When no one answers the front door Sarah strides into the back yard of her best friend’s residence, visibly upset. She finds Ashley in her backyard pool. Ashley is astonished to see her.
“Sarah; where were you?? You missed our lunch date! Did you bring your swimsuit for our afternoon swim together?”
She sees the condition her friend is in. Sarah looks visibly upset. “Are you ok? What happened? What’s wrong?”
At this point Sarah nearly breaks down. She struggles to compose herself. Then she tells her best friend all the horrific details of her day.
She’s just had a very traumatic morning. A little girl ran out in front of her car. She was unable to avoid striking her, killing her instantly.
Two witnesses observed the accident and were very understanding. They both said there was absolutely nothing she could have done differently to avoid the incident. The paramedics and the police were equally sympathetic
She was taken down to the police station where she gave a detailed description of her version of events. After she was finally released she drove straight here. She didn’t know where else to go/. Besides, she needs a sympathetic shoulder to cry on.
“I’m so sorry!” Ashley says, shaking her head when the tale is finished. “That must have been terrible!”
She pauses, giving the matter some thought. Did you bring your suit with you? Perhaps a nice swim will help calm your nerves. You know I’m here for you!”
It’s no secret the two woman have more than just feelings of friendship for each other. They have never truly acted on them. But they both greatly enjoy each other’s company in the pool.
Each one secretly believes it’s only a matter of time before they been to experiment sexually with each other. Doing it in and underwater would be peaceful and sensual. But Sarah hesitates.
“I’m not sure,” she answers in a trembling voice. “Just look at me, Ash! I’m trembling again just thinking about what happened earlier today.”
“Come swim with me, Sarah. You’ll feel better and it will help take your mind off things.” She waves at her enticingly with a “C’mon, Sarah. Let me help you feel better.”
The tone in her best friend’s voice is filled with more than just the promise of a nice swim together. Sarah really needs some loving companionship. If Ashley is offering more than just a little consolation, she just might be in the proper frame of mind not to turn it down this time.
She slips out of her clothes, revealing a bikini she’d worn in anticipation of their swim together. Sarah starts to walk toward the shallow end of the pool. A moment later she stops short when she sees a strange man standing right in front of her as though blocking her path.
Who is he? Where the hell did he come from?? He wasn’t there a second ago!
“Good afternoon, Sarah,” he says calmly as though the two have known each other a long time.
“Who the hell are you?” she asks in amazement. Why the hell did Ashley invite some male to come join them in their swim??
“What’s the matter? Don’t you recognize me?” And at that moment she does…
“You were there!” Sarah exclaims, pointing at him in astonishment. “You were there! I saw you!”
“Sarah?” comes a confused voice from the pool. Ashley looks at her in bewilderment. “Who are you talking to?”
“This man right here,” Sarah replies, pointing right at him. “He was at the scene of the accident! He was there! What the hell is he doing here, Ashley??”
“Sarah,” Ashley says quietly, her brow furrowing in concern. “There’s nobody there, honey.”
“But he’s right here!” Sarah insists, pointing at the man.
“She can’t see me, Sarah,” he says with a gentle smile. “Only you can see me.”
“What do you mean ‘only I can see you’?”
“See who?” Ashley asks from her place in the pool. But her friend seems to be looking at an empty space.
“Who are you?” Sarah asks, suddenly feeling anxious. “Why are you here?”
In the pool Ashley looks in consternation. But she neither sees nor hears anyone but Sarah.
“I’ve come for another soul, Sarah,” he explains matter-of-factly. “Your soul to be precise. Apparently the little girl was not enough.”
“Not enough??” Sarah, gasps in horror. “What does that mean?”
“How do you suppose she ended out in traffic at the precise moment you were coming along?” Then he gives her a knowing smile.
Sarah is horrified. “You killed her?? Are you like… the grim reaper or something?”
“Sarah, who are you talking too?” Ashley is starting to become concerned. Is her best friend starting to lose it??
“I’m just one of his servants,” the man says calmly as though correcting her. “Now it’s time for you to come with me, Sarah.”
Sarah feels a chill run down her spine. “Me?? Why me??”
“I’m one soul short, Sarah. That’s why I’ve come for you.”
“But I don’t wanna die!”
