Chapter 8

G R A C E

I am too close to find the killer.Everlyn's case is releted with Charlotte's death. West was dead butthe person I meet at Wesley's house was his brother Vernon. If west is dead then ot is possiblethat Vernon is twin brother of west, right. I pull

out my laptop searching about west.There are photos of two west and both are similar. I search about Vernon. Signing in relief. i was right,west and Vernon are twins. Oh my god. This game is more complicated then I thought. I got this shit.Vanessa, Wesley, Vernon,Rowena and charlotte along with Everlyn have some connection. Butwhy would killer killed charlotte. I think she is innocent. Maybe Rowena was just a toy to dragin side this mess. Rowen want dean but dean and Everlyn was together, so Rowena attacked Everlyn. It means the main target is Everlyn all along. This killer will not singh in relief until Everlyn dies. Oh no. I must save Everlyn.Quickly I grab my phone calling Everlyn. She pick up after two rings.

"Hey grace. "She speak up.

"Where are you? "I ask.

"At home, why? "She ask in confusion

"Look Everlyn I know about killer. "I reply.

"What. Who attacked me? "She ask hopefully.

"Look I want to meet you. "I ask.

"okay then we will talk in school. Wait there is someone knocking at the door. " she told me.

"No stop. Where is your mom and dad? "I askstopping her.

"They are at your mom's building probably working. "She says.

"Ok wait I am coming but don't dare to open the door, just lock yourself up. I am coming. "I explainher.

"But I have to get to the door. "She reply

"I bet there is a killer. Don't open the door. "Iexplain her again.

"Okay, just come fast. There is someone in the mask. " she told with scared tone.

I Quickly cut the line, running towards the Lorenzo's room. Dean house is near to her area.Ok. I Quickly dial his number.

"Hey grace. Do you missed me? "He ask directly.No 'hi' ot 'hello'.

"Hi, dean. Get to the Everlyn's house. Quick. "I reply.

"Why? "He ask.

"Just find her. Come on. I will explain you later. "Iexplain.

"Okay. I am on it. "With that he cut the line.

After that me and lore reach to her house. We immediately reach to Evelyn ro Where killer is pinning the Everlyn. I can't see the killers face because he is in mask. The killer look at me. I immediately glare at him. He look back to Everlynready to kill her. Everlyn look at me with purehorror. Before the killer canstab her, I grab hishand pushing kicking him at the place where sundoesn't shine. The killer fall on the ground. I

motions towards Everlyn to run towards Lorenzo,she quickly nod running towards my brother. The

killer stood up swaying the knife. I doge him.

"Lore, take dean to the hospital. I will take care of this killer. "I yell.

Lorenzo didn't complain. Thank god he trust me.Everlyn and Lorenzo take dean to the hospital. Thekiller grab my wrist but I punch him. He sway hishand towards me but I catch it. I look at his eyes, itholds different emotions. I wait but he didn'tattack me with his knife. I didn't wait insted i try to kick him but he catch my leg and punch mestraight to the jaw. Before he can run I kick his leg

causing him to gron in pain. I stand up and punchhim straight to his jaw. Oh come on why he is notattacking me with his knife.

"Why you want to kill Everlyn? "I ask.

"Because that slut killed my brother, I will never forgive her. "He speak angrily. I glare at him.

He didn't wait and start running after thinking alittle. I chase him. He is running to quick. He takedifferent turns but I didn't miss him. I was trainedwhile he doesn't look like he have some skills. Ididn't miss him but when I took the turn I bump

into someone causing me to fall down on theground. Looking up I find one and only Vanessa.Damm it. I stand up hurriedly and start running

towards the killer but he run away.Oh no. I wasnear. Vanessa. I look back she is standing there.

"I am sorry i didn't see you. "She apologize.

"Thats okay. But what are you doing here? "I ask.

"Uh... I came here to buy grocery. "She reply. shelie. You think I can't read your mind well you are

wrong.

"But its far away from here beside you haven't bagor purse. "I ask while Raising my eyebrow.

"No my mom is waiting there. "She explain. Lier.

I nod and run towards tye hospital. Everlynmessage me the Andress. I follow the route quicklyreaching there. Asking the room number I reachtowards his room. Lorenzo and Everlyn arewaiting in hall ways. Lorenzo sigh in relief. Iapproach him.

