CHAPTER 1
Jamieriquai Smith hopped out of her car. She was helping her friends September Darcey and Mariette Linnet assemble parts for the school musical. September was new to the area. She was an orphan who had been raised by her grandmother before she had been adopted, two years ago.
She still was close with her biological grandmother, but moving with her new family made it hard for them to be together. September was short, only 5' 2", and most people thought that she was incredibly shy. And she was. But only around people she didn't know. It took her awhile to trust because she had been abused by her mother before becoming orphaned.
September had curly blonde hair. It wasn't that ugly fake blonde hair that stuck up popular girls named Heather had. It was natural blonde and naturally curly. She had it cut to just above her shoulders and it totally brought out her sky blue eyes.
Jamieriquai, wasn't much taller but incredibly outgoing. She had the lead role in the musical and September was stage manager. Jamieriquai had long straight brown hair, it fell past her butt and it was her pride and joy. She had sparkling brown eyes and millions of boys loved her. Just not the one she wanted to love her.
Mariette was tall and thin, with long dark brown hair with bangs. At least her hair used to be long, she had cut it herself up to her shoulders. She had gray eyes and her slight French accent made her different from most girls that attended Ponce De Leon High School, in Orlando. Mariette was also in the musical, Grease. She was Frenchy
September,Jamieriquai and Mariette were bringing the backdrops to September's house to finish painting. It wasn't easy since the sets had to be crammed into September's small red Honda Civic.
"Jamie, would you mind grabbing the mail?" September asked, pulling into her driveway.
"Sure," said Jamieriquai, hoping out of the car at September's mailbox. September pulled as close to the house as she could so that it would be easier to maneuver the backdrops inside, and struggled to get them out of her car.
The bright purple envelope caught Jamie's eye. It was addressed to September. It was an odd shaped letter. . . taller than a normal letter, and it had no return address. Jamie wondered if it was a love letter. But whoever had sent it had really shitty taste it colors. The off purple color reminded Jamie of rotten meat.
"Need any help?" she asked September and Mariette as she walked up onto the porch. They were huffing and puffing under the weight of a particularly heavy backdrop.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" asked Mariette, as she pushed her sweaty bangs off of her forehead. Suddenly her hand slipped and the set fell to the concrete driveway at a particularly bad angle. The corner bent and a chunk of paint fell off.
"I took the set home to work on it! Not destroy it!" cried September.
September was a perfectionist and Mariette professed to be the opposite but they acted very similar. They were Jamie's best friends.
"I'm coming," said Jamie as she set down the mail on the porch and ran to help September and Mariette with the set. It was hot and smoggy in Orlando. It reminded Jamie of summer, only a few weeks away. And of their impending graduation. Jamie's game plan for the next four years was to attend NYU's drama department. Her parent's told her that she had no chance of ever becoming an actress but it was her dream, and she was convinced that it was her destiny also.
As they were struggling with the sets, sweating and cursing, and Jamie not in her best light, September's neighbor's pulled into the driveway.
September often babysat for her neighbors' small son. Their older son, Justin, was in *NSYNC, and usually not around. But when he was Jamie made sure that she was too. He was incredibly sexy, but unfortunately made it painfully clear to her that he had no interest in her. He usually just ignored her. September told her not to take it too personally, but still Jamie was jealous of Justin and September's closeness.
*****
Justin got out of his Mercedes and waved to September. She had moved in next door to him about a year before and whenever he was home, they usually spent most of their time together. It was completely platonic, they just enjoyed spending time together.
September waved back and dropped the heavy thing she and her friends were carrying.
"Sacre Bleu!" shouted Mariette. Mariette's father was an army general in the army and for five years had been stationed in France. Mariette had been born there and came to America when she was four. She knew how to speak English and French but when she got angry, French curses poured out of her. French curses are so much more elegant than American ones, she said.
Jamie turned around and got all flustered. It was Justin. Justin nodded his head at her and walked away. He ignored her but only September knew how much he really liked Jamie.
*****
"What an arrogant asshole!" said Jamie. " He didn't even offer to help us! And he is definitely more capable than us! He has freakin' muscles up the wah-zoo!"
