Audrey 21-46

Chapter 6.
When Taryn woke up the next morning, she had no idea of where she was. The bed she was in wasn’t familiar to her in any way. The room she had found herself in was a disaster, and she didn’t know who it belonged to. She found herself staring at a blank wall, and couldn’t seem to build up the courage to roll over and look at the person she had stumbled into bed with.
Taryn could hear the snores erupting from the stranger’s mouth and felt as if she could not take another second of lying in the bed. She slowly removed the sheet from her body, and threw her legs off the side of the bed. Taryn eyed the room and finally located the clothes she had been wearing the previous night. She put them on and decided she would have to look at the guy that had brought her to his house.
He had to of been five years older than Taryn, and his scruffy features didn’t seem to satisfy her. She scrunched her nose and started to feel nauseous. Taryn couldn’t believe she had let herself do this, and was even more upset that Miranda hadn’t done anything to prevent it.
Taryn realized she had no way of getting home and decided she should call Miranda. She patted her pockets looking for her cell phone, and was disappointed when she didn’t feel it anywhere. She groaned and quickly threw her hand over her mouth, remembering she hadn’t yet left the house.
She walked through the already half opened door and made her way into the cool, spring air. The street was familiar to her, and she knew she’d be able to walk home in about an hour.
Taryn walked on the side of the road until she got to her house. It took her a little more than an hour and her mother wasn’t very happy.
She quietly pushed open the screen door and tried to jump over the creaky floorboards in the entryway. Taryn’s mom had apparently noticed her arrival and ran into the room.
“Where have you been?!” She shouted.
“Mom calm down,” Taryn said quietly, “I was with Miranda.”
“How is that possible? I just called her house and her parents said she wasn’t there.” Her mother said, clearly upset.
A puzzled look crossed Taryn’s face. She couldn’t understand how Miranda had not been home yet. Taryn knew Miranda way too well, and was sure she wouldn’t have done the same thing she had done the night before.
“What? How? Where could she be?” Taryn questioned, mostly to herself.
“Taryn. Where have you been, and why isn’t Miranda with you?” Her mother questioned once more.
Taryn had no idea of what happened the night before, and she couldn’t think of an excuse fast enough to calm her mother. She decided it would probably be best to tell her the whole story.
When it was over, Taryn’s mother couldn’t believe the kind of person her daughter had become. She was very disappointed and Taryn knew her mother’s feelings would be worse than any punishment she would receive.
At this point, all that filled her head was the thought of what could have happened to Miranda. She ran up the stairs to her room, and picked up the phone. Even though she was still upset about the whole night, she realized it probably wasn’t completely Miranda’s fault. The phone rang four times until Miranda’s father answered. The sound of his voice made Taryn forget the reason she had decided to call one of her least favorite people.
“Hello?” He repeated, obviously annoyed.
“Oh, sorry. Hi, it’s Taryn. Is Miranda there?”
“No, we thought she was on her way home from dropping you off.”
“Oh. Well no I haven’t seen her since last night.” Taryn said quietly.
“What? She was with you, how could you not know where she went?” He questioned, raising his voice.
Taryn hadn’t expected this. He never seemed to care about how Miranda lived her life, but now he was clearly worried about where she was. Taryn meticulously retold every aspect of the night, making sure she hadn’t missed any details herself. Miranda’s father was dumbfounded. He had no idea his daughter was even capable of attending a party. He actually wasn’t really aware of anything his daughter did.
Taryn tried to explain that she didn’t mean to leave his daughter at the party. She was drunk and not in the right state of mind. He was very upset and tried to explain to Taryn that he had been trying to call her cell phone ever since he had realized she hadn’t been home the night before. He questioned Taryn for almost an hour, trying to get any information from her of where Miranda could possibly be. Miranda’s father told Taryn to keep calling her, and that he would too.
Taryn couldn’t believe this was happening. She knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience. Her best friend had never done anything like this, and Taryn was sure some of it had to of been her fault. She had convinced her to go to the party with her even though she could have sworn it wasn’t something she really wanted to do.
When Taryn hung up the phone with Miranda’s father, she immediately dialed Miranda’s phone number. Strangely, it went straight to her voicemail. Taryn left a frantic voice message and continued to do so for the next hour. She sent more than twenty text messages to Miranda’s phone and waited for a replay that never came.
