The S.H.A.N.E. Game (editing)

Chapter 16: The Beginning of Phase 2

This chapter is dedicated to the amazing @erinsamanthachan , one of my closest friends, for always supporting me even though we haven't communicated a lot until lately. =) She is totally fun and (I already mentioned it) amazing, so I really think she deserves this chapter dedi. 

**

|| Hana ||

Nikki, Sara and the rest of the Jackets wave at me from our usual spot, and I grab a sandwich before joining them. Tearing off the wrapper, I ask, "Okay, where did we leave off?"

"Right," Sara says, leaning in as more students come in the lunchroom. "I just filled Erin and Alicia in. All you have to do, basically, is to go on that date with Shane."

You didn't even need to tell me that, the girly side of me points out. "Okay, that's it?"

"Wait," Erin cuts in. "That leaves only Nikki and I investigating the crime scene."

"Yeah, so? I'm positive we can handle it by ourselves," Nikki says, giving Alicia a meaningful look, which she ignores. 

"Right," Erin says, not-so-surely. Nikki turns back to me and says, "You moved here because you felt like someone was eavesdropping? Do you know her? Give a description."

"All I saw were a pair of black heels. She locked herself in a cubicle too," I say in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"Nah, it's fine," Nikki assures her whilst drumming her slender fingers on the table. "Guys, who do you know wears black heels here?"

"Black is goth, most of the time," Sara muses. "Cheerleaders wouldn't be caught dead in it, so Krislie and her friends are off the list. We need someone--"

"Brianna. Brianna Perth." All eyes turn to look at Erin. She shrugs and adds, "Brianna is gothic. Pin-straight red hair? Spike earrings? Don't those all scream 'goth'?"

"You're right," Alicia agrees. "She wears black a lot."

"Do you know what this means?" Nikki exclaims in a forced whisper. "We have another possible suspect. Someone extra to... keep tabs on."

"Yeah," Erin says. "But for today, we focus on Shane and crime scene. Got it?"

"Sure," Sara nods and agrees. The bell rings, signaling the end of lunch and of our little meeting. "Meet you guys later at the rendezvous."

"Yep, see you," Alicia says and waves as she disappears into the crowd of students filing back out of the lunchroom. The rest of us bid each other a proper goodbye and part ways.

**

|| Nikki ||

"Where is Alicia?" I ask impatiently as Hana runs to meet us. Sara, Erin and now Hana shrug. "Cut her some slack. You know how she is."

"Yeah, Sara, but she's thirty minutes late," I argue lamely. "Where are your weapons? The President paged me that my gun and the other weapons are in locker #457. Did you get yours?"

"Aye," Erin murmurs, pulling out a slim retractable dagger. "Although I don't think I'll even be needing this. Your gun is long distance."

"Never underestimate," Sara assures her. She draws out a small laser pen that, when the cap is twisted, reveals a two-inch long and sharp rapier-sized blade that she can use to slice through glass if needed.

Hana is the only one not carrying a weapon and looks nervous. After our meeting at lunch, she'd caught up with Shane and confirmed their little date at the park. They were to meet at the parking lot in ten minutes. "You sure this will work?" she asks.