The Cursed and The Innocent PART 1 : A Cold Winter's Day

Chapter 5 - The Deaths Before

Jasper's Point Of View

I saw her see the body, I read it in her memory. I saw her see the note.

Her mind was so easy to read, like an open book in the library, her thoughts and memories were laid out right in front of me.

I saw that she felt uncomfortable around me and did not want to accept my offer, but I had to get her to agree to a day out Saturday. I needed to stay close to Luna. Use her knowledge to find out more about the note and who exactly is behind the death of that geek.

The thing is, there was a set of deaths back in 1973 that resembled Doug's death. Five students were murdered in an unexplained way, left in Griffon Park, discovered by a single student, the same student, each death.

"Jasper, did you hear about the kid?"

"What kid?"

"The headline reads, Hazel Greenwood: murdered in Griffon Park", my sister reads as she walks into my room carrying today's newspaper.

"Another?" I whip around to face her and snatch the newspaper.

"I think this is going to be 1973 all over again", Raven sighed. "Have you found out any information from that girl yet? Laura, was it?"

"Luna, not Laura, Luna. And very minimal. I've organised to pick her up tomorrow. I'm going to try and find out more...I need to find out more."

• • •

Back to Luna's P.O.V

I hurried home from school as the wind picked up, scratching at my face like a vicious cat. I was dreading walking past  Griffon Park after the Doug incident, but it was the only way to get to my house.

As the park approached, I kept my eyes on the footpath and my head down. But something was pulling my eyes towards the park, begging me to just take one look. I battled the magnetic pull, fighting to keep my eyes down, but it was too strong.

And then I saw her. Another body. Laying lifeless on the ground, not even very discreetly, must I add.

I fought the urge to scream, clamping my teeth down on my sleeve. I turned to look away and there he was again, standing, looking at me as if he was analysing my reaction.

"Wh-what are yo-you doing here?" I struggled to spill the words, still in a state of shock. "Are you stalking me?"

Jasper let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "Don't flatter yourself." I looked at him offended. His facial expression and voice switched back to serious. "Do you know her?"

I hesitantly looked to the body, but I didn't recognise what was laying in front of me. "No. I don't recall ever seeing her around." I looked back to Jasper. "Do you?"

"No."

"Okay, well, I better hurry off home. It's really cold and I have homework. Bye." I let out a half smile and turned on my feet.

"Not yet." He grabbed my arm. "You didn't text me about Saturday."

Really? You're upset I haven't agreed to your little catch up?

"Oh, sorry. I've just been busy." I laughed nervously, trying desperately to come up with an excuse, but he spoke too quickly.

"I'll walk you home. Then I don't have to wait for you to text your address."

"Oh no, really, it's fine, I-"

He stared at me, his eyes commanding my attention and silence, "I insist."

I gave up and decided I wasn't going to win this battle. Plus, he was kind of creeping me out, the way he was staring at me. It was really intense.

We walked for 10 minutes, before reaching my house. "Well, this is it."

"28 Fraser Avenue." Jasper read aloud to himself. "I'll be here on Saturday, before lunch time. Be ready."

I nodded and rolled my eyes dramatically, after he turned away to walk off.

I threw myself onto my bed and closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to sleep for at least 48 hours. I scrunched my nose as something itched it and opened my eyes to a piece of paper balancing on the tip of my nose.

"Ooh why." I complained, closing my eyes, wishing it away. "Please don't be creepy, please don't be creepy, please don't be creepy." I chanted, knowing it wouldn't help, but just hoping for a miracle.

I sat up and opened the folded paper, mustering up all my courage.

Only one word was written:
Hazel.