The Bridge Of Sorrows

Chapter 7 Long Time No See

How should I proceed? I need to think of another victim. I hastily left the bridge, only to realize I had abandoned baby John's stroller on the ominous structure. It doesn't matter now that he's gone. They won't require it any longer. Fiercely driving to the Johnsons' house, I parked in front. As I rushed toward the door, my heart raced, and breath escaped me. Pressing my hand on the front door, I extracted my key and placed it into the lock. The deadbolt released with a clinking noise, seemingly an eternity until it opened. Collapsing on the floor, I observed the sun setting through the kitchen window, hues of burnt orange and scarlet trailing behind. These were the most lovely days—baby John and I sharing ice cream on the neighborhood playground bench, his eyes gleaming at the sunset.

I couldn't comprehend his babbling, but the twinkle in his eyes mirrored the joy of a new toy. Part of me wished to see him again, yet the other part remained indifferent. My feelings for those I've harmed are growing wearisome, and something malevolent is seizing my thoughts.

"Hey, are you okay? Can you hear me?"

Footsteps approached from behind, and though I attempted to stand, energy eluded me. A kind female voice reached my ears, the pitch suggesting familiarity. Gentle hands sat me up, and as I hesitated to raise my head, the stranger revealed herself.

"Vanessa, is that you?"

My pupils dilated, and as I gradually lifted my head, I recognized Susanne, one of the twins from the neighborhood. "Vanessa, is that you?"

"What are you doing here, Susanne?"

"May I ask you the same question?"

"Is this the Johnsons' house? They must have undergone some remodeling. Hold on, are you still watching their home while they are away on the weekends, like in high school?"

"I am, indeed. But I was watching baby John?"

"Um, who's baby John?"

Oh, I forgot. Every time someone dies due to being sacrificed over the bridge, that person ceases to exist.

"Anyway, I was just running around the neighborhood when I noticed what seemed like you were a lifeless body on the floor in the house."

"You've always liked to stay in shape by running."

"Well, not everybody has good genes like you, Vanessa."

"Ha, can you help me up, Susanne?"

"Hey! Susanne, you b*tch, you started without me."

"Um, Susanne, do you know her?"

"Vanessa, that's Sara."

"What! She's grown."

"She is now a basketball player at Washington State University."

I felt Susanne gently pull me up by my hands. Looking up and down, Susanne retains her cheerleading high school body form and straight brunette hair. Sara also has brunette hair. Sara has a beauty mark on the left side of her temple, so you can distinguish who was who. Susanne has a chin beauty mark.

"Who the hell is this, Susanne?"

"Hello, this is Vanessa from high school."

"No way. How are you?"

"Vanessa, are you able to walk? My car is just down the street."

"I can do that."

"Hey Sara, I've been fine, just feeling a little lightheaded."

Walking alongside Susanne and Sara, contemplating the questions I should ask the Deity next, such as why it took the shape of a bridge. Susanne quickly cut me off while I was thinking about all this.

"Are you okay, Vanessa? You appear to be a little distracted."

She expressed an unselfish look at me. If I told her what I'd been up to, she could think I was crazy.

"Can I show you something, Susanne and Sara?"

"Sure, why not? What do you want to show us, Vanessa?"

"It's a surprise."

"You know I despise surprises, Vanessa."

"I'm a sucker for surprises, said Sara."

"Just tell me, Vanessa, what it is."

"I can show you it's not far from here."

"Oh, if it's not far, can we drive to it?"

"Of course, we can."

I noticed Susanne's pompoms in the backseat when I got in the car. In addition, Sara's high school basketball, she won the state championship with.

"You still have your high school cheerleader pompoms, Susanne?"

"Yea, they mean a lot to me. They're like a lucky charm."

"Hmm, interesting."

"So, do you know how to get this surprise you were telling us about Vanessa?"

"Oh right, yes, I do, so just keep going straight, and I'll let you know when to make a turn."

"Okay."

"Hey, Susanne, take this coming right at the light."

"Okay, Lilith Lane, that's a peculiar street name."

"I know, right."

When I exited the car, I saw Sara grab her basketball.

"Sis, why are you holding your basketball?"

"I want to bring it, said Sara."

Susanne, you should bring your pompoms.

"Why, Vanessa?"

"Remember how you used to cheer for Sara outside as she practiced dribbling and shooting?"

"That's right, that's right."

My strategy is coming together. I understand how to use these two to my advantage to gain the answers I thirst