Murderville - Audrey Jensen

Chapter 24 - Killer Uncovered

(Warnings : Swearing, vomiting, underage drinking, sexual tension

Word Count : 3338

Songs : Scars to Your Beautiful, Alessia Cara)

The next day at The Nightmare Level, Audrey and Noah were once again talking about their thoughts on the possibility of their Lit teacher being a dangerous, murderous psychopath. Vicki was with them, but had weighed in very little on the conversation. The night before she had only had a few minutes sleep, having had the feeling that someone was watching her every time she closed her eyes. She understood it was a combination of the threatening messages from the day before and the lack of sleep she had been getting, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not feel safe enough to dream. On a deeper level, she wasn't afraid of what might happen to her in the real world, but rather inside her own head, where she was truly defenceless.

"So, if Branson is the killer, why would he take a job at a school instead of somewhere below the radar?" Audrey asked, watching as Noah methodically slipped comics back into their rightful place.

"Hiding in plain sight" He explained "Think about it. His classroom is one-stop victim shopping. Pick one, slay one, console one, then repeat"

He passed one to the girl as Vicki followed lazily behind them, her vision swimming slightly.

"Okay, what's his criteria?" Audrey frowned, placing the book to her left.

"Archetypes?" Noah suggested "You know, 'cause Nina was the queen bee, Tyler, the rebel. Riley was the brain. And now Will, the jock"

It made sense, Vicki nodding in agreement and mumbling an "Uh huh" to show her opinion. They moved over, allowing someone to come and inspect their next read and keeping their conversation private.

"If he is killing off the members of The Breakfast Club, the only one left is the raccoon-eyed weird girl who only wears black" Audrey pointed to herself.

Suddenly the threat from yesterday seemed a lot more sinister. Maybe it was a clue, a sign. One of them were next, and if Noah's theory was right...

Vicki subconsciously shuddered, partly from how exposed she felt in a pink summer dress when it was late October, partly because of the chilling thought running rampant in her mind.

What if Audrey dies?

She turned to look at her friend, her hands shaking.

No.

"Or the weird girl's girlfriend, which might make sense with Rachel" Noah countered, but Audrey just shook her head "Okay, maybe not. But if Branson's thrill is hiding in plain sight, and the classroom is his cover, then it stands to reason that he'd want his tools of the trade handy"

"Well, he was awfully anxious when he found us in there alone" Audrey added, Vicki nodding in response, just glad they were off the subject of her friend's possible impending doom.

"Maybe it's time to dig a little deeper"

The two shared a look of achievement, Vicki felt none of this however. All she felt was ill.

"Hey, you alright there, bud?" Noah frowned, reached out to touch her arm. It seemed they had finally taken notice of her quiet nature.