Issues / ROMAN GODFREY / #wattys2019

Four.

It was unfortunate that they never got to hang out before the news broke.

Mariana was sitting on her couch with her father Miguel when the closest news station broke the news on the death of a teenage girl in their town.

"Hemlock Grove officials have confirmed that the body does belong to seventeen-year-old Brooke Bluebell. The family does not wish to disclose any more information on their daughter's death other than the fact that it appears she was killed by a wild animal. Hemlock Grove officials ask everyone to use caution and to stay away from the woods, a citywide curfew will be endorsed shortly."

Mariana wiped at her eyes, wondering if the other girls knew about Brooke's death. Her father awkwardly patted her on the back, placing a box of tissues in her lap.

"Go back up to bed, Maria."

-

Roman Godfrey leaned against his car, a cigarette between his plump lips as kids wept silently as they passed. Brooke Bluebell was murdered, he barely knew her, but she was a nice girl... A cheerleader.

He stubbed out his cigarette, before walking towards the school. That Mariana was a cheerleader, she was probably crying her eyes out at the moment with all of her other cheerleader friends. Roman wondered how many of them actually cared enough. He was never good with friends, most people avoided him and the ones who didn't, he didn't like.

The new kid, Peter Rumancek, was trying to ignore all of the whispers from those who believed he killed a girl he hadn't even known existed. Christina Wendall was the worst, she had suspicions that he was a werewolf, which was very accurate though she didn't need to know that.

"MURDERER!" She screamed at him from across the hall, tears in her brown eyes, the Sworn sisters by her side equally as upset. Peter kept his head up and walked right past them as more people turned their attention to him, including the Godfrey kid.

Everyone is too shifty in this town, I don't know if I can do this.

-

While her father was at work, Mariana took a long shower, letting all of the anxiety of her friend's death melt away. Her phone was being blown up by her teammates, asking where she was. Apparently, she was the only one who decided to skip and mourn the death of Brooke Bluebell.

Brooke's body was found in Kilderry Park, a walk not too far from her house. She wasn't sure why but she needed to go. Mariana put her damp hair into a ponytail and slipped on her blue jean jacket and her black skinny jeans. She took one last look in the mirror and left, darting down the sidewalk towards Kilderry.

When she arrived, it was deserted, just like she suspected. It seemed like they gathered all of the information that they could, and now all that was left was caution tape in an attempt to keep people out. Mariana crawled underneath, following the tire marks that lead to her scene. Her heart was pounding, her body following the tracks in a daze, still unsure as to why she needed to come here.

She arrived at the same time, two others did. Roman looked at her with wide eyes, before darting ahead to see Peter Rumancek slowly come to a stop. Mariana didn't recognize him and didn't bother to acknowledge either male, staring at the half-destroyed playhouse that was covered in blood. She wondered when they'd tear it down.

"What are you doing here?" Roman asked her, his voice curt. Mariana looked up at him and shook her head. "I don't know, I just felt the urge to come here."

Roman didn't seem to believe her but directed his attention towards Peter, who was staring at him. Without a second thought, the words flew out of his mouth, "How did it feel when you killed that girl?"

Peter chuckled without an ounce of humor, "I didn't, I was under the impression you did."

Roman frowned and shook his head, "It wasn't me, but everyone else thinks it was you,"

"I know, I'm new here, and everybody already knows I'm 'Gypsy Trash,'" Peter said with air quotes, "That Christina Wendall isn't helping either, poking her head into my business and demanding to see my fingers."

"Your fingers?" Mariana finally spoke up.

Peter looked towards her and nodded, holding up his right hand. Two of his fingers were the same length. "She thinks I'm a werewolf because legend says they have two fingers of the same length, she's really milking this for all it's worth."

Roman raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Well, are you?"

Peter dropped his hand and acted like he didn't hear Roman's question. Roman was about to repeat it until the red and blue lights flashed in their peripheral vision. They all three turned to see a police car slowly come to a stop a few feet away. Peter cursed, taking a few steps back while Mariana froze in her spot. Roman noticed her tense demeanor and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let me handle this," he whispered to them.

"What is he doing?" Peter whispered to Mariana as Roman's tall stature stopped in front of two male officers. They couldn't hear what was being said until one of the officers pulled out his pair of handcuffs.

"Fuck! Roman, you dumbshit," Peter whispered angrily, taking a step forward to intervene. Mariana grabbed his arm, and let go immediately when her vision blurred and she could see odd points of light; she could see through the people in front of her, they faded in and out as if they were in another dimension. She released his arm, and her vision went back to normal. Roman was back, and the police were driving away.