Читать книгу Narcosis - Francisco Garófalo - Страница 12

The footsteps were getting closer and I decided to take Sebastián’s place. It was not pleasant but if the headmistress was right, then I would leave as a dead person.

I removed Sebastián’s body as quickly as I could, put it under a desk the teachers used and took his place in the coffin, putting my fear to one side.

Miss Rosa came in but she didn’t see me.

She walked towards the coffin.

My classmate’s parents had just finished the paperwork to remove their son’s body and give him a final farewell.

As they were wealthy people, it was all settled very quickly. There were no hitches.

The only thing pending was the threat of closing the place down because of what had happened.

Miss Rosa started to move closer to the coffin, intending to see her pupil one last time and say a last goodbye. She could have done it later – what was the hurry? I was worried she would see me.

I became frightened.

The teacher continued walking towards me. She was bound to discover me.

Standing next to the coffin, she raised her hand to lift the lid but she didn’t open it; instead she made sure it was shut properly.

‘We are ready whenever you wish, sir,’ interrupted Sebastián’s father’s servants.

‘Very well. Let’s go,’ he ordered.

They lifted the coffin onto their shoulders and Miss Rosa stood back to give the men room.

They loaded the coffin into their vehicle and set off for their mansion.

I was happy and worried at the same time. I was going to be free, but where would I go? To look for Carla, but where? I didn’t even know if she still lived with her parents or if the family had moved to a different city.

We reached our destination and they unloaded me, put me in a room and left me on my own. I tried to open the coffin but it was stuck fast. I pushed hard to no effect. I started to become desperate as fears went round inside my head. ‘What if they bury me alive?’ I thought to myself. ‘What good would everything I have done be if they bury me alive?’