Coreys Story

The excitement darted through Corey's eyes as the Principal read out
her name to go on the expedition weekend. She grinned at me. The names
were in alphabetical order. I waited in suspense for my name to
hopefully be read out. The entire school was gathered into the
auditorium, to hear Principal Skinnly speak. The Principal was a weak,
scrawny man, who simply couldn't cope and suspected everyone,
especially Corey and me. Corey grabbed my hand as the Principal reached
the S's.

"Violet Saunders, Maria Seaston, Heather Speckling, Alicia Spellman,
Lydia Starling.......". I screeched for joy, as the Principal read my
name.
"I knew you'd be coming!" laughed Corey, as she smoothed out her auburn
hair.
"I didn't. Skinnly, taking both of us on the trip! His pacemaker might
stop!" I joked.

After the assembly, Corey and I headed out on to the field as the last
bell of term rang. We raced off the school grounds to meet Corey's
sister, Belinda, and her friend Sara, to give us a lift to the Mall.
Belinda could easily have been a super-model. Tall, sandy-coloured
hair, golden skin, just like Corey, except Corey had slightly darker
hair, and was 5cm shorter. Belinda was the most popular girl at
Georgeton High, and Corey was popular too.
"Lydia - Hi,"said Belinda, unenthusiastically, as she looked me up and
down. She glared at my tanned face and messy brown hair.

We reached the Mall on Ash Lane. Belinda slowed down to let us out. We
did an hour's shopping and then began to walk home. We walked through
the streets of Georgeton, as diners were opening for dinner. We headed
to the joint where all the seniors hung out. The place looked old, felt
old, and smelt old. With all of the customers you would have thought
they could at least have afforded a handyman - the place was falling
apart. All the bays were taken by seniors and cheerleaders, so Corey
and I sat on the high stools at the counter. A waitress in a tight 50's
dress and apron looked at us pathetically.
"What'll it be?"
"I'll have a soda and fries," I said.
"Me too," agreed Corey.
Corey pulled out a pale blue sheet of paper from her bag, with some
printing on.
"Hey, what's that?" I asked
"It's an application slip".
"What for?"
"Cheerleader Squad".
"What? You're going to start prancing around in front of a load of
football stars?!"
"No, Basketball"
"Huh?"
"Yep. The First Georgeton Basketball Cheerleading Squad. I have to fill
this slip in by Friday".
"Who you going to give it to?"
"The office, of course".
"At school?"
"Where else?"
"But school's shut over the holidays."
"No it isn't. Some of the seniors have this big examination so the
school is staying open, and everyone who wants extra study can just pop
in."
"Oh", I said glumly
"You don't want to join, do you?"
"Well, we do always do everything together."
"You can join with me", smiled Corey.
"No, I can't - I don't have a form"
"I was hoping that you'd like to join - so I picked one up for
you!"
Corey dumped the folded sheet and a pen in front of me and
grinned.

The drinks and fries soon arrived.
"Hey - I'm Claudia," said a short dark-haired girl, with freckles, on
the next stool. "I'm the new cheerleader captain for the Basketball
Squad".
"Oh", I said.
"It's great to see some new faces," she said, spotting the blue
forms.
The waitress walked over, blowing bubbles with her gum.
"This is India" she smiled, "my second".
"Hi", she said. "Say, you're not seniors, are you?"
"No, we're in 8th Grade", said Corey.
"Is that a fact?" said India
"Yes, it is", I said.
"It's just you look older", India smiled.
"Really?" Corey asked.
"Yes, you'll make excellent cheerleaders", said Claudia.

We sat and chatted for a while. It turned out that Claudia's dad owned
a whole chain of diners - including the one we were in - and that he
was very friendly with the Principal.
"That's interesting," said Corey, "I've never really noticed you around
school before".
"I have separate lessons to everyone else", said Claudia, looking
sad.
"Why's that?" asked Corey, getting into the entire Cheerleader
thing.
"I'm dyslexic", whispered Claudia.
"Oh", I smiled.
India was rushing around, tidying tables. It seemed that she was the
only waitress.
We heard some noise coming from a slush machine. Three boys were
messing around, filling their cups and slapping them on each other's
heads.
"Oh, Great!" hissed India.
One boy was tall, with very dark hair and rugged features. Another was
short and blonde with glasses, and a third was tall with sandy
hair.
"Come on, Jason. You've had your fun. Out, now!" demanded India,
pointing to the tall dark one, and then at the door.
Jason walked up to her.
"What's the matter, baby? Don't you like a little bit of fun?" he
smirked.
The room went silent. Claudia dropped off her stool and spoke gently to
Jason.
"I think it's best you went now".
Jason stroked India's cheek with the back of his hand and then jogged
out the door, followed by his faithful companions.
"Who are they?" I asked, as India began to mop up the floor.
"Oh, just a couple of guys in our year - Rocky Waterman, Gerry Pike,
and Jason Dario. Jason and I go back way far. He is a very good
basketballer," said Claudia.
"So you know him well, then?" I questioned.
"Yes, but let's not go into it, ok?"
"Sure", I smiled.
Friday soon came round, and it was a very overcast day. Belinda dropped
us off at school.
"Will you hand my slip in? And I'll go and check the noticeboard to see
when the expedition meeting is" I said.
"No problem", smirked Corey.
It was raining as I went through the courtyard towards the main
hallway, so I wrapped my denim jacket over my head. I began to get the
feeling that someone was watching me, or even following me. I quickened
my pace to a jog, and the footsteps behind did the same. I could hear
their feet splashing in the puddles behind me. My heart raced. I began
running. I had to get to the end of the courtyard. I just had to!
The person was right behind me now. I swung right round and they bumped
straight into me. I fell. It seemed like a shot from a slow-motion
camera. The gravel ground came closer, closer. I smashed to the floor
hard, which was followed by a thud from someone else close by. Pain
shot straight to my knee. I was wearing a short blue skirt, so my knees
were bare as I fell. I landed in a puddle. I could feel the cold water
seeping into my clothes. I heard a scurry of gravel, as the other
person scampered over to see if I was hurt. I was staring into the
overcast sky, rain landing on my face. I first saw some dark hair. It
was a bit blurry. The fall must have bumped me harder than I first
imagined, I thought. As the face came into focus, I soon realised it
was Jason.
"I'm really sorry - I thought you were Claudia - Are you OK?"
Jason's voice was slightly croaky. He seemed very concerned.
"It's my knee", I choked, trying to get up.
"No, No, just stay still. It's bleeding really badly"
"Ow", I squeaked, trying to get up again.
He held me down with his hands pinned to my shoulders. I couldn't
move.
"Stay still", he ordered, angrily.
His voice softened again.
"I'll carry you to the medical room, next to the office".
He propped his arms under me, and hoisted me up. We weren't far from
the door into the main corridor, but Jason turned and went the opposite
way, carrying me. His dark hair was dripping from the cool rain. It was
quite a while before we got to the office. Corey wasn't there, so she
must have gone off in search of me. My clothes were wringing wet by the
time we got to the office, but at least now we were inside. Jason
carried me over to the window of the main office. The Secretary / First
Aider, Mrs. Wedgebury, rushed out to check on me.
"Are you alright, dear?" asked the feeble lady.
"No - of course she's not alright," snapped Jason.
Mrs. Wedgebury rushed into the Medical Room. It was warm, with several
chairs and a bed. Jason laid me on the bed. Jason and the Secretary sat
on the edge.
"Don't you have any dry clothes to put on, boy?" snapped Mrs.
Wedgebury, as she poked a bit at my knee.
"Well, I've got my jacket", he said.
"Go and change your T-shirt then. You'll die of pneumonia in that
thing."
"Fine", he hissed.
Jason pulled a black suede jacket from his school bag, took off his
T-shirt, and slipped the jacket on.
"Now then, dear," smiled Mrs. Wedgebury, cleaning up the blood, "I'm
going to press my finger on some key places on your knee, and I want
you to say where it hurts.
Here?" she asked, prodding the top of my kneecap.
"Yes, all over really", I scowled awkwardly.
She stood up after putting on a few plasters, followed by Jason. That's
when I noticed a graze across his shoulder and collarbone.
"When did you do that?" I snapped, quickly pointing at his shoulder,
stunned.
"You didn't do that just now, did you?" queried Mrs. Wedgebury.
"Well, yes, sort of - but it'll be fine. Don't worry," exclaimed
Jason.
"Sit down, Sonny," scowled Mrs. Wedgebury. "We've got to get that seen
to".
After a lot of cotton wool, plasters and bandages, Mrs. Wedgebury stood
up, quite pleased with her work.
"Well, Sonny. It's just a bit of a graze, but you, on the other hand,
dear, have got a sprained knee," said the Secretary. "You can go, boy,
but you had better stay here for another hour to rest your knee."
"Well, by then ......", Jason began.
"It's Lydia," I quickly answered, "See ya".
He jogged from the room, and down the corridor, followed by the
Secretary, leaving me alone in the medical room.

