CHAPTER 31: SANDRA

“I remember finding her. Her parents were out of town on business, and her Mom hadn't heard from her so she asked me to check on her. I went.” My hands shook, and my voice was flat, my body numb to the emotions as the night I discovered her played in my mind.

“Abby? Abby, are you in there?” I had knocked on the door frantically. “I'll break in if I have to! C'mon, Abs, your mom is worried about you.”

Nothing. She didn't reply. I banged harder. “You have five seconds to reply or I'm coming in!”

I counted in my head using the Mississippi numbers. One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi... We might not have talked in a month, but she was still my best friend.

“Okay, I'm coming in!” I warned one last time and stepped back, kicking the lock on the door a few times. The wood splintered, and I held it open. I stopped dead at the sight before me.

Abby was lying in the bath fully clothed, the tub half full with her arm hanging over the side. Blood dripped from numerous lines and sc