Why Sally

Friendship -Mystery

Why Sally?

 

I remembered one of my friend saying , “ Life was so cruel to her”.

Yes, I thought so too. The very first time I met her, she was sitting there in the corner silently while the rest  of the classroom was hustling and bustling noisily about. It was the first day of school . As expected, there was  never ending babble about summer vacations and escapades.

She was a transferee. Oftentimes transferees caught attention but in her case, she seemed to act like an expert in exhibiting invisibility. But I am observant in nature that’s why I noticed her. I approached her. At first, she gave me a cold and uncertain stare. I asked her name but she merely looked at me as if she is measuring the very depth of my soul. “I need to repeat my question in order for her to realize that I’m talking to her,” I thought.

I wave my hands in front of her and said again,“ Hi I’m Mabelle. You’re a transferee here right? Nice meeting you! I don’t want you to think that our school do not have hospitable students.”

She simply answered “Leave me alone, mind your own business!”.

I was shocked and the following months, I did my best to ignore her. Yes she is a snob and I hate her.

She was Sally. Her family had just relocated in our town and people seemed not to know their whereabouts. I heard they live near the seashore but I never cared.

Unquestionably, Sally was also loathed by my classmates. She was often ignored. If not because of her sharp mind she would never be admitted to any groups during activities. But call it fate, , an incident happened turning her  into no less than my best friend.

It was United Nations week. That Friday ,the highlight of the celebration, , Sally seemed to have disappeared in the face of the crowd. In the middle of the celebration , I felt this urge to go into the comfort room.

As I was about to leave ,I heard sobs. I tried to see where the noise came from. Then I saw Sally huddled in the corner with tears in her eyes. I was shocked seeing her in that situation. She seemed strong to me. The next thing I knew was, I was comforting Sally for an unknown cause and she had cling to me like a child starved of a mother’s hug.

I also noticed bruises on her arms, hidden by the sleeves of her blouse. Anyway I did not asked her about those bruises because it’s not the right time .

During the next few days, my classmates curiously eyed me and Sally walking and talking together as if we were long lost friends. We became inseparable then. Sally would come into our house and we did our assignments and projects together. Sometimes she would even spend her dinner in our house.

It was a puzzleto me why she seemed to avoid going home. When she leaves our home during one of her visits she oftentimes would appear gloomy. That was when I discovered the reason behind those bruises.

“ My uncle’s beating me especially when he comes home drunk. I don’t know what’s up with him. I wanted to run away last time but I considered my mother” she said, while tears continue to fall from her eyes.

I’ve learned that her mother was working in the shoe factory in the nearby town but she would just come home thrice a week to save from further expenses. The remaining days, she was left to the care of her uncle. Her father on the other hand died when she was only 3 years old. I cursed her uncle and advised her to report the abuses to the police. Sally just told me that she’ll be able to endure it until graduation . After graduation  she will be staying in her relative’s house near the school where she will be enrolling for college. Sally avoided telling her mother because she doesn’t want to add to the burdens her mother carries. She made me promise not to tell a single soul about it. And promise I did.

I was uncomfortable with that promise especially when I saw Sally suffering . I told  myself I’ll save Sally from her monster Uncle.

We shared plans about going to college. We planned on getting the same course and enrolling on the same school. The thought of it made me happy. We will build our dreams together.

One day, Sally did not come to school. I was very worried. “ What if her uncle beat her again and this time left her dead?”. But I shooed those thoughts away.

Reaching our house after a long day in school, I saw Sally standing near our house. She looked very pale and black and blue. Anger  consumed my whole being. I know it was her Uncle again. Sally slept in our house . My mother looked at me questioningly and I just told her that my friend was alone in their house so I invited her to stay in our house for a while.

“ Sally, if you will not tell your mother about this, I’ll report this to the police. I can’t stand seeing you this way”, I told her that night.

“I will , I can’t take it any longer .I don’t want to go back in our house. I’m frightened,”  Sally answered.

At last, I thought.

After three days, Sally decided to go home to get her things and I would accompany her.But I woke up one morning finding Sally gone . She left me a note on the table.

It was Saturday and so I consoled myself in the thought that her mother is at home. Then it dawned on me that Sally never once told me where their house was. I had a hard time tracing the location . I learned that their house was located near a seashore.

The rain poured very hard that day and so I decided that I’ll be going on Sally’s house the very next day if Sally won’t come back.

