Silent Circle

My Happening

Prologue...

The color red. What do you think of when someone says red? We both would have different answers, since we are two different people. I will tell you what I think about the color though.

I will write my exact thoughts in this journal. On why I hate it so much.

I was born and raised within the town of Bridge-Water Inlet. Small town that no one could get to normally. Other than by boat or with a passport. It’s mostly vegetation, and forests, makes it very easy to escape here. Escape from everything, people, troubles, and the mainstream. Not much to say about the place, it’s just old fashioned. Not to mention that it rains here in most seasons, which makes the winters here a bit rough; the people here are quiet, appreciative, and resourceful.

Recently, there’s been something going on that I didn’t really understand; do you know those times where people died in the hands of others and the investigators try their out most best of finding out what happened but never caught the person? Kind of like the killings of Jack the Ripper, The Alphabet Killings, or The Boston Strangler. Well its happening here but a bit differently. Before we get to all of this, I’ll introduce myself.

My name is Alina Grethem, I’m a junior at Amy Lance school district. I was born on December 15th. I’m currently 17. As a person, I’m more about the unknown, very into criminal justice or just mystery itself. Now that all of those things that I’ve seen in movies are happening right here on my door step. I have to admit, I’m bittersweet about the whole idea.

During my time here, I grew up with two other friends. Kuristina Elwyn, super nice, popular with everyone inside and outside of school. She’s physically unique, hot colored hair, near sighted, athletic body type, and dresses casual, no particular unique clothing style; Angelina Starling, much of an air head, naive, and boys are always over her. She’s smart and pretty, that’s what the they see in her. Angelina is just very bright, inside and out. Dirty blond hair, a bit on the brown shade, wears the nerdy glasses just to have the style, she is a little far sighted nonetheless. Although she could see without them, just not well with letters. She dresses bright. Light colors, never to dark. I was more of the dark part of the group, I don’t particularly concern myself with others all that much. All I need in my life is just my family, and my small group of friends. I was fine like that.

Anyways, if I’m not going to far ahead here. I will explain the following event that took place on August 6th of last year. It was a Wednesday night, I remember it so vividly that this was very hard to forget; I was sleeping over Kuristina’s place. Just because we needed to study for the day after that Mr. Karnigan, our math teacher was complaining that we are not doing very well in his class. Kuristina came up with idea, and so I agreed.

I’m not much of a math person, I’m more of a Science and English kind of girl. I’m not one to talk though, I’m not all that good with school in general, till this day I still get somewhat of bad grades. For a good reason nevertheless; on that night, I’m sure this was shift of it all. August 6th, this is the date that I feel completely morbid about. It scares me, terrifying actually. I still remember her face when she... Let’s go back to that date. You’ll know if it just happened rather than writing it.

Red, the color that some of us can relate so much to, some love, and some hate. The color that I can’t stand to see. The color that plagues my beginnings of a simple yet terrifying story. Anger, a bursting fire that ruins my sights at the thought of a friend. I can see it. Her hair, her blood, her dead eyes that I cannot be unseen. Yet, my mind runs a million times faster at the only sight of that one, little simple color, with a dozen meanings. Can anyone save her? Can I have my friend back? Can I have the one thing that kept the innocence of the friend that was once happy with me? I realize that the reality of the things that happen, is set. Always in motion, always in a state of constant flow and despair.

Blood falls from the bed.

Her throat, open, The one thing that kept her talents. She loved to sing. She was going to be famous. Someone decided that it couldn’t happen. Someone decided that she needed to die. But left me to live. Why?

“Why?”

That is the one question that ran like Bolt across the biggest track in the world under one minute. Dark, iron, warm, cold, frozen dead eyes, nothing but nothingness in her being. Her soul is gone. Moonlight shines brightly at her corpse as I continue to stare in shock. I couldn’t move. Paralyzes, the dreadfulness couldn’t process through my own fear.

Why did this happen to me? Alina Grethem, 17 years old. Living in a small town that we all always had lived in. But now, all is heard is silence. We don’t live in just a small town anymore. It’s a nightmare.

Tuesday, August 5th

“Come on! Why do we need to study this crap?” Kuristina groans.

“If we want to pass this stupid class we need to do this. It may not all be essential but we can at least try to pass it regardless.” I said to her.

“Yeah, I know. I just wish this wasn’t so difficult to comprehend, wished it would come to me.” She said.

We were having some trouble with the math work the teacher has given us. Stressing over the fact that we are getting closer to the test that we will most likely fail.

“Despite all of this, are you familiar with the Bank Hunter?” I questioned her. Right after I put down my pencil and faced her as she faced me.

