by M. K. ROZE
there. I called her, and it went straight to voicemail.
I texted her.
Where are you? I’m not mad about last
night, but I will get you back. Love you, Sis.
I lowered the phone and smacked the side of my head,
forgetting that she was in class.
I texted Constin .
Good morning. Call me when you get a
chance.
At school, I walked into my class, and Kaylee wasn’t
there. In the hall, I saw Liam.
“Hey, have you seen Kaylee?”
“No, I haven’t seen her since you went out to that
wedding. Isn’t she at home?”
I shook my head slowly, wondering where she was. “I
haven’t seen her since yesterday.”
⁓
⁓
“I’m sure she’s somewhere.”
“I’ll talk to you later. I have to use the restroom before
my next class.”
“See ya later,” Liam said and left.
I walked into the bathroom to text Kaylee. She didn’t
answer, so I called her mother.
She picked up on the first ring. “Hello Ms. Ashfield,
have you seen Kaylee?”
“Hi, Viata. No, the school just called me and said she
wasn’t there. Didn’t you see her this morning before you
left?”
“No, I haven’t seen her since yesterday.”
She was silent on the other end. “Where would she be?”
“I have no clue.”
“Can you run home at lunch and see if she’s there? I
can’t leave work right now.”
“Yes, and if she’s there, I’ll tell her to call you right
away.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. While you’re doing that, I’m
going to call around to see where she is.”
“Okay, please call me if you find her.”
“I will.” She exhaled and ended the call.
Wondering where the heck she was, I called Kaylee
again, but it went to voicemail.
At lunch, I went home, but her car was still gone. I ran
inside just to make sure, and she was nowhere in sight.
I called her mom back. She picked up on the first ring.
“Hi, Ms. Ashfield. Kaylee’s still not here. Do you know
another place where she would be?”
“No, I called everyone I know. Did you two get into a
fight or something?”
⁓
⁓
“No, she said she was going somewhere yesterday, and
I haven’t heard from her since.” I paused. “Oh, I forgot.”
“What?”
“Remember that guy she was dancing with at the
wedding?”
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t tell her I told you, but he was here when I
came home yesterday morning. Maybe she’s with him.”
“I can’t believe she invited a man she just met into her
house. What’s his name?”
“Sebastian.”
“I’m sure she’s with him then. Please call me when she
gets in.”
“I will.”
When she ended the call, I called Kaylee over twenty
times in a row, leaving message after message. I drove
around town to see if I could see her car, but it was nowhere.
At home, it was after 5:00 at night, so I called my parents
to tell them what was going on. They came right over. As we
were talking on the couch, the doorbell rang. I got up and
opened it.
Two hefty older male detectives were standing on the
doorstep with their badges in their hands. I stood frozen,
knowing it was a bad visit. I could feel the acid in my stomach
hitting the back of my throat.
Dad rushed over to me. “How may I help you?”
Mom came over and placed her shaky hand on my
shoulder.
“I’m Detective Maverick, and this is Detective Stone.
Can we come inside and talk?”
“Yes, but just so you’re aware, my husband and I are
⁓
⁓
lawyers.”
“We’re well aware you are attorneys,” Detective Stone
said and wiped his forehead off with a red handkerchief.
They followed us inside. “Please take a seat so I can
explain why we’re here,” Detective Maverick said.
Mom, Dad, and I sat next to each other. I looked into
Mom’s worried eyes, and she squeezed my hand.
“What happened?” I asked.
Detective Maverick looked over at his colleague then
back at me. “I’m sorry to inform you, but we found your
roommate’s car in a densely wooded area at Olden Park.”
I jumped up. “Is she okay?”
“No, unfortunately, she’s not,” Detective Stone said.
“Viata, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Kaylee was
found deceased beside her car.”
My body became weak. “No, no, no, this can’t be
happening,” I bawled.
I ran over to the kitchen sink and threw up.
My parents rushed over to me and tried to calm me
down.
“That’s the park down the street from our house. Why
would she be there?” I dropped to my knees.
Mom held me. “I don’t know, honey. I don’t know.”
As Dad talked to the detectives, Detective Maverick
lowered his voice. “It looks as though Kaylee may have
gotten out of her car for something, and that’s when an
animal attacked her. We believe it was the ones who have
been killing people for the past few months.”
They walked over to me. “We know you’re upset, but
when is the last time you saw Kaylee?” Detective Stone
asked.
⁓
⁓
“Yesterday morning,” I managed to answer, still in
complete shock.
