1Terror.
Disgust.
I didn't really know.
It was kind of a toss up when you wake up covered in blood.
At first I didn't really register the severity of the situation. Sure, I knew it was blood from first glance, but the fact that there was blood, right there, all over me, simply didn't register in my head. I just went into automatic and tried to fall back to sleep. Until the smell finally got me shooting upright in bed.
Being a woman, it wasn't unusual for me to wake up to blood every so often. But this, this took the cake. It was everywhere, covering ever millimetre of wall, ceiling, bedsheet, floor, bedside table, lamp, and me. I would say it looked like a murder scene, but it was much, much worse.
The dead body next to me didn't help either.
I'm sure he was fairly attractive when he had been alive, knowing the kind of guys I go for he'd have had to be to get an invitation to my bed. Shallow, I know, but I couldn't care less what people think of me, I just like to have a good time. Make that past tense. I used to like having a good time. But if every one night stand from now on ends like this, I think my partying days were over.
I slowly peeled my bare legs from the sticky sheets as my mouth turned up in disgust. This was definitely the most gruesome thing I've ever witnessed. I groaned as a thought hit me.
I could get in trouble for this.
I could go to jail.
My reputation would be destroyed.
Oh come on, if a girl doesn't have her reputation, what does she have? If I get in trouble for this, my partying days truly will be over, and not by my own will. I cursed to myself.
I can't get in trouble for this.
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, though it too was covered in blood, it still worked thank god. I punched the only number I had ever bothered to memorise and put it too my ear.
"Yellow," My best friend's voice came through the speaker and I relaxed slightly.
"Hey, Jeremy?" I started, "I need a favour."
"Thank you Jer," I said gratefully, "I owe you one."
"You owe me way more than one," He chuckled, then the line went dead. I looked around the room, wondering where to start. I decided to just wait until Jeremy got here. He would know what to do; he always does. I stayed rooted to my spot in the middle of the room as the silence slightly suffocated me.
Three knocks sounded from the door, and I all but sprinted out the bedroom to let Jeremy in. I was met with his dazzling smile as he pushed his way passed me.
"Okay," He rubbed his hands together, "Show me the damage." I hesitantly lead him to the blood room, aka the bedroom and he suddenly stopped in the entrance.
"Damn Al," He whistled, "You really fucked up this time." I glared at him in response.
"I didn't kill him," I grumbled. He nodded his head, his eyes still searching around the room in wonder.
"Yeah," He said, "I totally believe you." As much as I loved him, he could be a real pain in my ass sometimes. At least he doesn't ask questions.
"So how'd you do it?" He asked. I take back what I said. I hit his shoulder, making him yelp in surprise.
"I didn't do it," I snapped. I crossed my arms as I stared him down. He held up his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay," He grinned, "Let's just get this cleaned up, shall we?"
Jeremy started to rip the curtains down and threw them in a corner.
"Whoah," I put my hands out towards him, "What are you doing? You can't just destroy the place!" He looked at me like I was the idiot.
"We have to burn the evidence Al," He explained, "Trust me, you don't want the cops finding all this when someone files a missing persons report. They'll know for sure someone killed him." I raised an eyebrow at him, folding my arms across my chest.
"Why does it sound like you've done this before?" I asked him. He grinned at me stupidly, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Maybe I have," He said darkly, that stupid grin still stuck to his face. I rolled my eyes, he was such an idiot.
"Just keep cleaning," I pushed him, receiving a push back as we laughed.
There was nothing better than a bonfire with your best friend.
And watching the evidence burn.
"Seems like you're not gonna be able to sleep with anyone anytime soon," Jeremy smirked at me, "You probably have PTSD." I raised an eyebrow at him, smirking right back.
"Maybe you'll just have to help me clean up a few more bodies," I said, popping a marshmallow in my mouth. He grinned in satisfaction.
"So you did kill him?" He asked, not really expecting an answer. I glowered at him.
"Asshole," I grumbled. He just laughed in response.
I yawned and moved to rest my head in his lap so I could sleep. He placed an arm across my stomach, intertwining his hand with mine.
"Thank you," I murmered. He looked down at me.
"For helping you become a serial killer?" He smirked. I lightly slapped his face. He rubbed it, whining while I rolled my eyes.
Hair fell over his forhead, nearly hiding his mismatched eyes as he smiled softly at me. Suddenly a laugh escaped my mouth and Jeremy looked at me, stunned for a moment before snorting in amusement.
"What was that about?" He grinned. I laughed a little more.
"There's a man burning in the fire next to us, and we're here having a bonding moment," I covered my mouth, trying to quiet my chuckles. Jeremy started laughing along with me, his forhead resting on mine.
