Behind the mask

Chapter 6

 After that, everything went back to normal again. But that was only because they didn't have to go to school as it was a holiday. They didn't get out at all. April was getting worried because the next day they would have to go to school. What if the murderer tried to kill Asher again? The next day came, and they were walking to school. Nothing strange happened, but April still had her guard up. The day went normally. The semester exams were coming up, as it was almost winter. On their way back, the strong wind made the leaves rustle and April's hair blow. She hid her hands in her pockets, and walked behind Asher and Liam who were talking and laughing. She was looking at the direction of the trees along the sidewalk. Suddenly, she thought that she saw a strand of pink hair in the trees, but she stumbled on a piece of the sidewalk that was broken and almost fell. She looked back up at the trees, but the pink hair was gone. She blinked wondering if what she saw was just her imagination. Then, she shrugged her shoulders and continued walking. They left Asher at his house and April and Liam walked home together.

"You're surprisingly quiet these days," Liam commented.

"It's just the weather's making me feel down," April mumbled.

'Huh, that's strange. April always liked Autumn and cold weather,' Liam thought.

The days went past. They were all pretty much the same. The group of three were walking out of the school, when April stopped.

"I think I forgot something, you guys can go on and I'll catch up," she said running back to the school. After a few minutes she walked out, and saw Liam and Asher in the distance. She started running to catch up with them, when she saw the pink strand of hair again. In the blink of an eye it was gone, but April was sure it wasn't her imagination this time. She quietly walked over to the trees to find out who that hair belonged to. She walked slowly trying not to step on the dry leaves that had fallen from the trees. She peeked her head carefully and saw a person walking parallel to Liam and Asher, with their pink long hair swinging. April walked closer. She realised that the person was looking at the boys. Who were they? What did they want? She wanted to go closer, but then Asher turned around and called her.

"April, April! Where are you?" he shouted. April quickly ran out of the trees as she saw the person with the pink hair turning around. She didn't want them to know she saw them. She ran towards the boys and tried to act casual. But she could sense the person's glare looking at them behind the trees.

When they got home, April shut the door and looked at the boys who were laughing not knowing anything.

"Guys." she said. The boys turned around and saw her serious expression. They looked at her confused.

"Is something wrong?" Liam asked. Apri sighed. She quickly glanced out of the window as if to make sure that no one was watching them.

"There was this person following us all the way from school." she said. The boys remained silent.

"Are you sure?" Asher asked eventually. April gave him the death stare.

"When I came back from school, I noticed a person with pink hair watching you guys from behind the trees. They were following you for a while, and I wanted to go closer and see their face but you called me." she explained.

"Oh," Asher said.

"Wait, you said they had pink hair?" Liam asked suddenly.

"Yeah..?" April replied. "What is it Liam?" she asked after Liam wasn't saying anything.

"I really think this is Brianna who was following us. What does she want, god damnit?" Liam mumbled to himself frustrated. April was a little surprised because Liam doesn't usually get angry.