Bookview Valley 2

Chapter Fifteen: Where Did You Go?

Monday, January 27th

Two days until the sentence hearing...

No one has died. Nick is so in for it. I glance at myself in the mirror. Black hoodie, jeans, and my combat boots. Luckily, it's chilly enough to wear this. I give myself an approving nod and walk out of my bedroom. Luci greets me as we both walk downstairs.

"You ready to go back to school?" Luci asks me.

"It's not like we've already danced this dance before," I point out, "I just have new friends to meet up with, now."

"I'm glad you're still making friends," Luci says, sitting at the dining room table.

"Me too," I say and then mutter the last part, "If only they'd stay alive long enough, or not commit a crime."

...

I sit under the tree and wait. I don't know who's coming to meet me, but if any of them do then they'll know where I'll be. I take a bite out of my sandwich and glance around. I spot my old picnic table. The group of friends still sit there, but now there's five of them, instead of six. A cold feeling settles in me.

"Hey, you look depressed," I glance up to see Brianna hovering over me, Brad not too far behind.

"I wonder why," I mutter.

She sits next to me, "I'm sorry about the party. I really didn't want to throw you out of the room."

"Do you believe I'm not the killer?" I ask, setting my sandwich down. Chad sees some of his other friends and wanders off.

"I never really thought you were," Brianna sniffs, "but I also don't know if Nick is the killer."

"What do you mean?" I narrow my eyes at her.

"Well, you went upstairs, you didn't see him talking to Jemma."

"Jemma's dead."

"I know," Brianna lets out a sigh, "She went out to talk to Nick and I watched them talk. Nick seemed...sad."

"Yeah, until he killed her," I mutter.

"I didn't see her die, Morgan," Brianna admits, "But I did see the way Nick talked to Jemma and...the way he looked at you when he entered the party..."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"When he came in, I could tell he was looking for someone. I saw him spot you, Morgan."

"So?"

"Morgan, he was heartbroken," Brianna stares into my eyes, placing a hand on my knee.

"It's all an act."

"Then he's a REALLY good actor," Brianna says, "Hell, if someone looked at me the way Nick looked at you..."

"You'd be dead."

"No, I don't think I would be," Brianna says. I go to say something else, but Dean walks over.

"Hey, guys," Dean says, sitting next to us.

"Dean! They let you come back to school already?"

"I need to graduate," Dean shrugs, "Besides, last time I checked, school isn't a dangerous activity."

Brianna snorts, "Speak for yourself."

"I'm glad you're okay," I smile at him.

"Oh, for sure, me too," Brianna nods at him.

"Thanks guys," Dean hesitates, "Any news from Flynn?"

"Yes, actually," Brianna says and I perk up.

"Tell us." I demand.

"Okay, okay, sheesh," Brianna pulls her phone out, "He said, 'sorry I didn't text' and 'been busy, meet at Brewed after school?'."

"Uh, are we really going to meet with him?" I ask skeptically.

"It's just Flynn, and I know you're dying to know why he didn't show up at the party," Brianna pauses and then cringes, "Sorry, poor wording."

I wave her off, "I am curious, but only if we go as a group."

"Obviously," Brianna scoffs before turning to Dean, "Are you in?"

Dean glances at me with a worried look," I..I don't know..."

"Where'd your tough guy act go?" Brianna squints at Dean.

"Hey, give him some slack," I say, "He almost died."

"We all almost died," Brianna states.

"Yeah, but I actually got hurt," Dean points out.

"My point," I nod.

"You don't have to come, Dean," Brianna rolls her eyes.

Dean gives me another glance, "No, I'll go, if Morgan goes. I want to catch this fucker, and if it's Flynn..."

"If it's Flynn, let's just hope we realize it, before it's too late," I say.

"So grim," Brianna shakes her head.

"People are de-"

Brianna cuts me off, "Honey, I know."

She gives me a sad look that I instantly know is sincere, "We can do this." I say, feeling some hope rise up.

"For all of our sake's, I hope so," Dean nods.

...

Later that night...

"This is absolute bullshit."

"I agree," Carmen Diaz growls, struggling against the rope tying her to the chair.

"I'm not talking about you," The Skeleton glares at her, "I can't believe I have to release Jamie."

"You're going to release Jamie?" Carmen stops struggling for a moment, "How do you even plan to do that?"

"My powers have grown a lot, you know? Yet, they could get stronger, I'm just missing one puzzle piece. I think Jamie could help me with it."

"What are you even talking about?" Carmen begins to struggle about.

"Don't worry about it, I just needed to get stuff off of my chest," The Skeleton pauses and looks away from Carmen, "Compared to my normal audience, you're much more...responsive."

"Your normal audience?" Carmen scoffs, "You really are a pyscho!"

"Duh," The eyes in the skull mask seem to roll, "Anyway, before I kill you, there's just one last thing."

"And what's that?"

The Skeleton looks at you, "I can't believe I had to take over tonight. Oh, how blood just makes me squeamish. When I agreed to help, this is not what I meant."

"What ar-" The lights cut out.

"Just stay still, okay?" Carmen lets out a scream, but it's covered by the sound of a saw turning on.

The next day the room is found with blood sprayed along every single wall. Pools of blood are found covering the floor. Pieces of human flesh are hidden like Easter eggs. There's not a single boot print or stab wound to be found. The officers have to send for special assistance, none of them being able to stomach the wretched smell floating out of the room.

One thing that the Sheriff manages to pull from the room, not that there's much left to pull, is that the way Carmen Diaz died was not the same as usual. The way the Skeleton normally kills, this wasn't it. The Sheriff frets that something worse is coming, but of course no one knows what it is; not yet, anyway.