Student Murders

the encounter

Chapter 2 

"No like this.... Always make sure to step with your hits. With the knife hold it so you can still punch. This will give you harder punches as well." My dad has been helping Annalise for about an hour. When I had gotten back from the search, we set up tripwire like a cage that goes up six feet. We made sure to leave just a big enough gap at the bottom to crawl under.

"She's getting better. Was hitting weak and now has a bit of force with it." I nodded agreeing with Anthony, he has been observing them like I have. He took to the guns easier so his session went quicker. My dad set up a space on the roof to be able to sit up there if needed. My mom began to make a bunker in the basement and board up the windows.

"Can you two help me with the upstairs and the doors please?" Our mom called from the kitchen. She had finished the whole downstairs other than the doors. She came up with an idea to put three boards that can be removed if we needed to leave. I took to doing the front door while mom took the back, and Anthony started doing the windows upstairs.

I finished after ten minutes so I headed upstairs to start on my rooms windows. "Hey Anthony do you have any extra wood? Anthony....ANTHONY. Anthony what are yo...." I walked to his room when he wouldn't answer me. What I see brought rage from deep within me and I attacked. "I'll kill you for this!!!" They merely got a scream out when I slung my blade, ending their life.

My parents came rushing up the stairs when they heard the commotion. "Anthony needs help. He didn't answer me so I came in. He was laying there and I got angry...their not a problem any more." They were at Anthony's side, but at the end of my words they glanced over to the lifeless girl. We're guessing she is the one who tripped the traps. My heart ached for my brother, I regret not making him wait for me.

"Alexi he's okay. Just a cut, good thing you came in when you did. Let's get him to the bed. Go check the house honey, take Alexi with you. Annalise go to the bathroom and bring me a washcloth and first aid." My mom being a nurse she immediately got to work while dad and I did a look over. My dad took the roof and I took the floor we're one, we agreed to do the basement together due to it being huge.

I had the library left, everything is clear as of now. This is by far my favorite room out of all of them. I had a strong urge to read Charles Dickens, I've never picked his books before. Could it be someone the girl killed that I now have. Clearing it I made my way to the roof where my dad sat. "We'll get through this dad. We have to." I leaned my head on his shoulder and we looked out into the forest. The night seemed normal, but we both knew it was just a facade. "This is peaceful, but common. We still have the basement.

Getting up he followed me to the basement. We brought boards to go ahead and cover the few windows down here. "Here's how she got in. The window is all busted. Why didn't your mom board these?" My dad did have a point. Mom was down here setting up the food and if need be bedding. Could have thought it wouldn't matter, the windows are very small and hidden by the bushes.

"Their small and hidden. Probably thought no one would notice." I shrugged it off and we boarded up the four thats down here. Looking around, everything looked to be in place other than a few things have been eaten. The girl more than likely was hungary, possibly could have stayed if she hadn't hurt Anthony. "Looks clear." I responded once we checked everything.

We are on our way up the basement steps when we heard screams. It's not Anthony or your mother and sister. Grab two handguns and follow me." My dad ordered. I handed him one and we made our way to the front door. Mom is already at the door with a frightened look, "Close the door behind us. If need be shoot anything that moves other than us. Got it?" My dad turned to complete seriousness. Mom nodded and we headed out the door.

"The screams are coming from over where the shed is. The sound like a young male." My dad nodded agreeing. We moved apart, but slowly moving towards the sound. This could be a setup so we need to keep our eyes and ears open. Coming to where the screams are, I see a face that I thought I wouldn't. "Evan?" He looked up to me with a pained expression. It looked to be him, but something felt off. Brushing it off as the state he's in, I help him up and in through the tripwire.

"Alexi, what are you doing. You don't know this person." My dad panicked. I understood why, but I had to help him. He saved me earlier, the least I can do is bandage him up. I looked to my dad pleading hoping he understood that I needed to do this.

"Please. He saved me in town. He could have easily let that guy kill me, but he protected me. This the mysterious guy I told you about." As if realizing it my dad lent down to start helping me. I know my dad is grateful that he saved me. It's how my mom and dad actually me each other. "Mom open the door!" I quickly held. I didn't know if there were others out here of only the girl and Evan.

