The Empty Coffin

3. The Empty Coffin

Hideous. I know. Not updating for more than a month. So, well here I officially post the incomplete chapter 3. I do hope to update this soon.

There you go :)

"Michelle, I am sure the coffin was empty. Her second letter is clearly saying this." I argued, trying to keep my voice low as speaking such words in the school halls wasn't counted as a good thing.

We head to the cafeteria. After finding a table for ourselves, away from the popular crowd, we sit down with our lunch and books.

"Rick, I'm not satisfied by your justification. Someone might be playing a trick on you." Michelle said, shaking her head dismissively. I exhale, exhausted of telling her my version. She still wasn't over with the fact of a trick being played.

I tried to think of ways to convince her but did not speak for a brief moment.

"M, it's not the time to think that way. What if she's alive? What if-" but she cuts me off "What if all of it is just a prank, huh? What then?" she snapped her books shut and walked away.

I spot Mike Jefferson shoot a look at me. He was one of the popular kids at school. Infinity called her the guitar guy because 1) he was exceptionally talented with the instrument and 2) he used to give Infinity guitar lessons till last year.

School was normal today. No surprise, no shock. Not even grief for the dead girl. My heart sank just as I began thinking about her, recalling past incidents, memories.

I couldn't do much all day. My thoughts kept drifting to her. Places where she could possibly be found if she were alive.

If there was something wrong, why won't she tell me? 'I believe your perspective has a lot more colors than mine,' she had quoted in her letter. What could she have meant by that?

The weird feeling got unendurable as evening approached. It was the time we used to spend together, Michelle, her and I. I know an unusual trio but yeah, somehow we did bond together. Most of the times it was Infinity who kept us (Michelle and I) together, because we couldn't stand each other. She said that we must learn to bear annoying people around us instead of thinking ways to murder them.

I picked up my mobile to shove it into the wall out of anger but at that very unfortunate yet fortunate moment, it happened to buzz.

"Great timing" I muttered to myself.

It was a text from Michelle:

M. Evans: Meet me at the --- in 10.

It sounded like an order, but I was in no mood to talk to her. Still, I decided on going. There was nothing much I could do. My instincts were pretty quick in responding. I grabbed my car keys, smashed my phone into the wall and ensured that the damage was beyond repair, and then set off.

That place was our usual hideout. We'd either be at one of our houses or there. By the time I reached, Michelle was already there. I seated myself in the chair before her and found her staring intently at the cup of coffee which was clasped between her fingers.

"Hey" she said, her tone was dry. I assumed she lost the staring competition with her coffee mug.

"Hi" I spoke.

"Look, Rick, sorry for what happened in the morning. I was angry, I did not want to-" I did not want to hear any apologies from her, so I cut in "It's alright." I mentioned brushing it off casually.

"Right so, I'm glad we're through that part. Now, I had something to tell you" she continued. I allowed it by returning a nod.

"I skipped school today" she said. And not only that, she said it if it were a 5 million dollar news she'd called me to hear. "Great!" I quoted sarcastically, I was in no mood for stupid jokes or pranks.

"Let me complete my sentence Rick!" she kicked me from under the table. "You don't always have to step in with your opinions after every word I speak."

"Okay. Okay." I apologize, I was tired of her habit of giving out facts slowly, why not just blurt it out?

"Yeah, so, I skipped a few classes because I got a call from Miles" she stated, as if she was very pleased with the fact that Miles had called her.

"Oh, so now you're going to tell me that you and Miles hung out together while you just lost your best friend in the recent past?" I interjected.

"You're never going to have that patience to listen, are you?" she shook her head in displeasure.

"Speak fast" I demanded, somewhat authoritatively.

"He said things weren't going on cool. I mean, of course they won't because of Infinity but it's another unrest. There have been clashes lately. The Miracles are planning to part ways. You get my point?"

I did not understand a word of the new language she just spoke. The Miracles planning to part ways??

I shook my head and hoped my expression depicted confusion.

"Her parents are going to separate. The miracles parting ways?" she stated.

My reaction was a half word "Wha-?" after which I got so confused that I did not speak further.

"I couldn't make sense of anything either." Her hands closed in tighter around coffee mug as if she was holding on to that for support.

"Could that be the reason she must've ran away?" I question.

"Explain" she demanded.

"Look, she's sending us letters, so maybe she's alive, just not at home or something." I pour my thoughts out.

"Oh my god, not that again" she wasn't satisfied.

"Come to think of It Michelle, something must have happened pretty suddenly. Do you think your friend would abandon you two weeks before she is known to be dead?

That probably sparked a second thought in Michelle's mind. I saw her thinking over it. Lucky for me.