Danny Hacker.

Chapter 5: Danny Hacker.

Walker claimed she was out of school due to a stomach bug. She was back in school after the weekend I saw her at the pharmacy and everyone complimented her hair. It looked the same to me, the only difference was her lightened roots. "Why do you dye your hair?" I asked while I was focused on my painting in art class. I could hear her turn but I didn't look up at her. "Oh. Well my natural color is just so dreadfully boring, but blonde just seems like such a nice sunny color!" she said in voice that was more perky than usual. "Oh" I said continuing to paint trying not to lose focus. I started to get a very odd feeling, almost that someone was watching me but I couldn't figure out who. I shrugged it off and finished my piece. "Wow you're really talented!" Walker said leaning in examining my art. I had made a dark room with a small faded white circle in the center with a boy laying down in the middle of it smiling. "Thank you." I responded proudly at my painting. "So what's it mean?" Walker asked while she wiped her brushes with a wet paper towel. "What?" I asked confused. "The painting, what's it mean?" She said laughing at my confusion. "Oh.. uh.. well it's me. Surrounded by silence." I said nervously, slightly embarrassed. I had never explained my work to anyone before but it felt nice sharing it with someone else. I turned and looked at hers while she walked to the back of the classroom to return her supplies. It was a picture of a small girl with curly hair and a floppy dress in a field holding sunflowers. I smiled at it but then noticed something. She had signed "Bones Jones" on the bottom right corner of the painting. I wonder why she would use the cruel nickname that the mean kids at school gave her..
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In my journaling class, our assignment was to pick any news story, do research on it, and make our own article about it. We were able to pick partners and Walker was in the class with me, but I work best alone. I thought about what news story I wanted to use for about half of the class period, then I remembered the story about Danny Hacker. It had looked interesting enough to me and I decided it would be the juicy story for my project, so I got to work.
It was hard to find much about this girl. It was almost like she didn't exist until I finally found her picture and a description.

DANNY N. HACKER:

Parents:
Ronald J. Hacker-deceased
Lucy M. Hacker-deceased

Siblings:
Charlie J. Hacker
Jackson K. Hacker-deceased

The word deceased caught my eye. It was written beside three of Danny's family member's names. I then researched their causes of death and it was surprisingly easy to find. I found an article for each deceased member. I also found that they were a slightly famous family.

Ronald J. Hacker, a proud owner of Hacker Bank, was found dead this afternoon in his living room at Hacker house. His wife Lucy M. Hacker was found next to him also deceased. The autopsy specialist has declared that their wounds were caused by a hatchet. I guess Hacker House is the perfect way to describe this families home. All jokes aside, Danny N. Hacker, daughter of the now, deceased, has been missing since the accident. The eldest Charlie J. Hacker was found asleep in bed, not knowing what was going on. We'll keep you updated as the police move forward, investigating the case.

I noticed that is didn't mention anything about Danny's other brother, assuming that Charlie is a boy, Jackson Hacker. I had to know more this story had me on the edge of my seat.
And then I found something that made my bones shake.

Missing Jackson K. Hacker, the youngest of Ronald and Lucy Hacker's children was finally found!
The couple mourn the loss of their 10 year old son after his remains were uncovered Saturday evening.
After 10 year old Jackson Hacker had been missing for a whole 5 months, the police were finally able to close the case when they discovered the boy's body late Saturday evening. The police claim that Jackson Hacker was enjoying his time with a small group of his friends in Mocker woods. When it was time for them to go home, all of the children told police that Hacker had stayed behind. When Jackson never returned home that evening for supper his mother began to worry stating, "I just new something wasn't right."
The body was found decapitated and mutilated but the specialist claim was not the cause of death. He had been attacked with a hatchet and his attacker threw him into a tree branch, impaling him and ultimately killing him.
There will be a ceremony for Jackson this afternoon..

I couldn't read anymore. I wondered why Danny was missing. But before I could continue, the final bell rang and honestly I wasn't complaining. I had read enough horrific stories for the day.
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"Hey Ace!" Walker called motioning me over. "Hey." I responded joining her as she walked. "Would you like to come over today? No one wanted to be my journaling partner so I thought maybe we could work together?" She asked with an awkward smile.
"Yeah sure. But I already started on a story.."
I said thinking about the terrifying things I had just been researching. "Well that's okay! I didn't start on anything yet so I'll help you with yours." She said, excitement crawling over her face. "So what's your news story about anyway?" She asked, her face still smiling excitedly. I took a deep breath and sighed, "Danny Hacker."
Walker didn't respond so I glanced up at her. She didn't look excited anymore.
Not excited at all.