When the sky began to change from light blue to black, Taryn couldn’t seem to calm herself. She had done everything she could think of, and figured she should call Miranda’s dad again. She put the phone against her face, and waited for an answer. Taryn wasn’t surprised when someone’s voice greeted her after the first ring.
“Hello?” Said Miranda’s mother in a hopeful voice.
“Hi. It’s Taryn again,” said Taryn, “I just wanted to let you know I’ve done everything I can think of, and I’m afraid I still don’t know where Miranda is.”
“Oh. This is terrible. I can’t believe I let this happen. I should have made sure I knew what she was doing and where she was going. Why didn’t I pay more attention to what she had said a few nights ago?” Miranda’s mother rambled on.
“It’s not your fault, calm down, she’ll be okay. I’m very sorry I didn’t stay with her for the whole party, and that I wasn’t very responsible.” Taryn apologized.
Taryn knew it had to of been her fault. She went with Miranda to the party, and should have done everything she could have to be a good friend. Now the most important person in her life was no where to be found, and she couldn’t stand the guilt in the back of her mind.
“Well we called the police, and told them what happened. They said they would file a missing persons report, and do what they could to try and locate her. We told them the address of the party and what her car looks like. If they find anything out, they’ll call,” said Taryn’s mother, “and Taryn, even though we are very disappointed in both of you, thank you for helping.”
“Well she’s my best friend and I’ll do anything to help. Call me if the police know anything. I’m sorry again.” Taryn said as she hung up the phone.
Taryn threw the phone on the floor, slammed her door and fell onto her bed. She put her face in her pillow and let out a scream. She couldn’t stop the tears that were pouring from her eyes. Taryn never thought anything like this would happen to Miranda and she couldn’t stop thinking that it was her fault. She was beginning to regret the party. Nothing was worth losing Miranda and she had to do everything she could to help find her.









Chapter 7.
Monday’s newspaper was filled with terror and the cries of Miranda’s parents for any information regarding her disappearance. Miranda’s name seemed to be the only thing noticeable to anyone who dared to absorb the contents of the local news. It had been forty five hours and thirty two minutes since Miranda had been classified as missing and Taryn was more than a wreck.
Taryn knew she wouldn’t be able to drive herself to school. She hadn’t even been able to normally walk down the stairs that morning. Her mother drove her to school and dropped her off with a sympathetic look carved upon her face. Worry lines appeared to be etched on every inch of her pale face. Taryn’s face had to of been a perfect replica of her mother’s, and it didn’t look healthy.
Even though it had only been a couple of days since her best friend had disappeared, Taryn was falling apart faster than anyone would have expected. The feeling consuming her whole being was that of pure guilt and she hadn’t slept since the moment she realized Miranda might not ever come back. Despite all the pain she was living with, she convinced herself she couldn’t give up hope. That would make the return of Miranda merely impossible.
Taryn walked into the school with her head down. She knew all eyes were on her. She could feel them penetrating the shield she forced herself to put up. It wasn’t working and she felt the need to look up. Her eyes met with those of a lot of her fellow classmates. They were filled with fear and sadness. Taryn couldn’t handle it.
She found herself sitting on the floor in the smallest bathroom stall she could find. Her hands were trying to prevent the sobs escaping her body. No one appeared to have been in bathroom, but a small knock on the door of Taryn’s stall proved her assumption wrong.
“Taryn? Are you in there?” said a small voice.
Taryn wiped the tears covering her now swollen, red face. She cleared her throat and tried not to let the fear inside of her be translated into words.
“Yeah. Who’s out there?” Taryn asked nervously.
“It’s Kate. I wanted to see if you were okay.”
Taryn’s face filled with confusion. Why did Kate want to know if she was okay? How did Kate even know who she was? The thoughts filling Taryn’s head prevented her from answering right away.
“Hello?” Kate said.
“Sorry. Yeah I’m fine.” Taryn said with a hint of confusion in every word.
“Okay. Well I just wanted to let you know that if you need anyone to talk to, you can talk to me.” Kate said, almost too confident.
Taryn wasn’t sure she had heard her right. She still couldn’t believe Kate knew who she was, and let alone wanted to help her.
“Oh. Well thanks a lot.” Taryn said.