"How is dean? "I ask. "He is inside the room. Doctors are checking him."Lorenzo reply.

"Did you catch the killer? "Everlyn ask with hope.

"No I didn't but I know who is behind this. "I replywith smirk.

"Really? Then who? "Lorenzo ask.

"We will talk about it later. Lets wait until dean issafe. "I sigh.

I hope he is safe. Its my fault I shouldn't drag himin this stuff. It was better to call police. I took seatnext to Evelyn. Exactly one hour passed. The doorof hallways opens. Everlyn's parents enter inside.They quickly rush towards Everlyn. They arefreaking out. Everlyn explain them about thesituation. They ask her to get home but she denies,she told them that she will not go to home untilshe meets dean. Atleast something good happens.Everlyn's parents wait for her. Two unknown

person's enter inside the hallway. Their eyes landson Everlyn's parents. Everlyn parents assuresthem that he is okay. Okay they are deans parents.

Everything is okay. I will wait until dean wake up.After an hour doctors come out from his room,telling us that he need rest. Through we decided tomeet him.Dean is laying on the bed peacefully staringtowards the Ceiling. When we enter inside everlynquickly pull him in the hug. After her dean'sparent hug him. While Everlyn's parents mouthhim thank you. Me and Lorenzo wait for themuntil they finish their talks.

"Thank you dean. "Everlyn smile at him.

"No problem. "He reply to her.

"If you haven't saved her then the killer must... "Miss Rhodes trails off.

"You have to Thank grace. She was the one whoasked me to save Everlyn. "Dean smile at me. I justsmile sadly at him.

"I am sorry dean. I was stupid to drag in this mess."I reply.

"No if someone else would me on my place then hewould have done same. "Dean assure me.

"Take rest dean. We will meet at the school. "Ismile last time.

With that me and Lorenzo walk towards our car. Isit on the passenger seat while he enter in the

drivers side. I waited but he didn't started the carso I look at him in confusion .

"What. "I ask. We saved her but its important to find killerotherwise the killer will kill all of us. "He explain.

"Yeah right. Now I am sure the killer will targetme. "I shrugs.

"That is the point. "He sigh.

"Don't worry I will make sure to keep myself safe."I smile.

Lorenzo didn't reply. He nod and start drivingtowards our home. Afte pulling car in the parking,we move inside the house. Our eyes land on ourmom. She is waiting for us. When her eyes land onus she smile and pull us in hug. After pulling awayshe look at us in concern.

"Where was you? "She ask.

"At friends house. "Lorenzo reply before she canask more questions. Its already night I didn't notice. We wash ourhands sitting on the dining table. Mom serve usfood. I quickly start munching on my food. Momchuckle.

"You look too hungry. "She told.

"Mom Lorenzo's food sucks. "I reply. Lorenzo glareat me.

"Lorenzo you should learn cooking. "Mom Shakeher head in disbelief.

"Mom. "Lorenzo wined.

"Lore, don't worry I am just jocking but learncooking beside your sister is young. "Mom replywith smile.

"Yeah baby. "Lorenzo smirk.

"Dummy. "I stick out my tounge.

"My bad. "He sigh.

"Mom, where is dad?I ask.

"He is in other country, working for new case."Mom reply.

"Oh"its all I can say.

Dad is so busy. He didn't came to home from manydays. Is he okay? I want to see him. Missing him

everyday doesn't work. Just wait grace you canbear everything. I finished my dinner and left tomy room. Its late night. Laying on my bed I stare atthe ceiling. Humm. Killer. I must find him. Dadwill be proud of me. I giggle mentally. Someoneknock on my door. Huh? I bet its not brother ormom cause they never knock. Typically. I sit upopening the door. Dhalia is standing outside mydoor. Her hairs are waving like usual, and her skin is soft. Her clothes are luke usual skirt and T-shirt.A charming girl. I smile.

"Dhal. "I ask. She pull me in hug and enter in myroom.

"What are you doing here? "I ask. Closing my doorand sitting on the chair.

"I just heared what happen to dean. How is he?"She ask.

"He is okay. Dont worry. "I assure.

"Thank god, I was worried about everyone. "Shesigh.

"Do you know about the killer? "She look atme hopefully.

"Not sure. "I lie on her face. She nod and give mebright smile.

"Lets go and grab ice cream. "She ask.

