HIM

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My blood ran cold. Maria’s shaking me, asking me what’s wrong, but my lips wouldn’t move. I couldn’t move. I didn’t even think of Harlen being the killer but it makes sense. That entire family does things that they shouldn’t get away with, but since they are one of the biggest and strongest mafia’s, the police are too scared to do anything about it.

“Ellie! What’s wrong? What is it?” she says worriedly.

“ The police have a suspect.” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

“ W - what, who?” she stutters.

“ Harlen, Harlen Kingston.” I say, anger filling my tone. I had long since hung up the phone.

“ No, they have to be wrong, It can’t be him. There’s no way he could do it, he’s just too perfect.” she says.

“ Really, not him, that’s what you have to say to this.” I say looking at her angrily.

“ What do you mean?” she asks.

“ I mean, my brothers just been murdered and Harlen is the main suspect, and all you have to say is no, not him. Are you kidding me, you're gonna believe that he didn’t do it over whatever evidence the police have because you have a crush on him?” I was astounded. How could she think like that?

“ I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that, I’m - I’m just shocked, please don’t be mad at me.” she said, making puppy dog eyes. I looked at her, sighed and smiled. I couldn’t stay mad at her for long, she was my only best friend and even though she had some flaws, I loved her.

“ Did your dad say why they thought it was him, did they have evidence?”

“ I don’t know, he just told me to come home and then he’d tell me the rest.” I say.

“ Well then let's go.” she said, pulling me out of the classroom and to the front of the school.

…

“ I’ll see you later,” I say to Maria as she walks towards her house. The school knew what was going on and let us out early. I looked towards my front door, took a deep breath and entered my house. I found my parents in the kitchen at the table speaking lowly to each other in worried tone’s.

“ Mom, dad, what is it?” I say walking slowly into the room.

“ Honey, you might want to sit down,” my mom says gesturing to a seat in front of them.

“ Ellie, I need you to promise me you won’t do anything rash when we tell you this, ok?” My dad asks me.

“ Ok, I promise, Just tell me.’’ I say. There was a long silence as my mom and dad looked at each other, then finally, my dad took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“ El, they found a bloody shoe print that they believe belongs to Harlen Kingston.” My dad says as if it was a struggle to get the words out.

“ Ok, so they’re going to call him in for questioning, right?” I ask.

“ No, sweetie, they aren’t.” My mom says, trying to hide the tears and frustration in her eyes.

“ W - w -  what, why?” I say, not understanding.

“ Because hon, he’s a part of the mafia, and not only is he a part of it, he’s going to soon be in charge of it, and the police don’t want to get on his bad side, especially if the shoe print turns out to not be his and they take him into questioning for nothing.” My dad says, clearly angry about this.

“ What,” I scream, standing up.” That's not right, they can’t do that. This isn’t fair. Make them do something. “ I say tears trying to break free.

“ Honey there’s nothing we can do,” my mom says, her throat working as if she's holding back tears too.

“ DO YOU NOT WANT TO SOLVE KAYDEN”S DEATH!” I shout. It goes so silent I swear you could hear a pin drop.

“ How could you say that? Of course we do?” My dad shouts back.

“ Really? Because it sure doesn’t seem like it.” I say turning around, tears pouring freely now. I ran towards my room before my parents could say anything else. I know I broke my promise I made seconds earlier, but I didn't care. How could they just sit there and do nothing. It isn’t right, they should be trying to get justice for Kayden's death.

Just then I knew I had to do something and that I was going to have to do it alone. 

Right then and there I got an Idea, an idea that was so good I was proud of myself for thinking of it. Not only was it perfect, It was doable. Smiling to myself as I enter my room and close the door I say,” Harlen, you're going down.”