Kate slipped a folded piece of notebook paper under the stall door. Taryn picked it up and unfolded it quietly. She noticed that numbers were printed neatly across the small paper. It was a phone number. Taryn assumed it was Kate’s number, and small smile spread across her chapped lips. She tried to blurt out a “thanks”, but she heard the bathroom door close before the thought even crossed her mind.
Taryn shoved the phone number into her pocket and wiped her face one last time. She stood up and inhaled deeply, exhaling the same way. She opened the stall and walked to the sink. Taryn looked in the mirror for a long time, trying to recognize the zombie she was looking in the eyes. She splashed her face with cold water and tried to put herself back together, somewhat.
The long walk from the bathroom to her locker was relentless. People couldn’t help starring and whispering, thinking she wouldn’t notice. When she finally got the books she needed from her locker, she took no time at all to get to her first class. It was almost worse than the walk she had just made. The whole day went like this, and Kate seemed to be the only person who really cared, and Taryn couldn’t understand why.
When school was over and Taryn was back home, she couldn’t help but listen to the phone messages. Taryn was surprised when Miranda’s mother had left a message informing Taryn that they had news. Taryn wasted no time. She grabbed the phone and ran for her room, not stopping to tell her mother what the rush was.
The phone rang twice before a distressed voice picked up.
“Hello?” Said Miranda’s mother quickly.
“Hi it’s Taryn. I got your message.”
“Oh, hi Taryn. Well I Just wanted to let you know the police found Miranda’s car on the side of the road. The keys were still in it along with Miranda’s phone and wallet.” Miranda’s mother sounded terrified.
Taryn did not know what to say. Her mouth was open and wouldn’t move. The phone was shaking in her iron grip. She knew it was bad. Why would Miranda leave her car and everything in it on the side of the road?
“I know your scared Taryn, and so are we. I- I have to go. I’ll call if I know anything else.” Miranda’s mother said, Taryn could tell she was now forcing back tears.
The phone fell from Taryn’s hand and crashed to the floor. It didn’t matter. Taryn was in shock and nothing could break her concentration. She knew someone must have taken Miranda, and she didn’t know what to do.
Her head spun and her body went limp. She fell to the floor and lay on her side. She pulled her knees to her chest and tried to hold it together. Crying wasn’t going to bring her friend back and she knew that. Taryn needed time to think. She wanted more than anything to find her friend and whoever had taken Miranda from her.
Taryn didn’t want to waste anymore time. She had to do anything she could to get her friend back. She felt fully responsible for her disappearance now, and the guilt was just too much. Just laying on her floor wasn’t an effective use of time, and she knew it could mean less time to retrieve Miranda.
Death was all that filled Taryn’s head. The thought of Miranda’s body, mutilated and cold, sent spasms through her. What if they were too late and searching was just a waste of time? Taryn couldn’t help questioning herself, and she knew it was a bad idea. She forced herself to hide every bad thought in the back of her mind, never to be heard again.

Chapter 8.
Taryn found herself on the floor the next morning. She hadn’t moved since the news she had acquired from Miranda’s mother. She was upset with herself for not doing anything the night before. She sat up and realized her mother must have put a blanket on her. Taryn took it off and stood up quickly, falling onto her bed almost simultaneously. She hadn’t eaten in a long time or slept very well for that matter.
Taryn’s mother appeared in the doorway with breakfast for Taryn. It was almost like she had read her mind. Taryn ate fast, not tasting any of the food she consumed. Her mother looked worried and tried to get Taryn’s attention, unsuccessfully. Taryn was rushing around her room, putting on jeans, a sweatshirt and pulling on thick socks.
“Taryn!” Her mother shouted.
Taryn looked up quickly with her hair covering most of her face. She brushed it back and answered her mother.
“What?”
“What’s going on? What are you doing?” Her mother questioned.
Taryn froze. She forgot she hadn’t told her mother of the new discoveries the police had made. Taryn explained quickly.
“Well the police found Miranda’s car, with everything in it and she wasn’t there and they don’t know where she is and I can’t just sit here and do nothing. Miranda could be in trouble and I need to find her because this is all my fault mom.” Tears were streaming down Taryn’s face at this point and her mother’s arms were wrapped around her in an attempt to comfort her.
“Mom I have to go. I have to find her. This is my fault. I cant-” she was cutoff.
