Chapter 1 - Lorraine
It's 3:11 A.M. Lorraine's supposed to be ready at 3:30. But she can't bring herself to write the letter. It's just to hard. She clicks the pen a couple of times before setting it down on the paper. After she finishes the letter, she folds it up and places it on the table. Lorraine checks the clock.
3:19 A.M. Eleven more minutes before her whole life is turned upside down. Well, that's not quite true, because about one month ago was when everything changed. It was when she got the guts to join the club. Lorraine goes back up the stairs for the last time. She creaks open her parent's bedroom door and stares at their sleeping forms, wishing them the best in life. Lorraine pivots on her foot and strides out the door, before she can break down in tears. She still has five minutes, but she can't stand being inside this house anymore. She opens the back door and walks from the backyard to the front. Checks her watch.
3:28. At exactly 3:30, a car turns onto their drive. Lorraine starts to sweat with nervous excitement. The car slows down in front of their house and Lorraine hurries to the car. She grabs the handle of the door and yanks it open. Cameron's driving, Allen's riding shotgun, with Ivy and Lyle in the back. “Where's your luggage?” Cameron asks, not even trying to hide the stress in his voice. Lorraine slaps her head in frustration, realizing that she left it in her room. Lorraine apologizes and runs around to the back. She despises herself for not remembering. She was so hoping that she wouldn't have to ever go into this house again. Lorraine quickly grabs her luggage and goes back out the car. Cameron pops the trunk and Lorraine throws her stuff in. She slams the trunk door shut and climbs in clumsily. Her palms are beginning to sweat. Cameron hits the acceleration and they zoom off into the night. They don't speak on the long ride to the hidden house in the forest that Victor picked out for their little escapade. It's about a thirty minute drive.
Lorraine can feel the tension growing when they pull into the driveway. Three other cars are already parked there. The house isn't large at all. There will be no privacy in this house. Everyone hesitates to get out of the car. Cameron turns the music up and they all sit there, taking it in. The song ends way to soon. Cameron pulls the keys out of the ignition and opens his door, signaling everyone else to follow. They pile out of the car and walk to the house. Cameron taps lightly on the door. Robert opens the door for them and motions them to come inside, but to be quiet. He closes the door behind them and as soon as it clicks, Robert says, “Everyone's in the living room. You're the last car.” The living room is cramped with eleven other teenagers. They're all huddled in groups of two and three. Lorraine knows exactly what they're talking about. The leader of the group, Victor Vonnegut, claps his hands together and the room goes silent.
“Well, now that everyone's here, it's time to get down to business. Make a circle,” Victor instructs everyone. They follow willingly.
“So. Here we are. We've spent almost two months planning this, but there's plenty of planning to go. Cameron, go through the schedule,” Victor says, folding his hands in his lap. Cameron pulls out a piece of paper and begins to read. He lists off everyone's names and a date. Lorraine's date is March 11th. Cameron finishes the list with his own name.
“OK, now think of what you want your day to be like,” Victor says. Lorraine thinks long and hard. How does she want her parents to suffer? How does she want to make them pay? She hasn't come up with a single idea when Victor tells them to go around the circle and share. Victor starts.
“I've already done mine, that's why I don't have a day. I robbed them,” Victor laughs jovially and pulls out a wallet full of cash. It's Allen's turn next. Quietly he says, “I want to burn their house down.” Murmurs of agreement from the group.
“Is that what everyone wants? Raise your hands if you want to burn your parent's house down,” Victor says, nodding his head in approval. People agree and Victor claps his hands once again.
“Well then, we should have a fire spree. Cameron, I want you to take a team of four out and get supplies.” Cameron agrees and writes something down on his little notepad. Silence fills the room as everyone thinks about what these next two weeks will hold for them on their families.
“March 17th,” Timothy whispers.
“March 17th,” Victor replies. He then stands up, a grin forming on his face.
“My friends, this is what we've been waiting for. This is the moment. Our moment.” Answers from the group. Lorraine rubs her hands on her arms, attempting to warm herself up. She thinks about what brought herself to this house. Her mind wanders to the many times her parent's favored her sister over her. The times that they ignored her when she told them that she was getting bullied at school. She hates that for them. And that's what brought her here. That's what brought her to this club. The Suicide Club.
