This is What I Did (19 page)

This is what happenend:

I saw Cami on Zyler’s street, almost at his house.

It was after the whole family got to eat at Pete’s Pancakes because of Mom’s coupon and we passed her on the way home but

nobody noticed her but me.

Once we got home I said: Can I ride over to Zyler’s real quick? We were supposed to finish this one homework problem.

Mom: This late?

Me: It’s only eight.

Mom sighed and then: Okay. But don’t stay long.

And I didn’t.

I didn’t know I was actually going to go to Zyler’s.

I just said that to get out of the house and see if Cami was still on Zyler’s street and she probably didn’t know it was his street, because how would she know?

Maybe she was just going on a walk and maybe I could talk to her or we could see if Zyler was home or something.

But when I got over there, I was just in time to see her go inside his door.

This is what I was: Mad.

Why was Cami at Zyler’s?

Did they like each other?

Why didn’t he tell me?

And maybe I almost went home, but then I had to see.

I dumped my bike in the side yard and went to try to look in his bedroom window.

No one there.

Lights on.

Zyler’s dad would be mad.

I took a risk and climbed in.

Bump.

But there was music on.

In the front room.

I crawled out in the hall and felt sick.

Like last time, but this time I really was there.

I heard laughing.

And then talking.

Zyler’s voice: Are you kidding me?

Girl’s voice — Cami’s obviously: Yeah. It was so funny.

Zyler’s voice: How many times has he called you?

Cami: He never talks or anything. He just hangs up, but we have caller ID. Hello?

Zyler: Logan never thinks about stuff like that.

Cami: I could tell.

Laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh

And never ever again.

Never ever again.

Ever.

I hate him.

I hate her.

I hate them.

I was slumped against the wall and almost about to leave

But then this:

Cami: Are you sure your dad’s not going to come home?

She was sort of laughing.

Zyler: Nope. He’s gone.

But I couldn’t see anything.

And then there were these sounds.

It almost sounded like they were kissing.

I couldn’t believe it.

Almost loud.

More kissing noises and I really couldn’t believe it. Zyler never kissed girls. Neither of us did.

Cami: You’re kind of good at this.

I wanted out of there. I was out of there. I couldn’t believe it.

But then

But then, right then,

The worst sound.

At first I thought it was like a bunch of guys coming in because it was so loud and crashing things.

But then I realized it was just him and the sound of his voice, but he was raging.

And he was swearing and knocking things and heavy: Who the hell is this? What’s going on?

And then there was this big crash — like a kick or something.

No music.

And Zyler’s dad’s system was worth like three thousand dollars or more. I moved down the hall closer to Zyler’s room — just in case I had to run fast or something. I mean, if his dad looked down the hall and saw me.

Zyler: Dad — what’s wrong with you?

There was something in his voice I couldn’t say.

Zyler’s dad: What’s wrong with me? With
me
? I told you to never mess with my stuff. And who is
she
?

Zyler: I’m sorry, Dad. We just barely turned it on and she’s just my friend. She’s no one.

Zyler’s dad: No one?

And then this:

A punching sound.

A crunch on the wall.

The sound of a body.

Girl sort of scream.

Zyler was gasping then when he said: Dad, please.

Zyler’s dad: I swear I’m going to rip your guts out, you little . . .

And then Cami’s voice but it was really soft because I almost couldn’t hear it and this: pleasenopleasenopleasenoplease

Heavy Breathing

A slap.

Zyler: Dad! Please.

Zyler’s dad: Shut up, Zyler.

Zyler’s voice but not his voice either: Dad. Dad. I’m sorry, okay? I’m really sorry. She’s leaving. You’re leaving, right, Cami?

Cami: Yes. Yes, I’m leaving.

And I think she might have been crying.

Zyler’s dad: I said SHUT UP!

Another loud sound but more and Cami’s high pitch and maybe I should’ve run then and called the cops or got someone or done something ’cause then Cami was definitely crying.

Zyler’s dad: Oh, I’m sorry, honey, did I make you upset?

Another slapping sound.

Cami: No. No. No, please. Stop.

I couldn’t see her but I could hear her crying hard and saying no no no a lot and please please please.

Zyler’s dad: Hey, Zy, she’s my friend too.

Zyler: Stop it, Dad. Leave her alone, Dad.

Zyler’s dad (and now his voice was all soft-like): I think I can make you feel better.

Cami: Please no. Don’t.

And then there was a ripping sound and she screamed.

Zyler: Dad! What are you doing? Dad!! Get off her!

And then another crash and swearing and crashing and screaming and

Cami: STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP!

It kept going: her screaming, Zyler yelling, smashing, bodies, lamps.

Things were flying.

I can’t do this I can’t do this I can’t do this.

In the hallway trapped I CAN’T DO THIS.

I CAN’T DO THIS.

But then it got worse because I couldn’t see anything except maybe his dad slamming but then . . .

I saw Cami.

She came in my view and she was crawling and her shirt was torn so that I could see her bra and everything and her face all red and the slamming by the TV and Zyler’s groans.

She was moving so fast toward me, so fast, and I tried to get into Zyler’s room before she saw me. I didn’t want her to know I was there and that I was there the whole time. But then, just when I was almost all the way in his room, and I think maybe even she saw me and right then something happened.

A crack.

A crash.

A loud grunt.

Another crack.

A slump.

Then panting.

Cami: Oh my gosh. What’d you do?

Zyler:

Cami was whimpering and her voice was little.

I looked out and there was blood, so much blood, and one of Zyler’s dad’s trophies.

Zyler whispered: I think I killed my dad. I think I killed my dad.

And then louder: I think I just killed my dad.

That’s when I ran.

I ran hard and loud and I didn’t care and through his room and out the window and to my bike.

I just ran.

On my bike I thought this:

I just had to get away, get away.

But then I couldn’t think anyway because what just happened? Zyler maybe killed his dad. And Cami’s shirt was all ripped open and I didn’t do anything. He maybe killed his dad. He’s a murderer and he’s not who I thought. I hate him I hate her I hate all of them. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.

But then: Zyler is my best friend.

But then: He killed his own dad.

But then: Zyler is my best friend.

When I got home

My mom: Logan? Is that you?

Me: Yeah.

Her: Did you get your homework done?

Me:

Because I had slammed my door.

But then, not thirteen minutes later and tapping on the window.

It was Zyler.

Zyler, with blood all over, standing in the window well.