Austin described the scenario in graphic detail, and the anxiety in his tone was vivid.
I held the phone to my ear as I stood on the balcony, irritated at what I was hearing. I mocked emotionlessly, "If he doesn't value himself, let him drink till he's dead!"
"Arianna..."
"Arianna, are you a woman or not?" The phone had been taken away from Austin and Hendrix was now speaking to me in a strong, nasally voice. It sounded like he was piss drunk.
"You don't know whether I'm a woman or not? Hendrix, you're drinking and babbling about your emotions in the middle of the night - do you think you're three years old?" I said, unaware that the phone was on speaker mode.
Austin exploded and called out Hendrix's name, dragging it out. It was obvious that he was teasing him.
Hendrix probably threw him a look, which was why the noise from the other side of the phone piped down a little.
I was really not in the mood to continue talking about these useless things with him. I added,
"Hendrix, if there's no reason to, don't call me. I'm hanging up!"
After that, I ended the call without waiting for him to speak.
Then, I immediately turned my phone off.
That night, I didn't sleep well either. I had nightmares throughout. I finally managed to fall into slumber as dawn approached. Then, Kelsey called.
Hearing that my voice was a little hoarse and tired, she couldn't help but ask, "Miss Reid, you didn't sleep well?"
I hummed in acknowledgment and said, "Send me the address. I'll go over in a moment!"
I had a terrible headache. I got up and sat by the bed for quite a while before I came back to my senses.
Hearing my voice, Kelsey paused and suggested, "How about this - I'll pick you up in a moment? You can continue to sleep for a while, and I'll bring you some breakfast when I get there later."
As I was just about to refuse, she continued, "Remember to open the door for me later. I've got to go. See you!"
She pursed her lips and replied, "I'll take you to the person you want to see!"
The person I want to see?
After thinking about it for a while, I still couldn't think of anyone I had met in the past who was in the suburbs.
I looked towards her and asked, "Who is it?"
She didn't respond. We continued driving for more than half an hour before finally coming to a stop at the cemetery's parking lot.
I had been to this graveyard many times before. Carol and Dalton were buried here, so I was very familiar with this place.
I watched her get out of the car. She then handed me the bouquet of chrysanthemums she had bought at the cemetery entrance earlier. "Take it!"
Then, she dragged me into the cemetery.
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