𝙽𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚂𝚊𝚢 𝙳𝚒𝚎 | The Goonies

Chapter Two | The Assignment

"Okay, class, for your next assignment I would like you to research the person whose name you will pick out of this bowl in just a moment. I want thorough reports - dates, crimes, the lot."

Lacey Nichols smiled at the law teacher as he offered her the bowl, and picked a slip.

She turned to her best friend Jude while she picked hers, then they shared a look and smoothed them out.

"James Draton," Jude read out, with little recognition in her voice.

Lacey cocked her head at her own slip. "The Fratelli family?"

Jude peered over. "Wow. I wonder why they're classed as one?"

Lacey stared at the paper. "The name seems familiar..."

"You'll know it when you research it, probably. I've never heard of mine."

"Then you'll learn a lot, which is why you're here," Lacey said, in her mock teacher voice. "You'll be fine. We'll rock these assignments."

"This is due three weeks today," the teacher said. "No less than ten sides."

Jude lowered her forehead to the table. "Remind me why I took law?"

Lacey hid her smile behind her hand. "Because it's a high paid job when you finish."

Jude lifted her head, picking up her pen with a little more vigour. "Oh yeah. I'm so going to get that beach house one day."

***

Sighing heavily, Lacey paused from her work and took a scalding sip of hot chocolate. She wiped her mouth on the back of her hand and narrowed her eyes at her pile of books in frustration.

At first, her research had been fruitful. Countless offences, including murder, attempted murder and theft were listed for Anne, Jake and Francis Fratelli. After a little more digging she had come across a birth certificate for Anne's third child, Lotney, but no more reference to him after that - not even a death certificate. It wasn't a far stretch to assume he was dead and buried without the knowledge of the law.

With another heavy sigh, she glanced out of the window, wondering if it was too late to request a study session with Jude; 'study session' being code for chick flicks and as much popcorn as they could dig out of the back of their cupboards, coated in honey, syrup or chocolate sauce, or whatever other sweet toppings they could find.

It was light enough outside - the spring was just giving way to summer, and the nights were becoming longer - but the sun was falling fast. It was worth a try. If she cycled she'd be there before nightfall, and they could make it a sleepover.

Lacey hopped up from her desk and grabbed her denim jacket, slinging it around her shoulders as she thundered downstairs. Her plan was this: a short explanation, then quickly out of the door before her mom could say otherwise.

"Mom!" She called out, hanging on the front door handle, poised for action. "I'm going to Jude's for the night!"

Lacey managed to open the door half way before her mother came into the hallway and glared at her. "Stop right there, young lady."

"But mom," Lacey whined. "It's a study session-"

"And there's an imposed curfew on the town."

Lacey wrinkled her nose. "A curfew?"

"Yes. There was a mass prison break not two days ago. I don't want you roaming the streets, you hear? You'll be much safer staying in here."

Lacey reluctantly released the door. "Okay, mom. I'll be in my room if you want me."

"Hey hey, little lady," her mom said teasingly.

Lacey lifted her head and offered a small smile before she hugged her mother. "Love you."

"Love you too. Now go see if you can get any more of that assignment of yours done, okay? I don't want you to do it last-minute again."

***

At the very bottom of the pile, in one of the oldest newspaper compilations, Lacey had a breakthrough.

HOUSEWIFE TURNED MURDERER

ANNE FRATELLI CHARGED FOR MURDER OF HUSBAND

Lacey pulled the article towards her and began to read.

Last night, Anne Fratelli was apprehended on the San Francisco freeway, with her three sons in the back seats. One child, only sixteen months old, was severely injured, with bruises around his neck and a fractured skull. Her two other sons, aged four and six, were unharmed.

Lacey's eyes widened. Perhaps Lotney did die, after all?

Four days prior, her husband Frank was found dead in the family kitchen, with several knife wounds to his chest. Anne has admitted to murdering her husband, but has told authorities: "I had to kill him before he killed my baby". Her reasoning being that Frank threatened and then strangled baby Lotney, refusing to let go until she took matters into her own hands and killed him. A trial will be held in two weeks, where a long sentence is expected.

Lacey barely hid her smile. Finally, some juicy material! A soft side to this murderous family - a reasoning behind the senseless violence. She was willing to bet anything that the murder had a domino affect, pushing Anne into a life of crime and she dragging her sons along with her. But what had happened to Lotney? Assumedly he was alive at the time of the article, but he must have suffered brain damage from the lack of oxygen - being just a baby at the time - and likely died.

Lacey sighed. What a horrible backstory.

A/N: kind of feeling sorry for our dear Anne. What do you think? Drop me a comment!

WORD COUNT: 909

PUBLISHED: 10/01/19