Regret in your tears…. Part 2
Mariah stood outside the gym doors long after the ambulance lights disappeared down the street. The red and blue flashes had painted the pavement only minutes before, but now everything looked normal again.
Too normal.
Inside her chest, her heart still pounded like it was trying to escape.
Kiyanne stood beside her with her arms folded, staring toward the parking lot like she was replaying the scene in her head.
Mariah wiped her face with the sleeve of her hoodie, but the tears kept coming.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered. “How does somebody end up like that?”
Kiyanne shook her head slowly.
“Rolled up in a damn gym mat?” she muttered. “That ain’t normal.”
Mariah’s breathing trembled.
“I thought he was playing a joke or something when I first saw the mat tipped over,” she said. “I called his name.”
Her voice cracked.
“But his feet…”
Kiyanne closed her eyes for a second.
“Yeah,” she said quietly. “I saw.”
Mariah hugged herself like she was trying to hold her body together.
“The police just… took notes and left,” she said in disbelief. “Like this happens every day.”
“They gotta wait for the autopsy,” Kiyanne replied. “That’s how they figure out what really happened.”
Mariah looked back toward the gym doors.
“I keep thinking maybe he was alive when I found him,” she said suddenly. “What if I got there sooner?”
Kiyanne grabbed her shoulders gently.
“Stop,” she said firmly. “Don’t do that to yourself.”
“But what if—”
“Mariah.”
Her tone was serious.
“You didn’t put him in that mat.”
Mariah broke down again, covering her mouth.
Kiyanne pulled her into a hug.
People were still standing around the parking lot whispering, their voices low, their phones out.
Word had already started spreading.
Kiyanne pulled back slightly and looked at Mariah.
“Who was the last person you know he was with?”
Mariah sniffled, trying to think.
“He stayed after practice,” she said slowly. “Said he needed to work out some stress.”
“Was anybody else in the gym?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Kiyanne frowned.
“Security cameras.”
Mariah looked up quickly.
“The police said they’d check them,” she said. “But what if—”
Her phone buzzed suddenly in her hand.
Both of them looked down at the screen.
Mariah froze.
Kiyanne leaned closer.
“What?”
Mariah’s face slowly drained of color.
“It’s… it’s Dante’s phone number.”
Kiyanne blinked.
“That’s impossible. The police took his phone.”
Mariah’s hand trembled as the phone kept vibrating.
Incoming Call: Dante
Kiyanne whispered, “Answer it.”
Mariah hesitated, then slowly lifted the phone to her ear.
“…Hello?”
For a moment there was only static.
Then a distorted voice came through the line.
“You weren’t supposed to find him yet.”
Mariah’s entire body went cold.
“What?” she whispered.
The voice continued.
“Now things have to move faster.”
The line went dead.
Mariah lowered the phone slowly.
Kiyanne stared at her.
“Who was it?”
Mariah’s lips trembled.
“I… I don’t know.”
Kiyanne looked toward the dark gym building again.
Because suddenly it didn’t feel like an accident anymore.
And whoever called…
knew exactly where Dante’s body had been.
Reading this story reminded me of a time I personally experienced a moment where the line between accident and something more sinister became blurred. The unsettling thought that someone could be hidden away, and the discovery may not be as straightforward as it appears, creates an emotional weight that's hard to shake. In situations like Mariah’s — standing outside, overwhelmed by shock and confusion — it’s natural to question our timing and actions, haunted by “what if” thoughts. It’s important to remember that those feelings, while painful, are part of processing trauma and grief. Many people who find themselves in unexpected crises feel the urge to rewind events in hopes of changing outcomes, though ultimately, healing comes from acceptance and seeking support. The mention of security cameras as a clue intrigued me because surveillance footage often plays a pivotal role in unraveling mysteries in real life. It’s a reminder of how technology can sometimes be a silent witness to events that no one else saw or remembered exactly. However, waiting for official results, like autopsy reports, teaches patience in the face of uncertainty—from experience, the truth usually surfaces in time, though it can be agonizingly slow. The eerie phone call Mariah receives introduces an element of suspense that many of us have encountered in stories or even personal experiences — unknown calls with cryptic messages that provoke fear and urgency. It’s a powerful storytelling device that amplifies the feeling that this is more than just a tragic accident. If you find yourself in situations where you are grappling with sudden loss or shocking discoveries, reach out to friends or professionals who can provide emotional support. Sharing your experience, just like Mariah and Kiyanne do in this story, can help lessen the burden. Furthermore, paying attention to seemingly small details—like the caller ID or security footage—might be crucial to understanding the full picture. This story serves as a poignant reminder about the unpredictability of life, the pain of loss, and the importance of compassion and support during difficult times.
