Redwater's Secret

Mickey's and a Body

October 23, 1995. Redwater.

Slamming his locker shut, Jackie groans. "I absolutely hate this school." Gio nods in agreement, digging around in his backpack. "I mean, our school colors are red and blue! What kind of combination is that?"

"What I can't believe is that you still use a locker." Rocco said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "And that you," He points to Gio, "still use a backpack." Gio frowns, throwing an eraser at him.

Cherry runs down the hallway towards them. "You guys!" She stops to catch her breath. "Someone just got chased with a knife!"

"Again?" Jackie asks. "Do they even check in people's bags anymore?"

Gio huffs, "They don't want to see the inside of mine." Still rummaging around, he finally manages to find his plastic bag full of guitar picks. "A-ha!"

"You looked around for ten minutes just for that?" Rocco asked, raising an eyebrow. "Everyone's already left the building. It could've waited."

Gio snaps, "I don't tell you how to live your life!" Cherry grabs his hand and helps him up from his seat on the floor.

"C'mon, guys, my girlfriend is waiting. Her parents lent her the car today!" Cherry beamed, taking Gio's wrist and running out of the school.

"I wasn't done!" Jackie yelled, frantically zipping up his backpack. Rocco walks away. "Guys!"

Jackie finally finishes getting their bag ready, and makes her way to the front of the school. Glancing at the bulletin board, he sees several "MISSING" posters. Sighing, she stops to look. Soon enough, everyone else comes to look.

"I can't believe there's so many." Cherry whispers. "Two in one week? How big is this town, anyway?"

Rocco sighs, "Maybe they were runaways, maybe they aren't missing at all.

Jackie nods their head, "I'm sure some of them are actually missing, but what if there's a misunderstanding?"

Gio looks closer at the posters. "I don't think this many people would want to run away, there's something wrong!"

Cherry opens her mouth to say something, but is interrupted by one of their teachers.

"Why are you kids still here? It's almost four." Mr. Wright says, his hands on his hips.

They all turn around, relieved to see it's only him. Cherry is the first to speak up, "We were walking to Eve's car and got distracted by these posters. Isn't that weird, Mr. Wright?"

"There's so many!" Gio adds on, "Rocco and Jackie think they're runaways."

"I said some of them could be runaways." Jack states, crossing his arms.

Rocco shrugs.

Mr. Wright glances at the board and then at the kids. "You should get home before it's too late. There's strange people on the streets." He walks away before they can say anything.

"Isn't that guy a little weird?" Gio asks, glancing at Rocco. "I mean, he just had that air about him, y'know?"

Rocco nods, sighing. "He's right, we need to get out of here. Jackie hates school."

"This is true." Jackie says, pushing past them and out of the door. They all follow her and make their way to Eve's car.

"Took you guys long enough. Was that Mr. Wright?" Eve asked, turning her head to watch him get in his car.

"Yeah, it was." Cherry says, buckling her seatbelt.

"He's kinda freaky, huh? And that's coming from me." Eve points to herself.