Page 28 of Freestyle
“Yeah, I had to limit myself, or I’d carry half the library,” I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood and mask the chaos my life has become.
“Do youtwo have any plans tonight?” she asks, her bright yellow eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I was thinking we could grab some food.”
“Actually, the swim team’s yearly move-in party is tonight, so we were going to go to that,” Lyndsy says, excitement shining in her features. I want to strangle her for mentioning the party without inviting our new roommate, and for thinking I would want to go anywhere near those assholes.
“Oh, okay. Well, have fun,” Rebekah replies, her smile barely masking her disappointment.
I turn to Lyndsy, giving her a glare. “Why don’t you come with us? I’m sure you’d have fun.”
Her eyes light up, the dull cloud of disappointment dissipating like fog with the rising sun. “I’d love that!” Rebekah exclaims, clapping her hands in delight.
“It’s a plan then!” Lyndsy giggles, bouncing on her heels like a child who just got told they could have candy for dinner. “We have a few hours, so I’m going to do some unpacking until then.”
“I need to do that too. Let me know when it’s time to go,” Rebekah calls from the hallway, her voice echoing with excitement. I wait until she’s far enough away before closing the door to have a word with my best friend.
“I’mnotgoing tonight! Don’t you think we had enough fun last night?” I snap, frustration bubbling to the surface.
“We have to go! Everyone who’s anyone will be there. You know that,” she argues, her tone insistent.
“No, not me. I’ve had enough entertainment to last a lifetime,” I huff, crossing my arms defiantly.
“Row, it’s a tradition. It won’t be any fun without you there. Plus, Rebekah could use a friend. She’s new and probably feeling a bit lost,” Lyndsy pleads, her eyes softening.
I sigh, the weight of her words settling in. “Fine, but only for a little while. I don’t want to be there all night.”
Lyndsy beams, her excitement palpable. “That’s the spirit! We’ll make it fun, I promise!”
“I’ll hold you to that.” I make my way to the bathroom, closing the door with a soft click.
The bathroom feels suffocating, the air thick with an unsettling silence. I lean against the cool tiles, the dim light flickering overhead casting shadows that dance ominously across the walls. Taking a deep breath, I try to shake off the eerie feeling creeping up my spine, but it clings to me like a second skin.
My fingers brush against something hard in my pocket, curiosity momentarily distracting me from the unease. I pull it out, and my heart plummets. Staring back at me is a small pink pony, its eyes gouged out, hollow sockets staring into the void.
“What the fuck?” I gasp, the horror of the discovery sending a jolt of panic through me. I toss it away as if it burned my skin, the sound of it clattering on the floor echoing in the silence.
“Everything okay in there?” Lyndsy calls through the door.
“Yeah,” I croak. “Thought I saw a bug,” I lie.
“Need me to come kill it for you?”
“No!” I shout, not wanting her to see the hideous toy in the corner. I don’t want to explain that part of my life with her.
I see a pink note on the ground that must have fallen from the pony. With shaking hands, I bend over and grab the small paper. Turning it over, my face pales and I feel bile rising in my throat.
Dear Rowboat,
Did you think I wouldn't find you again?
-A
Panic bubblesin my chest, and I begin to pace, my palms slick with sweat. “How?” I mutter, half to myself and half in accusation to the empty room. The image of a figure in a baseball cap flashes through my mind, colliding with me in the hallway, and a chill sweeps over my skin.
Could it be…?No, I shake my head, trying to dismiss the thought.
Desperate to regain my composure, I recall my therapist’s words. Inhale deeply, count to five. I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing, the darkness pressing in around me.
In.
