The Cool Kids - JJ Maybank

And an Envelope

I'm flicking through the postcards Jake had given me through the years. Each of them have secrets hidden in the messages - I know that now. I've figured a few of them out already but there are still many that I haven't uncovered. Maybe I'll be able to do that now.

There's one of the Merchant in its glory days. That one catches my attention the most with everything going on right now. Remember, Gwen, you can go in my room but not the room. Not until you understand. Love you always, Jake. I frown at it, laying back on my bed.

"What room?" I mutter to myself.

I pick up another postcard that is fairly empty with the words, I know Bloom is your favorite and all you need is more fire inside to get the joke.

"Something to do with fire?" I guess. I grab his old lighter from inside the box and start the flame. Frowning, I bring it to the back of the postcard, wondering if this is what he meant to do - I've started looking into ways people used to write secret notes.

A few moments later, in the blank space, more words appear. I sit up quickly, moving the fire around until no other words show themselves. Drink some water; check the pipes to make sure they're not leaking. And wash the dishes so I don't have to.

"Lucky bastard," I mutter, thinking of all the dishes I've done without him even though we're lucky enough to have someone who does most of the chores. Regardless, I start walking to the kitchen, looking out for my parents. No one seems to be home - no one other than me, obviously.

I turn on the faucet - realize there's no running water - and open the cabinets underneath. There's no leaking from the pipes but there is a strange square shape outline in the back. I look around once more before I take the cleaning supplies out, getting a better look at the outline. Hesitantly, I press against the center of the square and it goes back slightly before it comes forward, into my palm.

Setting the square to the side, I climb into the cabinet under the sink, into the hole that's slightly bigger - and deeper - than the opening I just found. I can barely turn around but manage to do so and put the cleaning supplies back, covering up the tunnel with the square before I climb down the ladder a few feet from the entrance.

I land on my feet in a bunker looking place. The walls are covered with maps and drawings and possible places of where the Merchant might be, crossed off areas, a list of people to watch out for and code names for people who are on our side. Notes everywhere in Jake and Tasha's handwriting.

My attention goes to one certain note from Jake: He'll leave us for dead, Tasha.

Her answer is written on the same note: You were right. He left you for dead. I'm sorry I didn't believe you. And I'm sorry to Ghost if she ever finds this place.

I stumble back, wondering if I understand who they're talking about. It can't possibly be John B's dad... Can he be who they mean? And, with a newfound curiosity for the case of the Merchant, I dial JJ's number, listening to his voice when he answers instead of the voices in my head.

. the cool kids .

It feels like forever until John B and Kiara come back to the van. But when they do, I stop leaning against it, meeting his gaze head on.

"What did I tell you?" He questions, a frown settling on his face. "And I don't really have time-"

"Shut up," I tell him. The rest of the gang looks between us, confused as hell. "Just listen to me. It wasn't Sarah who sold you out and it definitely wasn't me. I helped you with the tanks. Why would I do all of that only to tell on you anyway?" He thinks about it but I keep going. "And Sarah kept her promise. It was Wheezie. Wheezie told Topper because she's jealous of Sarah but that's a whole different problem that needs to be sorted out and Topper told Ward. It's that simple." His features have already softened and it seems like he believes me but I add, "And If that's not enough to convince you, I found a room that Jake used to work in with Tasha about the stuff the two of them worked on with your dad. I mean, I'm assuming it's your dad. His R's did the thing you pointed out and it's filled with shit about the merchant. My point is: I figured out what Redfield means."