“Patricia…” I began but I think there was hardly any sound that emanted from my voice and I don't even think Patricia heard it.
Patricia saw me and the knife fell from her hand. In a fraction of a second, Her grinning face turned into a shocked and petrified expression.
“It is not what it looks like” she looked around trying to act as normal as she could. “I…I can explain”
Oh yeah?? Then explain. Explain how Sharon is lying there dead. Explain how Patricia just “happened” to be present there. Explain the scream I heard at night in my room. And Explain who woke up Meow. Explain! Explain! EXPLAIN!That is what I wanted to say but all that came out from my mouth was “Patricia, how could you?”My mind was running faster than a cheetah running to catch its prey. All weird thoughts clouded my mind. Will she kill me next? Why would she kill me? Because I had seen her killing Sharon? Why did she kill Sharon in the first place? All because of a book? Was she so obsessed? I gave Patricia the look my mom had given me when she found out I had pierced my ears without her permission. Only this time, it was more serious.
She looked around the room at first, trying to think of a sensible reason but at times like these your brain just decides to ditch you and go on a vacation. I knew I wouldn’t let her get away with it and my angry eyes did the perfect job of conveying this message without uttering a word. They also did a pretty fair job of hiding my fear but I guess my shivering hands and crossed fingers made it quiet obvious. Patricia knew me well and she got the hint that it was no use lying to me. So she fell down on her knees and broke into tears. At first, I was startled. I took back a few steps just in case she had another weapon in her hand.
“Please don’t tell anyone Lisa, Please don’t” Her frightened voice was shaking.
“Patricia, it’s a crime. You know that don’t you?” Talking in that tone, I suddenly felt like my mom. Like her soul had gotten into me.
“Well, Sharon just made me mad” she paused "and you know, the book was from my favorite aunt."
“It’s a book, Patricia. Grow up!” I raised my voice higher this time. But once again, I didn't want to make Patrica angry at me too, so I softened it "I...I mean, you should learn to get over things like this, Patricia."
She just sobbed like a pathetic loser and looked at me with her puppy dog eyes. She was quite a good actress. But this was not one of the times we were joking around. This time I wasn’t going to fall for the trap.
Ok, cool down. I told myself. First off, I need to have a calm mind, I kept reminding myself. I thought about it for a minute.
“Ok, Patricia. Go up to your room and get some sleep.” I said trying to comfort her.
“So you won’t tell the other girls?” she asked wiping of her tears.
“Of course I will. I have to” I said like it was the most obvious thing on earth.
She looked up at me. Her eyes, her face. It wasn't the same as before. I swear, at that moment I was scared to death.
“Umm...or we can pretend like this night never happened and start fresh" I said in my most convincing voice.
She picked up herself and walked up to her room like she was lifeless. The ghostly white gown she was wearing added to the effect. After she left, I got lost in deep thoughts. Patricia was my best friend but I knew no one would support the pathetic little girl. After a lot of thinking, I decided not to bail out patricia this time.
I decided to leave Sharon’s body there for two reasons (a) I wouldn’t have to break the news to the rest of the group. They would see it themselves. (b) I didn’t want my handprints to be found on the victim’s dead body.
I walked up to my room, my mind still loaded with thoughts. The constant noises from the attic and the big drama that happened downstairs in the kitchen kept me tossing and turning all night. Finally at the crack of dawn, I fell asleep but it didn’t last for too long as I heard a loud voice scream. Oh no! Not again I thought as I dragged myself downstairs. I saw that Tania had discovered the dead body and she fell on the floor weeping. We all knew this day would come but who knew it would happen when we were only in high school. Kim and Carol came in, yawning with drowsy eyes. As Carol’s eyes fell on Sharon she remained silent. Nobody spoke a word. Everyone looked at each other’s faces. I noticed Patricia standing there with her head hung in shame. The last time I had seen Patricia like that was at Jonathan’s birthday party when she ate all the cake before Jonathan could cut it, so I knew Patricia was really sorry for her deeds.
“Do you think it was the gypsies” Carol broke the silence, still not recovered from the shock.
“Don’t be ridiculous”
“Well, they are the only ones who were there near the villa except us” Carol defended.
“I’ve got to tell aunt about this” Kim said.
As she was leaving, “wait” I said aloud enough to startle everyone.
“What is it, Lisa?”
“I know who murdered Sharon. It is one of us.”
“Really? Who?” the girls cried in unison.
I looked at Patricia. She was closing her eyes, with her fingers crossed, she was praying mentally. Then I looked at the girls, eager to know who the culprit was. Finally I thought of the poor gypsies who would be blamed for doing nothing. Then I held my breath and after a moment of Silence, I said “It was me. I did it!”
