Forget the Forgotten

Chapter Four

"Nick!" cried Tom in horror.

"Come on, we gotta get Grey," commanded Jacob. But no one moved. Everyone was frozen in terror. Amelia's gaze lingered on Nick as if hypnotized. His eyes were wide open. And there was an ugly gaping wound at his neck.

And the blood-stained knife.

"Come on!" Jacob urged. "We have to tell the principle!"

He grabbed Amelia by the arm, but she shook him off and walked a little towards Nick.

"Wait," she said in a sharp voice.

"What is it?" Jacob asked.

"Nick's hand moved. He's still alive."

"You saw that?" Tom pointed out.

Amelia didn't answer. The horrible wound terrified her, but she had to know if Nick was still alive. If she could help him. She wanted to run away, but something forced her to stay. She bent over him and took his wrist to feel his pulse.

Amelia turned to the others in triumph. "He's alive!"

At that moment, Nick's hands shot up and clasped her throat.

"Now it's your turn," he shouted. "More ketchup!"

Amelia screamed and slapped his hands away. She backed away so quickly that her back bumped roughly against a refrigerator.

Rage rose up inside her. "You idiot! I'll kill you!"

"I'm already dead," Nick replied with a grin. "And you may now dissect me, Jacob."

Amelia tried to stop her hands from shaking. She shook her head. "I can't believe we fell for that."

"You're really impossible," Jacob said angrily.

"And I always thought ketchup was only good on French fries," joked Nick. He grabbed a towel and started to wipe off the red goo. "I saw myself in the mirror back there. Man, that looked real."

"How funny," Veronica said in a reproachful tone.

"Did you really think there was a psycho running around the school, cutting people up?" Nick asked. He looked over at Amelia and saw that there was ketchup on her neck. He tossed her the towel. "Here."

"Thank you. This is Oak Park," Amelia remarked dryly.

The others stared at her uncomprehendingly.

"Who knows where they get the food for the cafeteria!" she added.

The whole group burst out laughing. All except Veronica.

*Maybe she's afraid I'll snatch Nick away from her," She thought.

Astonished, she realized that this thought brought a smile to her face.

"Let's get out of here," commanded Nick.

They went back to the cafeteria. The coast was clear until now.

"Where to now?" Tom asked.

"Shh!" hissed Amelia. "Hang on!"

Everyone stopped. On the tiled floor, the loud clacking of footsteps could be heard. Amelia's heart began to race. This was no stupid ketchup prank. This was deadly serious. "Grey is coming," she whispered.

"Let's get out of here!" cried Nick and pushed Tom towards the left-hand exit.

"No!" protested Jacob. "That's where he comes from!"