Puzzle Pieces

Chapter One: Alert

Remember how everyone has that one bad decision that turns their life into a living hell? I can call back to mine, the choked screams, the blood, the agony that woman must've been going through... If only I could have stopped it, helped her. If I had, then none of this would have happened.
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I live in a small town, the type of town where you're just about acquainted with everyone. Not much went on around here. It was quiet, peaceful, friendly, the kind of thing everyone wants in a community. The biggest crime we had in a while was a stolen car, but it was just a bunch of kids wanting an adrenaline rush. So when we all get alerted about something way more serious... Well, it doesn't go so smoothly.
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"LIAM, WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!!"

"Christ..." my backpack hung dreadfully off my shoulder as I rush down the steps to meet my sister face to face; she's glaring into my soul.
"You're so damn selfish, you know that right?!" she nagged, "You're the only one who can drive and think that you can just sit on your ass for hours while I wait to go to school-"

"Then just take the bus..."

"I CAN'T NOW!"

Exasperated, I push past my sister and out the door with her following closely behind. I could hear her jabbering on about me, trying to argue, it was all just white noise to me.
Her words cease once we reach the car and we enter it, "So you're just ignoring me now..?" Lea mumbled. I didn't give her the luxury of a response. The car ride to school was silent, we didn't make a move to turn on the radio, or try to remedy our fight.

The halls were all empty when we arrived. Lea left me to rush to her class while making sure to bump into me while she did; she didn't know when to stop being petty. A frown twitched on my expression. It was better just to let her be.

I swore I never liked this school: the atmosphere inside the place didn't sit right with me. Maybe it was haunted. At night it seemed like the hallways echoed chilling groans, the classroom doors concealed secrets meant to be kept, how the tile squeaked with each step...  Now, maybe it's just me being paranoid- Yeah, most likely. Blinking rapidly, I look over when I hear my name.

"Hey, Liam! What are you doing silly? You gotta get to class," It was my childhood friend, Adeline, "Mister Riddle is gonna kick your butt if you miss his class again..." I wince at her warning and nod. Mister Riddle was a pretty strict teacher; he enforced rules and gave the most homework, yet the girls liked him due to his young age. His punishments didn't hold back either.

Before I could be any later, I skittered down the hallway and towards the science room. Everyone's gaze was glued to me once I stepped inside.

"Mister Crowe! Why don't you take a seat?" a relaxed, soothing voice called out; it was Mister Riddle, of course. There was no irritation in his voice this time. I turn to look at him as my head instinctively nodded and my body moved me toward the desk in the very back, it was like a haven. Whatever lecture that was taking place continued; I only scribbled down a few notes.

The rest of the day seemed to fly until late lunch.

Adeline sat across from me, munching enthusiastically on her PB and J sandwich. I smile. There was this kind of untamed beauty within her; she was wild, funny, and maybe a little inappropriate. She had silky straight orange hair that fell so effortlessly into place, a sweet little button nose adorned with freckles, and the nicest doe green eyes that shine with mischief.

She chomped down her last bite before her eyes shifted to me, questioning my staring, though, didn't ask, "So there's this cool thing I'd love for you to go to," a sly grin began to form on her lips and her body leaned forward onto her forearms. I nod suspiciously. "It's a party at Rarity's house, she invited everyone! I think you should go, it'll be fun!"

"I don't know..."

"Oh quiet, you wouldn't want to make me go alone right...?" she frowned.

"Of course not-"

"Then it's settled, you're coming, Lee!" Oh well.

Notifications echoed throughout the cafeteria like a game of telephone. Students picked up their phones to read:

"Boy found dead in a ditch, stabbed and strangled"

Then dead silence...