Chp.27

"…After everything, I ended up in a library, where I found that book. Those marked pages. And all I thought after that was to tell you. And that's about it." Sophie finishes with her part of the story.

We're walking in a street with rows of houses, people on both sides of the streets, heading home. I look at the moon, brighter than usual. And the stars. Sparkling. It reminds me of when we all went camping in the hills far from here eight years ago. Jesse grumbled about it but since Dad insisted, she finally agreed. I was excited and exactly the opposite of what Mom was who looked exhausted but tried to keep a straight face. Probably so I don't get let down. It wasn't a perfect example of an ideal family vacation, with all the mishaps like mosquito's bites and the stream too cold to swim in. Jesse even swore that she saw a snake slithering past us.

But everything thing ended up well at the night, when we made our own little campfire and unlike Jesse, who decided to cook a sausage instead of a marshmallow – failed experience for her, by the way – we ate s'mores. The best part?When we watched the night sky as starry as this one. I only remember this memory because that night, we all were happy. No matter how over-enthusiastic Dad was, or how Mom kept complaining about the bites, or when Jesse started scaring me about the big-foot and how I whined in fear when she didn't stop making weird roaring noises. We were all happy. And that time, it felt like nothing could have ripped it apart… It's just sad that the only thing we loved became the reason we started hating.

The feeling of nostalgia was so deep that I completely forgot that Sophie was walking right next to me. That is, until she snapped her fingers together, in front of my eyes, that made me jump back to the world.

"You really do get lost in your thoughts, don't you?" I could see a hint of smile when she says that.

I shrug, rubbing the back of my neck, sheepishly.

"Were you saying something?"

She laughs at that, the same one she used to laugh before this all started. When I didn't know what she was up to. And it was genuine.

But she repeats what she said, anyway, "Now that I told you my half of the deal, why don't you start explaining me some things?"

"If you say so."

She looks at me, expectantly. And I don't know where to start.

"Well?" She says, impatiently.

She told me everything. Everything she knew without even hesitating. She trusts me. But I'm still finding it hard to trust her. Why? I don't get myself sometimes.

Pushing away all the doubts, I take a deep breath and I start.

I tell her from the moment it began to how it ended. I told her about the shots I took. How I… and as creepy as it sounds, I decided to admit the fact that I was spying on Skylar. I told her how I watched her on every Tuesday. That day when we met, I discovered a piece of paper in the pictures. And then how I found the list. Our names. Then came the madness. The thing I hated. I told her what happened when my parents went away. How I found Jesse's diary. Read it. Cried until I got tired and slept. Woke up in the middle of the night. And how I was alone. And then another note. About how I'll get them if I play the game – don't know what it meant back then. So I ran, after that, right into DS Rickson. Told him everything. Investigation. Only to realize there wasn't any. They were going to send me away. So, I ran back to my home. Found the book. Someone else was in the house. Knocked me unconscious. Woke up again. And my parents were home, saying that they came back when they told they'd come, even when that didn't happen. I told her how Jesse's room was packed up and the list, diary and book were gone. I wanted to prove myself that I wasn't crazy. So I went to Rickson and hysterically demanded him to tell me the truth. But he was just confused. Then a scream from inside his house. The writing painted on his wall. How Rickson thought I did it with a group of my friends.

I told her everything. Every detail I remember so vividly that I'm starting to think it all happened yesterday.

I let the silence take its place for a while, as we turned a corner to a street that was empty.

"I got arrested for that reason." I end. "And after that I decided to stay away from this. Well, until you showed up in it."

She nods. Then breathes out; "Worse things happened to you, huh? I mean I would have never been able to bear it."

If she's complimenting me, I don't get it.

"And I still can't figure out how the killer managed to make this scene for you. What did he use? Dark magic?" She snarls at the sarcasm.

"I never was able to bear it. That's why I gave up.Because I wanted it to stop."

She frowns, the dark night only illuminating her eyes. "But you're here now, right?"

"I'm only here to help you figure it out. After that, I'm gone." I shrug, "And besides, I'm not sticking around, am I? After summer camp, I'm gonna never see New Jean again."

