I'd Sell My Soul

Chapter 9: The Emergency Town Hall

Ali Monroe's POV;
I had my hands on Sophie's shoulders in front of me as we filed in with the crowd, filling the church once more. This time there's double the people from the last town hall meeting. Levi and Katie were close behind us as we found seats in a pew in the back.

"So help me God Katie if you get us kicked out of the town meeting about a murder, you'll be the next victim." Levi hissed at Katie as we squished down the pew to make more room for other citizens.

"I don't joke about serious matters Derek Leviticus Colton." Katie snapped back.

"And so far that's the most shocking info of the night. I thought your name was Levi Colt." Sophie leaned down the pew to say to Levi.

"She full named me. I've always just gone by Levi Colt. It's just easier." He shrugs. "Jenny did the same."

"Jenny Colt used to be my babysitter." Sophie says to me as if I haven't been around her.

"Yes Jenny and I were best friends in high school. She was close with your mom though." I chuckle thinking back on fond memories of summers at the lake with Jenny and Farrah. I remember those nights were always followed up with parties at the creek. It's a right of passage in this town, partying at the creek with your classmates.

"Remember Chad Hallet? He had the biggest crush on Jenny in high school and Farrah started a good fight with him the cafeteria. She HATED him." Katie laughed.

"I do remember." I sigh thinking back on the tongue lashing Aunt Carla gave Farrah. Farrah was grounded for two weeks.

"Why did Mom hate this Chad dude?" Sophie turned to me. Levi and Katie both turned their attention to me. Katie looked nervous.

"Chad was a loser that's all." I shrugged it off. I'm not sure Sophie is ready for the truth about that one so I steer clear of it. Levi switched seats with Katie and sat next to me.

"I think we need to talk. Just you, me and Katie...alone." Levi whispers. I nod my head.

"Let's go back to Farrah's house after this and we can talk outside around the fire pit." I stare at him for a moment. He nods and then switched again with Katie.

"Okay people this town meeting has commenced. Now I know a lot of you have set yourselves in apocalyptic mindsets but people we have nothing to fear. Now next to me I have Sheriff Tyler along with our newest recruit from the academy; Officer Jake Barns." Mayor Hagen starts. He gestured to the two men next to him. Jake looks familiar but I can't place him.

"Oh he's hot!" Katie whispers to me.

"Kathryn!" I say through gritted teeth.

"That's strike one." Levi leans down and says.

"Thank you Mayor Hagen. I just want to immediately address the rumors. Yes we recovered the bodies of two minors out of the creek this past weekend. No we do not believe the public is in imminent danger however, we are advising all women travel in groups past sundown." The sheriff announces. This is followed by an uproar from the audience. "That is all I am at liberty to say now." The sheriff concludes before gesturing to Jake to leave.

"How do I know him?" I think aloud.

"Can you set me up with his fine ass then?" Katie asks me. This prompts the women in front of her to turn around and scowl at her.

"That's two." Levi sighs.

"Alright people I know this is unnerving but we have the finest law enforcement department in the county. I have all the faith in them that the matter will soon be resolved. And no I'm not taking questions right now, Nami please put your hand down at this time." Mayor Hagen looks over at Nami Yakamora. She gently placed her hand back in her lap. "Now. The raccoons. People why am I addressing this again?"

"Raccoons have a right to be here. This was their home first." Katie cups her mouth and says. Levi puts his face in his hands. People murmur at this.

"Kathryn...stop instigating." Mayor Hagen leans on the podium looking exhausted.

"Has anyone seen Allison Monroe? I heard she was taking Sophie and moving away." Margie Bonnet yells. Margie is the town busybody. Everyone knows she is the rumor mill's beginning and end.

"I'm right here Margie." I stand up and wave.

"She's taking Sophie?! Farrah is rolling in her grave!" Lesli cries out from across the church.

"Alright STOP THAT!" Mayor Hagen yells.

"John Hagen we voted you into office we will vote you out! Watch your tone!" Margie snaps. He gawks at her.

"Okay fine! Does anyone have any questions for Allison Monroe?" Mayor Hagen groans.

"I have one." The girl I recognize as Brianna stands up.

"Oh fuck," Katie says and gets to her feet.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Brianna snaps, turning to me.

"WOAH!" I say taken back.

"So you're fucking Levi?! Like are you kidding me?!" She shrieks at me. The crowd gasps.

"Sit down! Both of you!" Katie hisses, looking back and forth between Brianna and I.

"That is none of anyone's business!" I exclaim.

"See I always knew they'd get together! He asked her to marry him before he left for the military." Lesli puts her hands up.

"He did?! What about Rebecca? She was a nice girl. Shame it didn't work out." Margie says across the room to Lesli. I turn and look at Levi who's sitting with his thumb and pointer finger pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed.

"This isn't happening. I'm back in Kuwait far away from this." He says with his eyes closed.

"Get up! Defend her! Be a man!" Nami Yakamora whisper shouts from the pew in front of us. Levi opens his eyes and stands up.

"This really isn't up for debate or gossip. Can we focus back on the murder thing?! I think that's worse." Levi announces. This solicits a major reaction from the crowd who refocuses on Mayor Hagen who's leaning on the podium with his face in his hands. After a minute of people shouting questions at him and Brianna screaming at Levi and Katie gets involved. I stand up and grab Sophie.

"Let's go this is getting insane." I grab her arm and she starts to follow me out.

"See?! See what I mean?!" Margie gestures wildly at me and Sophie.

"You're not a girls girl Allison, you're a fucking snake," Brianna spits at me.

"Don't talk to my aunt that way!" Sophie marches up to her but I pull her back behind me. That's when she swings on me. Katie tackles her to the ground and the two start fighting.

"Katie!" Levi gasps and pulls her off of Brianna. That's when Mayor Hagen slams his gavel down once, twice. The room quiets as the Sheriff and officer Jake reappear.

"Enough!" Mayor Hagen shouts at the crowd. "This is Colfax! We are neighbors people! Show some decorum!" The crowd quiets down and everyone takes their seats again.

"Let's get out of here." I say to Levi and Katie. We quietly make out exit leaving Brianna in the arms of Nami Yakamora.