Life Within The Halls

Chapter 12: "Ship House"

LIFE WITHIN THE HALLS

Sandra

Thursday, 12th February, 10:15 a.m.

"Who do you think is the third person?" I asked Gideon, Victoria, and Jayden, after we came to a realization that there was someone else Matthew Clark hadn't told us about.

"We don't have a single lead to point to anyone," Jayden mused.

"Well, actually, I have someone in mind," Victoria said, eyeing Jayden. "Please don't take this the wrong way, Jayden... but I suspect Ella."

"What!?" Jayden exclaimed. "You think Ella's involved in a murder and kidnapping case?"

Ella certainly seemed like a potential suspect. After all, she had the nerve to ask Jayden to harass me. What other horrible things wasn't she capable of?

"I'm not saying she's the mastermind, but she could be involved," Victoria said. "Who knows?"

"If we're pointing fingers at each other, then I might say Olivia could be Hannah's killer," Jayden retorted.

"My sister can't kill."

"Oh, please. She matches the profile perfectly. She's obsessed with having Daniel all to herself. If you're looking for someone to accuse, it should be Olivia, not Ella."

"What's giving you that impression about Ella?" I asked Victoria, sensing that her accusation might have been based on something specific.

She let out a deep sigh. "Ella is the new head cheerleader," she said. "Isn't that weird? Hannah died just three days ago, and now she steps in. Couldn't she have waited for a week or more? It's almost like she was just waiting for the opportunity to become head cheerleader."

"Shut up!" Jayden yelled, his voice bouncing off the empty hallways. "Ella told me yesterday that the coach made her become head cheerleader. She didn't even want it! Ugh!" Then he stormed off, leaving us behind.

Everything didn't sit quite right with me. It felt as though we were characters in a video game, and someone was controlling us. From the video we saw on Mr. Bennett's computer to Matthew's confession, his frantic run in the elevator, and his escape in the waiting car, it all seemed too orchestrated, as if someone had planned every move for us.

"Don't worry about Jayden, he surely has his own problems," Gideon said. "I'm going to the cafeteria. You girls want to join? I know you're hungry too."

"Why not?" I replied eagerly, my stomach growling with hunger, as I rubbed my hands together. I hadn't eaten much since morning, just the honey butter chicken biscuit I'd bought from Wendy's on my way.

Victoria nodded, though she looked disturbed, and the three of us headed to the cafeteria.

When we got in, Gideon went for a fresh fruit platter with crackers from the food dispenser tube, while Victoria opted for scrambled eggs with truffle oil. I went for smoked salmon with cream cheese, which was one of my favorites. It brought back memories of how my sister and I would fight over who'd take the first bite.

"Should I apologize to Jayden?" Victoria turned to me and asked as we walked to the table.

I nodded in encouragement, and she took a deep breath before sitting down. "Yeah, you should," I replied, settling into the seat opposite Gideon and crossing my legs.

The cafeteria, with its polished marble floors and pendant lights, was quiet as we ate, with only the three of us present. The only sounds were the hum of the ceiling air conditioner and the crisp crunch of Gideon's crackers as he chewed slowly, his eyes on his food.