Made in the Dark

That's My Best Friend (5)

Chatham Massachusetts 2008

    There has never been a murder in Chatham, Massachusetts.

    The seaside town was founded in 1712 and is famous for its beautiful beach community and wildlife preserves. The gorgeous homes of celebrities are found on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Fresh seafood, adorable boutiques, and picturesque beaches make it a little piece of heaven, as well as a coveted vacation destination.

Throughout all of this, a murder had never taken place in Chatham. Maybe that is why the residents were shocked to see ambulances and police cars surrounding Taylors Pond. A broad man in uniform led a stream of yellow tape across the entrance, another ushered locals back into the street.

Elijah and Jackie arrived at the scene with Amity close behind. The rain continued to pour as the confused trio tried to figure out as much as they could from their neighbors.

"Mrs. Kobes! What is all this?" Elijah asked. The old woman shook her head in response.

"Sorry, Elijah. These men showed up and started closing things off. I hope everyone is alright." Mrs. Kobs huddled closer underneath her umbrella.

"Mr. Rieback!" Jackie called desperately. "What's going on here? What did Johnny say?"

"Johnny said they found a body in the lake. A drowning, I presume. This isn't a good time, boy. You take your friends and head home."

Jackie and Amity looked at each other. Things like this don't happen here. A body in the lake? That would be just absurd.

The two looked around, noticing Elijah had splintered off. They held onto each other, as to not get split from the crowd as they searched.

"Damn son of a bitch. Where the hell did he go?" Jackie grumbled, pulling Amity through the people as the rain-soaked them thoroughly.

While the two of them searched the crowd, Elijah was already at the front, looking over the police tape. Dread was pooling in his stomach as fast as the storm around him. He wiped the water from his eyes, noticing two figures beyond the tape.

Two figures he was very familiar with. Two figures who were definitely not law enforcement of any kind. Two figures holding each other, their cries muffled by the rain.

He screamed.

"Mrs. Prince! Mrs. Prince!" He cried desperately. "Devin! DEVIN! WHERE IS DEVIN?" before Elijah could get past the tape, a uniformed man blocked his path.

Elijah was still screaming.

"DEVIN? TELL ME WHERE HE IS?" Elijah begged. His wishes were fulfilled when two paramedics lifted a sheet over a familiar mop of curly blond hair.

All at once, everything stopped as Elijah knew his worst fear had been realized. He steamed and pulled, but two sets of arms held him back.

"There's nothing you can do Eli. Eli. Eli, can you hear me? You need to stay over here." Jackie whispered in his ear. Eli continued to wail, tears mixing with rain.

"THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND! YOU HAVE TO LET ME THROUGH! DEVIN! THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND! LET GO OF ME" He wailed. Jackie and Amity held on tighter, half-frozen in shock.

Even the earth wept that day.

Chatham, Massachusetts is known for its beautiful scenery, quality restaurants/ shops, and friendly people. It's a very popular vacation spot, and nothing was about to change that. Not even when a 15-year-old boy was found brutally beaten to death with his eyes carved out and his tongue missing.

Not even when the court ruled it an accidental drowning.

And especially not when two fifteen-year-olds and a twelve-year-old did everything in their power to prove otherwise.

So, no. There has never been a murder in Chatham, Massachusetts.

Well... not a documented one.