The Killing

The dying city

It was early one August day, the sun was covered by gloomy clouds and the trees barely formed shadows. The wind was a harsh gale and the rain beat down upon the pavement and buildings of Vanilite, a large city in North Dakota. 

Kate was a girl with blonde hair that came down to her shoulders.  Her eyes were a light hazel with a shining tinge of orange-yellow in the center. She used to be a very small girl and others picked on her for her height, but now she is five feet and seven inches. 

She woke up to her television blaring an alarm:

Ten men found dead in the national park. Their identities have not been disclosed due to the families' decision. Stay near friends and family and limit leaving your house until the police have caught the murderer(s). We repeat, LIMIT LEAVING YOUR HOUSE. 

"Hey mom, come look at this," Kate said. Her mother entered the room and looked at the television, which was now flashing images of the murder scene. It was clean, who ever partook in the killing must have been very sophisticated and planned in advance in order to kill ten different people who had no relation with the other and, to everyone's knowledge so far, not leave a trace. "I'm sure that if this keeps happening, then the first few days of school will be canceled. You think that too, right?"

"Well, of course, honey." Said her mother. "Now go get some breakfast, you slept in." Her mother walked to the door frame and looked back at Kate who was still watching the scene. "Well?" Her mother said, to which this time Kate stood from her bed and walked with her mother down the hall into her dining room.

"I think that the police will find out who the person behind this whole mess is in a day." Kate's mother said, passing Kate a plate of bacon and pancakes.

"I doubt it. You know, I bet you that this will keep on happening." Kate said, pouring her self a glass of milk. 

"Why do you say that?" Her mother, puzzled, asked. 

"Well, school is freakin' crazy. No one wants to go in all honesty. Especially this year, now that there is this new professor, Mr. G. who replaced one of the greatest professors ever, you know, Mrs. Mcdann. I know you must be thinking 'How does that have anything to do with it'. Well mom, you see, I am almost one hundred percent sure that this person is young. They have to be. I mean, if I didn't want to go to school then this could be an option. It has to do with this new guy because nothing happened in this town until he joined the academic system. Him and his goody-goody son, Marcello. But guess what, I really do believe that this will go way past this month." Kate ended and started to stuff her face with the delicious breakfast. 

"Don't kill yourself by eating." Her mother laughed. They finished their breakfast and spent the rest of the day just watching movies, because they decided going outside would be "too dangerous", which they laughed about. 

They next day came sooner than expected and Kate's alarm blared super loud. It was six in the morning and was the first day of school, technically. She turned on the news to see if school would be canceled for the day. It wasn't. "This is so stupid." She mumbled to herself whilst rolling out of bed. She loomed her way to the shower and began to get ready for the day. The usual school morning: wake up, shower, shave, brush teeth, throw on clothes, do hair and then make up. 

Kate's mother kissed her on the cheek and wished her luck. "Be careful, honey! It is still sprinkling a bit." Kate got into her car and drove off to school. She got to first block- AP Chemistry. Her best friend, Matthew James, was also in this class. They sat by each other and waited for their teacher. Every student conversed about their summer and only forty percent of the class talked about what happened yesterday. 

"You know, I heard that there was going to be a shooting today too!" One boy from the back said. 

"I don't believe it!" shouted another boy from the opposite side of the class.