“Bank hunter? Who did you dubbed that to this time?” I have a habit of naming killers who were never properly named.

“What? It’s a bad name?” I asked.

“Bad name? Its sounds more like a robber. You know, like those people on heists.”

“Well, what I meant by that is that someone all across the world is targeting bankers. They die in the most mysterious ways.” I explained.

“Are you sure it’s not a group? There’s a lot of money involved if the person is traveling and killing bankers across the world.” She reassured me.

“Yeah, so I guess they are gonna be called Bank Killers? I don’t know, I give up.” I sigh, and knock my head on the desk Kuristina let me borrow while she sits on her bed right from me.

“Yeah I think you should.” she chuckled.

After a bit of a conversation in her bright peach colored room we called it a day. Having no hope in passing that math test. So, we sat down in the living room watching her big screen T.V. while her mother was making dinner for us. Her father was out working.

There was nothing good on, we crossed through channels all the way until dinner was ready. When we sat down to eat, her mother sat with us. Emivaline Elwyn was her name, her father, Charles Elwyn was Head of a business organization somewhere else in the states. That’s why he’s not here most days.

“How have you been Alina?” Mrs. Elwyn asked me. She was directly forward from me.

“I’ve been alright, yourself?” Normal conversations is inevitable with her, she’s a communicative person. Kuristina was just eating without muttering a word, that’s how she is.

“I’ve been okay, how has been school for the both you?” We both stopped, Kuristina smiled while trying to eat more, so she won’t have to say anything. Leaving me to be the ambassador for this question.

“We are fine!” I failing attempt to deceive her on that one.

“Yeah, well, you guys can’t hide this from me. I know most things, and when I don’t I find out!” She gave me an evil grin.

“So! What’s going on with Mr. Elwyn? When is he coming back here?” I said, trying to change the subject.

“He’s really have been working hard these past few weeks, I’m not too sure when he’ll return. He could be here at any time or any chance he can get.”

She seemed desperate for him to return. I haven’t checked in with Ms. Elwyn for a while, maybe that is why I am surprised about it.

“Don’t worry Ms. Elwyn, I’m sure he’ll be back before you know it!” I said while smiling, reassuring her about him, and that he’s okay.

After our conversation ended, we finished our food and I helped her clean, just to be nice with her.

“Thank you sweetheart. It’s nice having you around more.” She said to me.

“I will always be here Ms. Elwyn. I’ve always had been here.”

By the end of the day, me and Kuristina grew tired. She suggested to go to her room and lay down, talk until we fell asleep. I agreed and I went with her.

As we laid down, Kuristina started the conversation with a powerful statement.

“I can’t believe we have gotten this far.” She said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I meant that we are going to graduate next year. Then we are off to college, and we have our life to live.”

We were talking in the darkness, the only visible source light is the full moon shining through the shades of the window.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I believe we’ve gotten this far because the three of us had one another. We were all here for each other. I can see us going far.” I responded.

“Alina, I believe you will grow farther than any of us.” She said softly.

“Why do you say that?” I was perplexed.

“You have that personality of confidence and virtue. A type of light that can go as bright as you make it shine.” She encouraged me.

“I know I may look that way, but I believe you will. You have so much more that I do in all kinds of ways.” I said.

“Alina, having popularity, loving mother and a hard working father is not give you everything in life. Sometimes, the successful ones are the ones who have lost, was damaged, and knows what they don’t have and they’re fine with it. I’m not saying that you are any of those things, all I’m saying is that you don’t need everything to be at the top.” She explained.

“I guess you’re right.” I said back.

“You need to believe and have some faith in yourself. Not everything plays out the way you think it will. Of course, it can be good or bad. But, it’s good to have hope, right?” She said.

“I always found you as an older sister I never had. Protective, supportive, and kind. That’s what I see in you, that will get yourself far enough.” I confessed.

“I was aware of that Alina. But I want you remember something.”

I responded. “What is that?”

“Whatever happens to me in the future. This goes for you and Angie. Whatever happens, remember that we all have a purpose to play in our lives. You, me, our parents, everyone that we meet, and others that meet others we don’t know. It’s all a purpose, that’s how our lives has always worked. I want you and Angie to move on if anything happens to me, as the same I would do with you two. I’m sure nothing will happen and I hope for our healthy lives to continue on. It’s better to say it nevertheless.” She explained.

“Yeah, I get what you’re saying. I believe it’s logical, we will be together forever anyways!” I laughed.

“I’m sure we will.” She looked out the window, open shades, bright moonlight shining from above.

