It was precisely because there were so few people at the park this time of night that Cricket thought it was the perfect time, and place, to come and clear her mind. She was unsettled as she sat on a swing, holding on to each side of the chain links. She barely moved back and forth, while gazing up at the inky, night sky. Inwardly, she thought wow. There was no denying how beautiful it was even in the midst of the chaos. The sky was filled with millions of twinkling stars. All of them vying for who could shine the brightest. It was mesmerizing. And, while her heart felt heavy, Cricket couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away from its beauty and magic. She no longer believed that if you wished upon a star, her dreams would come true, but something about its beauty brought a calm and peace that she rarely felt from anything else.
Briefly, Cricket closed her eyes as she shuddered, not because it was cold. The evening was still warm from the sun-kissed day. No, Cricket’s chills came from something more basic. Unlike most of the people she knew in this town, she wasn’t worried about her sweet sixteen birthday party or what she was going to wear to the end of the school year dance. Cricket thought about her future. She thought about new beginnings, and it terrified her. Even though she’d had more new beginnings than she cared to count, they were still hard. None of them were like this one. In just a couple of days, other than her own, the most significant birthday of her life would be here. Dread and fear filled every pore of her body.
Deep within her own thoughts, Cricket almost jumped out of her skin when a large hand touched her shoulder. She turned quickly as her heart slammed into her chest. She was one second away from pulling her pepper spray out of her pocket, her eyes locked with familiar ones. “Cole!” She punched him hard in the arm. “You scared the shit out me! Sneaking up on people this late at night is dangerous.”
He was pissed. “Yeah, I know.” He threw her attitude right back at her. “If you know it’s dangerous then why are you out here by yourself? Because it’s not just unsafe; it’s stupid.” Cole took a seat on the swing next to hers.
“It’s probably safer than being back at the house. How’d you know I was here anyway? I thought you were staying over at Rob’s when you got back from State tonight? Did you guys win the track meet?”
“Our relay took second. Too bad it was your turn to volunteer at the Boys and Girls club and couldn’t make it. I decided to come home once I heard what happened. Rob was dropping me off when I saw you sneaking out of the house. Word traveled fast about the incident at Marymount tonight. By the time the team got back to the school, everybody on the bus was talking about it. All I could think about was coming home to make sure you were alright.”
Cricket always felt secure and calm when Cole was around. She lowered her voice. “We’ve had three assaults this month and now Caleb.”
Cole gazed out into the distance. “I know. Four if you include what happened to Angela in the kitchen.” He turned and watched Cricket intently. “You still have that pepper spray I gave you, right?”
She nodded. “I almost used it on your stupid self tonight when you snuck up on me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Says the girl sitting alone, in a park at midnight, like a tasty evening snack.” He shook his head at the dumbness of it all. “Just make sure you keep it with you at all times. Even when you go to bed.”
Sarcastically, she saluted him then turned serious again. “Cole, it’s getting worse in that house. I’m really scared. Last week Misty was assaulted and this week…” Her voice faltered as her eyes teared up. “I saw them bring Caleb out in a body bag.”
He reached a hand out to touch her arm and squeezed. “Damn. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. That house is no place for kids.” He blew out a breath. “Caleb was a good dude. I wonder if the police are really going to investigate this one.”
It was all Cricket could do to keep from laughing hysterically. “They were called, but you know good and well they don’t care anything about us over there. They surely don’t want to sully the name of Marymount, so I doubt they will actually investigate what happened. But, yes they came. They had no choice but to come after they sent for the coroner. By tomorrow, you know what the story will be. It’ll be just like the rest of them. Nevertheless, you and I know, Caleb would have never killed himself and neither did the others.”
“The State has to be concerned about the number of incidences happening in that house.”
“The fights, assaults, and suicides.” Cricket used air-quotes on the last word. “Why would they? Most of it never gets reported. Only the suicides. It’s frightening that they’ve always been happening, but they are occurring with more frequency now. In all of my years here, it’s never been this bad.”
Cole spoke quietly. He was nervous about it too but didn’t want to freak Cricket out even more. “I know. But maybe something will change.”
“I hope so, but I’m not holding my breath. Anyone who lives in that house and believes all those deaths were really suicides;
