Chapter 31 Chapter Thirty

After witnessing Estelle fly through the air, even if everything else happened, that scene is still vividly imprinted on my memory: when she took off from the bicycle, her hands were stretched forward, as if preparing to run wildly, and then she came out of the water. Instinctively curl up, like a paratrooper trained to do before impact.There was no surprise on her face, only a slight frown, as if she had encountered a tricky math problem.Even when she fell on the road, her body contorted and splayed indecently, her cheek hitting the tarmac, her expression remained uncharacteristically composed.As if it was something she had been waiting for, long overdue.She closed her eyes at one point, lying motionless in the middle of the road, and the bicycle fell crookedly behind her.I almost began to imagine how she would fade away.

I was sitting on the doorstep with Dalio and one of his friends.It was a terribly hot evening, and even at nightfall the heat was still unbearable.My eyes are half-closed, pretending to be in another world, but at the same time I hear Dalio haggling with another man.Better to haggle and whisper, he thought I hadn't noticed what he kept in a plastic bag under his jacket.Even before I saw Estrie, I knew she was going to turn the corner.There she was, leaning down in the car seat.Peggy.Farrell was sitting in her parked car, probably listening to some boring radio show on the radio.She was only a few meters away from where I was sitting.As soon as she caught sight of me, a look of half-surreptitious, half-beseeching curiosity crossed her face, making me smolder and itch and pretend not to see her.She slammed the door open and bumped into it.Astrid flew in the air like a bird and fell to the ground like rotten meat.

Dalio and I rushed forward immediately, and Dalio let out a high-pitched scream, but Peggy got there first.She's been there all the time, and Estelle is moaning about things like shit and don't bother me.Paige was about to say something to me, but I just stared at her like a stranger, and her face fell.I bent down in front of Astrid, she looked dazed, and asked about the condition of the bicycle, with blood streaming down her face.I wanted to lift her up and hold her in my arms, but I knew that even if she was hurt, I would probably hate it if it was done to her, and it would make me stupid and clumsy, so I just asked about her injuries.I put on the most compassionate face, but it quickly became apparent that her injuries were not serious enough to warrant a rush to the emergency room or lie in bed for days, just a little flesh and blood.I know Peggy has been staring at me, waiting for me to say hello, but I still think of her as air.

Estelle ignored my outstretched hand and got up; Dalio picked up the rotten bike.I saw that Peggy tried to close the deformed car door but was unable to do so.She shot me a begging look, but I put on a contemptuous expression.Her cheeks were stained with a touch of blush, and she suddenly looked old and foolish.I turned my back on her and very cautiously put my arms around Estelle.Instead of pushing me away, she leaned on me.Her hair brushes against my cheek, blood staining my new white shirt.I can smell sweat and shampoo on her body.Dalio muttered something under his breath when Dalio's venomous friend walked past us and held out a hand in greeting.

who is he?Estelle asked. No one, said Dalio, is your head okay?Then he shot me a furious look and started to go on and on about how I sat on the steps with him when she had the accident.So Estelle didn't know Dalio was dealing drugs, which probably meant no one else in the family knew. We staggered home, Dalio on the bike, Estelle I on my arm, and we both called out to Miles; he appeared at the gate.Seeing the grief on his face, you'd think I was holding Estelle's dead body.Anyway, as soon as we helped her into the house, she was immediately overwhelmed by the exclamation; and the others just picked up Estelle and left me and the bicycle by the door, which made me angry .I tried to hang the bike on the hook, but it was deformed, so it didn't hang very well.When I said that the bicycle needs to be repaired, Pipa just came downstairs and told me that it was Estee who should be inspected, not the bicycle, and then walked down the steps with others briskly, leaving me alone at the door .My chest tightened even more, and I felt the humming behind my eyes return.Then I saw Paige come up the steps.

David.she says. how?I can't be bothered to be polite to her at all.Unexpectedly, she did not behave like usual, she was neither flustered nor embarrassed, but raised her chin with a stubborn expression.I have something to tell you. I'm busy.I said, and was about to close the door in front of her, but who knew she actually put out her hand to block the door. I said I have something to tell you. There was laughter from downstairs.I looked at Peggy and said: What is it about? A few days ago, she said something in my house. So she saw me steal the money.My head hurts even more.I felt oppressed and imprisoned, so I grabbed her arm and said to her: Don't talk about it here.Come in.I pulled her in, led her into Miles' bedroom so no one could hear our conversation, and closed the door behind me.

