The tension in the small group of boys hung thick in the air, a palpable mix of fear and guilt that had become their constant companion since that fateful night. Billie leaned against the wall, arms crossed, trying to appear nonchalant as Shawn paced back and forth in their usual hangout spot. The usual banter had faded; they were too preoccupied with thoughts of Belle and the secrets they shared.
"Did you hear what's going around?" Shawn asked, his voice low. He stopped pacing, looking directly at Billie. "People are saying Angle hired a private investigator."
Billie felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach. "What? Are you sure?" The words slipped out before he could stop them, revealing a crack in his otherwise composed facade.
Shawn nodded, glancing nervously toward the door as if expecting someone to burst in and confront them. "Yeah, I heard it from Danny. He said she's been asking everyone about Belle, showing her picture around town."
A wave of anxiety washed over Billie. The weight of their secret felt heavier than ever. "This can't be good," he muttered. "What if the investigator comes looking for us? What if they start poking around?"
"Chill out, man. We've kept our stories straight so far," Shawn replied, trying to sound confident, but his own uncertainty was evident in his voice. "We just have to stick to what we said. No one knows we were with her that night."
Billie ran a hand through his hair, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Yeah, but what if Angle remembers something? What if she puts two and two together?"
"Then we just deny it. We weren't there, right?" Shawn's tone was dismissive, but Billie could see the worry creeping into his friend's eyes. They both knew they were walking a dangerous line, and the stakes had never been higher.
As they discussed their next moves, the weight of their conscience gnawed at them. Every glance, every whispered conversation felt like an impending storm. Billie couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, as if the walls themselves were closing in on them. The paranoia twisted inside him, and he fought to keep it at bay.
"We need to keep our heads down," Billie said finally, his voice low and steady. "Let Angle think she can find Belle. The more she digs, the less she'll focus on us."
Shawn nodded, but the worry lines etched on his forehead didn't ease. "What if she finds something? What if she talks to someone who was actually there?"
Billie clenched his jaw, frustration boiling over. "We can't think like that! We have to be smart about this. If we get caught, we're done."
Their conversation turned to practicalities—what to say if Angle confronted them, how to divert suspicion, and what excuses to make if anyone asked about Belle. But deep down, they both knew the truth was an ever-looming shadow over their heads.
As the days dragged on, Billie and Shawn found themselves in a constant state of vigilance. Every time Angle crossed their path at school, they exchanged guarded glances, each one filled with unspoken fear. They were both aware of her growing determination to find Belle, and it sent shivers down their spines. The idea that they could be exposed at any moment haunted them, stealing what little sleep they managed to get.
Despite their resolve, the pressure began to fracture their friendship. Shawn's nerves were fraying, and Billie could sense the cracks beginning to show. "We need to hang out more, keep things normal," Billie suggested one evening. "We can't let this ruin everything."
"Easy for you to say," Shawn snapped, his voice tight. "You weren't the one who—"
Billie shot him a look, silencing him. "We can't talk about it, remember? Just keep your mouth shut, and we'll get through this."
That night, Billie lay awake, replaying the events of that night in his mind. The dread of being found out gnawed at him, leaving him restless. He thought about Belle—where she was, if she was safe, if she was even alive. Guilt crept in like a thief in the night, but he pushed it away, telling himself it was too late for regrets.
The following week, they received news that made their blood run cold: someone had spotted Angle meeting with the private investigator. The information sent a shockwave through their tight-knit group, heightening their paranoia. They could no longer hide behind their stories. It was time to take action.
"We need to find out what they're doing," Billie decided, the resolve in his voice masking his fear. "We can't let them get too close."
Shawn nodded, albeit reluctantly, his eyes filled with worry. "But how? We can't just ask her."
Billie smirked, a hint of mischief returning to his expression. "No, but we can follow her. See where she goes and what she's up to."
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the neighborhood, the boys plotted their course. With hearts racing, they prepared to step further into the murky waters of their choices, their once-simple lives now tangled in a web of lies. The hunt for the truth was on, and they were determined to protect their secret at all costs—even if it meant getting their hands dirty.
