Another Night Prt 5

Jerry threw off his covers as his feet felt the cold floor. The telephone was ringing. He went to answer it.1

"Yeah?" He groaned sleepily.2

"Jerry. This is Haley's father..."3

Jerry jumped slightly at the name. He and Haley had been best friends, and he had even proposed to her. But she had objected, saying that she did not love him in that way. "Yeah?"4

"I am sorry I could not call you sooner...I was busy...with funeral ordeals and stuff." his voice was drained and dry, exhausted, thought Jerry.5

"Who's funeral?" Jerry tried to sound casual.6

"I'm sorry...Haley. They found her on the road..raped...dead."7

The words were like a knife in the stomach. His whole body froze, and he just stood there, his heart had stopped. Tears formed on his eyelids. "What..who..why.."8

"There's no telling who she was attacked by." He sighed. "I'm so sorry. It's been...horrible.."9

"No." Jerry stated stubbornly. "You're lying! Tell me you're goddamn lying!" He hit his fist against the stone wall, and threw the chair over. 10

"The funeral is on Wednesday. If you want to come-"11

"I'll come." He squeezed his eyelids shut. "And I will find the murderer. That ba*stard, he'll burn!" Mr. Skii had hung up. Jerry put down the phone, collapsed on his bed, awed and horrified. It was a dream, was it? He hid himself in his covers, something he hadn't done for nine years, since he was nine years old. 12

2 be continued..13