"Oh." And I swear she sounds disappointed.

I kick at a stone on the road, "I'm just glad you got your answers."

But she's quiet. Thinking. Her mind whirling around, trying to comprehend what I said.

Her eyes snap wider, clapping her hands together, exclaiming, "I'm also going to the camp!"

I scoff, "Yeah, right. The brightest student in class is now the most dumbest. In case you didn't notice, the program's only meant for weak kids. If you're trying to rub that on me-"

"No, you idiot," She rolls her eyes, "Did you forget that the A-graders are more than welcome to volunteer to help you guys? The principle told us all. At first I refused…But I might as well start reconsidering it."

I scowl, "So you're going to do what exactly? Teach us how we should not murder others with a dagger?"

She ignores me, mumbling, "And Alexa's gonna be there too. With me. And obviously there's Ander… I can convince Josh or maybe you can …"

And I get what she's trying to figure out.

"What are you up to, Sophie Sallow?" I raise my eyebrows questioningly.

Instead of answering me, she asks, "Josh's a bright student right?"

"What's that gotta do with anything?" I spread out my arms in confusion.

She smiles slyly, "You said you wanted it to stop."

"Right."

"And you said the list has our names on it."

I don't reply, which is an answer within itself.

"And since the killer wants to play a game…" She looks out at the sky, fists clench, "Then, we'll bloody well play, alright. But this time, with our rules."

And I'm just speechless.

************************

"Are you crazy?!" I yell for what seems like the hundredth time. "How in the world are you going to do that?"

"It's not just me," She says, calmly, "Everyone will have an equal share."

"No thanks."

She frowns, "You wanted it to end. We're gonna end it."

"But I don't want it to end this way!" I exclaim, "I just wanted to-"

"Run away?" She interrupts, "Is that your idea of ending it?"

Now that she said that out loud…

I sigh, "I just don't want anyone else in danger. I don't want to drag anyone into this."

I don't want anyone to die.

It's the legitimate truth.

"We're not. Not anyone random. Just the specific ones."

"If you're trying to console me right now then it isn't working." I snap.

She folds her arms, "I'm not consoling you. I'm just stating a fact."

"A fact you made." I retort.

"A fact the killer made." She counters.

I groan, frustratingly. We're still arguing, even though her house is just a few blocks away. But she refuses to move until I agree with her. She's insane.

I mean I can't put anyone in danger. What she wants is ludicrous.

"With all of us together, we can figure something out!" She says, excitedly.

"With all of us together, we'll be an even easier target!" I point out.

She completely disagrees, "We'll know what to do. If we at least warn them. Then, maybe, they'll consider."

I imagine that. And I'm already feeling a punch on my face from Ander. I shudder at the thought.

I shake my head, firmly, "No way Ander's gonna believe me."

She tilts her head slightly, "Who says you'll tell him?"

I narrow my eyes, "You do realize that he hates you too?"

"That's why I have an advantage of being a girl." She perks, "He can't hit me."

"You don't know that." I snarl.

"Neither do you."

"What will you do if you convince them, huh? Somehow kill the killer before he kills you?" That twists my tongue.

"I'm not an idiot. All I want is all of us to stay cautious. And somehow being precarious may help us. Especially if the killer starts getting desperate."

"This isn't a movie you know!" I growl, "You have no idea what will happen."

"And you do?"

The way she's using my points against me is really getting on my nerves.

"And anyway," She continues ranting, "Even if you don't bother helping than I'll convince them myself. They're all coming to the camp."

"Not Josh."

"He will when I'll go."

I frown. Why will he go when she…?

Never mind.

"So, tell me, Lukas." She says, "Are you with me or not?"

I just don't want anyone to get hurt. Is it too much to ask for?

I groan again, pinching my brows, "I'll…I'll think about it."

She squeals – actually squeals – with joy. And I realize how much she wanted me to be in it.

A slightest of smile appears on my face but disappear as quickly as it comes when I warn, "It isn't a yes though so don't get your hopes up."

"It's not a no either." She grins.

At that very moment, I see movement from the corner of my eyes. My mood shifts as both of us turn to face it.

And my hearts sinking with fear.