Olivia gripped the door handle, her knuckles white. The red Dodge's headlights ate up the darkness. Outside, the world blurred into trees and shadows. She tasted the bile at the back of her throat. She wasn't just embarrassed, she was furious at Carlos, at what happened at the party.
The night sky, decorated with stars, was beautiful. On a night like this, one might admire the stars but her mind was still focused on what she saw and how she stormed out.
A tinge of regret hit her, her sister must be so angry for leaving and with her boyfriend no less.
In the driver's seat, her sister's boyfriend, Darren, gripped the steering wheel, his head moved to the beat of the rock music.
"See Via? All you needed was some air," he said loudly. She cast him a quick glance then smirked. "Now forget about that doofus and—"
His eyes being off the road for five seconds cost him. At full speed, he hit something, causing a loud thud.
The world tilted, the sound of metal crunching echoed through the night as the car veered violently off the road.
Olivia lurched forward, the seatbelt biting into her chest. The scent of rubber filled the air. Then–silence, except for the heavy thudding of her heartbeat in her ears.
A strand of brown hair, darkened with grim, clung to Olivia's cheek, plastered there by the force of the impact. She peeled it away, her fingers brushing against something sticky. She glanced at Darren.
He groaned, his head lolling the steering wheel. He seemed dazed, but otherwise unharmed.
The car however, was firmly lodged in the roadside ditch, its front end buried deep in the earth.
"The hell?" She muttered as the two hurriedly unbuckled their seat belts. They exit the vehicle and head to the place where they swerved and where the body laid.
"What did we—" he stopped in tracks as he took in the sight of the body.
The filthy girl lay on the pavement. Her blonde hair was matted with dirt and blood, and her glassy eyes stared up at the stars. A dark crimson pool spread beneath her, staring at the ground.
The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the pitch. She took a shaky step forward, her breath catching in her throat.
"Oh shi–" she withheld her curse word as he knelt down and inspected the body. She was dressed in a dirty, bloody white nightgown, with a lace hem.
His fingers pressed against her pulse. He left out a sigh then stood up. "Should we call an ambulance?" Olivia asked him, as she brushed her brown hair aside.
He combed his finger through his bronde hair. "Don't bother, she's gone," he said softly, glancing away from the body.
She let out a choked sound as she stepped back. This was it. It's over for her. A simple drive to let out the anger she felt just got someone killed.
Her mind tried to make sense of what happened. She had to get away. "Let's go back in the car," she said. "Wait," he said, then leaned in closer.
Etched on her neck was a tattoo—an unblinking eye surrounded by symbols Olivia didn't recognize. Not letter. Not runes. Something older, stranger.
Olivia frowned.
Something about it made her skin crawl.
"That's… weird, right?" She turned to Darren. He exhaled sharply and shook his head. "Yeah and I don't like it. Get in the car," he ordered. She immediately walked back as he got up.
She sat in the car as he filed a report to the police.
When he finished, he got in and rested his hand on the wheel. He let out a slow breath, his hands shook and he gripped the wheel. He never saw her coming. He should've focused on the road. Now a soul is gone.
"I'm a murderer now," she muttered, breaking his self loathing. Her body trembled as tears pricked her eyes.
"No, I am. My Dodge hit the body. You're blameless," he argued.
She shook her head. "I don't get it. Where did she come from?" She wondered aloud.
"Who knows. She can't tell us anyway. O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, bless this grave, and send your holy angel to watch over it," he muttered quickly. He fished out some cigarettes and lent the box to her.
She took one out and he provided a match. She lit it, inhaled and exhaled the smoke. "She's gonna kill me if she finds out I smoked again," she said as she looked out the window, her eyes staring up at the heavens.
"I'll tell her you smoked out of stress," he countered. She chuckled. "You have an answer to everything, Darren. It's creepy," she said.
"That's why your sister loves me," he teased. The flashing blue lights and the barking sounds of the siren alerted them of the cops' presence. "Well, tonight's gonna be a long night," she sighed as she flicked the cigarette out her window.
-
Olivia's feet tapped the ground anxiously as she waited with Darren. The door opened and a girl entered. Her brown hair whipped around as she looked around then spots her. Her blue shorts hugged her sides and her oversized pink t-shirt made her look so childish, so innocent.
She ran up to her and Olivia got up. She hugged her, nearly knocking her to the ground. "Olivia! I was so worried about you. And you!" She said, glaring at Darren.
Darren, dressed in a white sleeveless shirt and brown shorts, his sandals giving him a casual vibe, smirked. "Sorry about this babe," he said, smiling. She mockingly repeated what he said then released her sister.
"Why'd you leave? With him?" She gritted out the last part. She hugged her body and glanced away.
"I caught Carlos with my best friend, Tessa," she admitted, tears stinging her eyes. "Oh my–I'm sorry," she apologized. Olivia scoffs in response.
"For what?" she grumbled, "It's not like Darren cheated on you."
Ophelia frowned and Olivia glanced away. "I'm sorry, Lia," she mumbled. Ophelia smiled. "It's okay. Come on," she said, slowly escorting her out followed by her boyfriend.
"So let me get this straight," she said as she drove them home, "You…. killed a girl?"
"No, Lia. I didn't meant to. I hit her—and she died. It was an accident. The police are trying to figure it out," he said, leaning back in the passenger's seat.
"And Your Dodge?" She asked as she turned a corner. "I'll retrieve it tomorrow," he yawned.
She parks the Ford truck into the driveway of their house. Ophelia and the others exited. They headed towards the house as Darren rubbed his head, his mind trying to piece together his thoughts. Olivia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
He pulled out of it.
"What's that for?" He asks. "You're more impacted by it than I am," she smiled softly. "Yeah, I was…mulling over the tattoo," he said. "The symbols….they aren't Egyptian or Norse," he said as they continued on.
She nodded. "We'll discuss it tomorrow. You're crashing by us," she said then stopped. "Oh. I mean–"
He laughed. "I know," he said as they continued on.