Death on Campus (Acexreader)

22

Detective Smoker was at your hotel room an hour after you watched the news report. Mostly because you called him and asked him what was going on, you wanted to know how he and the other police came to the conclusion that Hawkins was indeed your stalker.

"We made sure to keep your name out of the news, but once Hawkins was in custody we did have to let the families know why their sons were killed." Smoker said. He then let you, Ace, your dad and uncles know what it was Hawkins said to them yesterday when he was first taken into police custody.

"So he claimed to be held hostage by the stalker/killer? What didn't add up?" Ace asked.

"Yeah, we almost let him go to. But his grandma was never held hostage like he claimed. She got back from a trip in Whole Cake island that was paid for by Hawkins. She even gave the officer that questioned her some cake that she brought back." Smoker replied.

"What about the dog bite?" You asked next.

"His grandma does have a dog like he said, but his blood was found at the wolf sanctuary." Smoker nodded.

"And the other evidence you found against him?" Your dad asked.

"His finger prints were all over that old staff room in the hotel basement as well as in the little room he had in the tunnels under the school. There was also a half eaten candy bar with his saliva on it. We also found barb wire and nails that matched the ones he used on his victims in a shed in his grandma's backyard. Apparently back in the day before this city was built up his grandpa had a small farm. He used the barb wire to keep pests out, now tons of it just sit in that shed." Smoker explained, he grabbed a cigar from his pocket and held it without lighting it. It looked like he was getting ready to leave, most likely so he could smoke.

"Wait, how did he know about Sam?" That had been bugging you the most, Zoro had confirmed that Hawkins was at kendo practice when you had briefly met the guy.

"Sam is, was, Hawkins roommate. He admits Sam talked about you, but denies he killed his roommate." That made sense, you never gave Sam your name, but he must have described how both you and Ace looked.

"You two are safe to go back to living in your dorms. I gotta go wrap a few things up at the station, have a good day." Smoker gave a curt nod before leaving the hotel room.

"Well looks like we should get you kiddos packed up and back to school." Shanks got up from his spot on the couch and grabbed the two small suitcases you and Ace had stored in the closet.

"It'll be nice to get back to normal." Ace smiled as he gathered up some of his clothes he had piled next to his side of the bed.

"Yeah, normal is nice." You smiled back at him.

----

"Told you it was Hawkins." Sabo had a smug grin on his face.

"Yes, yes, you told us." Ace rolled his eyes at his brother. You chuckled at the two and quickly held your paper plate up before Luffy could snatch any food off of it. You, Ace, his brothers, and your friends were all at a local park enjoying a small picnic together.

"I'm glad I'm back in my dorm. Robin, Franky you're apartment is nice, but I'm glad I no longer have to sleep on that pull out couch." Nami stretch her hands over her head and a few popping sounds emanated from her back.

"It'll be good to not be in constant worry about my life. Not that I was scared." Usopp confidently puffed out his chest.

You listened as your friends talked about how their day-to-day lives had been affected by Hawkins. Some of them had study groups that were canceled or classes that were almost the devoid of other students because people were too scared to show up when there was a killer on the loose.

You turned your head to survey the park, glancing at kids playing, families enjoying a day out, and a few couples out on a date. It had become a habit for you to check out your surroundings and the people within it. Hawkins was in jail now, but you still felt nervous for some reason.

"You okay?" Ace whispered next to your ear. He knew you weren't, no one could get over the things you've seen or experienced over night. Still he liked to check in with you and see how you were doing.

"Not really." You answered back honestly. There was no point in trying to hide how you felt from him, Ace knew you too well. Ace placed his arm around your shoulders, drawing you closer to himself and pecking your forehead.

"Do you wanna leave?" Ace asked you.

"No, we can stay. I am having fun, I just feel unsettled for some reason." You gave him a small smile to try and reassure him.

He frowned slightly, but agreed to staying. His arm stayed around you, his warmth making you feel safe, but there was still a bit of worry at the back of your head. A nagging feeling that told you that something was still wrong. That something simple, but very important had gone unnoticed. But for the life of you, you couldn't place what it was.