Page 3 of Stroked Long
Instead, Eva slowly stands up and says, “We need to call 911.”
“But we don’t know what’s going on,” I say nervously.
She looks at me sadly, her eyes conveying all her worries. “You stay here. I’ll g-go check things out.”
“No,” I stand up quickly. “I’m the boy, I’ll go.”
What I really want to say is: I’m the one. I didn’t lock up properly. This is my responsibility.
“Bodi, you’re too young.”
“I’m not!” I shout, pushing past her and storming to my parents’ bedroom, hoping to see them on the phone with the police.
Without even thinking, I walk through the double doors that lead to their bedroom and stop in my tracks.
I see my dad’s arm lifelessly hanging off the bed.
White sheets covered in red.
A roar of a cry rips through me as I fall to my knees.
Both of my parents are covered in blood.
“Bodi!” Eva shouts as she comes up next to me and cries herself, falling to her knees, her shoulder bumping with mine.
Her arms wrap around me and her head buries into my neck, tears falling onto my skin. She holds me tight, gripping me in her warmth, but I don’t feel it.I can’t feel it.I’m completely cold. Everything in my body freezes over.
This is all my fault.
I didn’t lock the back door. I didn’t lock . . . the back door.
Thisisall myfault.
I feel like I’m in a dark tunnel with only a small light at the very end.
This isall my fault.
I killed my parents. I killed my parents.
I’ll never hear her laugh.
I’ll never feel her hugs.
I’ll never shake my dad’s foot.
I’ll never hear his husky voice telling me he loves me.
This is all my fault.
They are dead . . . because of me.
Chapter One
RUBY
“Charlie, I know you’re excited, and you’re two cookies over your sugar intake capacity right about now, but I suggest, before anyone gets hurt, that you put down the glue and glitter and step away.”
An evil grin stretches across the face of the shaggy blond-haired boy I’m squatting in front of, willing him to hand over the craft supplies.