“Sarah; what’s going on??” Ashley cries out. “You’re not going to die! But you’re starting to scare me! Just who do you think you’re talking to? Who’s there?”
Sarah points at him as she starts to tremble. “Ashley, this man wants me to die!”
“Who wants you to die?? Sarah, what are you talking about? There’s no one there! Sarah, you’re not going to die!”
Ashley begins to fear her best friend is on the verge of a psychotic break. She stands upright in the shallow end of the pool in growing consternation. At this point she doesn’t know what she should do or who she should call.
“Sarah, what’s wrong?” Then she anxiously waves her to come join her. “Honey, just get in the pool with me, ok? Everything’s going to be all right!”
The man looks at Ashley for a long moment. Then he smiles as he tells Sarah, “I can accept a trade.”
Sarah turns back to him in alarm, her heart beating fast. “A trade? What sort of trade?”
“It’s quite simple really,” he says with a disarming smile. “Her soul for yours” and he points into the water at Ashley. “Drown her for me and I’ll be permitted to allow you to keep your life.”
“What??” Sarah is horrified.
“You heard me, Sarah. Her soul for yours.”
“You can’t be serious! I can’t drown Ashley?! She’s my best friend!”
“Sarah??” Ashley blurts out in alarm. “What the hell are you talking about? What’s all this talk about drowning me??”
Her words seem to penetrate enough to get her best friend’s attention. Sarah turns toward Ashley, totally horror-stricken. “He says… he says it’s your soul for mine, Ash! He says if I drown you I get to live!”
“Who says?” Ashley says as she peers intently at the spot her friend keeps staring at. “Sarah, there’s nobody there!”
“Can’t you see him?? He’s right there!”
“Sarah, there’s nobody there!”
Ashley can’t believe it! Now she’s almost certain her friend is suffering some sort of breakdown. Very carefully she makes her way to the steps in the shallow end, afraid for her friend’s sanity… and suddenly feeling quite fearful for her life.
“Sarah, we’ll get you some help, ok? You’re having a breakdown, honey. I’m just going to get out of the pool now and call a doctor, ok?”
Ashley moves very slowly toward the steps leading out of the pool. Now she’s afraid of spooking her best friend. She suddenly feels quite vulnerable, and is frightened out of her wits.
“She’s getting out of the pool,” the man says to Sarah in warning, drawing her attention back to him.
“What should I do?” Her eyes are wide like a frightened doe, her heart racing.
“It’s quite simple, Sarah. It’s either you or her. Make your choice.”
“But I can’t just drown my best friend!”
“Sarah?? What are you saying??”
“Fine. I’ll take you instead.”
“NOOO! I DON’T WANT TO DIE!”
“Sarah, you are not going to die!”
Ashley climbs out of the pool. She moves very slowly, unsure what the hell is going on. She speaks slowly with her hands in a defensive gesture, desperately trying to reassure her best friend.
“I’m here for you, Sarah; ok? I’m with you, honey. Everything’s going to be all right. I’m just going to call for a doctor, ok?”
Ashley is unable to process what is happening. Sarah seems to be talking to someone, although no one is there. Is Sarah hearing voices now? As far as she knows, her friend must be having some sort of mental breakdown over the trauma that happened earlier. She must do the best she can to help her get through this.
“Choose quickly, Sarah,” he demands, drawing her attention back to him. “Otherwise she’s going to get away. That’s when I’ll have to make the choice for you.”
“NOO!”
“Choose now, Sarah. Choose…. or die.” The tone in his voice makes it clear he is more than capable of carrying out his threat.
Sarah can only think of one option. As much as it pains her, she turns and walks over to Ashley who has climbed out of the pool and is now searching for the phone.
“I have to do this, Ash!” she gasps, the pain evident in her voice. “I don’t have a choice!” She’s on the verge of tears.
“Sarah? What are you talking about?”
“Ashley; I don’t want to die!” Then Sarah grabs her best friend by the shoulders
“Sarah, you’re not going to die! Snap out of it!”
“I don’t have a choice, Ashley!”
Sarah backs her friend toward the deep end of the pool. Ashley becomes alarmed and tries to push back against her. “Yes you do, Sarah! You have free will! You have a choice! Ohmygawd, baby; don’t do this!”