She started to sing.

“Bright, bright moon

Reaching out to us

Showing your kindness

Wishing we were up there

With you

The sun helps you shine

But we admire

You’re only cold light

Don’t ever leave us

Don’t leave us here

In a Nightmare,

Bright, bright moon

Help me sleep

Sleep forever,

Rests my soul to peace

As you shine brighter then ever,

Bright, bright moon

Wash my tears away

As you’re my best friend

Chase all of my fears away

Until the night you rise again with faith.”

She sang beautifully, one of the best voices I’ve ever had listen to.

She was a chorus singer back in elementary school, and middle school. Unfortunately, she stopped because of her important shift in life into high school.

“That was amazing!” I said.

“Thank you, Alina. It was a song my mother used to sing to me before going to bed. I’d fall asleep in an instant. Mom, has an amazing voice, I could never be as talented as she was. She could’ve had a career too.”

“But she had you and had to stay, and raise you.” I finished.

“Yes, but she has always said that she chose to stay. She wasn’t interested with the music industry. Although, I’m pretty sure she wanted to sing for people. She just hid it and never spoke about it again.” She explained.

“But you can. You’d be super famous! It’s kind of easy once you have the talent given to you as a gift.”

“What you you want me to do Alina?” She laughed. “Do covers on YouTube, and hope to be performing on stage for everyone?” She asked.

“It’s not a bad idea right?” I smiled.

“I guess not.” She stared back at the moon. With a smile on her face. I probably gave her hope just then. I know she can become a bigger person than in this secluded place.

“You can do it Kuristina.” I laid down, ready to fall asleep. “Believe in what you can do...” with that I was frozen asleep.

Wednesday, August 6th, 2:24 AM.

I woke up in a haze. Barely keeping my eyes open. I have woken up from some wicked dream. Or was it a nightmare? I don’t know, but it didn’t feel like a dream nor a nightmare. It had a strange feel to it. Like if it was a bit off emotionally.

I stoop up and went for a glass of water. Dehydrated from the sweaty dream or whatever it was.

*Thump* “Ah! Shit!” I nearly yelled because I banged my toe on the coffee table as I was heading to the kitchen to get a drink.

“Damn, that hurt!” That definitely woke me up. My eyes got adjusted to the dark.

I went into the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it.

“Daahhhh! That feels better.”

I turned around for the trash can a few steps ahead directly forward from the fridge, next to the table me, Kuristina, and Ms. Elwyn had dinner. It was the kind of dinner table that was also a cabinet and a table for cooking.

I opened the can and threw the bottle away. Right at the send I threw my bottle, I heard some kind of noise. Faint, but I heard it. I paused. It was come from my right, the way I came from to get my water.

“Hello? Ms. Elwyn? Kuristina? Are one of you awake?” I walked slowly to go back to the bedroom. Just in case there wasn’t a burglar. I was cautious.

I heard it again. This time up the stairs to where Kuristina’s bedroom was.

“Kuristina, stop spying on me!” I whispered trying not to yell to wake anyone up. As I put my first step on the stair case, I felt something. My hand on the railing, it seems like scratches. Four scratch marks sliding down but in upwards position. I took a closer look. It wasn’t a deep scratch to the wood but it was somewhat visible, especially that I’m in the dark.

I kept on going up the stairs slowly, as I turn to the right to Kuristina’s room, I felt scratches again. This time on the wall, like if it was heading to her room.

“This wasn’t here when I was heading down. I was sleepy but I wasn’t that oblivious.” I said to myself.

I moved forward, to Kuristina’s room. The door was closed, but I left it open as I left downstairs. Now I was a bit terrified. I wasn’t sure if this was Kuristina pulling some horrid prank on me, or something is here that could not be friendly.

I’ve seen way to many horror movies to know how this could go down. I am not thinking about it though, I don’t want to.

I went inside, Kuristina looks like she’s still sleeping. I shook her. “Hey, Kuristina, are you awake?” She shrugged me off, no answer. For a minute there, I was a bit worried. I laid back down, trying to forget the terrified feeling.

Hours later

I woke up again. Not sure why, I don’t recall a dream this time. I stood up. I look to my right.

“AAAHH!”

I flew back away from her bed. I stared emotionless at her face. I got up slowly. My hands numb, shaking from shock. Her head, away from her body. Her limbs separated one by one in a form of a circle. Her head in the middle resembling a star. The whole bed, covered in blood.

I’m covering my face, shaking, scared, mortified.