It wasn't long before Corey appeared.
"Lydia, Lydia - What happened? I heard that you sprained your
knee."
"Yep, it's true."
"Oh, I checked the noticeboard while I was looking for you. The
meeting's on Thursday".
"Great," I grinned, trying once more to get up.
Corey didn't stop me. I was now sitting up straight.
"Come on. I'll help you. Sis is waiting by the gates," smiled
Corey.
"Fine, then".
Corey and I hobbled to the car to be greeted by Belinda.
"Come on. Hurry up!" she anxiously moaned.
Belinda soon dropped me off at my house on Cedar Lane, before zooming
off. The house was empty. I soon spotted the note saying that Mum was
out at a conference. I dialled a pizza, and then phoned India and
Claudia, to see if they could come round. India was busy, but Claudia
could pop round. I sat in front of the TV for about an hour. The pizza
arrived, and it was cold, and not the one I had ordered. I didn't phone
and complain. I was too tired for that. Where is Claudia? I thought, my
mind on total overdrive. Around 8 o'clock Claudia appeared.
"Well look who it isn't!" I complained sarcastically.
"I'm really sorry - It's just Daria returned from college today", said
Claudia, as she came in. Her hat and coat were drenched.
"So?" I said, "Who's Daria?"
"Daria is my big sister".
"Oh", I smiled. "What's she studying at college?"
"I've forgotten. I don't really pay that much attention to her college
work. Never mind, anyway. Are you coming to the cheerleader meeting
tomorrow?"
"There's a meeting tomorrow?!"
"Yep".
"Can't wait," I smiled, "And I'm sure Corey can't either.
We talked until about 10, and then Claudia went home.

When I awoke on Saturday morning, the first thing that crossed my mind
was the cheerleader squad. I was meeting Corey at the diner, so I
quickly got changed and headed out. When I got to the diner, Corey was
already there, picking at a sundae. India was racing around, but
Claudia was nowhere to be seen. Probably out with her sister, I
decided. As usual, all the bays were taken, so we had to sit on the
stools.
"Hey Corey," I grinned.
"Oh hey", she answered.
We chatted for half an hour, until Belinda appeared outside. We headed
out. I was so wrapped up in our conversation, that I didn't see the
step by the door out of the diner. I fell. I couldn't believe how
clumsy I was, as I fell towards the ground. The floor came closer, and
then I stopped falling. Strong arms hoisted me back up again. I stepped
out of the diner, and into the street, to see Jason.

"I guess we can't help bumping into each other", he smiled.
"I guess so", I said, "Let me buy you a soda. It's the least I can do
for saving me twice".
"Great!" he said.
"You can't", butted in Corey.
"Why not?" asked Jason.
"We have to get back. Belinda's waiting."
"Well I'll take Lydia home."
"You don't have a car".
"It's fine Corey. I'll find my own way home", I smirked.
"See you, then," sighed Corey.
"Yeah, see you", I said.
Jason and I sat on the stools. India gave us a filthy look. I ordered
the soda, and chatted for a while with Jason. He seemed really nice,
and he had the most irresistible, slow smile.
After a drink, he began walking me home. My knee really ached, but I
didn't care. Jason was the boy of my dreams. I told him where I lived,
and when we got to the turn to Cedar Lane, he bent over and kissed me.
I returned the kiss. It was a slow lingering kiss. He stepped back to
see what my reaction would be. I was stunned. I just couldn't
speak.
"Shall I see you on Thursday, at the diner?" he asked.
"Sure," I said, finally finding some words.
I hobbled home.
Later that night, I headed for the school, to get to the cheerleader
meeting. Claudia, India and Corey were already there. Claudia was
running the meeting. We all took seats to listen to her speak.
"Now, we'll see each of you in turn, before we choose the squad",
announced Claudia. "You are going to try a simple routine."
Everyone found a space, and began to warm up. My knee began to twinge.
Claudia demonstrated the move - a high kick, turn and cartwheel. Easy,
I thought. I started the routine off with Claudia and India watching
me. It was perfect until I did the cartwheel. I landed wrong, and
twisted my knee. I screamed, I couldn't help it. I collapsed in a heap
on the gym floor. I was in so much pain, that my mum was phoned to
leave an important meeting with her boss. Mum rushed me home. She made
the biggest fuss over me. It turned out that my knee was now very bad.
It was so bad that I couldn't go on the expedition. I was devastated.
It was like someone had completely torn my world apart. I had to stay
in bed and rest it, and what was worse - is that I couldn't see Jason.
He didn't bother to visit me. My heart was broken and I guessed that he
wasn't so special after all.

It was Thursday by now, and Claudia and India came round to visit
me.
"How are you feeling?" India asked.
"I'm feeling fine, thanks, but my knee isn't feeling too good".
"Never mind", said Claudia, "It'll be better soon."
"Claudia is taking your place on the expedition", sighed India, "But
you have made it to the cheerleader squad".
"Great!" I screeched. It was the best news I had had for days.
After a while they left. I was tired of being pitied. Mum was out, like
she had always been since Dad died. The phone rang, breaking the
silence in the almost empty house.
"Hello?" I said. I couldn't hear a thing - only quite heavy
breathing.
"Stay away from Jason", the voice spat, before hanging up.
Just a prank call, I thought. Probably someone in 9th Grade, with a
crush on Jason. Well they're welcome to him, I thought, angrily. He
can't even feel bothered to come and see me.

I was so fed up of being in the house by myself. The doctor gave me
crutches, and in three days I was able to use them. Finally free from
the house! I hadn't had any more prank calls, and things were beginning
to look up. It turned out, from what Claudia told me, that Jason had
been ill, but he was getting better now.
"He said that he would probably come round and see you in a few days",
grinned Claudia, seeing my face light up.
But there was something that Claudia wasn't telling me. A secret - a
dark secret. It was there behind her pale face and cheery eyes.
"Great", I finally said.
The next day, Corey and I went to the diner to see India and Claudia,
but they weren't there. Another waitress was cleaning up the tables.
She walked over to us and almost in a whisper said
"Are you India's friends?"
"Yeah, why?" demanded Corey.
"It's Jason. India told me to tell you to stay away from Jason, because
..."
Just at that precise moment a police car tore down the road. The
waitress raced out onto the pavement. She walked back in again, and
carried on with her work.
So - I thought. India is jealous of me and Jason. We'll soon see about
that.

When I got home, I phoned India, having worked out just what I was
going to say to her.
"Hello", came the voice on the other end. It sounded quite stuffy, like
someone with a cold.
"Is India there please?" I demanded, sharply.
"This is India", said the voice.
"India, I ..."I began. But India just burst into tears.
"India - what's wrong?" I asked.
"Oh, it's Claudia," she burst out. "She is spending so much time with
Daria, and leaving me out, forgetting me."
"Oh!" I said abruptly.
"I'm telling you, Lydia, I'm fed up. It's just Daria, Daria, Daria! She
makes me really mad."
"Don't worry. I'm sure everything will be fine between you and
Claudia".
"Between me and Claudia? Me and Claudia are just fine. It's me and
Daria that I'm not so sure about," snapped India.
"Just calm down, India".
"No. I won't calm down until I get Daria!"
"India!" I began, but she just slammed down the phone.
I couldn't sleep that night. Every single mind-teasing thought was
bubbling around in my head. I stayed awake all night. What did the
waitress want to say? What does India mean - 'get her'? When will Jason
visit me? Is he ok? All these thoughts made my mind race. I put Jason
to the back of my mind. I was much more concerned about India and
Claudia.
The phone rang, making me jump.
"Hello", I whispered. There was heavy breathing on the other end.
"Lydia. If you don't leave Jason alone, I'll come and get you Lydia".
They hung up again.
Now I positively wouldn't get any sleep.

I was really spooked from the night before, so as soon as Mum left for
work, I went to bed to try and get some more sleep. After about three
hours of just lying there, I decided that all sleep would have to be
cancelled for today. Why? Because I had so much on my mind. I decided
to stop at home for today. Corey and Claudia would probably be too busy
doing some last minute shopping for the expedition. I didn't really
want to see India. She was just paranoid, and needed a few days to cool
off. What about Jason, I thought. No, he'll be too busy, or sick, and
anyway, I didn't feel like visiting him, after he had refused to visit
me.

There were two little voices in my head, each contradicting the other.
I took a paracetamol tablet to try to calm myself, and made a sandwich
and got dressed. I just hung around the house for a while. I started
some of my homework which was due in after the holiday. It was an essay
on the North American Indians. Much as I wanted to get some of the work
done, I couldn't. My mind just kept on going back to India. I finally
dozed off - I'm not sure how long for. I think it was the paracetamol
kicking in. I woke up suddenly with a terrible ringing in my ear. It
was the phone. I picked it up.
"Stay away from Jason", the voice hissed.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" I yelled down the phone. Then they hung up.