"Why thank you for that wonderful description Jamieriquai," said Justin behind her. Jamie felt a red hot blush cover her face.
"Justin. . . .ummm. . . . hi," she stammered. Justin ignored her and picked up the backdrop as if it weighed nothing. He did struggle though, Jamie noticed with satisfaction. He set it down in September's garage with a muttered curse.
"Is there any thing else you ladies need assistance with?" he asked, bowing over Mariette's hand and kissing it softly. Mariette giggled and blushed. Justin could do that to someone.
"No. . . . .you can go now!" said Jamie impatiently.
"Jamie!" September rebuked her. "Justin, we were just going to have a snack, would you care to join us?"
"Ummm. . . .nah. . .that's ok. . . .the guys are comin' over in a few to shoot a few hoops," he said. "Thanks though." He walked out of the garage. Jamie watched the way his butt moved inside of his jeans. She realized that Mariette was talking.
"I do not know why you have brought this monstrosity to your home," she said indicating the set. "The musical is not for another month!" They continued their light banter as they went inside and sat in the kitchen.
September lived in a huge blue house. It could more easily be described as a mansion. She lived in the upper class section of Orlando. The house was tastefully decorated in soft colors of white, mauve, and peach. September got out the twinkies and milk. They sat at the bar and bemoaned every bite of twinkie. Cursing every delicious calorie. Jamie remembered the mail and ran out and grabbed it. She also noticed that Justin's friends had arrived. They were playing basketball in the driveway.
Justin had his shirt off and Jamie ogled his bare chest. She went inside before he or any one else noticed her. She wished that she lived next door to Justin. She wished that she had neighbors.
Jamie's father was a building developer for the city of Orlando and had just developed a new housing development. It was on the outskirts of Orlando. It was surprising that it was even in the same school district. The only family that lived there was hers and it was lonely. Not to mention creepy.
She sat back down in the kitchen and threw the mail at September. Surprisingly September caught it. Mariette and Jamie stared at the girl who used to scream and duck when things were thrown at her.
"Justin's been teaching me to play basketball," she confessed sheepishly. "He told me that I couldn't be afraid of the ball or things flying at me."
She sorted her mail into neat piles. Her father, mother, and brother. She placed the purple letter on her mother's pile.
"Sep. . . .that letter's for you," Jamie pointed out.
"What? I never get mail!" said September happily. She examined the letter before opening it.
"Why don't you open it?" pushed Jamie.
"No return address," she said. "That's strange."
"Maybe it is a lettre de amor!" said Mariette enthusiastically. She was a hopeless romantic. September blushed.
"I don't think so," she said.
"Well open it and find out!" said Jamie.
"I will," September put the letter in it's own little spot. "Later."
"Now. . . .I wanna see what it says!" whined Jamie.
"Ma petite chou. . . . " began Mariette with the familiar endearment reserved for her friends. "If it is personal. . ." But Jamie had quick reflexes and she grabbed the letter.
"I'll spare you the trauma," she told a hysterical September as she began to tear into the envelope.
"Give that back!" said September and flew at Jamie, knocking her out of her chair. They fought briefly, in which time Mariette finished her milk and two more twinkies. September emerged victorious, holding the now crumpled letter above her head.
"I was only trying to help," said Jamie as she fixed her blouse.
"Well I don't want your help!" snapped September. Jamie shrugged and went back to her twinkies.
"We do not have time to read silly letters now," said Mariette. "We should start on the biology notes, Jamie has that long drive home."
"Maybe I will open it now," said September suddenly. "I am curious who it is from," she admitted.
"Don't be," said Mariette as she opened her biology book.
"If you really want to read it. . . ." said September.
"No it's ok," said Jamie with just a touch of moodiness in her voice.
"Oh for the love of God!" said Mariette. "Just open the blasted letter!"
"I may as well open it," sighed September in resignation. She carefully opened the letter and pulled out a thin sheet of mint green colored paper. As September read the note all traces of color drained from her face.
"Sep. . . .what's wrong?" asked Jamie.
"Who is it from?" asked Mariette.