He continued, “Do you know why she would be at the
park?”
I shook my head, got up, and paced around the living
room, crying hysterically. My parents told them that if they
had any more questions, they would take me down to the
police station.
When they left, Dad suggested it would be better if I
went back to their place until they could find out more about
the case. I agreed and staggered to my room to pack a small
bag.
On the way back out, I stopped at Kaylee’s door and
dropped to my knees, crying. “I’m so sorry, Kaylee.”
Mom came over, hugging me. “Aw, honey. I’m truly
sorry for your loss,” she comforted in a low tone.
I looked up, barely able to see Mom’s face through my
swollen eyes. Dad helped me up, and we walked out to his
truck.
When we arrived at the house, we talked for a while on
the couch. I didn’t want to hear anymore, so I went into my
room to lie in bed and cried until I couldn’t anymore. I texted
Constin and told him about Kaylee. He never got back to
me. I wanted him to hold me and tell me everything would
be alright.
After a while of tossing and turning, I woke up and
looked at my phone to see if Constin texted. He didn’t. I
staggered into the kitchen and found a bottle of wine in the
refrigerator and poured a glass. Minutes later, I felt a little
queasy. I w
alked out front and sat on the bench. The
darkness matched my mood.
⁓
⁓
“Please, God, take this pain from me,” I cried.
Liam’s bedroom light came on, and he opened his
window. “Are you okay?”
“Kaylee’s dead,” I managed to say.
“What?” his voice echoed through the neighborhood.
Before I knew it, Liam was sitting next to me. “What
did you just say?”
I turned to him and saw two of him. “Kaylee is dead.”
“Viata, stop messing with me.”
“I’m not. The leopard killed her at the park.” I pointed
down the street.
He turned to me. “Viata, you’re drunk. Let me get you
inside. I don’t think you know what you’re saying.”
“Fine, but I don’t want to be alone.”
“Do you want to stay at my house tonight?”
I nodded.
Liam got up and pulled me up. I fell into his arms, then
kissed him on his lips. He pushed me back, trying to hold me
up.
“Viata, you don’t know what you’re doing.”
I laughed. “Yes, I do, Constin.”
Liam frowned. “Exactly. You’re drunk. Let’s go.”
As we walked up the steps of the porch, a loud growl
came from behind us.
I turned around, and the same black leopard was across
the street. “No freaking way!” I screamed out and staggered
inside.
Liam ran after me. “What’s wrong? Did you see
something?”
I nodded and walked into the kitchen. I downed a glass
of water, trying to sober up, but it didn’t work.
⁓
⁓
“Viata, what did you see?”
I stood frozen. “You didn’t see the leopard sitting across
the street? We have to cal the cops so they can kill it.”
He chuckled. “What? I think you had way too much to
drink. First, our best friend is dead, and now you think the
leopard is stalking us? Come on. Let me get you in bed before
my mother wakes up.”
“Kaylee is dead, and the leopard wants something from
me. It’s out there. Go out there and look for yourself.”
Liam brought me into his room, placed me on his bed,
and tucked me in. His eyes filled with tears as he leaned over
and kissed my forehead. “I hope you’re not telling the truth
about Kaylee.” His voice shook.
As he walked away, I grabbed his shirt. “Lay with me. I
don’t want to be alone.”
He sighed. “Viata, are you sure?”
I nodded again while rubbing his arm.
“No, you’re not thinking clearly. I’m going to sleep
downstairs.”
“Fine, you do that. I did see the leopard, and Kaylee did
die.”
Before he could reply, another loud growl came from
outside, followed by a car alarm going off. Liam rushed over
to his window.
“What is it?” I asked, trying to keep my eyes from
closing.
“It’s nothing,” he said in a shaky voice.
As soon as my head hit the pillow, it felt like I just
passed out when something growled in my face. I woke up
and Cujo was inches from me. I threw the blanket over him
and ran out the door, slamming it behind me. I continued
⁓
⁓
downstairs.
“Liam,” I shouted.
Liam emerged from the kitchen, crying uncontrollably.
“I’m so sorry for not believing you. I can’t believe Kaylee’s
dead.”
He pulled me close to him. I could feel his tears fall in
my hair. I cried with him but had to stop because my head
was pounding so hard.
I pulled away. “I’m sorry for telling you the way I did
last night. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“It’s okay. I can’t believe Kaylee’s gone.”
“Me either.”
