Stray Chapter 1: Death Tolls

Ok here's the first chapter.

I stared unwillingly into the mirror, watching my reflection of myself put a right hand up and touch the cool glass. Small nose, small lips, big round innocent brown eyes with long hair down to her waist. Pale skin sort of translucent looking that was what my best friend looked like before she died. Vivian and I had gone clubbing at a teen club, I guess you could say we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Vivian I don’t think we should go this way.” I whispered walking down an alley.

“Don’t worry Annabelle we’ll be fine.” Vivian said walking down the narrow way. The streetlights were on, if only we could have made it. As we continued down I saw a car, it must have been following us because as soon as we shed the alley the car drove by guns pointed out of the window.

“Vivian!” I screamed as she pushed me down and the guns went off. Vivian fell with a thud as I rushed over by her as the car squealed down the road.

Someone must have called 911 because about two minutes later the ambulance and police were there. Vivian was shot in the heart she died instantly.

I sat there staring out of the window, as the rain fell Vivian liked rain... Vivian loved rain! She loved running out there when a nice storm was brewing in nothing but shorts and splash around. “Come on Bell!” She would shout to me and drag me outside. I heard a thump on my room door either my parents were fighting about something that had to do with me or, they were doing.... I didn't even want to think about that!

Everyone thought I was the good girl, I was popular among my peers everything I did was noteworthy! What I wanted to do was jump off a bridge! I wanted my friend back, I wanted Vivian it wasn't fair that she had to die the way she did! I wanted Vivian! I wanted her back! She was my best friend, from kindergarten up to our junior year! I felt my throat begin to close with tightness. Tears streamed down my face, 'Vivian where are you?' I thought. “Annabelle! Annabelle open the door!” It was my mother.

“Leave me alone mom... please.” I begged trying to control the sudden wave of emotion that struck me. She must have left because she didn't come back, my parents fought a lot... all the time actually. They were going through a horrible divorce, and it was because of me they fought over me, everything was about me! And yet everyone thought I was the happiest girl alive! Truth be told I was miserable and I was depressed... and now to the point of suicide. I know it sounded dumb but Vivian was gone, my parents hated me, I was dying inside! Vivian was the only one, who understood me, now that she was gone who did I have to live for?

*************************** ************************************ “You don't mean that do you Bell?” Vivian asked me one night. “You’re the only thing sane in my life yes I do mean it! My parents hate me and you can't say they don't!” I shouted turning a dagger over in my hands. Vivian got up and sat beside me, she put her arm around me and put the dagger I had been holding in my hands down. She looked at me her innocent brown eyes searching mine for something I couldn't quiet get.

“Look... if I die you have to promise me something... alright?” She asked.

“You’re not going to die for a long while I hope.” I stated.

“Al right?!” She persisted.

“Ok, ok! I promise.”

“Promise me… you won’t hurt yourself… ok?” She asked.

“Ok…” I replied.

“Thank you now time for bed!” With that Vivian grabbed a pillow and made herself a bed on the love seat in my room. I climbed into my bed and stared out the window, what went on through her mind?






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I realized now that Vivian had known she was going to die. That struck home and the tears began to pour from my eyes like a waterfall. Sure they had caught the guys who had done it but that wouldn't bring her back! 'Run away... run away.' Something in my mind told me, should I run away? I mean after all that had happened... no! That was the coward’s way out and I wasn't a coward... or was I? The rain picked up then, I turned to my alarm clock and saw the digital numbers said 12:42. I climbed into my bed and tried hard to go to sleep, but I dreamed that night.

In my dream there was Vivian she was sitting at the edge of a pool her feet dipped in, she had a book in her hand and she was just putting the marker back in when she saw me. “Bell! Over here!” She waved me over.

I ran over and hugged her, “Vivian! What are you doing here? Why are you here? I miss you.” I said hopelessly.

“You brought me here! You wanted me here, so I came and because I wanted to tell you something, I want you to go to my grave and remember that oak tree where I smashed Isaac's face in?” When I nodded she continued on, “Well go there and dig around until you find a black satin pouch, open it up and in there should be a necklace. It was mine once but since I'm dead I want you to have it.... oh and by the way....” She started but began to fade away.

“Vivian!” I shouted reaching my hand out as if to grab her. “Felix... will.... Caleb... and.... el... Rory!” She got three names out and maybe part of a fourth before she disappeared. I woke startled to hear my alarm clock beeping, I was going to be late for school again... oh well. I thought about ditching but I knew if Vivian were watching me she'd be mad at me, I got up and quickly got dressed.

I usually walked to school but since my Thunderbird was out of the shop I decided to drive to school. My car was as black as an oil slick, the interior of my car was leather I had the windows tinted probably darker than was allowed but then again I didn't care! I drove up to the school and was greeted by the pack of friends Vivian and I had accumulated over the summer. I smiled, as happily as I could, everyone knew what happened to Vivian they were all there at the viewing of the open casket and at the ceremony. But they didn’t say anything to me... and for that I was glad.

Phoenix came in then, she had wavy red hair and green eyes her skin was fair in contrast to my ivory tone. “Hello Annabelle.” She was probably the only one who didn’t call me Bell or Bells. I just nodded and turned my attention to the sound of engines revving up. A red Ferrari pulled into the parking lot; the interior from what I could see was a light brown leather. The rear transaxle housed a new automated seven-speed twin-clutch transmission. The classic grille and hood scoop was tacked onto the modern shape.

The next car to roll in was Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, ‘Thank you dad for all the car magazines.’ I thought. My dad thought that I needed to learn more about cars, so I had car magazines sent to our house. The Viper was black with a red racing stripe in the middle, it had name brand racer bits like KW suspensions coil-over shocks with jounce, rebound, and ride height adjustment.

The Ferrari and the Viper parked side by side in the only two available slots left. Four boys emerged from the two cars.

Two of the boys had tan skin, both had black hair in ponytails one had blue eyes the other had black. The other two that exited out of the Viper had fair skin, both had brown hair one had hazel eyes the other had bright green. They looked like twins.

“Those must be the new guys!” Bonnie exclaimed.

“Felix! Come on, the car isn’t going to run away!” Hazel eyes shouted.

“Shut up!” Felix shouted.

“Oh he must be Rory.” Bonnie said pointing to the hazel eyes. “That’s Neil.” Bonnie continued pointing to blue eyes. The other was Caleb.

Caleb walked in the school building rolling his eyes, Neil behind him. Felix and Rory seemed content to just stand in the parking lot and fight. The bell rang and everyone headed off to class, Felix and Rory followed reluctantly. They found the office as I headed to my locker, Bonnie was there and she smiled when I started that way. Bonnie was one of Vivian’s friends; she was always nice to me unlike Phoenix. “Hey!” Bonnie greeted.

“Hey Bonnie.” I said opening my locker and grabbing my books. I looked at my schedule I had History first period with Mrs. Thorn. Lucky me Mrs. Thorn was as blind as a bat I could easily sleep in her class and get away with it.

Bonnie had the same thing but with Mr. Sir, what a concept, he on the other hand was much stricter. The rang to go to class and Bonnie and I scurried off.