Murders Of The Past

SEVENTEEN

FINALLY, AFTER ALMOST two hours, I reach my house.

Why didn't I just call an Uber?

Idiot.

I open the front door and don't waste any time, running up the stairs, into my room and grabbing a suitcase. As I begin gathering my belongings, I take my phone out to call Phoebe, Adam's girlfriend. Someone I can trust.

"Hey," she says.

"Hey," I put my phone on speaker and toss it onto my bed so I can finish packing. "I need a favor."

"What kind?"

"I'm going on a trip to Vancouver and I need someone to carry my luggage while I ride my bike."

"Why are you going to Vancouver?" I roll my eyes.

"Do you think you could carry my luggage?"

"Carlos can't?" Again, I roll my eyes.

"Do you think you could?" I repeat.

"When?"

"Like, um, now."

"Now? That soon? What are you going to do in Vancouver?" Why do people ask so many questions?

"Visit a friend," I tell her briefly. "Could you?"

"You want me to right now?"

"The sooner the better."

"You sound stressed. Are you okay?" I shake my head, zipping up my suitcase.

"I'm great. Just excited." Excited to get the hell out of here. "I'm ready, all packed up."

"Wait, what? Alright, I guess I can give you a ride."

"Thanks." I pick up my phone, putting it to my ear as I carry my suitcase down the stairs. "Oh, and don't tell anyone about this."

"Why not?"

"Just don't."

PHEOBE PULLS UP in her silver Jeep. She starts to park the car but I wave her on, signaling for her to keep the car on. I'm not wasting any time. They could be back any minute. Then I won't be able to go.

"What?" Phoebe asks as I open the trunk.

"I have to hurry," I tell her. "I'll get on my bike and you can follow me."

"Why are you in such a rush?" She laughs. I glance towards my house. Who knows when I'll see it again.

"I have to meet my friend."

"Who is this friend?"

"Uh..." I shut the trunk. "Ducky."

"Ducky?"

"Yeah. Alright, just follow me. This shouldn't take too long. And thanks!" I shout as I run up the driveway and hop onto my bike, which was already on. I take a deep breath.

"This is a great idea."

I PULL UP to the one story house that I recognize from the picture. This should be it, if it's not, well then we have some problems. I hear a car door shut.

"Is your friends name really Ducky?" I turn my head to watch Phoebe make her way towards me, lugging my suitcase behind her.

"Yeah. Her parents had some weird duck fetish." Phoebe laughs.

"I hope you're joking." Her smile fades when she notices my cold stare. "I'm going to pretend you're joking." She lets go of the suitcase, standing beside me. "So..." She places her hands on her hips. I pull off my helmet, hanging it on the handle and standing up.

"So..." I nod, looking at the house. He used to live in an apartment with his parents. So either they all moved out of that apartment and moved into a house, or he moved out and bought himself a house. Or this isn't his house at all. I guess we'll find that out later.

"Now what?"

"Now," I put my hands in my back pockets, "We go on our ways."

"Why do I feel like I won't see you for a long time?" When I look up at her, her eyes are teary. Oh jeez.

"Because you're emotional."

"Can I get a hug?" I press my lips together. If it will get you away.

"Yeah." I spread my arms, which she quickly falls into.

"I know you're doing something stupid," she whispers into my ear and I tense. "But, I'm going to trust you to handle this. Please don't die, Sadie."

"I-I'll do my best." She pinches me and I yelp. "Alright, alright! I won't die!"

"Good."

I can't make any promises.

She pulls away and smiles at me.

"Don't tell Adam," I point at her. "Or Carlos. Or anyone. Just act like you never saw me." She nods slowly.

"Fine." She sighs. "As long as you-- "

"Come back in one piece. Yeah, yeah, I know." I roll my eyes, waving my hand. "I got to go now. See ya."

"Bye," she murmurs, turning and walking to her car. She turns to give me one more wave before driving away, leaving me, my bike, and my suitcase.

I clap my hands together. "Oh boy."