I sat back down again, to start my homework. The phone rang once
more.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT THIS TIME?" I yelled.
"Lydia?"
I could tell it was Corey.
"Hi, Corey. I'm really sorry. I've just been getting these freak phone
calls", I explained.
"Oh well, anyway, can you come over? I need your advice on what to wear
to get to the expedition centre - you know, on the coach. I want Mark
Leary to notice me."
"Sure, I'll be right over," I said.
I put down the receiver and headed out the door.

I was finally off my crutches, and so I no longer looked like a
cripple. The doctor told me that I had to have some gentle exercise for
my knee, and a walk to Corey's was just what I needed. The sea air, as
I walked out the door, felt good against my face. I wandered through
the wet streets. I had to go along Yew Road, right up near the cliff.
It was the road that joined Upper Georgeton to Lower Georgeton, and it
cut through a forest, separating the two parts of the town. Just about
three hundred metres into the wood from Yew Road, is Summer Cliff - a
vertical drop to the sea below. I paced along the road until I heard a
lot of voices coming from the edge of the forest. I saw an ambulance
and about four police cars.
"What's going on?" I asked a lady, who was watching the
commotion.
"Murder, so they say", said the woman.
I pushed my way through the crowd until I got to the police barrier. I
saw a body of a young girl being hoisted into the ambulance. It took me
a while to realise - but I was sure it was Claudia! I began to push
through the barrier, until I realised that there was something under my
shoe. I quickly picked it up. It was a wallet. The name inside read
Daria Rosewood and I realised the body must have been Claudia's sister.
My head was in a whirl. I thought - How could she be dead? And did
Claudia know?
I reached over to a policeman, and asked him how they thought she had
died.
"Murdered", said the man, "stabbed several times in the back."
"What?" I screeched.
"If you'll just all move back now, please", said the policeman, pushing
everyone back.
I shoved the wallet in my pocket, and went a quick as my knee would
allow to Corey's. My mind was spinning. I tried to think how this could
have happened, but all my conclusions led to India.

When I reached Corey's, all I could think about was Daria's beautiful
dark hair spilling out of the body bag, and the shape of her mouth - an
O of terror. It began to rain as Corey let me in. Everything spilled
out about India, the calls, and Daria.
"Well, does Claudia know?" Corey asked, after a while of stunned
silence.
I felt slightly more at ease, knowing that I had finally told
someone.
"I don't know," I answered, ashamed that I hadn't gone around to see
Claudia first.
"Well, come on. What are we sitting here for?" moaned Corey.
"But ..."
"What?" asked Corey
"I don't know where she lives."
"I do. Come on."

We walked to Claudia's. Her house was a three-storey on Blackthorn
Drive. Corey knocked on the door.
"Wait a minute", I stuttered. "You are willing to tell Claudia that her
only sister's dead, aren't you?"
"No - but I thought you were."
"No way!"
"Oh, yes."
The door creaked open, and Claudia was stood there, wearing her
pleasant smile.
She walked back into the house, asking us to make ourselves at home. As
soon as I walked in, I noticed a telephone table, with an open address
book. I peered at where it was open. Corey followed Claudia into the
living room. The book was open at the D's, in particular, Jason Dario.
I couldn't believe it. I tore out the page, and glanced to see if
anyone had seen. I slammed the book shut, and read the address in my
head. Jason Dario, 96 Willow Terrace, Georgeton 363914. I kept
repeating it in my mind, and stuffed the page into my jeans' pocket. I
then took out the wallet and walked into the living room. Corey was
chatting with Claudia. Claudia seemed so happy, I couldn't tell
her.
"Where have you been?" asked Claudia, looking at me suspiciously.
"I just went to your downstairs loo", I said. I had no idea how I
thought up the excuse. I've just always had a knack for making things
up.
I threw the wallet onto the glass coffee table.
"Open it", I demanded grimly.
Claudia carefully undid the wallet.
"It's Daria's", she stuttered, completely stunned. "But how did you get
this?"
"It was at the scene of a murder", I choked, a lump forming in my
throat.
"Well, where's Daria? The police don't think she did it, do they?"
laughed Claudia.
"No," I said sternly.
"Well, where is she?" asked Claudia again, becoming very
concerned.
I could see tears forming in her eyes. I looked at Corey. She sat there
silently, not saying a thing, nor moving.
"Claudia, she was stabbed. She's dead." I sighed, after I finally told
her.
She collapsed and screamed as her heart broke. She cried, screamed and
yelled before finally just breaking down into a slow sob.
Corey rushed off to the kitchen to make a black coffee for
Claudia.

When Claudia's parents returned home, they had somehow already found
out about Daria. They looked pale, and completely washed out, as if
they had seen a ghost. I flashed back to when I saw Daria being hoisted
into the ambulance. Claudia was hugging Corey and me, but when her
parents returned home, she was so pleased to see them that she raced
over to them.
"Mrs. Rosewood", I said to Claudia's Mum, as quietly as I could.
She looked up, whilst hugging Claudia.
"Can I use your phone to call Corey's sister? Only it's late and dark,
and we have to get back. There's no place for us here. It should be
just you and your family."
The frail woman nodded. I picked up the phone and dialled Corey's
number. Belinda said that she would be round soon.

The street lights were beginning to come on. They reflected off the wet
roads. Corey and I sat with the Rosewoods for a while. I couldn't
really tell, or even guess, what Claudia was feeling. I had no brothers
or sisters, but Corey did. I could see by Corey's expression that she
could sense how Claudia felt. Corey was imagining Belinda dying. I
could tell by her eyes, as she watched the loving family remember
Daria. I felt the lump in my throat get bigger, the more and more
awkward I felt, hoping that Belinda would arrive soon. The time went by
slowly. Every minute seemed like an eternity. Every time I closed my
eyes I saw Daria. I had never seen a dead person before. The shock of
seeing one for the first time gripped me. Belinda arrived shortly
afterwards, but it seemed like an age to me. Corey and I left the
Rosewoods with only memories. As I stepped out of the house into the
cold rain, my mind suddenly snapped back to India. 'I won't calm down
until I get Daria' - the words replayed over and over in my mind as we
sped off in the car. Would India be forced so far to the edge? Would
she risk everything for her friendship with Claudia? The thoughts
jumbled together. Everyone in the car was silent, but my mind wasn't.
One thing was sure, I wasn't going to get any sleep that night.

The sun blazed through my window the next morning. Just the weather
brightening up made me feel slightly better. I got dressed and then
realised that Jason's address was in my pocket. I wrote his number and
address in my notebook, and tossed the paper in the bin. I had finally
decided that Daria's murder was nothing to do with me. If it was India
or not - what did it matter. It was my friend's problem, not mine. I
shouldn't get myself wrapped up into it.

My leg was still quite bad, so I kept a bandage on it, and went round
to Corey's. We headed out to the diner. Not many seniors were in the
diner. They had probably heard about Daria, and were staying at home.
India was sitting down in a bay, staring at a soda. We went and sat by
her.
I sharply nudged Corey and whispered "Act normal".
Corey winked at me to show that she acknowledged.
"What's wrong, India?", asked Corey.
India just sat there in a heap.
"Daria", India choked out, still staring at her soda.
"Daria's dead", I announced. "Didn't you know?"
"Not till this morning," she said, still not moving.
"Don't worry," I smiled.
"I can't help it", choked India. "It's all my fault. I wanted something
awful to happen to her, and now it has. I can't believe she is dead. I
think that I'm to blame."
"Calm down," said Corey, in a reassuring voice. "It's not your fault at
all".
A waitress walked over.
"Do you want to order anything?" she asked, in a very dull way.
"I'll have a strawberry sundae, please", smiled Corey.
Corey never lost her appetite, no matter what the situation, but she
always remained skinnier than me.
"No, nothing for me, thanks", I groaned. "I'm going."
"Where to?" asked Corey.
"To Claudia's."

I hadn't eaten anything for an entire day. I was starved, but I
couldn't eat. I wanted to see how Claudia was coping. I went to her
house, and Claudia opened the door. She looked drowned in her own
tears. Her eyes were red and swollen. Her face was very pale, and her
dark hair was messy and untouched.
"Come in", she croaked.
"How are you?" I asked.
"I feel dreadful".
"You don't look too good."
"We stayed up all last night, sorting out funeral arrangements and
talking to the police. The funeral will be on Friday - two days before
the expedition."
"So - you're still going?" I asked.
"Yes - Mum says I have to. She thinks it will help me get over Daria's
death. But that's just it, Lydia. I don't want to get over Daria's
death. I want to remember her forever. And I did want to live with my
sister forever as well. You know what hurts the most?"
"No"
"It's knowing that I never told her how much I adored her, and now
she'll never know.
"Of course, she will. She knew you loved her."
"I'm really worried, Lydia."
"Why?"
"Mum and Dad. This has hit them really hard."
"I'm sure they'll be fine. I've really got to go now, Claudia."
"Please stay," Claudia begged.
"I need to get home, Claudia. But I'll come back to see you tomorrow,
right after I go and visit Jason."
Claudia rolled her eyes, and then slumped onto the sofa.

