A Ravenous Mind, Part I

It was the one-year anniversary of Scarlett’s best friend, Lucy’s disappearance, and Scarlett’s eighteenth birthday. Most days are somewhat insufferable, but today haunts Scarlett. Guilt runs through her. Maybe, she shouldn't have let Lucy leave that night, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe not. She thought she knew everything about Lucy, but why didn’t she know about him?

A young man named, Derek Trout, sits behind bars, in a cold, desolate cell, awaiting trial, in connection to Lucy’s disappearance. All evidence points to Derek, the news would say. Derek was Scarlett and Lucy’s classmate. He was quiet, reserved, almost invisible, unlike Scarlett and Lucy’s elite inner circle. Derek and Lucy had no connection, it all just didn’t make sense. Or did it? Scarlett knew Lucy yearned for a life outside of their perfect little bubble, one where their mansions didn’t overlook the less fortunate, and their relationships weren’t built on the role their parents held in society. So, maybe it makes sense, but then there’s the question of why? If they were in love, why would he hurt Lucy?

Scarlett, can’t seem to shake the feeling of what if, what if Derek is innocent, what if Lucy is still alive somewhere living this secret life, or what if she really is gone forever? Scarlett sits in a daze. The bell rings and snaps Scarlett out of the war inside of her head. Scarlett grabs her things and runs out of school.

“Scar, you ready for the party tonight?” Asks Cherry.

Cherry had been a part of Scarlett’s friend group for a few years. She is the life of the party, a firecracker, always searching for a good time.

“Uh yeah, I just have to go do something first,” said Scarlett.

“Well remember we are all getting ready at your place around 6 pm,” Cherry yells as she walks away.

The last thing Scarlett wants is to relive this nightmare of a day, but her friends insist she throws a huge birthday party because it’s what “Lucy would want,” they say. Scarlett thought she knew exactly who Lucy was and what she wanted, but she was not so sure anymore. All Scarlett can think is, who was Lucy Deed, really?

A flashback comes to mind, Scarlett, Lucy, and Cherry are all getting ready in the bathroom before Scarlett's birthday party. Lucy's phone rings. Scarlett watches as she walks out of the room and begins to whisper. Lucy giggles and says, "I'll see you tonight, after the party." Lucy collects herself and looks in the mirror, fixing her lipstick.

"Who has you gushing over there, Luc, I thought you swore off boys until after graduation?" Scarlett casually asks.

"It was no one. Just my brother calling to check in," she nervously replies.

This was the first time Scarlett knew Lucy lied to her, but she brushed it off.

Scarlett sits in her car. She whispers to herself, "Why would she lie to me, we told each other everything, I have to be missing something." Scarlett shakes her head and beats her hands on the steering wheel. "Lucy, where are you?" Tears start streaming down Scarlett's face, she begins to gasp for air, and her heart is pounding out of her chest. She remembers how Lucy told her to count backward from ten, and once she makes it to one, say has to say one thing she is grateful for. Scarlett mumbles under her breath, "You."

Scarlett's only birthday wish is for answers, and that’s exactly what she intends to receive. She drives away in her car, heading to North Whim Prison, to visit Derek Trout.