September did not answer just lowered the letter to the table and stared off into empty space. Jamie grabbed the page. Like the address on the envelope the letter was neatly typed. With Mariette peering over her shoulder she read.
My dear friend,
You do not know me, but I know you. Since you have first breathed in this world, I have watched you. The hopes you have dreamed. The worries you have feared. The sins you have committed. . . .I know them all. I am the Observer, the Recorder. I am also the Punisher. The time has come for your punishment. Listen closely, the hourglass runs low.
At the bottom of this communication is a list of names. Your is at the top. What is required of you, at present, is a small token of obedience. After you have performed this small service,you will remove your name from the top of Column I and place it at the bottom of Column II. Then you will make a copy of this communication and send it to the person who is now at the top of Column I. The specifics of the small service you are to perform will be in the Orlando Times under personals. The individual following you on the list must receive their letter within five days of today.
Feel free to discuss this communication with the others on the list. Like myself, they are your friends and are privy to your sins. Do not discuss this communication with anyone outside of the group. If you do that one very sinful night will be revealed to all.
If you do not perform the small service listed in the paper or if you break the chain of this communication, you will be hurt.
Sincerely,
Your Caretaker
Column I Column II Column III
September ________ _________
JC ________ _________
Mariette ________ _________
Lance ________ _________
Lulu ________ _________
Justin _________ __________
Jamieriquai _________ __________
Joey _________ __________
Tripetta _________ __________
Chris _________ __________
For a full minute nobody spoke or moved. Then Jamie angrily tried to tear the letter in two but Mariette stopped her.
"That's insane!" yelled Jamie. She was angry, September was shaking and Mariette was confused.
"Let us think a moment before we do anything rash," said Mariette calmly. "If we destroy this letter what advantage does that give us over the person who sent it?" She drummed her fingers on the table. "Give me the envelope." September did so. Mariette examined the postmark. It was mailed locally.
"Maybe it's a joke," said Jamie hopefully. "One of the guys from school."
"But how could they know about that?" whispered September, closing her eyes.
With the mere reference to the incident changed the mood instantly. An invisible cloud of fear settled over them. September's eyes were closed. Mariette bowed her head. Jamie had to fight to fill her lungs. Whenever she thought back to last summer she couldn't breathe. Was the letter and the nightmares coincidental? she wondered. Ten of them had been there that night. The same ten were listed at the bottom of the letter.
Jamie shook herself. This was not a nightmare. She was awake and she was in control. The bloodshot eyes and the lifeless grin were only horrible memories. Memories that could not span to the present.
"We should have gone to the police," said September beginning to cry. "I wanted to and so did Lance."
"No you didn't," argued Mariette. "You didn't say anything about going to the police."
" I wanted to but you guys wouldn't let me. We killed him. We should have-"
"We didn't kill anybody!" Jamie exploded. "Don't ever say that again Sep! Are you listening? What happened was an accident! For all we know he could have already been dead!"
"He wasn't!" September sobbed. "I saw him move! I saw him-"
"Shut up!"
"He was making gurgling sounds. . .that meant-"
"Stop it!"
"Quite down both of you," said Mariette. She was like JC, calm in times of crisis. "Arguing won't help us. We had this argument a thousand times last summer. The fact is none of us know whether he is dead or alive. . ." she froze at her slipup. She had meant to say "None of us knows whether he was dead or alive." Of course he must be dead. They had buried him.
"What do you mean?" asked September, lifting her tearstained face out of her palms.
"Nothing," Mariette amended quickly.
"You mean that he wrote that letter," said September, nodding her head. "That's what you mean, I know. He's coming back for revenge! He's going to. . . ."
"Stop it!" shouted Jamie. "Listen to yourself! You're babbling like an idiot! There are no ghosts! There are no vampires! This is nothing but a joke! A sick, sick joke!"
"Then why are you so upset?" snapped September.
"If I am you made me this way! It's your fault! That's all I'm gonna say about this whole fucking mess! Give me the letter! I am throwing it away and then I am going home!" yelled Jamie.
Mariette rested her head in her hands. A few minutes ago they had been happy teenagers. Now they were at each others throats and the dead was haunting them.