“You are not to go anywhere near the place her car was found or near that road at all. This can’t happen to you to. Promise me you won’t go.” Her mother said.
Taryn was shocked. Her mother really thought this could happen to her too? Taryn didn’t want to make the promise, but she didn’t want to disappear like Miranda either. Taryn was the only person her mother had left, and she didn’t want to hurt her like that.
“Okay mom. I promise. But we have to do something. Just sitting here is killing me.” Taryn said.
“We’ll do whatever we can. But I’m not so sure what that is at the moment. This is a tough situation and the police are going to do all they can.” Taryn’s mother said, reassuringly.
Taryn couldn’t argue with her mother. She didn’t have the strength. The whole situation was tough, and it was draining every ounce of sanity from Taryn. She wasn’t thinking correctly and didn’t have the best judgment at the moment. Going to the place Miranda was abducted probably wasn’t the best idea. The town didn’t need two teenage disappearances to deal with. They could barely handle one.
Taryn had to search her head for any detail pertaining to the dreadful night. If she couldn’t go back to the scene, she’d have to replay every scene of the night, if she could.
She started with the moment Miranda arrived at her house. She remembered the light blue sweater and jeans Miranda had chose to wear. Taryn couldn’t help smiling when recalling her friend’s bland sense of style. She thought of the beginning of the drive to the end. She stopped when she remembered seeing Miranda’s distressed face when they were almost to the party.
Taryn tried to recall everything going on in the car at that point. The music was blasting and Taryn remembered herself dancing in the small confinements of the car. She pulled the image of Miranda back into the front of her mind and studied it. Taryn then saw the rearview mirror in the image she had made in her mind. Then the picture of some black truck filled her head.
Taryn flashed back to reality, stunned. She couldn’t believe she had forgotten the dirty black truck. She knew she had seen it following them, but didn’t want to scare Miranda. According to Taryn’s flashback, Miranda had seen it too, from the distressed look on her face.
Taryn stood up so fast that her mother jumped. Taryn tried to run for the phone but was forced to stop when her mother grabbed her arm.
“Where are you going? What just happened?” Taryn’s mother questioned.
“I just made a break through mom. I’ll tell you about it after I call Miranda’s parents.” Taryn said, very confident.

Chapter 9.
Taryn wasted no time at all picking up the phone and dialing the number she had memorized before she was twelve. Her fingers flew over the buttons and she had the phone against her face before her mother could even turn around. This time it was Miranda’s father who answered and he sounded as frantic as Miranda’s mother.
“Hello?” He answered, quickly.
“Hi Mr. Phillips, it’s Miranda again. I have to tell you something.” Taryn blurted out.
“Okay, well go on.” He said, very hopeful.
“Well I was just trying to think of anything that might be able to help find Miranda, and I remembered a truck that was behind us when we were on our way to the party. It might not be very helpful, but it was kinda creepy and I thought I should tell you.” Taryn told her story very carefully.
“Taryn that’s great. Please describe it to me the best you can. Did you see the license plate by any chance?” He questioned.
“Well I can’t remember it; I barely even noticed the truck. It was real dirty though, and it had some sort of blue light on top of it.” Taryn said.
“Okay. Well thanks a lot. I’m going to call detective Williams and let him know what you saw. If you think of anything else, don’t hesitate to call. Every little detail is helpful.” Mr. Phillips told Taryn.
“Of course. Bye.” Taryn hung up the phone.
Taryn’s mother was sitting on her bed with a very confused look on her face. Taryn sat down beside her and told her mother all the information she had just shared with Miranda’s father.
Taryn’s mother put a small smile on her face. She looked into Taryn’s eyes and saw nothing but hope. She put her arms around her daughter and hugged her. She knew that even with the new information, it was still going to be difficult to find Miranda.
“Honey, it’s good you remembered that, but I don’t know if it’s going to be much help without the license plate.” Taryn’s mother said with an apologetic look on her face.
“I know mom.” Taryn said.
That ended the conversation and Taryn’s mother left her daughter’s room, leaving her with as much comfort that she could. Taryn thought for a second, and realized she couldn’t sit around. She decided that maybe a long drive would help to calm her a little bit.
She got into her car and drove, not knowing where she was going or what she should think about. The quiet wasn’t helping, so she turned on the radio. The song was very familiar. It was the one her and Miranda had been listening to when they were on their way to the party. Taryn started singing along.
