Bookview Valley 2

Chapter Three: That's Suspicious

Wednesday, January 14th (Edited 6/30/24)

Five days until school starts...

"Dude, there was another murder!" I struggle to keep my voice down, "Are we sure this is still a good plan? What if he kills me!"

"Morgan, breathe," Mark chuckles from his side of the phone, "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Did you not hear me?" I slowly close my bedroom door, "Someone else died. Nick was busy last night, which is why we couldn't hang out, and then there's a murder at night. Last night."

"Maybe it's just a coincidence?" Mark suggests.

"Why are you so against him being the killer now? We were on the same page!"

"I don't know, Morgan. It seemed more like it when he left, but now that he's back...I just have a feeling."

"Yeah, me too. That feeling is that Nick is killing innocent girls at three in the morning!" I exclaim.

"Everything okay?" Mom calls from outside of my room.

"Yes, mom," I call back.

"Okay, sweetie," I listen as she walks away.

"Listen, Morgan," Mark says and I glance back at my phone, "I'll be in Brewed the whole time, okay?"

"Promise?"

"Yes, Morgan," Mark sighs through the phone, "I'll head over in a few minutes. I told you I'd get there early, didn't I?"

"You did," I nod even though he can't see me, "Alright, it'll be okay."

"Yes, it'll be okay," Mark pauses and I listen to a soft meow, "I gotta feed my cat. I'll see you there."

"Okay, Mark," I take a deep breath, "I won't see you, but I'll know if you're not there."

"Don't be creepy."

"Bye, Mark." I hang up and glance back at my closet. I probably shouldn't wear my pajamas to meet Nick. I stride over and shove my closet door open, staring at all of my options. I grab some jeans, a fitting shirt, and tennis shoes. This is the most practical thing I can think of if I need to run suddenly. I also snatch the pepper spray from my underwear drawer. Better safe than sorry.

...

I stare at the entrance to Brewed and take a deep breath. It'll be okay. I'll be okay. I'm surrounded by people and Mark will be watching from the loft. I open the door and the small jingles nearly make me jump out of my skin. Wow, I am not okay.

I walk in and glance around, my heart beating way too fast. I look among the tables until I see a familiar face. When he notices me he smiles and waves me over. My feet refuse to move as the thought of running out of here and never coming back passes through my mind. I take another breath and walk over to him. I sit in the booth across from Nick.

"I went ahead and ordered you a mocha, on me," Nick says.

"Thanks."

"Um, it's good to see you. It's been a while."

"Yeah, it has."

Nick looks like he's struggling for words, "I know I left abruptly, especially during everything that was happening. I'm glad you're okay."

"Are you?" I squint my eyes at him, clearly not playing it cool.

"Am I what?" He furrows his eyebrow, a look of realization crosses his face, "You don't think because my family left so quickly that I don't care about you, do you?"

"You left. Without a word. During a killing spree," I hiss, trying to keep my voice low," You didn't text! Not a single word."

"I know, I'm sorry," Nick says, he reaches across the table, but I move my arm out of the way. A flash of hurt crosses his face.

"I could have died."

"I know, I didn't want to leave. I promise I can explain," Nick says, retracting his arm back into his lap.

"Then explain." I glare. I thought about mentioning how I'm pretty sure he's the murderer, but I'm going to hold onto that card until a better time. I want to see what he has to say for himself.

"Well, you know how my sister came to make sure I was okay?" Nick asks, I nod, "We picked her up from the airport and brought her home. My parents got into an argument with her over whether it was safe or not to stay here. My sister was demanding that we leave and get me away from everything."

"Okay," I say as the waitress brings our drinks. I eye my mocha suspiciously. After a moment's thought I figure it's safe since an actual employee brought it to me. I take a hesitant sip. It tastes fine.

"She definitely loves me more than my parents do," Nick murmurs before he continues, "Anyway, she finally convinced them to get out of here for a while. I was going to text you, but my sister said that there's no way to know who's behind any of it. My parents took my phone from me and said that we didn't want to be tracked."

"Weird," I mutter, "But go on."

"So, we left. I couldn't contact you, I couldn't check on you. I was so worried, especially after what happened beforehand. The way I treated you...I really didn't want that to be the last thing that happened between us..."

"You could have borrowed someone's phone, used a payphone, something...anything!" I exclaim, before glancing around and quieting down.

"I..I know, I'm sorry," Nick says, glancing at the TV across the room, "Wait.."

I glance over at the TV, it's showing the reporter who was speaking about the murder from this morning. I glimpse back at Nick, "What? You didn't know?"

"No..I don't think any of my family knew..." Nick trails off before looking back at me. He stares at my face for a moment before looking back at the TV then back at me, "I thought they caught Jamie?"

"How'd you know it was Jamie?" I raise my eyebrow.

"What?" Nick gives me a confused look, "It was all over the news."

"Yet, you didn't know the Skeleton was back?"

"My parents were keeping tabs while we were away," Nick says, then pauses a moment, "Why are you acting so aggressive towards me? I mean, more than I would expect over my disappearance?"

"I'm not."

"You are..." He glances back at the TV then at me again, "Wait..you don't think...you don't think I'm..., but they found out it was Jamie?"

"There's a second Skeleton," I say and suddenly wish I hadn't.

"A second..? Wait, there's a second?"

"Yes, it's something Jamie told me before they took her away," I sigh.

"And you think...you think I'm the other killer?" He asks me, incredulous.

"Uh, I mean.." I start to panic, glancing at the loft, but I don't see Mark, "It is a bit of a weird coincidence."

"That's all it is! A coincidence!" Nick exclaims.

"You left, without saying anything, right at the end. I took on Jamie, by myself, and that's when I learn that there's a second killer. I tried to find you and what did I learn? That you just up and left! What do you expect?!"

"I..I.."Nick's face turns red, he takes a deep breath, "You're right. That...that sounds really bad, but Morgan, I'm not the killer."

"I wish I could believe that."

"Morgan..."

"I need a minute," I say, standing abruptly and walking off to the bathroom. I slam the door stall behind me. Sitting on the toilet seat, I take many deep breaths, trying to shove the lump in my throat away.

Then I hear the screams.