"Please stop bickering!" she said. "Do us all a favor and stop shouting and let's discuss this thing calmly!" She rubbed her temples. "I have a headache."
"What is there to discuss?" asked Jamie, picking at a twinkie nervously.
"Who sent this. It was probably one of the guys. Justin, Chris, Lance, or Joey," said Mariette reasonably.
"You didn't mention JC," September pointed out. JC and Mariette were crushing on each other pretty hard but neither had the guts to officially ask the other out. Everyone just considered them a couple anyway. They were always kissing and holding hands.
"JC would not do something this heinous!" said Mariette, becoming defensive.
"Would Justin, Lance, Joey, or Chris have?" asked Jamie. "I'll admit none of them are perfect, and Chris and Joey's jokes can sometimes get out of hand, but do you really think that they are capable of doing this? September you know them best."
"Lance wouldn't have, that's for sure," she said. Like Jamie, September was crazy about a guy and he barely even knew that she existed. Too bad. Lance and September would make an adorable couple.
Jamie and Mariette agreed. They were rarely all together but when they were, Lance gave the impression that he was a very caring individual. Besides September he had been the only one who had wanted to go to the police last summer.
"What about Justin?" asked Jamie reluctantly. It would be a shame to see such a great ass go to waste. September shook her head.
"Justin wouldn't do that. He's Mr. Congeniality." Mariette nodded her head in agreement.
"Lulu must have sent it, she's such a femelle." Lulu was Joey's on and off girlfriend. Who unfortunately went to Ponce De Leon High.
Lulu was tall and thin with big boobs, which by rumor were fake, and lush red lips that had been known to make grown men cry. They were also supposedly fake. She had bleach blonde hair that was cut a little below her ears. Her hair was now sporting pink highlights. It was also rumored that Lulu was only using Joey to get closer to Justin.
"Lulu's odd, but she isn't stupid," said Jamie, shaking her head. Of course Lulu had been held back in third grade so she was a year older than them. "She knows what would happen if word about that night got out. It would look really bad on her police record. Plus her dad's a cop."
Lulu's father was the police sergeant in Orlando and Lulu did have a criminal record. Mostly for indecent exposure and a few DWI's. But she slept with some of the officers so that she wouldn't have a record and her father wouldn't find out.
Of course that was just a rumor.
"The only possibility is if one of the ten of us leaked something to someone and now that person is on to us," said Jamie reasonably.
"That makes sense," Mariette agreed.
"A lot more sense than a vengeful corpse," said Jamie, glaring at September.
"I didn't say that!" September protested.
"Yes you did!" continued Jamie.
"Shush!" said Mariette, their constant bickering was grating on her raw nerves. "Do you have a copy of today's Times September?"
"You don't think that they would have what they want me to do in the paper already do you?" asked September.
"I don't know," said Mariette quietly. "Please get the paper."
September nodded her head and left the room. She returned a moment later with the paper.
"We get it delivered each morning," she said as she handed the paper to Mariette. They found the personals and a minute later were staring at a very strange personal ad.
September- Replace the mascot's head in the gym
with a devil's head. Use red and black paint.
September had originally painted the mascot, Ponce De Leon the Pirate, on the gymnasium in October. She was willing to sacrifice her work to avoid the letter's promised threat.
"I'll have to do it at night," muttered September. "I'll need a ladder and a strong light. Do you know what times the janitors go home?"
"You are not serious?" exclaimed Mariette. "The child is ill! She is serious!" said Mariette, throwing her hands into the air.
"But JC has to get the letter within five days. That means I have to paint the head by Thursday." September looked imploringly at Jamie. "Will you help me?"
"What kind of fruitcake could have written this?" Jamie mused aloud. She sighed. "Yeah, I'll help. We need to tell the others, first. Then we will decide what to do. Who knows maybe one of the others will start laughing and admit that it is a joke afterall."
"I can see it now," said Mariette pouring another glass of milk and opening a box of ding dongs.
They finished their snack in silence but one thought plagued their minds. The token of obedience is small now, but when will it become not so small?
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