daniel,” I argued lunging towards him but Kiara surprisingly stopped me. “I called him here.” She spoke in a timid voice. “How could you after knowing what you’re ex boyfriend did to me in high school.” I screamed with tears in my eyes. “He’s a changed man now.” Kiara defended him.

“This monster molested a 13-year-old me and you are saying he’s changed.” My heart was breaking apart but my rage was increasing by every second. “I apologized for it.” He slurred blinking his eyes repeatedly. “He’s drunk and also high. You still have hopes for him.” I pushed Kiara away. “Look, I realise you’re angry but I still want to be with him. You also have a chance of forgiving him.” Kiara spoke in complete delusion. “You’re so smitten by him that you are telling me to forgive this demon of the hideous crime he did.” I gritted through my teeth in frustration. “Alright, go back home I will be there,” Kiara assured.

I was about to leave when the rat mouthed spoke again, “You look much better now.” The laugh brought back the scenes along with terror, anger clouded my vision, with rage on my mind; I found a dagger on the wet land. Picking it up I ran towards him; the thunder struck making everything black; the light came as my face turned white. “Kiara! Kiara!” Shaking her body violently I sobbed for the crime. “You killed her.” Daniel stood in shock. “I’m so sorry Kiara, please wake up. Wake up! Don’t leave me.” I cried harder. “Alyssa killed her own friend; you will look good in jail clothes.” Hearing those words my brain sunk into the reality of the situation. “I didn’t mean to do it,” I screamed. In those seconds Daniel lost consciousness as he fell to the ground; while my mind wandered to the dangerous solution. With my whole body quivering in shock, I pulled the dagger out of her stomach; placing it next to Daniel, I ran letting the rain wipe away all my sins.

Present Day.

The police assumed it was Daniel who did it as he disappeared the next day after the found her. The call records; along with the messages was enough to capture him. The eye witness couldn’t see much due to rain who had claimed she got lost in the woods. The dagger was from the sets of a medieval shoot Kiara was working with; no one knew why it was with her. Maybe she was truly afraid of Daniel but why be with him? Why forgive him when he treated both of us badly? I guess I would never know why because of me. Carrying this burden with me; somehow I had lost the desire to live with myself.

For six months I had lived in guilt and pain; it tormented so badly I was ready to tell Mrs. Matthew the truth when she had called us to clear Kiara’s stuff but the paper I found hidden in her cupboard changed everything. It was titled the medieval project which was one of the humongous projects of our company. We were on a hunt for photographs and Kiara was one of them unknowingly my team had rejected. Recently there was a vacancy; she found out I had an affair with one of my boss when I was an intern and had forged some pictures to drag me down. She was planning to destroy everything I had built. That night she had gone to take the photos from Daniel and leak them online if I didn’t give her the job. I wasn’t justifying my crime but it made the burden a little less. “Alyssa, it’s time,” Mom called me. “Yes.” With that, I threw the paper in the fire. That day I watched my past burn along with the memories. With a lingering thought about the lost photos, I decided to go back to New York as a new person.