Thats what I want now. Clearing my mind thatswhat I want. I nod. She smile brightly after myagreement. We both sneak out of the house.

Walking with hand to hand we reach towards theice cream shop. Grabbing our ice cream we start

eating and gossiping. Sometimes the life is sopainful. I really feel bad, dean have to do Nothingwith killer. He shouldn't be hurt. My fault. Just

leave it grace focus on the mission otherwise killerwill hurt your friends.

"What are you doing here grace? "A voice pop's.

I look up to find Vernon. He is in casual cloths. Hishairs are wet. His black eyes bore into mine. Itshold worriedness. Why he is worried about me. Orabout something else. Dhalia look at me withsmirk. I glare at her. Clearing my throat I look atVernon. Nothing just enjoying the time with my buddy. Ipolitely smile.

"Mind if I join? "He ask with small sad smile.

"Yeah why not. "I reply shifting my chair a little sohe can sit.

He grab ice cream and start eating it with me. Wedidn't speak even a single word. While Dhalia isenjoying pissing me out. What this girl thinks ofherself.

"Hey but who is he? "She ask. Now she got thepoint.

"He is Wesley's brother. Vernon. And she is Dhaliamy best buddy. "I reply.Vernon chuckle.

"Oh"she mounts. Looking at the Vernon she ask.

"Are you studying in our school? " Dhalia ask.

"No I am in college. "He smile. Dhalia look awayblushing. Ha! I really like her blushing.

"Hey don't forgot about ash. "I speak with smirk.

"Shut up. "She glare kicking my leg.

"Hey Vernon what are you doing up to late night?"I ask.

"Just passing time , actually I was stressed aboutstudies. "He reply.

I nod. That's why he looks sad and also stressed.

"Studies sucks. "I told. he nods slightly.

"Why you guys shifted here? "I ask to Vernon.

"Well actually my twin brother west died in caraccident. My mom couldn't take it so we got shifted

here. "He sigh.

"Oh I am sorry. "I reply

"Don't worry . I had already move on from that incident. "He assure me.

"He was murdered or it was just an accident. "I ask.

"It was accident. "He reply.

"Someone was there with him at the time of accident? "I ask.

"Yeah, his girlfriend. Her name is Evelyn Rhodes. You guys know her. "He reply.

Oh god. Me and dhalia look at each other in pure shock. Wesley, Vanessa and even Evelyn are lied to us. Okay then I can't ask to Evelyn. Plan cancel. I look at him again.

"Then who is Vanessa? I am sorry to ask but just curious. "I try to explain.

"Vanessa was west's ex girlfriend. Actually west cheated on Vanessa through Evelyn. "He explain.

"Oh really! They all are liers. They didnt told us same story. "I reply.

"They can't move on. "He reply simply.

It means Evelyn make out from the accident but west can't. It was not the accident if I think. It means Evelyn was targeted every time. It means the accident was done to kill Evelyn not the west. He just came in the middle. Now I got that. Rowena was just puppet.

"I don't think that it was accident, he was murdered . "I try to explain.

"How can you say that. I mean police confirm it as a accident. "He ask frowning.

"Hey come on. I will find the truth. "I smile at him.

"No"he shook his head. "Even if he was murdered don't get into this mess. Don't hurt yourself. You have a whole life ahead. "He Warn me.

"Don't worry. I was already dragged to this mess. "I assure.

"Just take care of yourself. "He reply and left the shop.

Okay. I know the truth. I have to find the proofs. Ah I am so tired. dhalia left for her home when her mom called her. I assure her that I will be okay. Still I am sitting in the ice cream shop wondering what to do, until Vanessa joins me. Oh crap. Now I am dead.

"Whats with the sitting alone. "She smile.

"My friends just left now. "I reply.

"Let's eat ice cream. "She ask but before I can stop her, she bought ice cream for me and me being myself I start munching it.

"You saved Evelyn. "She ask knowingly. I nod. "You should let her die. Now look due to her you got dragged in this mess. "She look at me.

Huh? Something is wrong. I didn't get chance to ask question. I start feeling dizzy. She mixed something in it. I am stupid. Before I can do something I drift into darkness.

When I open my eyes again. I didn't find myself in the same place where I was drifted into dark ess. I look myself tied on the tree. Seriously . I knew it she was the one killing everyone. Vanessa's come out from the darkness chuckling evily.

