Rampage - Patrick Hockstetter

Chapter 27

"So wait, you were sexually harassed by a complete stranger at nine o'clock at night then Patrick Hockstetter just swoops in and saves the day?"

Jay cringed as she struggled to remember what happened the night before in the alley of the shopping plaza. "It was more of a 'let me help you out' in stead of a let me save the day."

Jo furrowed his brows as he grew more confused by the second but fortunately chose to go with the story.

The two walked in sync from the parking lot into the school along the sidewalk, weaving between miscellaneous students and teachers waiting outside.

"So, about the party tomorrow, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to go." Jo sighed, gripping the strap of his backpack.

Jay stopped and turned to him, a discouraged look plastered on her face. "What? What do you mean you won't be able to?" She asked.

"My mom, she's been acting a little strange. I think it's the change of environment but I.. I just need to be there for her you know?"

The thought of being alone at that party made Jay feel shaken and terrified but she knew what Josiah was talking about. The feeling of having a loved one drift away slowly.

"Oh, yeah yeah totally. It's okay really I'll probably just ask one of the losers to go with me." Jay forced a smile.

Jo smiled as well, but not sincerely. It was like Jay's but worse because he knew that she was lying about how she felt.

"Well, I have to get to first period and I have basketball practice after school today so I can't give you a ride home after school." Jo sighed again.

"Oh okay, it's fine I only live down the street but- yeah good luck at practice by the way, I'm glad you tried out." Jay chuckled. She felt her hands clench and her stomach tighten as she thought about walking home alone after school.

"Yeah me too, I really like playing and stuff. The adrenaline gives me that rush." He smiled as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Well, I'll see you at lunch okay?" Jay asked as Jo made his way inside. "You got it." Jo winked as he stumbled towards the doors.

Chuckling, Jay turned and walked towards the side of the school, through the courtyard and into the school.

——

"Why can't we go to the party?"

Jay sighed as she slung her bag across her shoulder, "Because guys, I have no idea who or what is going to be at this party and I do not want to get in trouble with any of your parents."

The group of pre-teens exchanged looks before turning back to Jay as she slammed her locker. "Hey! What about this! Fuck the party, just come to the roller rink with us!" Richie exclaimed.

Jay paused her thoughts for a moment as she thought about the roller rink. Memories upon memories were created there, so many forgotten as well. She couldn't remember the last time she put on skates.

"I'll have to see about the party situation, if it's shit or not." Jay reassures them as she turned down the hall. The group stopped as they watched Jay trot down the hallway to her class.

"Why don't we get invited to parties?" Eddie asked.

"Because we're losers." Stan replies blankly. Richie scoffed, "Speak for yourself."

———
Throughout the day, Jay sauntered through the halls from class to class, as if in autopilot. All she wanted to do was get home and get this party over with.

The bell had finally rung, Jay quickly slammed her locked and bolted to the exit quickly as she started her walk home.

The whispering about Bowers and his gang made her alert and at attention until she finally stepped off of school campus and down the sidewalk.

She clutched her books to her chest, her bag on her back bouncing with every step that she took. The wind was colder than usual but that only excited her for fall and winter. The sweaters and leaves. She lived for it.

As Jay continued down the sidewalk, her house only a few short steps away, she listened as the sputtering of a car down the street caught her attention.

Glancing over her shoulder she watched as the blue sports car turned down her street and slowly made its way towards her. She quickened her pace as she hopped up the steps of her porch, twisting the door knob and pushing herself inside.

She shut the door and locked it with a huff as she quickly ran to the window and peered out of the blinds.

She watched the car slowly screech to a stop in front of the house as Patrick popped his head out of one of the windows. "Hey sugartits! I better see you in something nice at the party tonight!" He yelled.

Jay's face quickly grew red with embarrassment and her fists clenched.

"Bowers! What the hell are you doing?"

Watching as her dad stepped out from the side of the house, wearing a wife beater and some shorts, a cigarette hung from his bottom lip.

The car sputtered away and Dexter waltzed back into the house, putting out his cigarette as he shut the door.

"What the hell was that." Dexter asked as Jay set down her books on the kitchen table. "Just some dickheads trying to get under my skin." Jay chuckled.

"Y'know if these 'dickheads' are causing you trouble you can always just tell me. You know what I can do." Her dad muttered as he turned the faucet on, washing the dirt off of his hands.

"I know dad." Jay responded as she fidgeted with her hair, raking her hand through her locks.

Silence quickly filled the room as the two listened to Dexter as he dried off his hands with a cloth.

"I- uh- actually got another call today from Bowers. Another body was found." Her dad frowned as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

Jay cussed under her breath as she leaned on the table. Her hair hung in front of her face as her eyes slumped shut. "Where?"

"Derry Street Bridge. Down the road." He replied as he stared through the kitchen window.

"The body was thrown off the bridge. Mutilated and ripped apart. Some gay guy, Adrian Mellon."

"Fuck." Jay whispered as her hand rubbed against the side of her leg slowly. "This has to be an animal, Dad, it can't just be someone with a fucked up moral compass."

She watched as her father rubbed a hand against his salt and pepper scruff and sighed heavily. "I want to agree with you but there is not a single species of animal that can do such a thing as rip a persons body in half perfectly."

Her dad was right. There were forensic photos. No DNA. No claw marks. No fingerprints. They were working with a fucking ghost at this point.

"Do we have any leads? Any witnesses? We have to have SOMETHING Dad, I mean, we can't let this keep happening!" Jay blurted as she raked her hand through her hair nervously.

"There was one witness, the victims boyfriend. He was found in the river." He replied as he leaned his hands on the edge of the sink.

The two were silent again. The silence was deafening but they were too distracted to notice.

"So what about that party. Who are you gonna go with?" Dexter asked, his eyes peering over the rims of his glasses.

Jay scrunched her nose as she felt herself hesitate. "I-I don't know if I'm gonna go anymore, I just have a lot of homework you know."

"Bull fuckin shit!" Dexter boomed as he let out a chuckle. "I don't give a fuck if you have some algebra problems to do, you have a full time job as a FBI detective for christ sake! Hell I'll do your homework for you!"

Jay rolled her eyes as her lips pointed into a smile. "Shut up, you were 14 when you dropped out, you don't know your right foot from your fucking left I wouldn't trust you to do my laundry!"

"Pff I would've gotten a masters!" He yelled.

"You're full of shit dad." Jay laughed as she pulled her books to her chest and walked towards the stairs.

"That's why you love me!"

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I saw chapter 2 last night and omfg, guys i have left you on hold for YEARSSSS i am so sorry love u all will update again today or tomorrow ❤️❤️❤️❤️