A Penny For My Thoughts ~ phan

SUSPECT #2

Name: Quinta Schuyler

DOB: 2/21/88

Relation to Daniel J. Howell: co-worker

Everyone knows that the only reason he got the job is because of how nice he was.

There he was, bringing in bagels and muffins left, right, and center like his greatest pleasure in life was stuffing his peers with calories. Of course, they would all thank him with caring eyes, each one of them a proud parent. Because baking is only something the greatest heroes know how to do.

And there I was, alone most of the time with the best of intentions. While they all conversed about the newest episode of some dumb drama made for teens, I was focused on nothing but a light snack and my class plans for the next month. I prefer to earn the respect of others through hard work, though all anyone cared about was Daniel's opinion on their new tie.

The saddest part was, there was no denying the surprise that froze me in time as Mrs. Velussi shook his hand, smiling knowingly with her partner in crime. It seemed all anyone wanted was to be the Robin to his Batman but it hadn't occurred to me that even the boss could stoop that low until I saw it with my own two eyes. Every fiber of my being was urging, begging me to leave at once, away from the nightmare that I couldn't look at directly for the life of me. But I've never been the sort to make a scene and no matter how much my insides were bubbling up with tears, the pair would not see me vulnerable. They couldn't if they tried.

So, all my dreams were dead. Am I being dramatic? No. Not in the slightest.

And it was all thanks to that incompetent child who would never know what it's like to have something so dear to you be shattered just so that every other happy thing bleeds. Indeed, after that day my favorite foods got choked down and my favorite shows became nonstop commercials with droning voices. My purpose in life was being chopped up before my eyes and for a while it seemed like nothing would be capable of putting it back together.

Loathing was the only tangible thing I cared about anymore. Frankly, Daniel Howell was dead to me. Something had to be done.

And I'm not usually a vengeful person.