She snapped back to reality when her car had drifted into the other lane and she saw a car swerve to miss her. Her heart was racing. Not because of the fatal accident she had almost caused, but because the song had helped her remember something.
The letters and numbers of the license plate were now etched inside her mind. She pulled over and dug through the glove compartment for something to write with and to write on. A crayon and napkin were going to have to suffice. She wrote it down and picked it up to admire it. XCA 22J was scrawled onto the wrinkled napkin in green crayon.
Taryn couldn’t believe she had brought the image into clear view. It seemed impossible, even to her. She was back at her house before her mother had even realized she was missing. She burst through the door calling for her mother to come into the entry way with the phone. Her mother thought questioning wouldn’t be a good idea, so she did as she was told. Taryn, once again, called the Phillip’s residence.
“Hello?” Mr. Phillip’s answered.
“It’s me again.” Taryn said, almost breathless.
“Oh. Well hi.” He answered. It seemed like he wasn’t expecting her to call.
“I remember the license plate number!” Taryn exclaimed.
“What?! That’s great! Hold on let me get a piece of paper.” He said.
Taryn told him the plate identification and he promised her he would call the detective right after he hung up with her. Taryn felt the smallest bit relieved, like she was helping the police get somewhere in the case.





Chapter 10.
Taryn woke up the next morning with the sun’s ray’s radiating through her window. She squinted and looked around the room. To her it felt like the past few days had all been a huge never ending nightmare. She felt her heart sink when she looked on her nightstand and noticed the small piece of paper with numbers on it. It was Kate’s phone number.
Taryn had forgotten about the incident the day she went to school a total mess. She smiled and picked up the paper and the phone next to it. She dialed the neatly written out number and waited. She didn’t know why she was calling or what she was planning on saying, but Taryn needed someone to talk to.
Kate answered in a very quiet voice, and Taryn remembered there was school that day, but she had decided not to show up. She really didn’t care anymore, and she probably wouldn’t until Miranda came back.
“Hi it’s Taryn. Sorry, I forgot you were probably at school.”
“Oh well it’s cool, I’m in study hall anyway. What’s up?” Kate said.
“Well I just wanted to say thanks for giving me your number and everything.” Taryn said, embarrassed that that was all she could think of.
“Well I feel really bad. I wasn’t always the nicest person to Miranda and now she’s gone. She doesn’t deserve this, and neither do you. I’ll do anything I can to help.” Kate said.
They finished their small conversation and hung up. Taryn was confused. She hadn’t ever expected a girl like Kate to care. Now that Miranda was gone, everyone seemed to be caring. It was a wakeup call for anyone who knew of her, but hadn’t actually had the chance to get to know her. No one would of expected a girl this unknown to cause such chaos.
Later that morning, the Phillips called Taryn and told her that the police ran the license plate through the database and found an address. They’d be able to go to the house and ask the owner, Carl Wilson, questions regarding what he had been doing the night of the party. They probably wouldn’t be able to get a search warrant because of the lack of evidence, but would see if they could get anymore proof that maybe he was the culprit.
Taryn had a feeling that he had to be the one who took away her best friend. She couldn’t think of anyone else who could possibly bear to do this to such an innocent girl. It had to be someone totally unfamiliar to her.













Chapter 11.
Taryn was in her car once again, driving for no reason at all. She was flying through small streets at such fast speeds she wasn’t able to notice any of the surroundings moving past her. When a small symbol appeared on her dashboard, her eyes flickered to it and she sighed. Her tank was almost empty and she was sure she’d need to stop for gas if she wanted to get home without causing a scene.
She pulled into the nearest gas station and fidgeted with the gas pump until it signaled her tank was full. She took the receipt and went into the store in order to pay. She walked in and saw a few other people scattered around preoccupied with their tasks. She noticed a lady waiting in line to pay for the coffee she was holding, and what seemed to be a couple in the back.
Taryn instantly realized something was wrong with the way the two other people were standing. The way he was grasping her arm seemed in no way loving toward the girl. They were facing the wall and Taryn couldn’t seem to make out what was going on.
The man put his face into the girl’s and began quietly shouting at her, like he was punishing her for something unnoticed by the other people crammed into the small store.
