Chapter 8

I froze.

I can't believe I forgot about that.

I whipped out my phone and dialed her number. My leg bounced rapidly as I waited for her to pick up. I was about to hang up and try again when I heard her pick up.

"MOM? Are you ok? Where are you? How did you know to tell me to get back to Alex?"

The phone made a strange crackling noise.

"Hi hun, sorry about the earlier call. I thought some bad weather was coming your way and I wanted you to see if you could get a ride home from Alex. I have to run off to make it to a sudden business meeting. Your father was dying to come with me, so he will be leaving too. We will be gone for a while, so try to see if you can stay with one of your friends. I am going to be tied up with work, so don't try to call. Our phones will be turned off. If you do go back to the house to print off that copy of your birth certificate for your summer camp application, then your father's computer password is twenty-one twenty one. We love you so much and stay safe..."

"Mom, wait. What cam--"

The phone made another crackling noise and the call ended. I pulled the phone away from my ear and brought it to my lap, staring at it in confusion.

"I don't understand," I whispered.

"What did she say?" Alex asked.

"She said that she and my dad went on a sudden business trip and that I shouldn't call because they are going to be gone for a while and really busy and that she wants me to stay with a friend."

"Was that it?"

"No, she also said something about a summer camp application and my birth certificate and what the password to my dad's computer is."

"What camp?"

"That's what I want to know too. I don't remember wanting to go to any camp."

"Did she say anything about her earlier call?"

"Ya, she said she saw some bad weather coming our way and that she wanted me to see if I could get a ride home with you."

"Why would she want you to do that? We always drive home together..."

"I know... it's really weird."

"But, she sounded alright?"

"Umhm. She sounded really cheery."

"Doesn't she always?"

"I guess..."

"So, does this mean you're gonna stay here?"

"Well no shit Sherlock, you're my only friend."

"Haaaa, what would you do without me?"

I rolled my eyes.

"What about Liam and Paige? What should we do about that? Should we call the cops?"

Alex shook his head. "No. We don't know for sure whether they were the murderers or not. Maybe they just came across the body like you did."

I looked down at the floor.

"Hey, it's gonna be alright. We can deal with it tomorrow. How does that sound?"

Before I could answer, we heard the front door open.

"Hurry up Michael, or the frozens will melt," I heard a faint voice say.

I smiled. Alex's mom and little brother were home. I was always envious of Alex because he had a sibling. He keeps telling me that it is not as fun as it looks, especially when they're seven, but I think he is wrong. Besides, Michael had had the biggest crush on me for a few years now, and it is the cutest thing. I bet he will be excited to see me.

I started to stand, but Alex's hand shot out to mine and held me back.

"Tomorrow?"

I twisted to look at him, my hand still in his, and nodded my head once.

"Tomorrow."

He released his hold on my hand and stood.

"Well then, I guess we'd better go ask my mom if you can stay here for a while."