I left Claudia's house and rushed home. I had changed my plans. I was
now going to visit Jason tomorrow - not today. Friday was in two days
time. Oh, how I wish none of this had ever happened, I told
myself.

When I got home, I lay on the sofa and went to sleep. I slept until Mum
came home from work. She made me a quick dinner, which I ate and I
slept well that night, something which I hadn't done for a long
time.

I woke up bright and early to head around to Jason's. I was wearing my
jeans, so that no-one could see my bandage. My knee was fine so long as
I kept the bandage on, and didn't go up any stairs. There was an
alleyway, with several gates leading around the back of Oak Court, Pine
Rise and Birch Drive, which led to Willow Terrace. Nos. 80 to 100
backed on to the alleyway. I set out. All the birds were singing. It
made me feel much better. It was all over. Daria's death, the phone
calls, even India and Claudia were together again. I reached Jason's
house. There was a gate in the pine fence into Jason's backyard. A
small tabby cat was stretching on the fence. I reached out to stroke
him, but he hissed at me, before pouncing onto the dustbin, knocking it
over and scampering down the alley. I pulled a face at the rebellious
cat, as he raced further and further away. I began to unlatch Jason's
gate when something caught my eye in the trash which had spewed out
over the path. It was shining in the sun, through a white shopping bag.
I went over. I opened the bag. It was a long sharp knife, stained with
dark red blood. I gasped, and dropped the bag immediately. I felt
dizzy. The world was turning round and round. Finally I was able to
focus on Jason's house. A lace curtain was moving in one of the
upstairs rooms. I just ran, my leg aching with pain the entire way. I
ran, unflinching. Thoughts darted through my mind, a dozen at a time. I
could see the dark blood in my mind. It was covering the knife. Jason
wouldn't do this, my mind said. He's too kind, too nice. He wouldn't do
this, would he? Of course not. He had no reason to hate Daria. But what
if he did kill her? What if he did have a reason? Didn't India kill
her? Thoughts were bubbling in my mind, twisting and mixing like a
giant whirlpool.

I started to limp as I reached Oak Court. The pain was unbearable. It
was like my entire leg was paralysed. I began to limp home in pain. I
sat down on the sofa when I got home, my leg on a cushion on the coffee
table. I tore a piece of paper out of my jotter, my heart pounding like
it was going to jump straight out of my body. I started to cry, tears
of anger and fear, that were as hot as my burning red face. I began to
write everything down about Jason - the calls and everything - right up
to the knife. This made everything in my head seem clearer. I stopped
crying and realised who really killed Daria. It was Jason.

The same two thoughts kept reappearing in my mind. Jason wouldn't kill
anyone, and the knife covered with blood in Jason's dustbin. Whichever
way I thought about it, I knew that Jason was to blame.

I went round to Claudia's in Upper Georgeton. I tried to act normal for
her sake.

"Hi Claudia", I smiled, as she opened the door.
She looked quite a bit better. She wasn't quite so pale, but her eyes
were still puffy.
"Hi Lydia - come in".
I walked into the dark hall. I could definitely smell dried
flowers.
"How's Jason?" she asked.
"Oh, er, he's feeling much better now", I said with careful
thought.
I decided right there and then that I was going to keep my idea of
Jason being the murderer to myself, just in case I was wrong.
Claudia and I talked for a while. Having me there made her face light
up.
"Will you come to her funeral?"
"Yes, sure", I said, flattered that I'd been invited.
"It's on Friday. I think I already told you. Mum still wants me to go
on the expedition. She has this idea that it will help me get over
Daria's death."
"I'm sure it will."
"I hope it will", she said thoughtfully.
"Time's a great healer, Claudia. Don't worry, you'll never lose her.
She'll be with you forever."
I was surprised. Where had I got all this reassuring talk from?
After a few hours I headed home along Yew Road. I noticed several
bunches of flowers where Daria's body had been found. I got a sudden
flashback, making me shudder. I then thought about Jason, his dark
hair, his deep brown eyes, and his strong arms - murdering arms.

When I returned home, Mum was already back from work to see how my knee
was. I told her about how much it had hurt, coming home from Jason's,
but I didn't tell her, and couldn't tell her, about the dagger covered
with Daria's innocent blood, and how I thought Jason may have seen me
from the top window, or how I had ran home, terrified for my own
life.

I phoned India after tea. I knew now that India hadn't committed the
murder, so I could finally make my friendship with India return to
normal. We spoke on the phone for over two hours. Mum was starting to
worry a bit about the phone bill, so I hung up. India had made me feel
slightly more relaxed, but I couldn't help feeling tense. I mean, what
if Jason had seen me? Will he come and get me? He got Daria, so why
should I be any different? All these thoughts were churning in my head
again. I thought about telling Mum everything, but I couldn't do that.
How do you say to your Mum, calmly, that you're dating a murderer, who
just happens to have stabbed your friend's sister? Sure, Mum would
understand - I joked to myself. Then the fatal reality hit me, and hit
me hard. If Jason had seen me, then he is going to try to kill me too.
I felt so nervous. Little tremors were going all over my body. I
couldn't keep still.

That night, after Mum went to bed, I rushed downstairs and checked
every door and window. I then checked upstairs. I tried desperately to
sleep, but I couldn't. I lay awake shivering, not from cold, but from
fear. Jason will try to kill me. I felt sick. Whenever I closed my
eyes, I saw Daria's sweet face in the red body bag suddenly change to
my face. Every time I heard a noise, my thoughts went to Jason. I
didn't sleep. I knew that I wouldn't be able to sleep until the
murderer was captured and put behind bars. But I wouldn't tell the
police. Why would they believe me? I had no evidence. It seemed like my
life was about to end, but I couldn't do anything about it.

I got up, got dressed, and headed to school. It was the first
cheerleader practice. I wasn't going to take part, but I was going to
sit and watch. I didn't want to get behind everyone else. I headed for
the gym. It was another overcast day, just like the one when Jason
carried me to the office. I really missed Jason, but I suppose not
seeing him was for the best. I felt so unsure. My eyes kept darting
across the playground. I felt as though Jason was watching me from
every angle. I felt much better once I had reached the safety of the
gym. All the cheerleaders except Claudia were warming up. Claudia
wasn't there. She was still finding it difficult to get over Daria.
India was busy trying out new routines with some older cheerleaders. I
wondered if I would ever be that good. I sat at the side, as the
basketball team came onto court. Jason was there, jogging out of the
locker room with the rest of the team. Jason was wearing the team
colours - the Georgeton High Bears. The team all looked like brothers,
dressed in their green and brown. They were having a practice. I tried
to keep out of view, but if I acted normal, then Jason wouldn't think
there was anything wrong. Jason was a brilliant basketball player. He
wouldn't commit a murder - Jason was perfect.

I began to concentrate again on the cheerleader squad. Corey was really
doing well. I headed down to the cafeteria. I didn't like the idea of
being in the same room as Jason. The cafeteria was warm, and smelt of
toast. I got a quick cappuccino, and looked at my watch - 5.25. The
practice would soon be over, I thought. I headed home. The wet streets
of Georgeton were dark and shiny. I couldn't tell the real Georgeton
from the reflected Georgeton. It was Thursday night, and tomorrow was
Friday - Daria's funeral.

When I finally got home, Mum wasn't there. She was staying in Brackston
for a few nights to close on an important deal. I made myself a
sandwich, and headed off to bed. I took a few of Mum's sleeping pills
to help me doze off. I dreamt that I was Jason, and Jason was me. I was
killing Daria, stabbing her young body in the back. The dagger went so
far into Daria's flesh that the handle was pressed against her green
fleece. Daria's hands flew up in pain as she fell to her knees at the
side of the road. Warm blood began to dribble out where the dagger had
pierced her pale skin. The blood was oozing on to the fleece, making
the dark green jacket change to a sickly black. I ripped the dagger
out, making her fall to the ground in agony. I stabbed her again, and
ripped out the blood covered blade. I ran and kept running until I woke
up, dripping in cold sweat. It was just a dream, I told myself. I
looked at my alarm clock - 4.30 a.m. it read. I knew I wouldn't be able
to go back to sleep again, so I pulled myself out of bed. The milky
moonlight shone through my window from the dark blue sky. I got dressed
quickly, and headed downstairs, made myself a coffee, and started on
some homework.

