Murderville - Audrey Jensen

Chapter 20 - Terrible Puns

(Warnings : mild swearing and that's about it, bit of a filler chapter 

Word Count : 2235

Song : Skinny Love, Bon Iver)

The next morning, Vicki waited with Noah to welcome Audrey back to school and normality. The two chatted about their almost fight the night before, making amends for any tension that was created.

Vicki noticed Audrey first, hitting her cousin on the chest to grab his attention. The girl pulled a face as she walked towards them, getting ready for the onslaught of bad puns to follow.

"There's my little felon" Noah grinned, pulling open his green shirt to show his custom made Free Audrey T-Shirt. He had tried to make Vicki wear one but the girl blatantly refused, despite the fact he was willing to print it in a nice colour for her.

"I tried to stop him" she sighed, linking arms with her friend.

"It's alright" Audrey shrugged, turning back to address the boy "I'm so glad my ordeal brought you such amusement"

"It would've brought me cold hard cash hawking these bad boys, but then you got sprung so early, so..." Audrey snorted at his words "Silver lining, my Christmas shopping's done"

"Okay, before you ask me about my Shawshank Redemption, no, I did not get traded for a pack of cigarettes, or get chin-checked. And I definitely did not wear the four-piece"

"But you did google prison slang"

"Yep, ya got me"

"Nerd" Vicki ruffled the girl's hair, making her scowl and hit away her hand. She stopped for a quick drink of water from the fountain.

"Uh, I'm really glad you're back" Noah confessed "And, you know, not a demented psychopath"

"Jury's still out on that one" Both girl's replied, spinning to face each other in shock as Noah laughed.

"We're never allowed to do that again" Vicki shivered "We sound like those kids from the Shining"

"But I'd still be there if it wasn't for Emma"

At the mention of the girl's name, Vicki felt something flare in her chest. A bitter pain almost.

I'm not jealous, am I?

No, of course not.

Just heartburn.

"Yeah. She really came through" Noah nodded.

"Hey" Audrey placed her hand on the boy's shoulder "So did you. Emma told me you went with her, and...watching that video must've really freaked you out"

"What? No. I mean not that I even watched it"

"Hmmm" Vicki narrowed her eyes, sniffing the air "You smell that? Smells like bullshit"

"Uh huh" Audrey agreed "Okay, so aside from these lovely midterms I get to make up after school...what did I miss?"

"Well, I've been digging more into our mysterious Mr Branson" Noah answered "I tried running a fingerprint, but I got nothing, so no priors"