“Ashley, I’m sorry.”
“Sarah, what are you – NOOOO!”
Sarah pushes the two of them into the pool with a splash. Ashley surfaces instantly as her crazed friend grabs the ladder, hesitating briefly. A moment later Ashley discovers a weight belt has mysteriously appeared around the waist of her best friend.
Sarah sees it and cries out in horror. How the hell did that get around her waist?? She doesn’t want to drown!
“SARAH – YOU NEED HELP!” Ashley has become terrified by the actions of her best friend.
“Drown her!” the man orders, pointing at Ashley. “Drown her now or I’ll take you instead!”
“ASHLEY, I’M SORRY!” Then she pulls her best friend down with her below the surface. Ashley’s cry of alarm is swallowed up in a flurry of bubbles.
Sarah wraps her arms around her best friend. The weight belt having appeared around her waist will help keep her under the surface long enough to do the dirty deed. She’s extremely conflicted, but she does not wish to die. Thus, she’s determined to do what she must.
Ashley cries out in horror, her breath frothing to the surface. Her best friend has snapped! Now she’s attacking her with murderous intent!
The only thing left to do is to get the hell out of the water. Then she must get as far away from her as possible, doctor be damned! She’ll make the call just as soon as she is safely out of reach of her best friend’s insanity.
Ashley breaks free and starts to swim away. But she cries out in panic as her friend snags her by an ankle and pulls her back. Once more Sarah wraps her arms around her, determined not to lose her grip.
“SARAH – LET GO!” Ashley bubbles in terror as she violently shakes her head from side to side. “SARAH, DON’T DROWN ME! AAAUUUGGHHH!”
Ashley wriggles and squirms, but she cannot break free. Sarah just keeps shaking her head while bubbling “I’M SORRY – I’M SORRY!” The distraught woman is nearly in tears. But her grasp remains unshakable.
The battle rages underwater, a battle Ashley never expected herself to be in. She now realizes it’s either her or Sarah. She must fight back.
She spins within the young woman’s grasp. A moment later the two best friends find themselves rolling over and over in the pool. They struggle with each other, bubbles spewing out of their mouths as they grunt in battle.
For a moment Ashley gains the upper hand. She climbs on top of Sarah and pushes her down. Her only option is to drown her best friend. The poor woman has gone murderously berserk.
Sarah stops struggling as she realizes what action she’s committed herself. She’s not sure she can bring herself to drown her best friend, even after all this. She’s having second thoughts.
She gets a glimpse of the man at the surface. If she doesn’t put up a fight, she will be the one who drowns. Anger and self-preservation suddenly kick in.
“I DON’T WANNA DIE!” she cries out in a flurry of bubbles. With a burst of adrenaline she pushes Ashley off. A moment later she regains the upper hand.
Sarah climbs on top of her best friend, straddling her. The stage is set, her destiny laid out before her. One of them must die, but it’s not going to be her!
Ashley is astonished at the strength her best friend suddenly possesses. It isn’t long before she’s pinned to the pool floor. Warning spasms begin to shake her chest.
Air spurts out of Ashley’s mouth in bursts, air she cannot afford to lose. But she can’t shake a murderous Sarah. Her lungs are burning; time is growing short!
She can’t hold her breath forever. Even now it leaks out through her fingers as she anxiously covers her mouth. Surely this can’t be happening, not in her backyard pool?!
Ashley shakes her head in horror as Sarah holds her down. Her eyes are wide with fear as air continues to spew through her fingers. Sarah reaches down and deliberately pulls her hands away from her mouth.
Murder fills her features. She’s fully committed. This has to be done; after all, Ash was trying to drown her!
Ashley cries out, yanking her arms free. She covers her mouth again with her hands. Sarah grimly pulls them away to hold them out at arm’s length while still straddling her.
Ashley is in a panic as she bubbles, “SARAH, DON’T DROWN ME!” She tries her best to get through to the person inside who once was her best friend. But the kind, gentle woman she once knew as Sarah is gone. In her place is a malevolent being, someone Ashley does not recognize.
She coughs, an action that almost doubles her over. A flurry of bubbles escape her lungs to the surface. She convulses… coughs again… spasms painfully. Her cheeks bulge, her lungs on fire. She cannot hold her breath any longer.