"What do you think, you can find the whole truth. "She smirk.

"Ah don't worry I already know the truth. You want to kill Evelyn cause due to her west cheated on you. You planned the car accident so you can kill both of them but Evelyn make it out through the accident so you use Rowena to kill her but Evelyn make it out again. Then I was the one who saved her so you decide to kill me first cause if I die then your work will be easy. "I finish rolling my eyes.

She look at me with wide eyes and hanging her mouth open. Shocked. I smirk. "You surely are intelligent .but its over now. " she smirk.

She took knife ready to kill me. Stupid. I have to distract her or else.

"But why you killed Charlotte? "I aks.

"You don't figure it out. i have to kill her cause Wesley was stupid. He have to make sure that you fall for him but if he make out it with random girls then it wouldn't happen. She smirk.

"You lied to Wesley and use him to kill Evelyn. "I shake my head in disbelief.

"That doesn't matter. "She reply.

She come near me but I kick her. She gron in pain. This rope is too tight I can't come out easily. She stood up again angrily. I am dead. Really dead. Closing my eyes I start remember ing dad, mom and brother. I want to see them. It was stupid idea. Now I will die. But the knife never come. When I look up I find Wesley holding Vanessa's wrist. He have so much emotions in his eyes.

"You lied. "He ask knowingly. "Don't you dare to touch grace. "He roar angrily.

"Oh now you fall for her. "She push him. wesley came towards me, he took knife and cut the rope. Freedom.

"Why you would do that. "Vanessa look at him angrily.

"You killed my brother. "Wesley look pissed off.

"Okay then I have to kill both of you. "She smirk.

Grabbing the axe from the ground she sway it towards us. She surely take too much instruments to torture me. We must do something. I took sand from ground and throw it towards her face. She drop the axe, rubbing her eyes. Jack pot. Wesley took my wrist ready to leave. But stop when Vanessa took knife ready to kill herself. But Wesley stop her.

"What the hell Vanessa? "Wesley ask.

"I had done too much bad thing I don't deserve to live. " she say. Tears brimming out through her eyes.

"You should think that before killing west and Charlotte. " I say rudely.

"Its all my fault. "She speak.

With  that she try to stab Wesley but Wesley move causing to bleed at his hand. I quickly move towards her. Punching her. She fall down grabbing her face. I bet her nose is broken.

"You don't deserve anything. "I glare.

Within few minutes we hear sirens. Finally. I sigh. I look at Wesley. "Thank you Wesley. Through it was wrong to help her. "I told.

"I am sorry grace. It was wrong move. "He look down on the ground shamefully.

"That's okay let's get out of here. "I reply and drag him out with me.

Finally we are safe. Through I didn't forgive Wesley yet. The cold wind hit me. Making me to shiver in cold. That was insanse, i mean i was going to die. If wesley didn't make up to here then, i bet she would definately kill me. I rub my temple calming myself down. We are in forest and its dark. Atleast I had done something that makes me proud of myself.

Grace Hernandez , finally solved the case.

"Hey grace, if you want then just go to your home. I will take care of Vanessa. "He assure me.

"I really want to go to the home. Take care. "I reply.

Giving him a last hug, I run towards other direction so the police wouldn't catch me. I quickly pull myself towards my home. I am so happy. Slowly slowly I open the door peaking inside. If they know about my sneaking out then I will get grounded. I get inside closing the door behind me. I quickly move towards my room but someone grab my wrist causing me to stop in mid way. i look back, Lorenzo stood there with disbelief. I pull my hand and give him innocent smile. He glare at me.

"Where was you? "He ask.

"Dhalia took me with her for eating late night ice cream. "I reply.

"Ok but next time inform me. "He give me stern look. I nod. "But why are you so happy. "He give me look.

"Because I am so happy. "I tell him.

I pull him in hug. He chuckles softly. "I love you brother. I love you so much. "I said.

"What exactly happen? "He ask pulling away.

"I found the killer. "I say with huge grin.

"What you alone was in danger. "He give me stern look.

"No I was not alone. "I reply.

He sigh and kiss my forehead. "Let's sleep, its late night already. We will talk about it tomorrow. "He reply.

I didn't complain.  He took me in bridal style putting me on bed he hug me. I close my eyes and snuggle closer to him. I am so happy. I mean dad's reaction will be priceless. Yay. I win.

Grace Hernandez, is something .