Bookview Valley 2

Chapter Eighteen: Rawr

Wednesday, January 30th

"has escaped just last night..." I gape at the TV as it continues. Flynn stares wide-eyed right beside me. Brianna walks over to our table and gives us a weird look.

"Why are you-"

"Shh," I cut her off and point to the TV. She glances at it, and turns back to me in horror.

"Jamie escaped!?"

"How...why?" I gape at Brianna.

"How is that even possible?" Flynn asks for me.

"It had to be the second killer," Chad says, walking up behind Brianna.

"But, how? She was all the way in Boston! Not to mention, in a very secure prison!" I point out.

"It has to be all that satanic bullshit," Flynn says.

"I can't believe...." I trail off, staring at the TV.

"Wait," Brianna says, drawing all of our attention, "so, if she escaped...does that mean..."

"There's two again," Chad finishes for her.

"There's two..."Flynn mutters.

"Things just got worse," I say, "This...I don't even know..."

"You better hope Nick is the killer," Chad says, "Otherwise, we have no leads."

"Shit."

...

The breeze chills me as I walk towards the cinema. I ended up telling Nick that Luci would drop me off, chickening out of being picked up at the last minute. Luckily, Nick didn't seem to mind.

 I hesitate before walking up to the little window just outside. The girl behind it smiles at me, "How can I help you?".

"Um, one ticket for Rawr, please."

"Sure thing."

"You weren't going to wait for me?" I spin around to face Nick. He stares down at me with his greener-than-blue-currently eyes. His blonde hair is in messy waves, barely falling over his eyes. His hands are in his jean pockets, his blue shirt a little too fitting. A small scar hides barley under his bottom lip.

"I.."

"Relax, I'm only kidding," Nick gives a slight chuckle before also ordering a ticket.

"It's, um, good to see you?" I say, it comes out as a question, which is not what I was aiming for.

"You don't have to pretend," Nick says, holding the door open for me, "I get it."

"I..I'm sorry, Nick," I say, ducking into the building, "I actually glad you agreed to come. Especially after everything."

"Yeah, no problem," Nick follows me to the back counter.

 I order a small popcorn and a drink. Nick orders his own popcorn, some candy, and an icee. I wish I had mommy money. Afterwards, we make our way to the movie room. Slipping into our spots, I shuffle uncomfortably in the seat. I take a sip out of my pepsi, my heart skipping way too many beats. Is it because I'm afraid or because...

"So," Nick says, "do you want to talk about it while we wait for the movie to start?"

I glance towards Nick, he's getting straight to the point, isn't he? I wipe my hands on my pants, "Sure."

"Great," Nick turns slightly to face me, "Well first, I should tell you I'm not the killer."

"Yes, you've said," I nod.

He gives me a look, "I know everything was...really pointing to me, but...Morgan, you know me. I...may be the kind of guy to get suspended from school, but not...I'm not a killer."

"Why did you get suspended from school?" I ask, actually curious.

"Oh, um," Nick rubs a hand on the back of his neck, "do I have to answer that?"

"It might help your case," I shrug.

"Okay," Nick takes a deep breath, "Um, I wasn't actually suspended."

"What?"

"I..my parents pulled me out."

"Why?"

"It's a lot to get into, and it has a lot to do with money. Anyway, they pulled me out and we had to leave for a while. They payed the school a lot of money to tell everyone I was suspended."

"I think this actually makes it worse, I mean, if the killing hadn't started way later..." I trail off realizing that Nick actually came back after the killing started. Conveniently.

"Morgan, no, it's not what you think," Nick shakes his head.

"Is your family...like...a cult?"

Nick lets out a laugh, "What? Morgan, come on. No."

"Then why did they pull you out of school?" I squint at him.

"Okay, fine, but only because I need you to believe me," Nick says, "And not because I'm the killer."

"You're not really-"

"I know, just listen," Nick snaps and then gives me an apologetic look, "My dad was actually involved with some political things back then; with the state. However, he ended up mixing with the wrong people, and they came after him at his work. Mom freaked out and demanded that we leave until things settled down, or for good."

"Woah."

"Yeah, um, anyway, she was dead set on never coming back, but dad fixed things. Everything calmed down and she finally decided we could come back; mainly for my schooling. Then the murders happened and she freaked again. My sister came down, if you remember, and tried to calm mom dad. It wasn't actually my sister who demanded to leave, but my mom. She finally convinced us all to leave, for a little bit. I still wanted to stay here and she did really take my phone."

"That's...that's a lot."

"It is," Nick nods, meeting my eyes, "And I really am so sorry I didn't reach out. To be honest, I was freaked out too. I trust you, but I didn't want...if you got hurt...I.."

"I get it, Nick," I sigh, "I just wish it could have been different."

"Me too." The movie starts up in the background causing both of us to nearly jump out of our skin. I don't know if I can trust him, but part of me really wants to, "So, are we okay?"

"I..for now, yes, but it can't be how it was yet. At least, not until the killer is caught."

"I understand," Nick says.

I give him a smile, "But we can enjoy this movie."

Nick returns the smile, "I would like that." We both settle against our chairs and face the screen. I put my arm on the armrest and feel as my elbow bumps Nick's arm. I go to move it and apologize, but he seems to move his arm closer to mine so that they're touching; I let him and leave my arm there. Maybe, just maybe, Nick isn't the killer. Maybe everything can be okay, at least for now.