At about 10.00 a.m., I headed down to Claudia's. Because her family
were quite rich, we were marching to the cemetery. There were black
horses, and black carriages. Everyone was dressed in black mourning.
Seeing the coffin being hoisted into the horse-drawn carriage reminded
me of Daria once more, being hoisted into the ambulance, and then it
reminded me of my nightmare. We followed the carriage, head's hung low,
towards Ash Road Cemetery. As we went through Upper Georgeton,
strangers bowed their heads as they caught sight of the carriage
containing deceased Daria Rosewood. The funeral went by in a blur of
bright flowers, and black. Everyone who knew Daria was there. We went
back to Blackthorn Avenue. Mrs. Rosewood and Claudia had made a buffet
for all the mourners.
"I'm so glad you could come", said Claudia.
"I am too", I smiled.
"It's great having everyone here to remember Daria".
"I'm sure she'll be missed", I sighed.
"She's gone now," said Claudia.
"I'm sure that Daria's missing you".
"Not as much as I'm missing her".
"Don't torture yourself".
"My only sister has left me now. My life isn't worth living."
"Don't say that!" I exclaimed "you have everything to live for. You
have lots of friends, you're popular, and you have a loving mother and
father."
"I'm sorry, Lydia. This must be bringing back terrible memories for you
of your father's funeral".
Though I did not want to admit it, it was true. I remembered my
father's funeral. I was only 6 at the time. He died in a car crash. I
missed him, even then.

I stayed with Claudia until every mourner had left. I helped the
Rosewoods tidy away. Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood seemed the worst affected by
Daria's death. Though I didn't know her, it seemed that she had touched
everyone's life in Georgeton at some time.

I began home. Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood offered me a lift, but I refused.
They were in no fit state to drive. It was dark at around 9.00 p.m. I
was very tired. I walked along Yew Road. It wasn't very long till I got
to Ash Road. I walked slowly past the cemetery. I heard gentle
footsteps behind me - deathly footsteps. I walked slightly faster,
until I swung round and came face to face with Jason. I gasped
suddenly.
"Hi Lydia", he smiled sweetly.
"Oh, Hi, Jason", I said.
I could feel my pulse begin to quicken. I looked around. No-one, and
nothing in sight. No-one to hear me scream. Act normal, I told
myself.
"Do you mind if I walk you home?"
"No, of course, not", I smiled. Like I have any choice - I thought to
myself.
Jason and I walked down the dark road together. His dark hair swayed in
the moonlight as he walked.
"I saw you playing basketball," I said. "You're really good, you
know".
Jason smiled.
"Thanks", he said.
"We'll go across Willow Terrace, and I'll go down the back alley home",
I said.
"I've really missed you, you know", he said.
He ran his long fingers through my brown hair, and hand in hand we
continued walking.
"Have you just come from Daria's funeral?" he asked.
"Yes. How did you know about Daria's funeral?"
"Claudia told me. Daria and I go way back. We went out together for a
while."
That's what Claudia meant, I thought, when she said that Jason and I go
back way far. She must have known him through Daria.
I began to shudder. Not from cold, from fear.
"You're shivering", said Jason, with a concerned look on his face. "Are
you cold?"
"A little", I whispered.
He took off his sweatshirt, and handed it to me. I quickly put it
on.
"Won't you be cold?" I asked.
"No, I'll be fine."
We turned towards Willow Terrace. I was afraid of him, but the fear
just made him even more attractive.
We crossed the road onto Willow Terrace. I took off the
sweatshirt.
"Here you go", I said, "this is yours."
He passed it back to me.
"You keep it. You'll be cold if you don't."
He began to jog towards 98 Willow Terrace. 98? I thought. But Jason
lives at 96.
"Jason!" I shouted, as I ran after him. "You live here?"
"Yes", he smiled. "I know it's not great, but it's still home."
"So you don't live at 96?"
"No - what gave you that idea?"
It then just all came spilling out. About the knife and everything. I
was just so relieved that Jason couldn't have killed Daria. Jason
looked into my eyes. I'd never seen him so serious before.
"Lydia", he said, slowly. "India lives at 96".

I went straight home and bolted the doors and windows. India's the
killer, I thought.
It was India, all along. India killed Daria. It wasn't Jason. But what
if Jason was lying, I thought, trying to let it all sink in. My mind
was asking so many questions that it couldn't find answers to. Jason
wouldn't lie, would he? It was then that I remembered that I had
written Jason's address in my address book. I rushed upstairs, my leg
hurting immensely. I quickly found the book and opened it. I flicked
through the pages until I reached D. I soon found Jason Dario's
address.
"He DOES live at 96!" I said aloud. I then noticed the way I had
written it. It could easily have been an 8 instead of a 6.
I decided to put my trust in Jason, for a change. I went to bed feeling
nervous once more, because now I had two people to watch out for.

When I woke up, the first thing I did was ring Jason at the diner, so
that I could meet him later on.
"Hello" said Jason, on the other end of the phone.
"It's me, Lydia" I said, smiling.
"Oh, Hi!"
" I was wondering, Jason. Could I meet you at the diner later
on?"
"Yeah, sure. What time?"
"Around 2," I said.
"See you there", said Jason. Then he hung up.
Then I quickly phoned Corey. I was planning on going to the Mall and
getting Jason a present to say how much I missed him. I didn't believe
that he could kill anyone.
"Hey, Corey" I said, as she picked up the phone.
"Hi. Who is it?"
"It's me, Lydia"
" Oh, Hi Lydia "
"Listen, Corey. I was wondering. Do you want to go to the Mall today?
Because I really need to get Jason a present."
"Ok. Belinda and I will pick you up in about an hour."
"No problem", I said happily, as I put down the receiver.
I quickly got dressed, had some breakfast, and then waited for Corey to
arrive. She soon did, and we headed off to the Mall. We got to the
Mall, and headed straight for the quaint "Spells and Smells" shop. It
was run down, and in need of repair. It was dirty and dark, and didn't
at all fit in with the bright, modern Mall. There was a definite smell
of Sandalwood throughout the shop. There were wicker baskets, full of
brightly coloured stones, and dozens of shelves full of candles and
incense sticks. People rarely entered the shop, except around
Hallowe'en and Valentine's Day. There were oddments, ranging from
snakeskins to ouija boards. There was an equally strange man behind the
counter, who was short, with grey hair, and a long beard.
The small shop had a warm glow from all the candles that were being
burned. I searched around for the ideal present. I couldn't really find
anything that reminded me of Jason, so I asked the old man behind the
counter if he had any personalised good luck charms.
"What's the name of the person?" asked the old man.
"Jason", I answered.
He tottered to the back of the shop, and returned with a shoe box with
"Jason" written on it.
Much to my surprise, "Jason" wasn't written on any of the assorted
articles in the box. The man pulled them out one at a time, naming each
one in turn. I stared into the box. The old man looked at me curiously.
A black shiny stone caught my eye. It had a white hand drawn on one
side, and a red hand drawn on the other. I picked it up.
"What's this?" I asked.
"That's known as the Limestone Touch"
"Oh," I smiled, staring at it's shiny face.
"It's made of blackened limestone, dipped in animal fat and water,
before being left in boiling crude oil for two days".
"What do the hands mean?"
"They've been painted on with bats' blood and ground bats' bones. The
red hand represents the receiver, and the white hand represents the
giver."
I stared at him blankly, and then at Corey.
"It'll bring good luck to both the receiver and the giver. But if it is
dropped, because it is so fragile, it'll split, and the friendship
between the two people will also split. It will bring short-term bad
luck to whoever drops it."
"I'll take it," I said automatically.
"Really?" asked the old man, surprised.
"How much?" I asked.
"Well, these do have to be imported from Zimbabwe, so it costs
$45."
"$45!"
"Yes"
I handed him the credit card, which Mum told me to use only in
emergencies. He put the fragile black stone in a red box, with a
material lining, and wrapped it up with a dark blue ribbon. I signed
for the purchase, and he handed back the credit card, and Corey and I
left.
We did an hour's shopping around the Mall, before Corey and I headed
home. Belinda dropped me off at the diner, before taking Corey home to
pack for the expedition tomorrow. I'd finally got over not being able
to go to the expedition. It didn't really matter. I went the year
before with the school.

