When 17-year old Scarlett Adair is found dead, having been brutally attacked with an axe, at a house party, the local police find themselves in over their heads. Now, nearly a year has passed and no new leads have been discovered and they have no su...
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Song of the Chapter: Alright- Gracie Abrams
11 MONTHS AFTER THE MURDER...
Life was beginning to feel like a fever dream. It didn't help that Dalton had just gotten a headache. Between the pounding of his head and the swirling of his thoughts, he felt sick enough that he was sure he could faint at any moment. He was hesitant to seek medical attention, though. What if it were to put the weight of suspicion on him as well?
Being a teenager was already enough of a battle, but with Scarlett's murder and the newly unfolded developments, it was starting to seem more like all out warfare. However, unfortunately for Dalton, like most teenage boys he lacked the intelligence and tact required to win any sort of war. He did have one thing going for him, though. That being self-awareness. He knew he couldn't handle a situation like this on his own and so he resorted to the only thing he knew: discussing the task at hand with his equally stereotypical friends. It might not be an award-winning move, but it was certainly an attempt.
As he walked aimlessly through the halls, he reached into the right pocket of his worn-out hoodie and pulled out his cellphone.
u hear abt pierce and winter?
He sent the message to Reese Lafferty, a junior he had become close with the previous summer while working at Antonio's, the local ice-cream shop. He then forwarded it to Cal Donnelly, another former co worker and schoolmate. By this point, Dalton had made his way to one of the men's restrooms where he had parked himself in a corner as if it would shield him from the Hell that he had faced back in Miss Riggs' office. Before he could continue being consumed by his thoughts, he felt his phone buzz. Cal had replied.
yeah
they think theyre romeo and juliet or smth?
Something about the text annoyed Dalton and it wasn't the grammar. He understood that Cal didn't know what was going on but joking about it wasn't the best move, especially when a teenager was killed less than a year before. But of course, Dalton wasn't the most morally correct person and had no place telling Cal what was right versus what was wrong. So instead he wrote back something simple.
no
the cops think they killed scarlett
Did they really think that Pierce and Winter were responsible for Scarlett's murder? Was that even plausible? As much as Dalton didn't want to think they did, it was possible that they could have. There were no real witnesses. No one was out there on that ledge with her, no one but her killer.
dude wtf
are u serious??
Dalton was quickly getting bored of this conversation. No new words were said. Nothing that Dalton hadn't already thought of before. Maybe consulting with a sixteen year old boy was the stupidest idea he had ever had. Maybe.
Though he wasn't sure he wanted to, Dalton responded anyway.
yeah i know
i think theyre just rlly desperate tbh
Dalton shoved his phone back in his pocket. He was done with the whole ordeal. Or at least just talking about it. If he wanted answers or advice, he was going to have to get them himself. All of a sudden going to Cal for advice didn't seem so stupid, at least not when compared to his next idea.
He got up off of the dirty bathroom floor, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and exited the bathroom. Heading down the hallway, he had one thing and one thing only on his mind: he was going to make a little visit to the police department.
~~~
Dalton's muted blue sedan pulled into the Harborough police department's parking lot, right in front of the building itself. The late-October sky was a sea of dull greys and powder blues. IIt was still early in the day but with the Sun hiding shyly behind the fluffy clouds, it wasn't half as bright as it usually would be. A fair amount of fog hung tight in the mostly still air. Nothing but a gentle breeze was present as Dalton stepped out of the driver's side.
He almost thought to turn back around. "What am I even doing here?"He muttered to himself as he approached the front doors. But once he entered the building, there was no turning back. He was going to do exactly what he set out to do, no matter the cost.
Life was beginning to feel near apocalyptic in Harborough. The "all or nothing" attitude of the residents had taken its sweet time making its presence known, but once it had, it was impossible to ignore. From the passionate romances of the teenagers claiming they'd kill for each other to Dalton's reckless determination, it was starting to feel less and less like a sweet small town and more like the very downfall of society.
Dalton strolled right up to the front desk and focused his eyes on the reception. She was a pretty middle-aged woman with slightly sandy brown hair pinned neatly in a bun. She was typing away on the seemingly ancient desktop in front of her, occasionally looking away to adjust her blouse.
"Excuse me, ma'am..." He mumbled, trying and failing to sound casual. Being "casual" isn't exactly easy when your best friend and his girlfriend were being questioned regarding a murder.
"How can I help you?" She responded, not looking up from the computer screen.
"Is it true that Pierce Ogden and Winter Morias were taken for questioning about Scarlett Addair's murder?" Dalton was a little bit shocked about how blunt he was. It wasn't quite what he had expected, but it would have to do.
He couldn't quite tell what the receptionist's reaction was, but she had finally stopped staring at the damn computer. Maybe this would go better than he thought.
"Yes, they were brought to the station this morning and are still answering the detectives' questions as we speak." Her tone was calm and her expression was blank.
"Do they really think they did it? They didn't. They couldn't have..." Now she seemed a little bit confused.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that question. However, do you mean to say you have relevant information that could clear them of any suspicion?"
Dalton felt cornered. He didn't mean to imply that he knew anything regarding the murder. However, it was too late.
"I guess I do. Yes." In that moment, Dalton knew he fucked up. Now, he was starting to regret his "no matter the cost" attitude. This was a Hell of a cost.
~~~~~~~
~A.N~
Hi guys!! Just wanted to check in really quick.
Do you think Pierce and Winter killed Scarlett?
What new information is Dalton about to reveal?
What do you think of the story so far? Don't forget to vote/comment !! See you guys soon!!!
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