“SARAH… DON’T!” Ashley violently shakes her head. Then she coughs and glubs, spasming painfully as her lungs suck water down her windpipe.
Ashley goes into a series of painful spasms as her lungs begin to flood. She weakly shakes her head, but she is no longer able to cry out. All that comes out of her mouth are a series of grunts and gurgles.
Her chest spasms painfully. Once more she tries to shake her head. But it feels heavy; she can hardly move it from side to side.
She’s so tired now. It feels like 10 Sarahs are sitting on her chest. It hurts like hell.
Ashley opens her mouth in horror. But nothing comes out save a few bubbles. She blinks once in utter astonishment. Then she shudders as consciousness ebbs away.
The light winks out of her eyes. Ashley goes limp in Sarah’s grasp. She stares upward in horror, a final look of shock and betrayal in her features.
Sarah looks down at her best friend for the longest time. She glowers at her with malicious intent. Her expression finally softens when she recognizes what she’s done.
Her eyes fly open in shock as she acknowledges she’s just drowned her best friend. Sarah tips her head back. Then she lets out a bubbly scream toward the surface.
She shakes her head with extreme sorrow she slowly caresses the face of her best friend. Sarah lovingly brushes the hair out of her eyes. Then she bubbles how sorry she is.
For the moment she’s devastated over what she’s done. Killing that poor girl was bad enough. But that was an accident. This was murder, pure and simple.
Sarah shakes her head in disbelief over what she’s done. Ashley stares up at her accusingly. Lifeless eyes are filled with a look of shocked betrayal.
She tells herself Ashley tried to drown her. She was forced into it. She had no other choice.
She looks at Ashley for the longest time as though hoping against hope she will suddenly raise her head. She wants her friend to smile as though they were only play-acting. But Ashley will never raise her head again.
Sarah swims to the surface. She pops her head up and gasps for breath. Then she swims over to the ladder.
She cannot take responsibility for her actions. Ashley tried to drown her. She had to defend herself.
She climbs out of the pool, feeling exhausted and numb. But the man is still standing there. He watches her with the evilest of smiles on his face.
It chills her to the bone. The fact that she is still alive brings no comfort. She did what had to be done.
She unclasps the weight belt from around her waist. It falls to the pavement. “There,” she says emotionlessly as she points at the body lying on the bottom of the pool. “It’s done. I’ve… you made me… no… I had to. It’s done.”
She wants to sob. But she feels no emotion. It does not even occur to her she was underwater far longer than her normal abilities should have permitted.
“Well done, my apprentice,” the man says calmly, his eyes flashing pure evil. “I didn’t think you had it in you.” Then he slowly smiles as he tells her, “You’ll do nicely, once given the proper motivation.”
“What? What do you mean… your apprentice?”
“It’s always the quiet ones, isn’t it? The ones who value their lives more than all else. Those are the ones who make the best murderers.”
“I’m not a murderer. She tried to drown me. You saw it! I did what I had to do.”
“And if necessary you’ll do it again, am I right?”
“I’ll defend myself if that’s what you’re asking.” Already she’s rewritten the events in her head. “She tried to kill me. I fought her off. She suffered for it. The end.”
“Well done, my apprentice. I’ll contact you when I have need of another soul.” Then he turns and walks away.
Sarah blinks in confusion. “I’m not your apprentice! Do you hear me?? I’m not your apprentice!”
She does not hear his evil chuckle. Then he is gone.
“I’M NOT YOUR FUCKING APPRENTICE! DO YOU HEAR ME? I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO! AND I’LL DO IT AGAIN IF NEED BE!”
She turns and looks down into the pool. Sarah sees the fruits of her labor as Ashley lies on the bottom. One last part of her humanity tries to get through. But she brutally shoves it back down to a place no one can get to.
“I did what I had to do! You shouldn’t have attacked me, you stupid bitch! And I’ll do it again if anybody gets in my way.”
Sarah does not fully understand it. But she believes her life has suddenly taken an unexpected turn. It is a turn that will take her down a very dark path.
2008; 2020 (written Dec 20 ’08; ed. Aug 12 ‘20 by riwa)