Zepotha

Proof

The six of them barged into the police station. Alaine slammed her hands down on the front desk where a young man in a uniform was sitting, eating a granola bar. His feet were up on the counter and he overall just looked like he didn't want to be there. He looked up lazily at them as Alaine slammed her hands down on the counter. He sighed and sat up

"May I help you?"

"Yes! You may! Our friend Cole saw a dead body in the woods and-"

The officer shooed his hand in the air like he was dismissing them as Alaine spoke frantically.

"Yeah yeah, we already found the kid. It's in the paper-"

"No! Not Reed! Another kid! Jessica Bradley!"

The cop raised an eyebrow at her and sucked his cheeks in as he sat up. He leaned over the desk and looked Alaine in the eye

"Listen, y'all kids can just be going around spreading stuff like this. It's a serious topic-"

"We aren't lying!" Cole interrupted, "I know what I saw! Can't you guys send out a search team or something?"

The officer sat back in his chair and took another bite of his granola bar

"We can't go looking for a body without proof. Y'all are the first and only kids to come in about this Jessica gal, so we can't just go out searching for someone without proof. Sorry."

The officer spoke with his mouth full, bits of granola flying out with his words. The kids shielded their faces from the pieces of granola. Skeeter groaned and lightly pushed the others out of the way.

"This is ridiculous! So what? You are just going to ignore what we just told you? We don't have any proof but can't you just look for her? She hasn't been at school for three days now! She's dead!"

The officer blinked indifferently and shrugged

"Like I said, can't do anything about it right now. It's not me folks, it's the law."

Skeeter threw his hands up in the air and turned to the five of then

"I don't know what to do."

The five of them looked around each other. Danny pulled them away from the desk

"This is so stupid! What does it take for the cops to do their goddamn job?!"

Danny threw his fists against the walls of the building and Cole shook his head

"I'm not lying! Why does everyone think I'm lying?"

Lydia came over and put a supportive hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze

"None of us think you're lying Cole."

Cole sighed and slid his tongue to the back of his jaw irritably

"Yeah, but the cops don't! Why would I make up something so horrible?"

They all looked around at each other as Cole complained, not sure what to do. This wasn't right. Jessica needed justice.

"Screw this!"

Cole shoved past everyone and started walking away. All of them flashed each other looks once more before chasing after him

"Cole wait!"

"Wait Cole where are you going?"

Cole didn't stop moving. He didn't even look back. He huffed before he mumbled..

"I'm getting proof."

..

The five of them followed Cole for a few minutes to Cole's house. They were shouting after him as he threw the door open to his shed

"Cole, are you sure this is a good idea? What are you even going to do?"

Cole stuck his head out of the shed and threw out a backpack and some flashlights

"I'm going to find Jessica. Her body. If they want proof, I'll give them fucking proof."

Maxine pushed herself into the shed

"Cole that's a stupid idea. It's like 6 out, it'll get dark soon."

"So? I don't care, Maxine."

Danny opened the door and grabbed a flashlight

"I'm coming with you, Cole. No way you're going out there alone."

Lydia came from behind Danny and grabbed a flashlight as well

"Me too. I love a good adventure!"

Lydia said with a dainty smile. Danny returned the smile and flung his arm around her before turning towards Alaine and Skeeter

"Alright, me and Lyd are going. Anyone else?"

"I don't know Danny... It's dangerous!" Alaina protested

Cole pushed past Danny and Lydia and threw some more supplies out to pack

"If you guys don't want to come, then so be it. But I'm not leaving without proof."

Maxine grabbed a flashlight as well and tossed one to Skeeter and Alaine

"I'm going. You two coming?"

Skeeter nodded and started to pack his bag with the stuff Cole threw out.

"Yep. That leaves you, Alaine."

"I'm going too then."

Cole came out of the shed and shut it

"Cool, so everyone's going. Let's leave now so we can maybe find her before it's dark out."

The six of them grabbed their stuff and made their way to the woods. They were going to find Jessica no matter what it takes. What's the worst that could happen?

That's the end for this chapter. Leave any suggestions/recommendations or things you'd like to see in the comments if you'd like!! I hope you enjoyed! Happy reading!