Secrets Rising...
A Story Every Day in 2024 Oct 8th 282/366
Luke
I'm spent. Carved out. My mouth feels dry and my teeth woolly.
Rough.
But sober, the bottle reflecting warm mahogany. This is emotional exhaustion but despite it, I feel a spark of gladness at being and it refills me with something. Hope?
I sit up. I never made it to bed. I'm still on the sofa.
Mark. Poor Mark. I need to tell Matt.
*
Bethan
It feels a bit weird knowing I'm going to see Dave again. I wonder how he'll react to seeing me. Not well, I would imagine. He was all too eager to leave.
On the drive there, I rehearse what I'm going to say to him in my head. "Why didn't you answer my calls? All I want to know is if you know these boys? Why won't you engage?"
It's an interrogation but I need answers.
*
Luke
I text Matt: We need to talk. I've had some news.
I don't want to tell him about Mark over text but I don't know if I'll be able to get the words out in person.
It takes ages for him to reply although he sees it virtually straight away.
Eventually, he asks: What's happened?
I reply: Can we talk?
Again, an age before a reply.
Okay. Now?
I take a deep breath and I call him.
*
Bethan
It's a nice house. Small but well-maintained.
I need courage to walk up to it. I don't know what I'm going to find. I'm envious, if I'm honest, that he has this. Bastard.
I knock. I hear the lock turning. Here we go.
*
Luke
Matt takes his time to answer and when he does, he's brusque.
"What's going on, Luke?"
I take a deep breath and force the words out in one big blast before emotion can rear up again.
"It's Mark. He's dead. Suicide."
Silence.
"How do you know?"
I explain what happened: my chance meeting with Mrs Wright. He listens.
Finally, he says, "Shit."
After a big pause, he says, "Fuck." Is he crying?
Eventually, he speaks, his voice deep and raw and says, "We need to talk. There's something you need to know."
*
Bethan
The door opens. A girl answers.
What?
Laney?
***
366 words
What will Matt have to tell Luke?
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Comments (12)
Gosh darn it Luke– oh wait, you’re still sober. What a relief 😅 Ah yes… Mark 😭💔 I like how you’re building the tension with those short lines. How you introduced the dilemma of not wanting to tell him over text and not wanting to do it in person either. Gosh darn it lol, I have to wait to see what Dave will say to Beth and even if it’s him opening the door. What? What else do we need to know Matt. How is it that Luke had something to tell you, now you have something to tell him…👀 👂 Wait a minute, what in the world is going on there at the end 👀 👏🏽👌🏽♥️
okay, on I go is about all I can say
Bloody hell.....you got me on this one!
😮😮😮
Well now Bethan will find out about his other life... this just keeps getting messier and messier!! Love the drama and intensity!! Keep it up Rach!!!
Jesus!
No real comment other than to say, just waiting for more.
Nice
Oh no. I feel like Mark reached out to Matt for help, but Matt didn't make himself available. I hope I'm wrong.
I got confused but I find my footing again after this. What is the world to you, a crazy carnival. I will get through it, I will understand, great characters for bonding.
Oh shit, imagine Bethan seeing that girl that looks like Laney but is actually Katie. Also, I wonder what news Matt has for Luke? Is it recent news or does Matt only wanna tell Luke something old?
Will you do a pillar post of these? 😁