The Pact
A Story Every Day in 2024 Sept 22nd 266/366
They were all crying. They were just boys. Now, they were boys without Laney, her absence goading them, like a masked knifeman.
Luke sobbed. "What if she's not dead?"
Mark had broken his trance and was pacing, face wet. Matt was crying softly, perched on a rock, trying to take it in. He felt like he'd been pulled apart like a Lego man and put back together differently. They both ignored Luke. She was dead.
Luke got up. "I'm going home." He went to walk off and stopped when Mark grabbed his arm.
"You can't tell anyone," Mark whispered.
Matt turned at Mark's words, looking at him, curiously.
Luke blinked at Mark. Mark looked frightened.
"Why? It was an accident. We didn't mean to do it! She just fell!"
Luke started crying again.
"We can't tell, Luke. We shouldn't have been here. We'll get into trouble," Mark insisted. "My dad will go mad." Mark was wild-eyed, real fear on his face. His knuckles were white around Luke's wrist. Mark's sleeve had risen up and Luke could see dark patches on his skin. Luke didn't like Mark's dad. There was an edge to him that made Luke wary. He seemed like a happy bloke, joking like Mark, but Luke's young self had sensed the hesitant circling of the wary at Mark's house and the unnatural air of forced behaviour because Luke was there.
Mark saw Luke's eyes on his arm and loosened his hold a little, enough for Luke to pull away. Mark pulled his sleeve down. A complex wave of emotions crossed Mark's face: shame, fear, anger, despair.
It was then that Matt stood up. He came over to them and said, "We won't tell anyone, Mark. Will we, Luke?" Matt was the one the other two looked up to, Matt having authority over them even at that age.
"We're friends, remember? Laney wouldn't want us to get into trouble, would she?" Matt gulped as he said her name.
Luke loved his friends, loved Laney. He'd do it for Laney. And for Mark.
Luke nodded. They all did.
Heads down, they walked silently home, leaving something of themselves behind.
But more crucially, they left Laney's camera.
***
366 words
I may or may not continue with this. I've sort of left it open because of the camera because it was the photo being sent to Luke that started me down this road of linking and expanding these different tales. I'm wondering whether to see who picks the camera up and what they do with it and why, and maybe return to Bethan in her search for answers as the mother in Little Red Leaf.
Anyway, I'll mull that over in the interim.
Here are the links to all the previous tales:
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
266/366 - 100 to go!!
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Comments (18)
Ooo I quite like this line. ‘her absence goading them, like a masked knifeman.’ Vivid and uncomfortable, I can feel exactly where they are mentally. Aww Luke is still hopeful. Now I’m scared of marks dad. Though I am curious why he’s the way you described him… The camera 👀 👏🏽👌🏽♥️
Loving the new characterisation of Mark, Luke etc. wasn’t expecting that. I suspect there is a Judas in the mix… Also FOUND the part I was up to. Winning at life. 😃😄
You've captured the conundrum of childhood secrets so well. One part desperate to tell while the other is terrified of getting in trouble and betraying friends. I didn't realize there would be so many parts to this series, but you've got me hooked. I can't stop reading now.
How much heartache Bethan could have been spared if they’d told the truth.🥺
The fear these boys feel is palpable - nearly leaping off the page (or screen). Great writing.
Like DK beneath me, I like that you brought in the very real fear of an abusive dad to force secrecy. Luke was not trying to cover up his friend's death, in his head, his poor young head, he was trying to protect his pal, which although fuelled by skewed logic, is a child's version of loyalty. Well done, chum. Onwards I goes!
Mark’s abusive father was a well chosen added layer to prompt the boys into secrecy! Excellent storytelling, Rachel!
I think my favourite part of this dark series is that you're letting the story unfold itself/ tell itself! I love that you're not wresting with the plot, you're just waiting to see where it wants to go!!
If you continue it, I'll definitely read it. If you don't, that's okay too. You should never be pressured to do something
Great ending whether you come back to it or not. You wrote this so well. It was a hard read…. I’d have dreaded something like this happening to me as a kid.
This is such a somber and expertly crafted saga- you have gotten us deeply invested in these characters! Wonderful work as always :)
Love the sense of drama and emotion in this.
Such good story telling! Sometimes when I have a few different ideas or options of how a story can go, I roll a dice. Literally. Odds it goes this way, evens it goes that way. Makes things interesting (:
What if the mother gets the camera years later, develops the film and sends pictures to each of the boys because she thought they were all so tight? She just wanted them to have a memory of Laney and it all unravels because now they think someone knows the truth?
I am certainly hoping it continues.
If you do continue on, I’m looking forward to the next installment
Again and again and again. Such heart and such honesty in your writing. This is an amazing series, Rachel! I both wish it could continue and fearful that it will at the same time. How many people carry such burdens with them in the world outside of story?
Will there be any more of these ❤️