If you need money, you should have asked me first.she says. I don't know what you are talking about. I thought you liked my company, she said, how silly of me. I remind myself to be charming.I tried to speak, but her face full of pain and resentment shook in front of me. You've stolen money before, haven't you?She didn't wait for my answer and went on. If I told this to my husband, he would think I was stupid as hell, but I made a deal with him.He's sure to think I deserve it. She went on and on and on.I just want to shut up this nagging, nosy guy.It's all her fault for thinking of me as the son she never had, thinking I found her charming, thinking I wanted to sit in her gloomy little kitchen and wink at her, thinking my life As insignificant and miserable as hers.What did she think was going to happen?What do you expect?I hold her tighter.

My eyes are still covered with a red mist, and my mind is still roaring, but at least she is quiet, at least her whole body is limp, and I can also loosen her neck, put her on the floor, and let her look up at me.I looked at her purple face, her glassy eyes, her half-open mouth, and I saw the fillings between her teeth.Her skirt lifted and I bent down to pull it over my knees. I heard what sounded like a thirsty dog ​​panting, and realized it was me who was making the sound.I shivered and sat down on Miles' bed trembling all over, allowing myself to take a few deep breaths.I have to stay calm, I have to think clearly.I'm in Miles' bedroom and he could walk in any moment.However, if I drag Paige's body down the corridor, any of them may run into me.I look around: oversized closet, this is it, I need to put the body in there before I get a chance to get rid of it.

Now that I think of a project, I feel pretty strong and at ease.The headache also disappeared like a cloud and relieved.Someone else would be devastated and panicked if they were at such an impasse; but I can do it.I opened the closet door and pushed aside piles of towels and sheets.I cupped Peggy's armpits with both hands and began to drag her the other way.Her body was heavy, as if death had crawled into her body, unable to take hold.One of her shoes got stuck in the wooden floor and spun out.Her head drooped loosely.The hardest step was getting her into the closet.I had to push her in from the back, but her limbs were stuck in the doorway, and the friction of the skirt made it difficult for her to slide.But in the end I got it done.I draped the towel and the sheet over her, but a quick glance revealed something bulging underneath.

When I closed the closet door and stood up, the sound of people and footsteps outside the room made me stand still.But they continued to climb up the ladder.I waited quietly until I was sure there was no one outside, then I opened the door and slipped out.But as soon as I stepped out the door, I had a hunch that I was missing something.Did I put her off shoes in the closet with the dead body?I'm almost sure I made it, but can't resist the urge to go back and check.Did I close the closet door properly?Would it spin open, revealing the corpse?Are there any traits in me that would give me away?I glance down at my white shirt.There were a few streaks of bicycle grease on it.I stood in front of the mirror in the hallway, admiring myself for keeping my normal demeanor.I look great.Refreshing, clear eyes, relaxed and comfortable.I smiled to myself and went upstairs to my bedroom.As I passed the bathroom, I heard the sound of running water from the faucet, and I must have been taking a shower with Estelle.I have a few minutes before I face everyone.

I changed my shirt, splashed shaving cream on my face, and took a few deep breaths.aha.I think of Paige's dead body in Miles' room.As long as someone was taking drugs in the house, Miles was a terrified guy.It's just ridiculous, no, it's just ridiculous.Of course, as soon as Miles opened the closet, everything would go up in flames.But he generally only uses it for storage.I should be fine for a while, but I have to figure out a way to get the body out of the closet and out of the house soon.Tonight's party was planned a long time ago, so I had to try to dispose of the body with everyone present.But that might be a good thing. I went upstairs to visit Estelle.There were several people in her room, I opened the door and entered quietly.She was lying on the bed in a T-shirt and sweatpants.Mike stood by the window.Pipa was yelling something in the bathroom.The room was filled with a party vibe, heightened when Miles joined, sitting next to Estelle, touching her hand slightly; Dalio lit a Big Mac. Everything happens in slow motion.Estelle said. You must have fallen very naturally, I said, that's why you weren't seriously hurt.It's really not that simple.That's what paratroopers are trained for.I didn't expect you to do it naturally. Dalio took a long drag on the joint, and I watched the ash build up and crumble to the ground as he stomped it up and pressed it into the carpet unnoticed. They are all talking.Mike sat on the bed and checked her injuries.Pipa came in with a bottle of disinfectant.I hear my own voice speaking.But during this time, I have actually been thinking, and at the same time staying alert, feeling my own strength. Let me open some wine, I said, we should celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime time together.I grinned at everyone and thought: I killed someone and hid her body downstairs in a closet and no one smelled anything wrong, which is amazing and wonderful.I can't express in words how happy I am to live with all of you. Estelle smiled at me from the bed, her big dark eyes shining brightly.David, she said, you're the best roommate.I bow slightly.This is the kind of person below.I said.