Kimmy Dies

Dark clouds filtered out the sun, casting a wash of eerie yellow over the afternoon sky. The air was heavy and wet… and very still. There was no wind.

Corky left her car at the end of the road and walked across the hard ground to the cliff edge. Behind her, the silent woods darkened as the black clouds hovered lower.

There was no one else around.

Standing on the rocky ledge that jutted out over the steep drop, Corky stared down at the wide brown river below. The Conononka, she saw, was high on its banks, flowing rapidly, a steady rush of sound rising up the cliff.

Ever since moving to Shadyside, Corky had enjoyed coming up to River Ridge. It was the highest spot around. Beyond the river she could see the town stretched out like some kind of model or miniature. To the north, the woods formed a winding, dark ribbon on the horizon.

It's so peaceful up here, Corky thought. Even though she could still see Shadyside, she felt far away from it. As if she were floating over the town in a tranquil world of her own.

Corky took a step back and glanced at her watch. Where was Kimmy?

Let's get this show on the road, she thought impatiently. She gazed up at the darkening sky, the black clouds so low now over her head. It's so humid, she thought. The air is so still and sticky.

She realized she was perspiring, her T-shirt clinging to her back. The back of her neck started to itch.

Come on, Kimmy. Don't you want to see the surprise I have for you?

I'm going to give Kimmy a flying lesson, she thought, her lips forming a cruel smile.

A flying lesson. And then a drowning lesson.

Hearing a car door slam behind her, Corky turned. Kimmy, dressed in a cropped red shirt over blue Lycra bike shorts, walked quickly toward her. Kimmy's car was parked next to hers at the end of the road.

"Think it's okay to park here?" Kimmy called.

"Sure," Corky answered. "There's no one else around." And you won't need it to leave, Corky added to herself.

Kimmy's round cheeks were bright pink; her crimped black hair was damp and disheveled. "I thought it would be cooler up here," she complained, brushing a strand of hair from over her eyes.

You'll be cooler in a moment, Corky thought. "There's no wind at all today," Corky said. "Look at the trees."

They both turned to gaze back at the woods. "Not a leaf moving," Kimmy said, and focused on Corky, a questioning expression on her face. "What are we doing up here?"

Corky chuckled. "I don't know. I thought it'd be a nice place to talk. You know."

Kimmy glanced up at the rain-heavy clouds. "We're going to get drenched."

"That would feel good," Corky said, and took a step toward the cliff's edge. Kimmy followed her.

"You're feeling better?" Kimmy asked with genuine concern.

Corky nodded. "Yeah. A lot." And I'm going to feel even better in a few seconds, Corky thought to herself.

"That was so terrible at camp," Kimmy said. "I mean, you getting sick like that. What a disaster."

"Yeah… what a disaster," Corky repeated with a grim smile.

"And all that stupid stuff with Hannah," Kimmy added, avoiding Corky's eyes. "You know I didn't do any of that stuff to her. You believe me, don't you?"

"Yes, of course," Corky replied. "I didn't do it either."

"So… what do you think?" Kimmy asked, turning to face Corky, searching her face. "I mean, what do you think happened?"

"I think Hannah did those things to herself," Corky told her, forcing herself to keep a straight face.

"The scalding bath? The braid?"

"I think she faked the scalding bath," Corky said in a low voice. "I think she just screamed and carried on. I don't think she was really burned—just a little red."

"And you think she cut her own hair?" Kimmy asked.

Corky nodded solemnly.

"But why?" Kimmy asked shrilly.

"To get both of us in trouble," Corky said. "To make us look bad. To get us kicked off the squad so she could be the star."

"Wow!" Kimmy's mouth dropped open in dismay. "I never thought of that. Never. It never occurred to me that Hannah…" Her voice trailed off as she thought about it.

"Well, what did you think?" Corky asked sharply. "That I did it? Did you suspect me, Kimmy?"

"No!" Kimmy protested, her cheeks reddening. "No, I didn't, Corky. I—I didn't know what to think. I knew the evil spirit had to be around. I knew the evil had to be responsible. But I didn't know where. I mean, I didn't know who. I just…"

Corky felt a drop of rain on her forehead. Enough stalling around, she thought. I'd better get this over with.

"The evil is around," Corky said, lowering her voice to a whisper. She felt another large raindrop, this time on top of her head. Then one on her shoulder.

"Huh?" Again Kimmy's mouth dropped open in surprise. "You mean—Hannah? Do you think it's inside Hannah?"

"Maybe," Corky replied mysteriously.

"It's starting to rain," Kimmy said, holding out her palms. "Maybe we should go back to your car and talk."

"Okay," Corky replied. "But first look down there." She pointed straight down over the cliff's edge. "I've been trying to figure out what that is, but I can't."

"What?" Kimmy leaned over and peered down at the rushing river.

Corky reached out and shoved Kimmy. Hard.

Kimmy uttered a loud shriek as she went over the side. Her arms thrashed wildly as she dropped headfirst.

A grin spread over Corky's face as she stood, hands on hips, and watched Kimmy plunge to her death.

Chapter 22

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20