One Text , One Murder

Chapter Two: Let the games begin

As I was walking down the streets, I could hear my father's word ringing inside my head and at the corner of my eyes, I saw shadows swishing behind me. just as I felt a strong gust of cold air on my face, I saw betty crying on her doorstep.

I and betty lived across the streets, her parents were divorced and she lived with her mom. Her mom was not around often.

I decided to go and see what was the problem. as I went near her, she looked up, her once bright blonde hair was now covered in mud and her once clear smooth skin had cuts and bruises all over, her charming blue eyes now filled with tears.

"Betty what happened, are you fine?! "

"I and Jesse were riding in a motorbike and we crashed into an oncoming car," she said heartbroken

"What ?! are u okay? where is he now? "

"In the ICU at Green Throne hospital "

My mind started racing with thoughts, I couldn't help but panic. I decided to take betty to my house and let her spend the night. As she stood up, I could see her vintage jeans torn and cuts and bruises all over her leg.

I helped her cross the street, knowing what was waiting for me at home.

As I opened the front door, I could feel my father's cold presence in the house. I quietly helped betty to my room's door. I asked her to take a shower, while I got her a spare set of clothes and a towel. just as I opened my drawers to get a towel, I saw my father's cold stare from the doorway with the corner of my eyes.

My mother passed away when I was 8 years old, after that, I lived with my father and my stepmom. my stepmom's name was Alice, she had black hair and black eyes with pale skin to match. I could see evil reflecting in her eyes and her mouth filled with lies. She used to hit me when my father was away and blackmail me saying that she would hurt me more if I told my father about her.

soon she had convinced my father too that I had stolen some money and made him hurt me.

I used to cover up my bruises and scars under my turtle neck sweater. soon I couldn't take it anymore I decided to live with my grandparents. I still went to the same school as my grandparents didn't live far, but I made sure no one knew about my family at school because I was too ashamed. The only one who knew about this was Betty. I returned once my grandparents died last year. My stepmom had died a few years ago, as much I wish I strangled her to her death, she died of cancer. I still some scars under my t-shirt reminding me of those dark times.

Last week when I was in the study room my dad asked me if I wanted to take the family's business after I graduated, when I rejected his offer saying I wanted nothing to do with him and his family, he called me a disgrace to the family. My father has been cold to me ever since my stepmom died.

as I picked up the towel, I heard my father's cold voice behind me asking, "what is that filthy child doing in our house? "

I never had the guts to stand up to my father, but something was different today.

I took all the courage I had in me and told, "She is not a filthy child, she is my best friend! "

My father stood there in anger, he slapped me hard in the face, my face turned red.

tears started to roll down my cheeks.

my father said with a loud voice, " she is a filthy child just like her d**g addict mother, so you better not bring her into my house again, u disgrace "

As he stormed out of the room I sat there on the floor, crying and wondering why was I forced to endure this t*****e.

I stood up knowing that I should put a brave face on for Betty. I picked up the towel and some spare clothes and left them outside the shower.

I sat near the window staring at the stars and wishing my mom was here with me.

Soon Betty came out of the shower, I got her a first aid kit and asked her to tell the whole story.

she started in the story in a melancholy voice, " me and Jesse were at the diner when we saw a motorbike outside, he said he saw a couple of videos on how to start a bike without a key and he wanted to try it. he did and it worked. So we stole the motorbike and decided to go for a ride return it as soon as possible. so when we were riding in the road beside the woods an oncoming car hit us and I fell into the mud nearby, but Jesse hit his head in rock and started bleeding.

I called the ambulance; they came in half an hour or so and took us to the Green Throne hospital. there he was admitted and they asked me a lot of questions and freaked out and ran away, and I ended up at my doorstep and that is where you found me "

"You both stole a motorbike ?!" I said.

Silence filled the room quickly.

I broke the silence, saying, " we are going to the hospital tomorrow, and we will clear things out."

she denied it at first, but later she was forced to agree.

I later gave her a painkiller so that she could have a peaceful sleep after the traumatizing evening she had.

I sat near the window staring at the sky wondering about my existence, not knowing what was waiting for me ahead.

I suddenly received a text saying, " let the games begin "

I could feel a chill down my spine, I just put the phone away and decided to go to bed as I had to prepare for a long day tomorrow.