The Degenerates - Under Edit

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Neijla's palm was sweating as she clutched her phone, ready to dial Trey's number.

"It may not be him," she croaked to Lila, but she shook her head.

"I know it is. I had a bad feeling when he never came home," she sobbed, "and I can just feel that it's him. I just know."

The coordinator rubbed her shoulders, "We're getting in contact with your parents, it might be wise to take a few days..."

Neijla drowned them out as she watched the police officers chatting quietly in the corner, each officer looking back every now and again between the two girls.

The door swung open suddenly and Sasha tore through the room, "Lila, I saw police...oh."

"Miss Camenzuli, you need to return to your house." The coordinator said, holding up her hand.

"That's my best friend—"

"Sasha," the coordinator warned.

"Let her stay." Lila cried, "Please."

"We will need to take statements from the last time you saw either of the Chadwick boys." The police announced, and through tears, Lila agreed.

Sasha gave hers, and then Neijla, who stated that it were the party she last saw Brad, and the next morning when she saw James. Whilst the police, coordinator and Lila stayed in the room to talk, Sasha and Neijla were asked to stand outside.

Tears brimmed Sasha's eyes, "I can't believe it. Poor Lila, she's going to be heartbroken."

"It might not be Brad," Neijla told her but Sasha shook her head.

"She knew James too, either way, she's going to be destroyed."

How well did Lila know James? Neijla wondered if anything happened between them before...or during her time with Brad. It didn't seem likely; Lila adored her boyfriend.

Neijla rubbed her friends arm, forcing her face into contortion, "I can't believe any of it. I've only been here two weeks and this happens...it's so scary."

Sasha gave her a sad smile, "It's usually a nice town."

"Okay, Sasha, Neijla, if you would like to stay with Lila, keep her company for the time being." The coordinator appeared, followed by the police officers.

"If you have any information, or you think you need to disclose something, please come to us." The younger looking officer said and all three girls nodded.

"Lila, I'm going to reach out to your emergency contact and have them come in urgently." The coordinator said and Lila wiped her eyes with her sleeve after agreeing.

"I'm just going to get some air..." Neijla told the girls after she waited for the officers and the coordinator to disperse.

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" asked Sasha.

"Yes," Neijla said, "I just need to breathe."

Neijla closed the door behind her and bent down, peering down the steps and hoping no officers were around, even though she'd watched them get into their vehicle from the window.

As she'd hoped, he was still around. Trey was leaning his back against the bricked wall of the building, his arms were crossed tightly, and his eyes straight ahead.

Neijla hurried up to him and he pushed off the wall. "They've found him."

"Okay," Trey said, and swallowed, peering around the corner of the building. "How is she?"

"A mess."

Trey nodded, "You know what to do. Say nothing, and if you have to, tell them the same story over and over."