Jason was sat waiting in a bay when I got to the diner.
"Hi!" he said, as I sat down.
"I've got you a present", I smiled.
He soon pulled off the blue ribbon, and was opening the lid.
"Do you like it?" I asked.
"It's very unusual", he said, unsure.
"You don't like it" I said glumly.
"No, I do like it - but what is it?"
"It's a Limestone Touch. You have to keep it with you wherever you go,
and it will bring both of us good luck if you do."
"Thanks", he said, as he gave me a hug.
He slipped the charm into his pocket.
"I'm so glad you like it".
"I've got you a gift, too", he said.
"You shouldn't have," I smiled, as he gave a small box to me. "What is
it?"
"Open it", he said.
I pulled open the lid and found a silver locket inside, with an
inscription on the back reading "Always and forever, no matter where
you are, or who you are with, I'll find you."
"Thanks, Jason", I said, a little bit spooked by the inscription.
I fastened it around my neck. Jason and I stayed for about half an hour
at the diner. I left after a while, and walked around to
Claudia's.
"Hi", smiled Claudia, as she opened the door.
I followed her into the living room.
"You look a bit better", I said.
"Well, I did get some sleep last night."
"Good - and how are your parents?"
"They went back to work today."
"Are you ready for the expedition?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure."
"I bet you'll have a fab time."
"I hope I will".
"I've just seen Corey. She's just rushed home to pack. She always
leaves everything to the last minute."
"Really!" Claudia laughed.
"Yep."
"Do you want a drink? It's so cold outside, I was about to make myself
a cocoa."
"Sounds good", I said.
Claudia went into the kitchen, and I followed. She seemed to be coping
a lot better with Daria's death now. We sat down at the kitchen table
with our mugs, once the cocoa was made.
"I bought Jason a present today".
"Yeah?"
"Yeah - it was a Limestone Touch. You know, a lucky charm. It is
supposed to bring us both good luck."
"Did he like it?"
"I think so. Jason got me this pendant," I boasted.
Claudia stared at me in disbelief.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Th.. Th... That pendant was Daria's!"

Claudia had a look of horror upon her face.
"He must have just found it", I said, reassuringly, but deep down I did
not believe it.
"Jason gave that pendant to Daria while they were going out
together".
"Do you want it back?"
"No, you keep it. I'm sure you're right. Jason must have just found it,
or something."
"Do you want any help packing for the expedition?" I asked, trying to
change the subject.
"No, you'd best go home now."
"Well, bye Claudia"
"See ya" she said, as I left the kitchen and headed out of the front
door.

I went to the cemetery. It was on my way home anyway. I saw the black
railings of the cemetery, as I walked closer and closer to them. Did
Jason kill Daria? I asked myself. Would Jason kill Daria? I didn't know
what to think, as I opened the heavy gates. I walked past all the
decaying stones. A funeral was taking place over the far side of the
cemetery. The ruins of ancient tombstones lay decrepit all over the
grassy terrain. I didn't know what to expect, as I looked around
uneasily. I headed over to Daria's grave. The newly erected headstone
was in the shape of a D. The inscription read "Sleep well fair child,
for the Lord has thee now" and underneath it said "Here lies Daria
Rosewood, aged 16. Beloved sister, daughter and friend to all who knew
her". Sweet, I thought. I bent down on to the freshly laid earth. Dying
flowers were strewn all around her grave. I suddenly remembered her
funeral, and then her being hoisted into the ambulance, her pretty face
twisted and her mouth in an O of sheer terror. My mind flashed back
once more to the knife in a pool of rich blood. Waves of nausea began
to sweep over me as the wind tore at my hair. Why? I asked myself. Why
was I being punished for being the only living person who knew the
truth, the whole truth about Jason. I began to cry at Daria's
grave.
"It's not fair", I cried, "It's not fair!"
I curled up on the grave and began to cry. Not tears for Daria, but
tears for me, myself. I carefully took off my locket.
"This is your's, Daria" I sobbed.
"Always and forever, no matter what, where you are, or who you are
with, I'll find you" I read aloud, as I stared at the headstone. I
carefully draped the locket over the headstone, and took a step back. I
looked back at the gates. They seemed so far away. I headed back
slowly. The funeral that was taking place continued, and a number of
bagpipers began to play a tune as the body was lowered into the ground.
The tune changed to the familiar "death march". I continued walking to
the gates.

I was soon out of the cemetery and on my way home. The dark storm
clouds were threatening rain as I walked along the remainder of Ash
Road. My mind was curdling from unanswered questions. I reached my
house and unlocked the door. The 'phone was ringing. I quickly answered
it. It was Mum.
"Hi Mum", I said, glad that she had finally called.
"You won't forget I'm coming home tomorrow, will you?"
"Of course not".
We chatted for a while, and then she hung up. I switched on the TV and
then the 'phone rang again.
"Hi", I said. All I could hear was heavy breathing.
"Hello" I said again.
"Watch out, Lydia", said the voice. "I'll come and get you if you don't
stay away from Jason".
They hung up.
It sent a shiver down my spine. What do they want? I asked myself. But
I knew the answer to that question. Me!

I took some of Mum's sleeping pills that night, so that I could doze
off. I went to bed and went into a technicolour dream of places and
people. I woke up suddenly. It was 9a.m. I'd overslept! The coaches
leaving for the expedition would depart in half an hour. I got dressed
and raced out of the house. I ran straight to the school. I got to
school just 10 minutes before the coaches were going to leave. Everyone
was loading their luggage. I spotted Corey and Claudia and sprinted
over to them.
"I'm so glad I got here on time" I said to them.
"We were getting a bit worried that you would never show up", said
Claudia.
"I couldn't let you go without saying Goodbye" I smiled.
A few teachers started boarding the kids onto the coaches. Boys in the
front coach, girls in the second.
"Well, bye then," said Corey, as she gave me a hug.
"Bye Lydia," smiled Claudia, also giving me a hug.
I watched them get on to the coach.
"Call me" I shouted.
Claudia nodded vigorously. I waved to them, as the coaches began to
move off, before scurrying home to meet Mum.

It was raining heavily when I got home, and Mum was already there. I
ran up to her and gave her a big hug.
"Well, hello, Lydia" she laughed.
"I've missed you Mum".
"I missed you too".
After a while of catching up, I went upstairs to do some
homework.
"Lydia!" Mum called from downstairs
"Yes?" I shouted back.
"Come down here".
I went downstairs to see Mum writing something out.
"What is it?" I sighed.
"Darling, would you mind just going down to the supermarket for
me?"
I looked outside at the rain.
"I suppose ..."
I pulled on my jacket and went out into the rain. The supermarket was
on Spruce Lane. It joined Yew Road to the motorway. I walked down the
alley onto Willow Terrace and then headed down Juniper Road and on to
Yew Road. It was cold upon the clifftop road. A couple of police cars
and an ambulance sped by. I carried on walking towards Spruce Lane. As
I turned the corner, I was blinded by flashing police lights. The
sirens were ringing in my ears. I looked around, desperate to know what
was going on. I then noticed the coach. It was one of the two coaches
which were heading on the expedition. The other one was parked some
distance ahead. I the realised it was the coach that Corey and Claudia
were on.

My pulse increased and my heart pounded.
"Corey! Claudia!" I shouted in agony at the wrecked coach.
I ran up to the crash, screaming out my lost friends' names.
The police were pulling people from the wreck - people who I knew. I
cried as I searched for Corey and Claudia. A policeman was interviewing
the driver at the side of the road.
"This kid just came out in front of me. I had to swerve or else I would
have hit him".
"Can you give me a description please"
"Sure. Tallish, dark hair and that's about all I could see in the
rain".
"Corey!" I yelled at the crashed coach.
I searched the outside of the wreckage. Blood stained the coach sides.
I could hear voices inside - voices of pain and suffering. All the
windows were shattered, and the dark rain tumbled in. Tiny streams of
blood-stained water dribbled from the wreckage. I began feeling giddy
as waves of nausea passed over me. I ran frantically around the
wreckage searching for my friends. I saw a fireman remove a body from
the wreckage and carefully place it into a body bag, shaking his head
to a colleague. The body's head fell out and tilted to one side. Blood
trickled from the corner of her mouth. It was then that I realised it
was Claudia. I pushed my way through paramedics and police to get to
the body, which had once been so alive and bright. I reached the corpse
of my deceased friend and cried.
"Why her?" I screamed, "She never did anything wrong, never!"
I reached down and shut her eyelids.
"She died suddenly, without pain", assured one of the paramedics.
I zipped up the bag and staggered back to the wreckage. Corey was still
in there somewhere. A few more bodies had been pulled out. I hated not
knowing.
"Corey!" I screeched out, once more. "Corey! Where are you?"
Tears ran down my face, just like the rain tumbling from the sky. I
stared at the floor. Something was shining in a puddle by my feet. I
felt around in the puddle, and pulled it out. It was half of the charm
which I had given to Jason. It had split in half.
"Jason!" I hollered, looking up at the sky, "Why did you do this to
me?"
I looked back the wreckage through watered eyes. I saw Corey's frail
body being pulled out of the coach.
"Corey!" I gasped in disbelief.
I ran over to the paramedic who was getting her out. I could feel a
lump forming in my throat as I looked into her unmoving eyes.
"Is she ... Is she ...?" I began.
"No - but we must get her to hospital immediately".
They lifted Corey's lifeless body into the ambulance. I jumped in after
her.

