11 - Red Moon
The sun was shining brightly and the skies were clear. It was an absolutely beautiful morning, but all AJ could think about was the anklet sitting on her dresser.
She still didn't have any answers or possible leads on how Mia's anklet ended up in container with John B's dad's compass. Did Scooter collect dead people's jewelry? That was the only idea that made the most sense to AJ.
But how did Scooter come across an anklet that was last seen in Chicago? Did he steal it? Has he ever even been to Chicago? A million different ideas and theories cross her mind, each one making less sense than the previous ones.
AJ hops out of bed and gets ready for the day, determined to crack this mystery.
*•*•*•
AJ has finished everything she needed to do, including the chores Jackson so graciously reminded her mom that she didn't do and probably wouldn't do. Not that he was wrong, but he didn't have to open his big, loud, snitching, little brother mouth. She was just about to leave the house when she was stopped by her dad.
"Come on now. I have to go." AJ groused out, irritated by the man blocking her path.
"Where are you going?" AJ's dad asked. His arms were crossed and his mouth was turned down in a frown, obviously disapproving.
"To go see someone," AJ answered, her answer vague, but her father's reason for asking in the first place is an even more compelling mystery. So, she asks. "Why?"
"You going to see that lil white boy?" James has nothing against KJ or whatever his name is, he actually likes the kid. He just wants to make sure his little girl is making good little girl decisions.
"No, I'm going to see Pope." AJ's dad's eyes were still furrowed but his head tilted, displaying confusion. AJ sighed and shook her head. "The black one, dad. I'm pretty sure momma told you about him."
James nodded his head in realization. "Okay. Just watch yourself and your surroundings, make sure you have your pepper spray on you. And remember, I'd kill for you."
"What a violent way to tell me to stay safe and that you love me." AJ drawled, waltzing towards the door. "I'd kill for you too, dad." AJ said right before she walked out the door and headed to Pope's house.
*•*•*•
"OPEN UP! I'M OUTSIDE!" AJ shouted as she tossed small pebbles at Pope's bedroom window. She continued the shouting, surely awakening the last of neighborhood citizens still resting. She not stops when Pope finally opens his window, half dressed and hair wet.
"What the hell AJ." Pope groaned out. The only other person he knows would do that is their mutual blond haired friend, JJ.
"THROWEST DOWN THOU'S CLIMBING TOOL!" AJ pranced on the side of the house goofily, clearly still shouting.
"How do you even know I have one?" Pope asked before he turned to get the ladder, attach it to his windowsill and throw down the rope ladder.
"We have the same friends dumbass. JJ told me like two days ago." AJ spoke as she climbed. The climbing girl thought back to that specific conversation. They were on the hammock outside the Chateau, high off their asses talking about the highlights of their childhood.
JJ reminisced on how John B, Pope and he would tie the rope ladder to a nearby tree from the windowsill and pretend they were on a deadly adventure. But as they got older the rope ladder became a means to sneak out or into the house.
"Ah, yes. Y'know — I was thinking. We should be called Pope, Kie and the three idiots instead of Pogues. It's more accurate." Pope laughed at his joke not noticing AJ had made it to the top of the ladder.
