One after Another

Chapter Twelve

Natalie gave him an icy stare. Her eyes reflected the pain and sorrow from her traumatic past. The pain in her heart ignited again.

"Roxanne was my best friend since kindergarten. We went to a summer camp together six years ago. But there was a storm. Rain was pouring. Lightning flashed. I was a naughty girl back then. I wanted to see the waves crashing against the shore. So we sneaked out to the beach and enjoyed the wind ruffling our hair. I told Roxanne to go near the shore and I would take a picture for her. We thought it was a really cool thing to do. But suddenly the gigantic waves swept Roxanne into the ocean. I watched as she got thrown around by the waves helplessly, screaming for help but there was nothing I could do. I ran around the beach, looking for people to help. When I got back, she was already swept back to the shore. Her head hit the rocks and the blood just oozed out. I could never forget the scene and the vomiting scent of her blood. Most horrifying sight ever. S-She—"Natalie choked back her tears. "S-She was declared dead."

Natalie bit her lower lip and looked down in sorrow, as Kenneth rubbed her back softly. The police jotted it down in his notebook and left, having the information needed.

Kenneth stared at the retreating figure of the cop. "That's why you don't want friends."

"Well, I used to think that I didn't need friends. You all are already like friends to me after these incidents. I just didn't want to admit it."

"Even Max?" Kenneth teased, attempting to brighten up the moment.

"Maybe." Natalie showed a long-lost smile, shining brightly on her face.

"You're pretty when you smile, you know. Roxanne would want you to move on. Plus, you aren't the only one who suffers from this pain."

Natalie furrowed her brows.

Kenneth took a deep breath. "I didn't tell the police about the hallway, not because I thought I could handle it. But because I have to handle it. I have an older sister who was admitted into Moltenburg High a year ago."

She gasped, covering her mouth in shock, "No way..."

"Our family was so happy when she got in. But after a month, she died, along with her four friends. They were the first to enter the hallway. That's why I didn't tell the police about it."

"I think your sister was way unluckier than you." Natalie looked down to her feet after mumbling those words, fiddling with her fingers.

"Her death had a big impact on my family. My grandma died of shock. My father got drunk and fucked half of the population, hoping to have a daughter again. All I had left was a note with the number "41" in my sister's hand before she died."

"Your father fucked half of the population!?"

"It's not as bad as it sounds. But that's why I only lived with my mother after my parents divorced. My mother is still shaken by my dad's affair even until now."

"She left a note with the number "41" on top?"

Kenneth nodded, confirming Natalie's suspicions.

"Could it be...." Natalie trailed off. "Thanks for being helpful for once."

"Hey! I am always helpful!" He whined, looking at Natalie. "Did you find out who the murderer was?"

"Yup! Case closed." Natalie grinned, the first bright smile she had in a while.

"Uh, tell me again. Why exactly are we running? And where on Earth are we going?" Kenneth struggled to keep up Natalie's pace. "You run faster than I expected." He commented. "Are we confronting the murderer? Shouldn't we take Ali along?"

"JESUS!" Natalie skidded to a halt. "Can you stop talking for a second?!"

"Answer my questions then! Shouldn't we take Ali with us?"

Natalie scratched her chin and pretended to think. "Yah, but Ali is the one we are confronting."

Kenneth froze, his feet rooted on the ground. He choked and slowly regained his composure. "What?" was all he could mutter the words out of his mouth, shocked at her words.

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Author's Note: We are left with two to three chapters left! Woohoo! It is already a massive hint! You all should be able to figure it out. :) Don't forget to Vote and Comment! Yippee!