"Come on Corey. Don't leave me now, please. Not like Claudia
did."
My thoughts darted back to Claudia, as I held my friend's lifeless
hand. The rain beat hard on the ambulance roof, as we scooted through
red lights and traffic jams. It all happened in a teary haze.
"Jason!" I hissed. "Jason - you were the one who ran in front of the
bus! Why?"
When we got to the hospital, they hurried her in. I ran after them. I
wasn't allowed in the operating theatre, so I took a seat outside. It
seemed like an eternity. I had phoned my mum to tell her where I was. I
felt in my pocket and pulled out the limestone touch - or what was left
of it.
"Well, Well, Jason - looks like your luck has just run out" I said to
myself.
The surgeons kept Corey in, the whole night. I didn't have any news on
how my best friend was doing. In the morning, Corey's parents and
sister came. Mr. and Mrs. Edmundson. It made me hurt inside - even more
than before. I wondered how Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood were coping. They had
lost Daria and Claudia - and it was all Jason's fault.

A doctor walked out.
"Corey's dead" I screamed as I ran up to him. I had psyched myself up,
ready to hear the worst.
"No - she's not dead".
The whole room seemed to breath a sigh of relief.
"She is, however, in a coma, and on life support. Whether she will ever
awake or not, we really cannot tell at this stage".
He hurried down the corridor.
"You ought to go in first" I said to Mr. and Mrs. Edmundson.
They walked slowly in, followed by Belinda.
I went to the coffee machine to get a black coffee. Suddenly a lot of
noise and shouting came from the operating theatre. I dropped the
coffee on the floor and sprinted over, just as Corey's sister and
parents were pushed out of the room.
"What's wrong? What's going on? Why aren't you with Corey?" I
asked.
"She's gone" sobbed Mrs. Edmundson.
I peered anxiously through the window.
"Why did you leave me, Corey?" I whispered, "Why?"

Claudia's funeral began like Daria's. A slow mournful march to the
cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood were in real shock. They had lost both
of their offspring in a week. I marched alongside India. She was
wearing a short black dress, and an oversized black hat. I wore a long
black skirt and a white blouse. The procession marched on towards Ash
Road Cemetery. Heads were high, but hearts were heavy. We got there in
total silence. It was a cloudy day, the sun making brief appearances
through patches in the clouds. Mrs. Rosewood read a short poem to
commemorate Claudia's death. I cried tears for my lost friend. Her
coffin was slowly lowered into the earth, in a grave next to Daria's.
They'll be together forever now, I thought.

I didn't return to the Rosewood's after the funeral. I wandered home
instead. I slumped onto the sofa. I know Jason did it, I thought, but
why? I sat there most of the night. The conclusion I reached was that
Jason crashed the bus by running out in front of it deliberately. He
didn't know that Claudia was on the expedition bus instead of me. Jason
was intending to kill me - not Corey and Claudia. The deadly reality
soon sunk in. Jason wants to kill me, I thought, as mum came through
the door. Should I tell her? I asked myself. Should I tell Mum? No -
she'll never understand. Mum made some tea for me, but I couldn't eat
it. I felt sick just thinking about what Jason had done to my friends.
I flashed back to the coach - all those voices trapped inside the
wreckage - voices of fear and terror. Is this what you wanted, Jason? I
said to myself. Me scared for my own life? I was not entirely sure
whether it was the curse of the limestone touch, or whether I just came
to my senses, but I decided that I was the prey and that Jason was the
predator. I had to avoid him at all costs. Jason killed my friends, I
thought, and now he'll pay.

That night I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling, and drowning in my
own tears. Corey and Claudia were dead. My life wasn't really worth
living. I got out of bed and picked up my photo album. There were
pictures of Corey in there from first school. Corey and me together,
best friends. There was a recent picture of Claudia, India and me. My
warm tears fell onto the colourful images. Mum burst in to see what I
was doing, staying up so late. She was wearing her nightgown. She bent
down and hugged me. I cried some more desperate tears for my departed
friends. Mum stayed up all night comforting me.
"I love you, Mum", I cried.
"I love you too".
She hugged me even tighter. How I'll miss those hugs when I'm dead, I
thought - when I'm killed by Jason!

Corey's funeral was slow and lingering. I had cheerleader practice
straight after, but at least I was finally getting on with my life. I
arrived at school, and everyone said how sorry they were. India was in
a corner by herself, thinking. I went over to her.
"Everyone wants me to be cheerleader captain", she sighed.
"Really! That's great!"
"No it isn't. I can't do it. I could never replace Claudia."
"I see."
"I was wondering - do you want to take over instead?"
"Really? You actually want me to do it?"
"Yes - you're so good. You deserve it."
"Thanks"

I began to practice with old routines and working on them. I loved
every minute of it. I felt like I was doing it for Claudia, which gave
me confidence.
After the practice, everyone went home, leaving me to pack everything
up and return it to the PE closet. I soon had the gym tidy, and headed
into the corridor to put the equipment away. I was staring into the
closet, when suddenly the light switched off, plummeting the corridors
into complete darkness. I heard the door open at the end of the
corridor, and slow footsteps coming towards me - deathly
footsteps.
"Hello?" I shouted, but all I heard was my echo.
It's Jason, I thought, as I turned and sprinted down the corridor. My
heart was racing. I kept running until I couldn't hear him behind me. I
dived into a deserted classroom. I scrambled under tables and into a
small cubby hole at the back. I sat there and waited. I couldn't hear
anything. My heart was bumping too loud, and my breathing was
heavy.
The dark figure slowly entered the room. I couldn't see his face, and
so I couldn't be sure that it was Jason. He began opening cupboards. I
saw a shiny blade in his clenched hand. I'm the prey and he's the
predator, I thought once more. He began opening the cupboard next to
me. That's when I ran. I sprinted from my hiding place, pushing a
couple of chairs off the table on to him. He cursed under his breath,
and came out after me. I ran to the end of the corridor, to one of the
doors, my heart pounding as Jason came after me. It wouldn't open! The
door was locked. I suddenly spun round and stared at Jason. He laughed
a high-pitched evil laugh. He walked slowly and patiently towards me,
blade raised high. He stood right in front of me. I couldn't move. I
was paralysed with fear. He held on to my shoulders and raised the
blade high. I ducked sharply out of his way as the dagger plummeted,
and Jason's arm flew through the glass of the door, shattering it. I
ran once more back down the corridor. The door at the other end seemed
so far away. I opened the door at the other end, as I heard Jason not
far behind me, running faster with revenge. I slammed the door behind
me as I ran down the stairs. I slipped sharply as Jason opened the
door. I yanked myself up and began running again. I turned right at the
bottom of the stairs, towards the fire exit. I pushed the bar opening
the door to freedom. I raced on to the road.
Jason did not follow.
I jogged home.

I reached my house, slammed the door, and gave a massive sigh of
relief. A message was left on the coffee table, saying Mum would be at
work until around 10.
"Great!" I hissed aloud.
I went straight to bed. Jason didn't know where I lived, and so I felt
safe. The chilling wind outside tore at the trees, making a branch tap
against the glass of my window. I slid under the sheets, my eyes
darting from one side of the room to the other. I was petrified.
I can't sleep, I decided. I quickly phoned India, my entire body
shaking like a leaf.
"Hello" said India.
"India! It's me, Lydia! Please, I beg you, can I sleep at your place
tonight?"
"Sure, but ...."
"Thanks, I owe you".
"But ..."
"I'll be around in a while"
"But ..."
"What is it?"
"My parents are out".
"It doesn't matter. I'll say it's my fault."
"Lydia, why do you want to come round?"
"Jason!" I hissed.
"When I say my parents are out, I mean they have gone away for the
weekend."
"So I can come round?"
"Yes, but please, please don't make a mess. My parents' will kill
me!"
"Sure! Thanks, India!"
"Come round quick."
I hung up and raced around to India's, still in my pyjamas! It didn't
matter because there was no-one around at that time of night. 96 Willow
Terrace. No lights were on so I knocked at the door. When no-one
answered, I tried to open the door. It was open, so I just walked in.
India wouldn't mind, I thought. I decided that India wasn't there -
perhaps gone out to the shops to get a video or something for us to
watch. I searched around for a note. I didn't see one on the coffee
table, so I began to search a big wooden desk in the corner. Paper was
strewn all over the desk. I began to look somewhere else, but then I
noticed a small passport photograph, attached to a document. It was
Jason's photo! I snatched the paper file, and scanned it. It was a
prison document. More curious, I read on. It had his serial number,
personal details, date of birth - everything. I searched the paper for
his address.
"96 Willow Terrace" I read aloud. I'm in Jason's house, I thought! I
read on further.
Jason was in prison two years ago, and released early, on account of
good behaviour. I turned the page over, and noticed the top heading
'Crimes Convicted' and underneath in big black letters was 'GBH -
Grievous Bodily Harm'.

