The Chosen Ones

CHAPTER TWENTY

Matt had been waiting for this knock at his door. He just thought it would have come yesterday. They had all prepared for it and rehearsed what they would say, but now, two days later, it would be hard to get the emotions back that were in the forefront just a day ago.
He opened the door, and there stood detective Milligan.

"Matt, hey."  The detective started before pausing. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Milligan looked past Matt and saw all the others sitting around the living room, all except Casey, of course.
"Oh good, you're all here." He said. "Bill Borman was found murdered the other night. I'm sorry to have to tell you all."

He studied their reactions. The detective knew how close they all were to Bill. Matt put his head down and did his best to try to sell his shock and disbelief. The problem was they already mourned Bill, AND got revenge for him by killing Kate.

Shannon actually started crying again. Matt couldn't tell if she was being genuine or just acting the part. Gab sat beside her and consoled her. Milligan peered around Matt and studied Shannon intently.
"Had he been in contact with any of you? I know you guys are close."

Everyone shook their heads.
"We've been trying to get a hold of him for a couple days now." Matt told him. "He had a new girlfriend, I guess that's why we didn't think it was a problem when he wasn't responding. We all just figured he was spending all his time with her. How did it happen?"

"It's an ongoing investigation. Did you know his girlfriend's name?"
"Kate. That's all we know." Matt replied.
"Shaun, you and Bill share an apartment, correct? Notice anything different about him? Acting strange? Was he having problems with anyone?Anyone you don't know been by your place?" Milligan asked.
"No, nothing like that." Shaun replied.

"Can any of you tell me anything else about this Kate girl?"
"Sorry." Matt said.
"You guys were close." Milligan said to Matt. "You don't seem too upset or surprised by the news."

"Yeah well, I've dealt with this kind of thing before, a few times actually. You remember that, don't you detective? I'm kind of numb to it by now. Kind of hard to be surprised by bad news anymore."
Milligan nodded and closed his notepad. "I'll be in touch."
"You do that." Matt said.

News had spread around town about Bill's murder. Maple Brook was again a town living in fear. Much like when Amy was killed a few years ago. The doors will once again be locked, parents will set curfews for their kids, and people will stop going out alone. At least for awhile. It happens all over. Then, one day, it'll all be forgotten about and life will go back to normal.

The strange thing was, there was no news about a body being found in the woods. Daniel's body. Did his fellow cult members find it and dispose of it? They didn't know, but they couldn't go back there. Kate's body was much easier for the cult to cover up, having been killed inside their home. God only knows whether they did to it.

The following day was Bill's funeral. He was a popular guy, not just through high school, but with his landscaping company he knew almost everyone in town.
As Matt stood there with all his friends, he noticed Jenna Walker, standing alone, dressed in black wearing her designer sunglasses. She stood away from everyone else. She caught Matt's gaze and nodded respectfully to him.

Bill's parents were there, his mom cried and was consoled by his father. Shannon and Shaun's parents attended also and stood with them. It was a nice ceremony. The sun was shining bright that day with a light breeze, but there seemed to be a never ending chill in the air recently. The nice days didn't seem so relaxing anymore.