Taryn felt remorse for the young girl. She couldn’t have been older than seventeen or eighteen and the man was obviously over powering her. Her jacket was large and the hood was covering most of her head, revealing nothing but a few strands of hair escaping from it. Taryn felt oddly attracted to the girl. The way she was standing and the color of her hair was appealing, like she recognized it.
The man pulled on the girl’s arm and yanked her through the glass doors, leaving Taryn in a shocked state. She hadn’t seen the girl’s face but she felt like they were connected in some way.
Suddenly it all clicked. That had to of been Miranda. Taryn knew the girl was familiar, and she couldn’t think of anyone else who generated such strong feelings towards her.
Taryn pulled the money out of her pocket and threw it at the cashier, telling him to “keep the change”. She bolted out of the doors and flew into the parking lot. She whipped her head in every direction, spotting the black truck pulling out of the gas station. She sprinted for her car and jumped in, chasing after the truck as soon as her door slammed shut.
She kept a close distance behind it for about a half hour. After it pulled onto what seemed like a deserted road, Taryn slowed down and watched carefully. The driveway the truck turned into led to a small, old looking house. Taryn drove some feet past the house and parked her car on the side of the road, making sure her keys were with her. She walked towards the house, making sure to stay hidden from it’s view.
Taryn reached the side of the house and ducked below a cracked window. She heard a deep, husky voice inside and knew it had to belong to the man who was now in control of Miranda.
“Girl get on the floor and clean my shoes! They better be spotless!” Said the man, “we’re leaving in thirty minutes and you better have all my things ready!”
Taryn cringed as the words bellowed from his mouth and shook the window above her head. She was furious he dared to treat her like that. She was planning her route into the house in order to save Miranda. It wasn’t going to be easy, and could possibly mean the end for both of them, but she had to try. There was no other way, she didn’t have her cell phone and wouldn’t have time to get to the police. She wouldn’t let him leave with her, it was her only choice.
Taryn heard the man’s foot steps leave the room and the faint sobs coming from Miranda. She decided to open the window further and climb inside. The cracked paint scrapped her hands and left small cuts, but she wasn’t aware. Her shoes made a small thud as she hit the floor and Miranda’s head jerked up, acknowledging Taryn’s presence.
Her face was worn out and her eyes were filled with fear. The clothes she was wearing were torn and dirty, spotted with everything from dirt to blood. Her eyes widened so wide Taryn thought they might fall out of her head. Taryn put her finger to her lips and motioned for Miranda to climb out of the window with her. Miranda was motionless. Taryn furiously waved her hand, but Miranda wouldn’t move.
Their eyes flew to the bedroom door when they heard the door knob click. Miranda looked at Taryn with more fear in her eyes than before. Taryn flew behind the sofa and covered her mouth, silencing the harsh breathes erupting from inside her.
“Are you done yet girl?! Why do I always have to tell you more than once?! Get it done!” Said the man.
Taryn flinched when she heard a crack. The man’s hand had plowed into Miranda’s face with more force than she would have thought possible. Taryn peeked from her hiding place and saw Miranda fall fully to the floor, covering her face with both hands, trying to keep the blood from dripping onto the floor. Taryn pulled out the phone she had taken from the man’s coffee table and punched in 911.
The phone dropped from Taryn’s shaky hands and crashed to the floor. She froze.
“What the hell was that?” The man questioned.
He turned around and made his way toward where Taryn was. Taryn prepared for his arrival and closed her eyes. Then Taryn heard another loud crash. Taryn stood up to see the man had fallen to the floor and was cradling his head. Miranda was standing over him with a broken bottle in her hand. Taryn jumped to where Miranda was standing, and grabbed her arm, leading her to where she believed the door was.
Miranda fell when the man grabbed her foot and began pulling her towards him. Taryn grabbed both of her arms and pulled with all her strength. They had to get out of there alive. The man stood up and pushed Miranda behind him. He threw Taryn into the wall and grabbed Miranda, pulling her towards a door near the bedroom.
Taryn tried to steady herself and run after them, but they were threw the door much too fast. She grabbed the handle and tried to rip it open, without any luck. Where had he taken her? What was he going to do?
Taryn ran threw the front door and began banging on the garage door. That’s where he must have taken Miranda. She couldn’t hear anything, but the sirens approaching the place she was standing, breathless. In that instant the garage door began slowly opening, and Taryn backed away cautiously. Was he coming for her now?