I felt like the world was on a spin. I felt so faint. I fell and hit
the floor hard. It was daytime when I came round. I had been lying on
the floor all night - in a murderer's house.
I stood up and started to look around. It was silent in the house. It
wasn't long before I heard steady footsteps coming up the driveway. I
sprinted up the stairs - leaving the document lying on the carpet. I
reached the landing, as the front door opened. I rushed into a closet -
it was in Jason's room. I heard someone coming up the stairs. He must
not have come home last night, I thought. He was probably looking for
me.
He entered the room. I held my breath and stayed perfectly still. All I
could hear was Jason walking about his room, and my heart thumping. I
heard Jason flop onto his bed. I stayed still for about half an hour,
before I took a deep breath out. I couldn't hear Jason anymore. I could
only hear the voices in my head - one voice telling me to peek out of
the cupboard, and one telling me not to. It took a while to build up
enough courage to peer out of the cupboard. Jason was lying still on
the bed. Perhaps he's asleep I thought. I edged the door open and
glimpsed outside. Jason was breathing gently. I took a deep sigh of
relief. He was fast asleep. I tiptoed out of the cupboard, towards the
door. I was feeling so many emotions at once, that I couldn't tell them
apart. I pulled at the door handle. It was locked! I was trapped inside
a pyscho's bedroom!

I glanced at my watch - 7a.m. Mum would be frantic. I then noticed the
window was open. I tiptoed over and stared outside at the slanting roof
below. I then stared at Jason. I had no choice but to climb down. I
carefully stepped out of Jason's room, and onto the red-tiled roof. I
gingerly scrambled towards the edge. I glared at the ground, and
suddenly became dizzy. The world was spinning once more. I tripped
suddenly and began to slide off the roof. My arm shot out, grabbing the
edge of a few tiles as my knees grazed over the edge. I pulled myself
to a standing position, and edged towards a drainpipe. I carefully
climbed down. It was just like going down a rope in PE. I reached the
bottom with a cut and bruised shin, but apart from that and a few
grazes, it was a success. I ran home.

People in the street stared at me in my pyjamas, but I didn't care. I
just had to get home. I banged on the door of my house. It was opened
by India! I darted in straight past her. I rushed to the sofa, and
pulled up my trouser leg to look at my shin.
"Where have you been all night? Your Mum rang. I told her that you were
at my house, and then rushed out to look for you".
Mum burst into the house suddenly.
"Oh hi, Lydia! I just forgot my bag" she said, darting upstairs.
India began to leave.
"India" I whispered. "I'll tell you everything. Meet me at the side of
Yew Road at 11 tonight. Mum'll be asleep by then. Promise?"
"Well alright, I'll see what I can do," she whispered, rushing
out.

"Right, I'll see you later then, Honey" smiled Mum, leaving quickly.
"By the way, you should put a plaster on that leg of yours! Bye".
I took Mum's advice once she had left, and headed upstairs.
I stared into the bathroom mirror, trying to remember what happened
just before I passed out. I recalled entering Jason's house, and
looking on the desk. Then it just went blank. I put some plasters on my
leg, got dressed and went to the florists to get some flowers for
Claudia and Corey's graves. I paid for them and headed for the
cemetery. It was a bright sunny day, but not very warm. There was a
bitter wind.
I opened the gates of the deserted cemetery. The bare trees stood
static, held in time. I went over to Claudia's grave first. I pulled
out the decaying flowers, and added fresh ones to the little pot on her
grave. I glanced over at Daria's grave. The locket had gone. Someone
must have picked it up. I stopped myself from crying, and wandered over
to Corey's grave. I looked at the bare earth, and suddenly, I had a
flashback, making me drop the flowers. I recalled Jason's document, and
how I fell to the floor fainting.
"Jason!" I spat.
I ran from the cemetery straight home. I must tell India, I thought.
India's the only friend I've got. She'll know what to do.
I phoned India, but she was not there. I stayed impatiently at home.
Here I'm safe, I thought. Jason can't get me here. I watched a couple
of videos, trying to take my mind off Jason. I remembered my last few
days with Corey and Claudia. I went to bed and, surprisingly, managed
to get some sleep. I woke up at teatime. Mum would be home around 9p.m.
It was 6 p.m. The phone rang suddenly, making me jump sky high.
"Lydia?" came the voice on the other end.
"Yes - who is this?"
"It's me, India. Meet me tonight at 8.30 - not 11."
"Sure - but why?"
"I have to tell you something really important, and it can't wait. I
can't talk now".
India then hung up.

I was wrapped up warm and ready to meet India. It was 8.15. I scribbled
down on a bit of paper where I was going and who I was with, and what
time I would be back and left it on the coffee table. I wrote that I
would be home around 9.30p.m.
I headed out the door and onto Ash Road. It was bitterly cold, and my
toes felt numb.
I got to Yew Road around 8.30. I waited for India until 9.00, when I
began to leave. I then saw India walking towards me in a long brown
coat. The road was quite busy, so we headed into the forest by the side
of the cliff.
"India," I began, taking a deep breath, "Jason's a murderer".
I expected her to laugh at me, but instead, she just said, "I
know".
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes. Claudia knew as soon as Daria died. Claudia told me. The problem
was we didn't know how to prove it. We phoned the police, but we didn't
have any evidence. You see, Jason was dating Daria, and he practically
killed someone. I'm not sure who, or why. Jason told Daria, and Daria
told the police. They found the evidence and Jason was convicted of
GBH. He was originally charged with attempted murder but the charge was
dropped to GBH. His sentence was reduced on account of good behaviour
and some new evidence which had been discovered, and Jason was
released. They charged another man instead. Claudia, Daria and I all
knew that Jason had done it. After all, he did admit it. Jason came
back to Georgetown seeking revenge. His parents are away all the time,
on holidays. The longest that they've ever been with Jason since he's
been released is 3 days. I think he has a brother, but he's away a lot,
too. When you started seeing him, Claudia and I tried to scare you away
from him".
"- with freak phone calls" I butted in.
We continued to walk through the dark wood.
"Exactly" she said, "then Daria died. We knew that only Jason would
kill her out of revenge."
"Yes, and then I found a dagger in Jason's bin. I thought he saw me, so
I ran. Jason didn't know how bad my knee was, so he had no way of
knowing that I wasn't on the expedition trip. He crashed the coach,
thinking that I was on it - not Claudia. I knew it was Jason because I
found the gift I had bought him, smashed in a puddle. And then last
night, I found a file from when Jason was in jail."
"He's as good as in prison now, but ..."
"You've got to catch me first" hissed a voice from nearby, making us
both jump.
It had gone very dark, and we had been talking and walking for about 2
hours. I grabbed India's coat in sheer terror. We heard an engine start
and rev up. A massive lump appeared in my throat, and my heart raced. A
single bright light suddenly lit up behind us.
"Run, India!" I yelled.
We raced aimlessly through the deserted woodland. We kept glancing back
at Jason on a roaring motorcycle, vengefully chasing us. The sea air
was almost choking me. I could hear Jason's evil laugh as he pursued us
through Yew Road forest. I was panting for air, as we swerved sharply,
avoiding shadowy trees. We raced on, following no particular path. Then
suddenly the trees stopped. We were at the edge of the wood on Summer
Cliff. Jason didn't stop. He continued pursuing us right to the edge of
the cliff, the motorbike engine roaring behind us. I dived out of the
way. Jason kept going, pursuing India.
"Dive, India" I screamed. I couldn't cope losing her too.
India dropped to the cold earth, and Jason's motorcycle wheel drove
over her spine, making a sickly crunching noise. I heard her scream an
ear splitting cry, coupled with Jason yelping, as he plummeted off the
cliff into the dark swirling seawater below. I scrambled over to India.
Her face was twisted in pain.
"Help me," she choked out.
The forest suddenly filled with flashing blue lights. Police and
Paramedics darted through the darkness in luminous yellow coats. I
stared at them in disbelief. They ran over to me and pulled me away
from my friend. Paramedics crowded around her. Police led me to the
police car, where Mum was sitting. I was bewildered.
"How did they know?" I asked desperately.
"I phoned them".
"But, but ..."
"Shhh .." she hugged me. It was finally over. Jason couldn't hurt us
anymore.

It turned out that Mum phoned them when I didn't return home on time.
Unfortunately, my best friend is paralysed. She will never walk again.
Jason is gone - no body has been found though. It seems so unfair.
Jason just died. He should be made to suffer like I have. My world
collapsed around me. I am having grievance counselling to help me cope.
It doesn't seem to be working though. I can't get over what has
happened this half term. Mum's spending time off work with me. I can't
believe that Jason seemed so perfect to me now. The boys have returned
from the expedition, bringing back memories of the crash when I lost my
closest friends. I am still religiously visiting my friends' graves.
Questions keep reappearing in my mind. Why did it happen to me? Is
there any point in carrying on? And the most mind blowing question of
them all - Is Jason really dead? I know for certain that I'll sleep
easier at night knowing that Jason is gone for good. I hope he is. But
I can't be sure. No-one can. Deep in the shadowy part of my mind, I
know he's out there - waiting to seek revenge, and no-one will be able
to stop him.

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