DEADPINE HILLS

Chapter 2: Happy Hills

The rumors and theories from curious whispers all around the school were about one person and one person only, Mr. Turner. How strangely and sudden his death was. And the ones that weren't talking about him were either not a huge fan of chili, or it was just five of them. 

 They didn't want to say that they had cost someone's life just for a little game out loud, so much so that they didn't even greet each other, they were again, strangers.

But the Mayor was 'too concerned' about the school, and he felt the need to gather the PTA, along with the students at the conference hall. And everybody had to attend since it was about Mr. Turner, who allegedly died because of the diarrhea epidemic. 

There at the stage, with a few more municipal employees and his wife, he was standing and making a speech, sounding so sincere.

''Dear Deadpine Hills High students and their precious parents, and precious teachers. Thank you for welcoming me here. I can't believe what happened to Mr. Turner either. I do not want this epidemic to worry you. Other citizens affected by the same epidemic are now in a very great condition. What happened to Turner was truly unfortunate, we all knew what a good teacher he was. That's why we would like to thank him one last time. I hope the Almighty will open the doors of heaven for him and bless his soul.'' he was speaking like this until he saw her. 

Until he saw Lydia in that crowd, he frowned because this girl was looking at him like she saw a ghost. He got worried and asked, 

''Little girl, yes. You. Are you alright?'' his soft voice asked,

When everyone's eyes found Lydia, she was now overwhelmed and trembling. Penny, Wolfgar, Derreck, Charles. They all thought the same thing, was it because of what they had done to this town just yesterday? Penny, gave Bugsy a look. And Bugsy knew that look was to take Lydia away from the crowd. 

''Me? I.. I'm fine,.. I..'' Lydia's eyes were full of tears, and Mayor Thomas was confused.

''Poor little thing, she might have some sort of anxiety. Take her to the infirmary.'' Mayor said. 

But when Bugy held Lydia's arm, and took her away from the conference hall and right to the library, Lydia was still trembling, not looking at anywhere else. 

''It's it's.. Wayne Thomas.'' Lydia was having hard time speaking, Bugsy couldn't understand why.

''Hey, Lydia. Look at me, don't cry.  We did not kill Mr. Turner. We don't have anything to worry about.'' Bugsy asked as he was trying to calm her down. 

''What? Bugsy..Bugsy it's Wayne..'' she stuttered.

''Lydia. Are you having a panic attack? Yes.. Oh yes you are.'' Bugsy also was concerned now,  even if he took her to the infirmary, there was not a god damn nurse to take care of her because she was in the bathroom too! 

Bugsy took his beanie off and put his hands over Lydia and started speaking again.

''Just breathe, take deep breaths. It's fine, calm down focus on my voice.'' 

When Lydia fixated her eyes on Bugsy's, she did what he asked, and put her fingers on his cheek. And now somehow she was calmer, but still scared. When she parted her lips, she slightly smiled.

''You are not in my dreams.'' she whispered. 

''Ouch. And what's that supposed to mean?'' he asked curiously.

''I keep having these, dreams and nightmares and everyone is there. But you aren't...
Why?'' she asked softly. 

''What dreams?'' his confusion could be read all over his face. 

But Lydia refused to answer that, she did not wanna say she's been having dreams about a town called Happy Hills, a town of pep, joy and sunshine. And did not wanna talk about how beautiful it was, and how much of a maniac serial killer Wayne was in that town. It was just a stupid dream, she thought. But when she saw Wayne's face, she remembered a dream where Wayne kidnapped her, and watched between the trees for minutes. With all these thoughts she got free from Bugsy's hands, and started walking away from him, again.

''Wait, Lydia. What dreams?'' he asked when he turned towards her, but deep down he knew, she's been struggling with something big. And before he got an answer, she was out from that door, and he was alone. 

Before the school was done for the day, these five students found the note attached to their lockers.

''Detention room at 5 o'clock. Don't be seen by anyone.''

And they all knew they had to go. When they entered the room, it was not surprising to see their accomplices. While Penny continued to chew her gum in a stressful manner, she was looking towards Charles, who had called everyone here. Wolfgar, on the other hand, was going crazy because of their comfort after everything that had happened. Charles muttered, getting in the middle of everyone, careful to remain quiet.

"I didn't want to bring this up, but after Lydia's reaction today in front of everyone, I decided we have a lot to talk about."

Lydia knew Charles was right about this. But telling them what was really going on would be much more difficult. That's why she wet her lips and shook her head slightly. Derreck broke his silence.

''Look, guys. We didn't try to kill anyone. Even the autopsy detected nothing, we can't feel guilty for something we didn't even do.''

''Alright guys, just give her a break.'' Bugsy muttered.

''No it's fine, you're right. I've lost it. I'll be more careful.'' Lydia said.