Chapter 12.
Everything around Taryn was now a grey smear filling her peripheral vision. The only thing she saw were the feet under the garage door, slowly turning into legs. Time was moving too slowly. So many thoughts raced through Taryn’s mind until it was completely impossible to pick out a single one. She thought about running, but her feet wouldn’t budge. She thought about screaming for help, but who would hear? She thought about the consequences all these actions could have, and one in particular filled her with fear. Miranda could be dead, and doing something drastic might grant her the same fate.
The garage door rose in slow motion, revealing, inch by inch, the tattered clothes the person was wearing. The shirt was familiar, but Taryn couldn’t remember who had been wearing it. She stumbled back a few steps when she realized it could be him, coming to now hurt her.
Taryn’s eyes widened, absorbing the now visible scene in front of her. Miranda’s face was in so much pain, and she was shaking uncontrollably. Taryn followed Miranda’s shaking right arm with her eyes, until she abruptly stopped at her hand. Miranda’s hand was gripped so tightly around a knife her knuckles were slowly turning purple.
The knife wasn’t what scared Taryn the most; it was the fresh, red blood dripping from it. It hit the ground in small splatters, creating a puddle. Taryn couldn’t remove her eyes from the gruesome sight. What lay in the background was even worse. When Taryn forced herself to look, a large lump lay on the cold ground, with blood covering and surrounding it.
It was like the ending of a horror movie was being played in front of her. She didn’t know if it was real, and didn’t know how she should react. Miranda was motionless except for the uncontrollable spasms shaking her body. Taryn wanted to run over to her but the knife dangling from her iron grip wasn’t very inviting.
Taryn heard the sirens behind her and turned around to see a line of red and blue flashing lights approaching the house. The officers told Miranda to drop the knife, and she did. They ran up to her and noticed the mutilated body hunched over in the garage.
Miranda’s gaze wouldn’t disconnect with Taryn’s. Miranda looked so terrified, and Taryn could only imagine the thoughts filling her head. She had just done something Taryn thought only the psycho paths on television were capable of doing. Even though it was an awful thing to think, Taryn was glad Miranda had the guts to end this man’s life. If she hadn’t, they would probably both be dead now. Taryn felt the ground shaking beneath her, and her surroundings twisting into one big blur. Miranda had saved both of their lives, and she knew she wasn’t giving her enough credit.
The last thing Taryn remembered was an officer ask her if she was okay and some other questions she didn’t remember. She couldn’t recall what her answers had been, all she knew was she was now riding in the back of a police car. Her head was still spinning. What did they do with Miranda? She didn’t want to ask the officers, fearing what the answer might be.
The car pulled up to Taryn’s house all too slowly. The officer told her they’d call if they had anymore questions. Taryn flung open the door and stumbled onto her door step. In the same moment, she was resting in her mother’s arms. Taryn broke away after a few seconds and questioned her mother about where Miranda was.
The look on her mother’s face changed. It was no longer the look of relief it had been a few moments ago.
“Honey, she’s okay. She’s just not acting right.” Her mother said sounding concerned.












Chapter 13.
Miranda hadn’t said a word since she arrived at the police station. She wouldn’t answer anyone’s questions, including the police officer’s or her attorney’s.
Taryn wasn’t surprised. Her friend wasn’t one to talk before all this had happened, and the after effect had made it even worse. Taryn needed to see Miranda. She begged her mother to take her to the police station, and it worked when the fake tears started forming in her eyes. They called the station and asked if it was okay for them to go down, and they gladly agreed.
When they arrived, Taryn was nervous. She hadn’t seen Miranda since all of this had happened, and wasn’t sure how either of them were going to react. They told the short blonde lady at the desk who they were, and she was surprisingly delighted to see them.
“Miranda will not talk to anyone. We tried everything we could. We were hoping you might be able to talk to her, but that’s only if you want to.” She said.
Taryn wasn’t sure if even she could get Miranda to talk. She felt as if Miranda knew it was Taryn’s fault she was forced into such a terrible situation. The guilt alone made her fear the loss of her best friend.
“Sure. I’ll do my best.” Taryn said, unsure of what she was about to d