Sally failed to come back and I was on my way to their house the next Sunday morning. It was still raining but that did not stop me. I was walking along the shoreline clutching the umbrella in one hand. I know my parents will kill me if they found out  that I went all alone in that secluded place but I didn’t  mind. My concern was for my best friend .

I was halfway near their house when I saw Sally’s silhouette amidst the pouring rain. She was running towards me and upon reaching me, she hugged me tightly. She smiled at me and said “ Sally you’re my very bestfriend. I know you would come. Thank you!

I was surprised that she knew I was coming .I smiled back at her and jokingly said, “Walking in the rain huh, Sally? Where’s your umbrella?”

“Mabelle,  all is well. I’ll be seeing you. I know you worried but I assure you, I’m safe and sound now. Remember our plans in going to college? I’m so excited . Two months from now we will be graduating. I'm so excited,” she said but tears were streaming on her face.

Tears of joy, I thought. “Sally, I’ll be seeing you then. I’m glad that at last your free from your uncle’s abuses. By the way, what did your mother say?”, I asked her.

“I’ll tell you later Mabelle, just go home and relax, okay?” With that I decided to go home. Happy for my friend Sally. Before we separated ways, I noticed that Sally was walking barefooted.

I jokingly shouted at her, “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow in school. Don’t forget to wear your shoes in case you forget them just like how you had forgotten wearing slippers today!”

Sha laughed back. Her laugh echoed against the mountains surrounding the shore.

I was tired upon reaching our home but it felt good. Sally was at last free.

After dinner I was about to sleep when I remembered Sally’s note. I failed to read it although it’s unimportant now.

I opened Sally’s note.

Maybelle,

I love you Bestfriend! I failed to tell you that the reason why my uncle beat me up. I fight back every time he tries to abuse me sexually. I was ashamed of telling you that. I’m still happy that he failed every time he tries. You are the source of my strength. Now’ I promise I’ll settle this. I will tell my mother then I’ll tell the police about this. Do not worry. Everything will be fine.

Hugs and kisses to your family.

Love lots,

Sally

Then I heard a knock on our door. My parents opened it up while I was still consumed with worry  after reading Sally’s letter even if she assured me this morning that she is going to be safe.

Then I heard,

“Ma’am we are from the Police headquarters. We would just like to interview your daughter about her friend Sally Martinez. We found Miss Martinez dead yesterday on their house. A passerby who happened to pass by after a fishing trip reported to have heard awful noises and so called our headquarters. Autopsy result showed that she was raped before she was murdered. I believe that your daughter had something to say about the case, blah, blah, blah,…

I heard no more. My thoughts are swimming. That’s not true , I saw Sally just this morning, yes just this Sunday morning. She was very much alive. How come she was dead yesterday? That’s nonsense! . I wanted to yell all my thoughts out  but my vocal cords were frozen to place. I remember just this morning, the last time I saw Sally, or what I thought she was. Echoes of her laughter reverberated my mind. It was the last thing I remembered before everything went black.

 

 

Reviews

[TheBubbleManiac]

This story brought tears to my eyes. I could feel a heart throbbing suspense as I drew towards the end. This made all of my emotions whirl around my head. I could not believe the ending, and it made me want to protest myself as well. This is such a well-written story. Keep up the great work and I look forward to reading more!

[Margaux Alchem]

Thank you :) .I truly appreciate the feedback . As they say endings arent always fair but there's always a catch.

[TheBubbleManiac]

There always is, and going to the end made me asking, "Where's the rest?!" That's what every story should have. Is that strong impact on the reading, and you demonstrated that very well!

[Dani The Unreviewed]

Firstly, i love reading short stories, with unexpected endings, and choices, events that i couldn't predict from two pages before i actually read it. Loved this one. I'd suggest, you make this a book. The story written here, is awesome, but it would satisfy the reader if it was longer, with more details. But as a short story... Hats off!
Maximum rating my new friend. :-)

[Margaux Alchem]

Hi The Unknown , Thank you for dropping by and giving my story a go . I would consider your suggestion of making it into a book, it's not always that someone would requests for extra pages so appreciate it. And your review, serving as an intro, means i would be dropping by in your profile too . As they say friendship is mutual :).

[Dani The Unreviewed]

xD True :) I'm working on a horror-mystery-conspiracy story, called "crossfire"

[Dani The Unreviewed]

Btw...you're welcome :)

[Margaux Alchem]

checked the first chap and reviewed it as well , way to go pal :)

[Dani The Unreviewed]

thank you :D sorry for the late response, been busy.