Bookview Valley 3

Chapter Four: Ouch

Wednesday, August 25th

I sit on the stone bench at the park, waiting for my friends to arrive. Lexi sits next to me, playing with her phone. She insisted she needed to be part of our group, now that the killer is back. Three murders already, and it's only been like two days. I think this may be faster than last time. Whoever is copying the Skeleton this time is far more hardcore than Jamie or Luci ever was. I wonder if it's the Crimson Skeleton. Or maybe it's just a copycat. Either way, anyone could be guilty.

Eyeing my roommate suspiciously, I don't notice when Dean arrives, "Hey, Morgan, Lex."

"Hey, Dean," Lexi gives him a sly smile.

"Dean, hey," I smile up at him as he sits across from me.

"I told you to wait!" Nick exclaims as he jogs over to us.

"Whatever," Dean rolls his eyes as Nick sits next to him, elbowing Dean in the side.

"Hey, guys!" Flynn waves at us as he makes his way over to the table, "Told you they would be in the usual spot."

"I never said they wouldn't be," Harper glares at him.

Brianna snorts, "Shut up."

"Brianna, Harper, Flynn!" I wave them over. Flynn squishes next to me as Harper glares at Dean and Nick. They squish together giving her a lot of room. Brianna props herself up on the table.

"High schoolers?" Lexi asks, looking unamused.

"Yet cooler than you," Brianna snips back.

"Always," Harper rolls her hazel eyes.

"Who are you guys," Lexi sneers.

"Who are we?" Brianna scoffs, "Who are you?"

"Guys, chill," I say, "This is Lexi my roommate. This is Brianna and Harper, they helped me take down the ki-Luci."

"Oh, so you're that popular girl I heard about who threw the party that killed a lot of people," Lexi then turns to Harper, "And you're the one everyone thought was dead. You're the killer, aren't you?"

"We've already gone through this," Harper sighs, "I'm not the killer."

"Let's just go ahead and agree that none of us here are the killer," Dean groans.

"What about Lexi, she's new," Brianna points out.

"She has a point," Nick agrees with her. Lexi gives Nick a look, but he just shrugs apologetically.

"If she was the killer she would have killed me already," I explain, "Hence, roommate."

"She could just be waiting for the right moment," Harper says, "It would be too suspicious if she did kill you."

"She, as in me, isn't the killer," Lexi snaps, "Who are these children?"

"Children!" Brianna exclaims.

"Okay, let's calm down, this won't get us anywhere," I say, and they quiet down, "It's good to see you guys again, but it sucks that this is the reason."

"You're telling me," Flynn sighs.

"So, what do we know so far?" Dean asks, getting straight to the point.

"The three victims are college students," I reply, "So, we can assume the killer is also a college student."

"That does make some sense," Brianna agrees.

"Unless that's what they want us to think," Lexi argues.

"That's also true," Harper agrees, but gives Lexi a glare.

"Anyway, we don't actually have any leads yet," Nick says, "But there is a way to get them..."

"No," I shake my head, "Absolutely not."

"I already have invites," Brianna grins, shaking her phone.

"What are we doing?" Lexi pops her gum and tosses her dark braid over her shoulder.

"Party," Flynn groans, covering his face with his hands. 

"You're going this time too," Brianna gives him a dark look.

"I'm out," Harper shakes her head, "I like living."

"That's fair," I nod, "We thought you died last time. Feel free to sit this one out while we get leads."

"Thank you," Harper heaves a sigh of relief.

"We're really partying?" Dean scoffs, "Seriously?"

"Yes," Nick locks his bluer than green eyes on Dean's grey ones, "It's the fastest way to get leads."

"It hasn't helped before," Dean argues, "We almost died last time, and all you did was hide in a closet! Besides, you could be the killer, luring us to our deaths."

"We've been over this, I'm not the killer," Nick growls.

"How can we know that? When Morgan fought her brother, she did it alone. Where did you go? None of us know! You say you were dragged off by some unknown force."

"That is kind of suspicious," Harper agrees.

"Guys, come one," Nick groans, throwing his hands up, "I'm not the killer."

"Let's not assume anything yet," I speak up, "Let's just observe."

"At the party," Brianna ends my point.

"I'm down," Lexi grins wolfishly, "Love to party."

"We could die," Dean argues harder.

"He's right!" Harper exclaims.

"You don't have to go," I snap at them. Dean gives me a hurt look, but then it's gone from his face, and suddenly I can't see what he's thinking.

"Then you guys go," Dean says, standing up, "Good luck."

We watch as he and Harper walk away from the table. Brianna glances at me, "Harsh."

"I..I didn't mean to..." I trail off as I stand to follow Dean.

"Maybe you should let him be?" Nick suggests, I glance over at him. He stares up at me from the table.

"I think I really need to talk to him," I say before walking off, following Dean. I race to catch him before he walks down the street.

"What do you want?" Dean snaps as Harper keeps on. She glances back, but Dean waves her off. With a shrug, Harper keeps walking.

"Dean," I say, but he gives me no emotion, "Why are you being weird all of a sudden?"

"Weird? Me, weird?" Dean scoffs, "You're the one giving Mr. Perfect googly eyes! If you wanted to be with him, why didn't you just tell me in the first place!? We didn't have to go on that date."

"What?" I stop, "Dean, I'm not...it's not like that..."

"Then what's it like?" Dean crosses his arms, "Because to me, it seems like all you see is Nick."

"That's not true!" I exclaim, "You were the one siding with Lexi and giving her...googly eyes!"

Dean scoffs again, "I was only doing that to see if you were paying me any attention! You didn't even say anything about it."

"Because I was confused!" I resist the urge to scream. He's being so difficult.

"Whatever, Morgan, I just...I need a breath. Good luck at the party, I really hope you don't die," Without another word Dean turns around and walks away from me. I stare at his back until he disappears, he doesn't turn back once.