Help Me

Chapter 2

“That History test was awful,” Andy moaned, dropping his lunch tray on the table and taking his seat next the Jack.

“You say that about every test,” Jack countered, popping a fry in his mouth.

“Yeah, so?”

“You failed last week’s science test because you misspelled your name,” Nathan added.

“Shut up,” Andy mumbled, digging into his food.

“So, Nate,” Jack began, “You never told us what happened Saturday night after you left. Did you ever find her?”

Andy glanced around the small cafeteria, but Nathan knew who he was talking about. He met Jack’s curious gaze. Should he tell them? He’d promised Dr. Thomas he wouldn’t say anything, but Jack and Andy were like brothers to him. If he couldn’t trust them, then who could he trust?

“Yeah, I found her,” he said.

Jack’s eyes widened slightly and Andy’s jaw dropped. Forgetting about his lunch, he leaned across the table and whispered, “Was she naked?”

“Of course she was, Andy,” Jack punched his arm, “Don’t be stupid.”

“Did she do something to you?” he added, “You’re pale as a ghost.”

“Maybe she killed him,” Andy whispered.

“He’s not dead, you idiot. Everyone can see him.”

“I’m not an idiot,” Andy mumbled.

“Yes, you are. But that’s not the point. Nate, what did you see?”

“I saw her and she was- there was blood everywhere. She was moaning,” he slowly drank from his water bottle, giving himself time to think, “I think she was hurt.”

Andy elbowed Jack in the ribs, “I bet she killed someone.”

Jack pushed him away, “They haven’t found any bodies, idiot.”

Andy shrugged.

“The blood was hers,” Nathan said, “I guarantee it.”

“Who would’ve hurt her? Did she do it to herself?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did she have a weapon?”

“I don’t know.”

“Was anyone else there?”

“I don’t know,” he lied, “Can we please talk about something else? People are starting to stare.”

Before he could change the subject, Nathan noticed that Andy had suddenly gone rigid and his skin was chalky-white. His eyes, the size of saucers, were focused on something behind Nathan. When he turned in his chair to see what had scared his friend so much, he saw her: bright purple hair, a T-shirt with “Avenged Sevenfold” across it and a gory picture below that, tight black jeans, and military boots. She walked up to their table, set a brown paper bag on it, and dropped into the empty seat next to Nathan. 

“Well, if it isn’t Bundy, Gacy, and Ridgeway,” she said with a grin, “The serial killers? No? Well, you’re no fun.”

She pulled a can of Mountain Dew out of her bag. The boys watched in astonishment as she popped it open and took a long swig. She set the pop down and stuck out her hand in Nathan’s direction.

“Suzie Blake, expert on all things murder. You are?”

“Scared,” he replied.

She nodded and dropped her hand. For the first time, he noticed her dark eyeliner and rainbow eyeshadow. Jack was also staring, a look of mild disgust on his face. Andy, however, was doing his best to sink into the floor.