"What is wrong with us?" I murmered. He shrugged, his eyes closing and opening brighter than before.
"Who cares?" He replied. Silence enveloped the two of us for a while before a small smile lit up my face again.
"Maybe he spontaneously combusted," I grinned up at him, as he looked at me stupidly, "What? It's a real thing!"
"No it is not," He argued.
"Yes it is," I retorted, "Look it up." I poked my tongue out at him, causing him to chuckle. Silence came over us again, and for a while it was peaceful, so much so that I almost fell asleep. I forced my eyes open, not wanting to sleep quite yet.
Jeremy looked like he wanted to say something, but his mouth closed each time he attempted. I huffed in annoyance.
"Just spit it out Jeremy," I whined. He looked at me, his eyes guarded, but I knew him well. I could see the pain they hid, and I sat up, concerned.
"What's wrong?" I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt of comfort.
"I just-uh, I just wanted to know what exactly happened last night," He said. My hand slipped off his shoulder as I blew out a breath in thought.
"Well," I started, "I went to that club, you know the one that your brother works at?" He nodded in response, so I continued.
"I had a couple of drinks, not too many, maybe three or four, and then I went to dance, I think," My brow creased as I thought about the events of last night. "I do remember that I got the attention of a guy, who came over and danced with me, and then he asked me to come to his place, and-well... you know, we-" He cut me off with his hand.
"Okay, okay, I know what happens after," he growled. My eyes softened as he glared at his hands.
"Jer..." I placed my hand on his shoulder but he shook me off.
"So you really don't know how the bastard died, huh?" He asked. I shook my head.
He sighed as his eyebrows went up in thought.
"So what are you going to do?" He looked at me expectantely.
"What?" I asked, "There's nothing I can do. I just have to... forget about it... Somehow." I hugged my knees to my chest. I felt bad, for sure, but if I told the police, there was no way I would walk away a free woman.
Jeremy put his arm around my shoulder, offering me his warmth. I gladly accepted, instantly feeling better. I sighed, shuffling closer.
"Maybe I'll just go into hiding," I said, looking up at him. He smiled slightly in response.
"I'm serious!" I grinned, "I might actually have to leave if... something else happens." Jeremy breathed deeply in thought.
"Okay," He started, "Then where would we go." I softened slightly at the use of the word 'we.' He thought I meant the both of us.
"Not we Jer," I said softly, "I would have to leave, not you." He looked down at me, amused.
"You think I'm letting you go anywhere by yourself?" He questioned, smirking. I gave him a serious look.
"Yes Jeremy," I stated, "I mean, what if something happens to you? I wouldn't be able to live with myself." Jeremy's smirk grew as he took a different meaning to what I said.
"You saying you'd sleep with me?" He chuckled. Blood rushed to my cheeks as my mouth fell open.
"S-shut up!" I stuttered, refusing to look at his smug face.
Jeremy motioned for me to get off his lap so he could stand up. He pulled me up with him, holding me at arms length.
"Whatever happens, Al," He looked me in the eyes, "I will always be there for you. Whether you want me to or not." I smiled at him gratefully, not knowing how to respond.
"Come on," He said, "Let's get you home." I nodded, yawning at the thought of my bed. He chuckled at me and I gave him a lazy smile while following him out of his backyard. Yes, we burned the poor man in my best friend's back yard. I mean, what would you have done?
Jeremy swung his arm over my shoulders as we walked, my heart stuttering at the contact. It was complicated, our relationship. I knew he liked me; he had admitted to it years ago, and hadn't told me otherwise since. He thought I didn't like him, which is understandable thinking about the amount of people I sleep with on a weekly basis. But, no matter the amount, I had loved him for far too long a time. I just didn't deserve him. So I waited for him to get over me, and find someone who did.
The drive to my house was quick and silent. It wasn't awkward in any way, just a comfortable silence, like it always seems to be with us. I sighed as my house came into view. I didn't particularly want to go home, but my bed was just enough persuasion for me to get out of the car. Jeremy got out with me and walked up the little stone path to the front door.
Jeremy hugged me first, and I could feel his heartbeat as he pulled me impossibly closer. We let go and the cold I felt without him almost made me jump.
"Goodnight Al," He murmured as I smiled back at him.
"Goodnight!" I responded cheerily. As I walked inside, I looked out at him again.
We looked at each other a little too long to be just friends, before he walked down the path and drove away.
I pulled myself away from the door and up the stairs to my bedroom. I quickly got dressed into comfortable sleeping clothes and walked into my bathroom; tying my hair into a bun before looking in the mirror.
What I saw made me scream.