Surviving Lakewood

Chapter 3: Sea Of Lights

The tan locker that only days prior had nothing but a faint #196 etched into the top was now completely covered in notes and letters. Messages were left from close friends, members of the basketball team, coaches and classmates. What was once Will's plain and ordinary locker was now a depressing reminder that Will would never be using it again.

That night after Kieran's dad called we had all driven to the school, some more reluctantly than others, to see if it what we'd all been told was true.

Cop cars with flashing blue and red lights were sitting in front of the school building and a number of officers were spread around blocking any one from getting in or out.

Noah, Audrey and I stood in front of Noah's car while Kieran ran after Emma and Brooke chased after Jake, who were both rushing towards the school. Shortly after crossing the yellow caution tape an officer started yelling at them which caught the attention of Kieran's dad.

"Kieran, what the hell are you doing here? I told you to go home!" He shouts, attempting to stop them from getting any closer to school. Another officer was approaching but the sheriff told them he would take care of it.

"I'm sorry, they wanted to know." Kieran says but his father didn't want to listen.

"Know what? This is an official crime scene, that's all you need to know. Now go home, all of you." He says and attempts to walk away but Emma and Jake follow him, begging for answers.

"Is Will dead?" Jake asks angrily. "Don't ignore us. Is my best friend dead or not?".

"Mr. Wilcox, please." Emma begs.

The sheriff stops and turns to face everyone.

"Is he?" Emma asks, her voice shaking.

"Yes." He answers simply. One little word and I felt my heart drop from chest and into my stomach.

"Oh my god..." Emma gasps, covering her mouth in shock.

"What happened?" Brooke asks in disbelief.

"A janitor discovered his body earlier tonight. Someone attacked him while he was alone in the gym." He says and holds out his hands, guiding everyone back under the caution tape.

"Who di--" Emma begins but is cut off.

"Emma I'm sorry but I've already told you all more than you should know. Now you need to leave before reporters show up and start asking questions." He says calmly and then turns his attention to his son. "We'll talk about this when I get home."

"I'm sorry I-" he starts but the sheriff had had enough.

"Kieran!" He shouts loudly. "Get your friends out of here. Now."

Brooke grabbed a hold of Jake's arm and tugged on it, but he didn't move. He was still in shock after learning he'd just lost his best friend.

"Come on." She says, fighting back tears. He doesn't say anything and eventually follows her to his car. Emma is speechless too. Kieran gently wraps his arms around her and they follow close behind Brooke.

We all went straight home after that, finally obeying the sheriffs orders.

"Alex" I hear Noah call, pulling me back into reality.