Liar

"Liar!"
The accusation echoed in her mind, each repetition more anguished. She kept moving, head down, hands in pockets, coat buttoned tightly against the early morning chill. The turmoil she felt would not stop.The events of the previous evening remained, impenetrable as the thick, gray clouds that obscured the Sun's feeble attempt to rise.

They were inseparable: Anton, Jenny and she. They'd grown up playing together and sharing secrets. Their friendship was her only security in a mixed up world. She saw it immediately when they'd fallen in love. The knife of betrayal cut deep and left a brutal scar. Though ostensibly still part of the group, she was alone.

She was first to the frozen lake; they were trailing behind, together. Jealousy boiled inside her. Tears welled in her eyes, and suddenly a scream escaped from her lips. “Help him!” she'd cried. “Please!” They ran to her side, eyes wide, hearts pumping. “There was a boy--he fell!”

Without hesitation, Anton started across the ice. When he looked back, she felt herself lift her finger, pointing assuredly to the center of the thin crust. Her rational mind was a silent, horrified prisoner, behind a wall of jealous insanity. Anton began to shuffle as small cracks appeared around his feet. He scanned the unbroken surface in the middle of the lake, looking for the place that the boy had fallen. Seeing nothing, he turned back toward the shore, trying to work out the joke. His shifting weight caused the ice to give way.

Anton plummeted into the frigid depths, struggling unsuccessfully for purchase on the slippery plates--they closed overhead.

Jenny had understood the bewilderment on Anton's features clearly, as he turned toward them. “Liar!” she screamed, but her once friend was already fleeing her guilt, and she was left alone.