Ms. Elwyn came into the room in a rush. She dropped the bat, thinking there was something that had attacked us. She stood there lifeless. As if she has no emotion to react to. I was covered in Kuristina’s blood. I couldn’t say a thing.

She ran and picked up the phone for the police, and everything 911 had to offer. I personally couldn’t move. I was frozen.

From seeing Kuristina’s remains, then my vision fade to black.

I woke up outside the house, in the back of an ambulance. Cops near me. Two of them, one was pretty tall black short hair, and tan skin. The other was a bit darker, no hair, looked very serious.

“Alina Grethem is it?” The tan cop asked.

“Yeah... that’s me.” I responded but with tears in my eyes from remembering Kuristina.

“My name is Klenton James. This is my detective partner Brett Anzon. We are here to ask you some questions about... The incident.”

I stayed silent.

“Okay, do you know exactly what happened?” Klenton asked.

“I don’t know a thing.” I responded.

“Just so I have you know. Ms. Elwyn filed charges on you.” I looked at him. “For murder.”

“What?!” I stood up. “She was my best friend! A sister to me! How could I have done this to her?!” I shouted.

“This is why you’re here rather than a jail cell. Ms. Grethem, we know you didn’t do this. Your mother is here and gave us insight on who you are. From our time of investigating criminals. You aren’t the criminal who did such a thing.” I felt relieved.

“But, this is why we are still here interrogating you rather than letting you leave. We have theories about the incident.”

“Like what?” I questioned.

“First one we had is: someone broke into the house while both of you were sleeping, and killed her in a brutal manner. Second: You actually have a split personality disorder, or dissociative identity disorder, therefore you are shocked about this. And third, which is highly unlikely but we had a thought: A paranormal figure attacked Kuristina killing her, but not you as if both the first and third theory was out of hatred or purpose.

“You have no evidence for any of them. Especially the second theory... My family and friends would’ve known about it. Wait.” I paused. “Can it be triggered or be a birth outcome?”

“Well, from what we know, it can happen from childhood trauma. But there’s no distinctive way it can develop, other than having a family member with the condition. But this is a first, you have no medical record of DID, but we like to be cautious.”

“I see.” I put my head down. My head throbbing from the night of stress.

“Go home Ms. Grethem. Get some rest, we will keep in touch about the investigation. You’ve dealt with enough. Be safe.” My mom came in the ambulance, she instantly hugged me, crying.

“Oh, my baby. It isn’t your fault, honey. It isn’t your fault..” I cried in her arms until I had no more tears to shed.

"Whatever happens to me in the future. This goes for you and Angie. Whatever happens, remember that we all have a purpose to play in our lives.” I remembered what she said. I had that saying in my head, but flashes of her red hair mixed with her blood and her blood on my hands kept coming to mind to haunt me.

It got me thinking, why was she murdered so badly. Why? I crave the answer. But I was to tired to think. I am emotionally destroyed.

“I want to go home mom.”

“Okay baby, come on.” She took my hand and I left from what it seems to be the last time I saw my best friend.

In the car, I laid down in the back seat, with my eyes shut, trying not to think of Kuristina. So it won’t rip my heart apart.

When I arrived, I simply went to bed in my room. Not thinking, no words. I just went to my bed with a hurtful soul that can never be healed.

It’s morning, I didn’t go to school. Mom understood, and left me there so I can process everything. I woke up, it’s about 9:35 AM. I heard a knock from downstairs. I thought it was the cops again. But, I heard Angie’s voice. She came to see why I had missed school.

“Hi, Ali...na?” She dropped her bag. “What happened?! You look terrible! Why are you crying?!” She really doesn’t know.

“You didn’t read or saw the news?” I asked.

“What? What’s going on?”

“It’s Kuristina...” I started to cry again. She automatically knew, and she didn’t have anything else to say.

We both sat there. Not doing anything else, not saying anything else.

Wednesday, August 5th. The following year.

Now you get my reasoning. On why I hate the color red. It reminds we of my best friend. In the end, the investigation was a failure to uncover. The cops chose not to arrest me or file more charges. I haven’t seen Kuristina’s mother or father again. I was left cold about the whole idea. I tried my best to forget, and I’m following her wishes, with Angie.

Now, you will be following me on how this story unfolds.

The year after her, the killings hasn’t stopped. And now, I have no choice but to document it. I will uncover what’s going on if the cops and investigators are doing so little.

Follow me, and see what happens after my best Kuristina Elwyn made her impact into everyone else’s lives here in Bridge-Water Inlet...

I’m Alina Grethem, these are my entries.

END of Journal entry #1

[KaosStrategy: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed!]

riting here…