At the sight of his tears, I started to cry. I stopped myself
and wiped my tears. “Your dog just tried to eat me again.”
“He did?” Liam sniffled.
I nodded.
“I don’t know what his deal is. He used to love you.”
“I know, and now he hates me. Well, I’m going to go
home and take a shower. I smell like alcohol.”
He walked me to the door. “I know this isn’t the time,
but do you remember kissing me last night, then calling me
Constin?”
I lowered my head. “No, I’m sorry if I did. Thank you
for everything.” I waved bye and walked away.
I did remember, and I felt stupid.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you.”
I turned to him. “Huh?”
“Remember the car alarm going off last night?”
“Kind of.”
“After you passed out, I came down to look, and
something scratched my Jeep. I think you were right about
⁓
⁓
seeing the leopard. I’m sorry for not believing you about that
either.”
I walked over to his jeep and ran my fingers over the
deep scratches. “Sorry, I gotta go.” I hurried toward my
house, knowing something wasn’t right.
Inside, I found my parents in the kitchen.
“Where have you been?” Dad scolded. “I’ve been
looking all over for you.”
“Sorry. I couldn’t sleep, so I went next door and told
Liam about what happened.”
Mom walked over to me with the empty wine glass I left
outside. “Viata, I know you’re going through a lot, but this is
not going to solve anything. And since when did you start
drinking? You’re not even of age yet.”
I looked away and broke down in tears. “I’m not an
alcoholic if that’s what you’re thinking. I just can’t handle this
pain.”
They came over and hugged me.
“We’re so sorry.” Dad wiped his tears away.
“Did they find the animal who killed Kaylee?”
“No,” Dad mumbled.
I ran into my room and locked the door, wondering if I
really did see that blue creature and that’s what killed her. I
was confused and didn’t know if it was that creature or the
leopard.
A few days later, I drove back to my house and found
Kaylee’s mom there, collecting some of her stuff. I ran over
to her and hugged her.
“I’m so sorry for your loss. I miss her and love her so
much.”
Ms. Ashfield cried on my shoulder. “I know, sweetheart.
⁓
⁓
I know you do.”
We sat on Kaylee’s bed, and she handed me a small
black box. “Kaylee had this sent to our house for you. It was
a late birthday gift.”
I opened it up and found two gold best friend charms
split in half. Tears fell into the box as I looked at it. “Thank
you,” I sobbed.
I helped her take Kaylee’s belongings to her car, and I
kissed her on her salty cheek.
Ms. Ashfield placed her hands on my face and wiped my
tears away. “It’s not your fault. Please believe me,” she cried.
I looked away.
“The funeral is tomorro
w.”
“I’ll be there.”
She forced a smile and got into her car.
I waved bye as she drove away and went back inside.
When I was done crying my eyes out, I called my job and
told Bruce I quit.
⁓
⁓
aylee’s funeral was heart-wrenching but it was
beautiful. In her black casket, she was laid to rest
in her white dress with a pink scarf around her
neck. I’m sure they added it to hide the bite marks from the
wild animal.
When I saw the other half of the best friend charm in
her hand, I cried hysterically and sat next to Liam with my
parents on the other side. Many memories were shared
among laughter and tears. I managed to hold it together until
I thought I saw Constin standing behind her casket. When I
blinked and looked again, it was someone else. I didn’t
understand why he wasn’t calling or texting me.
A few days after Kaylee’s funeral, I went back to school.
Before class, I saw Maria and Liam talking. I approached
them and grabbed Liam’s arm.
“Why are you talking to her?”
Liam jerked his arm away. “What’s your deal?”
I stared Maria up and down. “Why did you tell Constin
about my dreams, huh?”
Liam stepped back with his hands up. “I’m not in this
girl drama. I’ll talk to you two later.”
“Well?” I scolded.
“He asked about you, so I told him about what
happened to you in the bathroom. I’m sorry.”
“How did you know about the dagger when I never told
you?”
“What dagger?”
“Did Liam tell you?”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“Just forget it.” I walked away sure it was Liam who told
her. I wasn’t going to believe for a second it was Kaylee.
In class, I sat there listening to the teacher talk and
couldn’t help but look over to where Kaylee used to sit. The
empty space produced such an overwhelming wave of
sorrow within me that tears came out like a raging waterfall.
Between her death and Constin vanishing, I couldn’t take it
and rushed out the door.
At home, I ran into the bathroom and threw up from
crying so much. In the kitchen, I plopped in the seat at the