High school Story

to catch a culprit

The following morning... I'm in the courtyard, where a large group of students gather around the vandalised Ollie the Tiger statue. I hear people whispering about yesterday's run-in with Hearst.

"Caleb was telling me someone from our school did it." Ezra says

"I can't believe this" I add.

"Well, whoever spray painted him is gonna pay." Michael says.

Before I can respond, Michael storms off. I approach Myra and Luis standing nearby next to a trash can.

"Poor Ollie. And a Berry student? I don't get it." Luis says.

"I bet whoever did it must feel terrible. I'd hate to have to keep a secret like that." Myra said.

"I hope they come forward soon." Luis adds
"Me too. It'd be for the--" I start but was interrupted by Vice Principal Isa

"WHY ARE YOU STANDING AROUND HERE? DON'T YOU ALL HAVE CLASS TO ATTEND?" Isa shouts. Me and the students around scramble to class just as the school bell rings.

Later that day, before second period...

"Alexandria! IS IT TRUE?" I shut my locker and see Maria bolting down the hall, her eyes fixed on you.

Startled I stammer "Is.. what... true?"

"I heard that Hearst didn't vandalise Ollie the Tiger... Someone from Berry High did!" She says looking at me.

"If you believe the Hearst students, yeah." I say.

"I'M GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS, AND YOU'RE COMING WITH ME." Maria says.

"You want me to investigate with you?"I question "Okay, only because it's you asking. I wanna catch our culprit, but it wouldn't mean as much without you." I say to Maria.

Maria smiles, blushing a bright red. "You're sweet, you know that?" She says smiling at me.

"I might've heard that once or twice before." I say smiling back.

Maria then shakes herself to regain her focus "What am I doing? We should really get back to the task at hand. Now, before we get started, I was thinking, do we want anyone else to help us? It might go smoother if we have a third person."

"Who do you have in mind?" I ask.

"Well, Emma and Aiden both strike me as especially perceptive. Caleb would also be a good pick because he knows everyone. And as much as I hate to trust him with anything, Michael's clearly dedicated to the cause. I think any of them could help us catch our culprit!" She replies.

"I think we should ask Emma" I say and Maria nods.

We go and find Emma at her locker. She retrieves a textbook as she sees us approach.

"Hey, you two! Did you see what happened to Ollie? It's just awful. He looks so sad in red paint" Emma says.

"About that... How would you like to help catch the culprit?" I say smiling.

"You really want my help?" Emma asks surprised. "Yes, Of course! Whatever it takes." Emma smiles.

"Fantastic. I've got faith in the three of us." Maria smiles. "Come on, let's check out the scene of the crime! There's bound to be some clues around there."

Me, Emma and Maria make our way to the courtyard. The spray-painted Ollie the Tiger dominates our view.

"Let's split up. We'll cover more ground that way." Maria says

I kneel beside one of the green, loft trees and notice a small piece of fabric sticking out of the dirt. I use my fingers to dig it up. "What's this?" I say to myself It's gas mask. I smile to myself and put the mask on... I walk up to Emma "Mummy? Are you my mummy?"