Bookview Valley 2

Chapter Two: Text Him

Tuesday, January 13th (Edited 6/30/24)

Six days until school starts...

I keep staring at the texts as Luci reads them over my shoulder. I wait, tapping my foot impatiently. Why does he take so long to read?

"He wants contact?"

"Apparently," I say and point at one of the texts, "he wants to explain himself."

"So, text him back and tell him a place."

"No, you're supposed to scope him out, remember? Not me."

"It looks like he's willing to talk to you and if we both question him then we can share notes."

"Share notes?" I glare up at Luci, his blue eyes looking innocently into mine.

"You know...cross identify or whatever," Luci tries, but I'm even more confused, "We can see if he's telling the truth if he tells us both the same thing."

"Oh," I glance back at the texts, "I guess. I just don't know if I'm ready..."

"Better sooner than later," Luci offers.

"How about never," I mutter, "But, I know it has to happen, because if he is the second Skeleton we can stop him before anything happens."

"Anything else, you mean."

"Yeah, that." I continue to stare at the texts.

"Why don't you talk to Mark about it first?" Luci asks, his black hair falling in front of my face as he leans forward.

"Sure, but please, Luci. You're in my personal bubble."

Luci laughs, "Personal bubble? Whatever, I'm going to go shower."

I wait for him to leave before calling Mark. He picks up after the first ring, "What's up?"

"Can we meet, I..have texts?"

"Texts?"

"Yes."

"Okaay...Brewed?"

"Perfect." I hang up. Now to pick out something to wear...

...

I stare at the texts, again, as Mark reads over my shoulder. Luci dropped me off, but he couldn't stay because, apparently, he has a date. He wouldn't tell me who with, unfortunately.

"He wants to meet up?" Mark asks once he's finished.

"Yeah, and Luci thinks it's a good idea, y'know, to cross examine information. Whatnot."

"I mean, he has a point," Mark says, slurping his milkshake, "I think you should do it, but obviously in a public place."

"I should?" I give Mark a pleading look.

"Listen, if you really don't want to then don't. It's your choice, but just think..what if he's not the killer?"

"If he's not the killer..." I trail off, my brain moving back in time to that moment when Nick and I were laying on my bed; Laughing, talking, getting close...no. Stop. Make sure he's not the killer first, "Fine. I'll give him a chance."

"Alright, let me know what he says," Mark grins, "But be careful."

"Always," I say, glancing back at my texts. Holding my breath I tap on the message bar.

-Hey, Nick. Uh, welcome back, I guess? Where do you want to meet and talk? Somewhere public, obviously.

I press send before my nerves take over. I look at Mark, "I feel stupid."