"Lay him on the coffee table. It will work as a surgery table for now. Looking I'm going to need something to sow his wound up and dig out the bullet. Get the first aid and tongs. Also something for him to bite down onto." My mom began to bark out orders for us to go get. Me and my dad were rushing around getting everything, while annalise went back up to Anthony. "Look this is going to hurt. I'll go as quickly as possible." He nodded and bit down on the spoon. His grunts and the scene became too much, so me and my dad went to finish boarding up everything and head to the roof.

"Do you think there's more coming? I don't like how things are this bad now." I asked my dad. I had a feeling that things are going to become very very worse. I just don't know how or when. Instead of answering we settled down into a comfortable silence.

"He's done. It'll take him a week or so to heal good enough. Then he has to go." My mom came up the stairs and took the chair beside my dad. I figured it'd take him a while to heal, and that they would make him leave. All I asked for is to help him heal up.

"Thank you mom. I'll take him into town this friday. That way he isn't lose in the forest." They accepted my terms. We settled into a comfortable silence, just watching the sky and forest. Things were quiet again, like the day I went to the library three days ago. "I'm going to head to bed, I'll sleep in the living room to keep an eye on Evan." I got up and headed down.

Deciding on checking in on Anthony, I stopped by his room. Anthony laid on the bed with a worried little Annalise curled up at the bottom. Both are fast asleep, the twins have always been like this when one was hurt or sick. I closed the door softly and headed down to the living room. Evan is asleep on the sofa now, mom must've moved him so he'd be comfortable. Putting the safety on the gun, i got comfortable in my chair to sleep.

I felt someone by my eye and instinctively swung. "Ow, I was going to wake you up dang." Opening my eyes, my dad comes to view laying on the floor holding his nose. My reflexes are getting better and better. He instantly is up and in a fighting position. Smirking I got into mine. Little did I know, my mom told annalise to sneak attack. She swung a chick to my left ribs, doubling over I needed to react fast.

"Woah. you guys really do this at eight in the morning. You're pretty good too." We looked to Evan who is now looking at us impressed. We must have been really loud or my mom's cooking awoke him. I just looked down and blushed, I didn't know how to answer him.

"Breakfast is ready!" Mentally thanking my mom, I helped Evan to the kitchen. She saved me from the awkward situation. Anthony is already at the table when we get to the kitchen. I notice he look a lot better from last night.

"Thank you Alexi. Don't beat yourself up either. She caught me off guard or I could have taken her." He seemed truly sincere. This is why I loved my brother, even when something bad happens, he always finds the good. I hugged him to say how glad I am that he's okay.

"What happened?" We look to Evan that held a curious look. He glanced at all of us awaiting who will speak up and answer his question. I won't because I'm not proud of what I did and Anthony was unconscious. My dad looked to me asking if he can go ahead, which I nodded.

"You see, a girl had snuck in. Anthony went and boarded up his windows, and the girl was in his room. She hit him across the head, knocking him out. Alexi found him, and the girl is now buried in the forest." My dad sounded proud of me, but it still sickened me that I have to do this. I would gladly protect my family again and again.

"Why do you look upset. You saved your brother and the rest of your family. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't." What he said is true. I'm just not going to get passed having to do this over people being selfish. This is all it is and it caused me to grow angrier and angrier.

"I'm going to go train. I'll eat later." I didn't wait to hear their responses before I left. I could feel Evans glance on my the whole time. I started with knife throwing, obstacle course that I had made. It involved climbing trees and parkour, which is climbing and hopping from tree to tree. I spent a good three hours to myself until I heard someone clearing their throat.

Looking I could see Evan on the roof watching me. "What?" I'm panting now after an intense workout and didn't feel like chit chat right now. He only continued to watch me, almost like a predator watching its prey. There is something different about him, like he's not the same person I met. "Did you ever find your brother?" This completely sparked his attention.

"No I haven't, why do you ask?" He questioned back, almost like he's trying to figure out why I'd ask such a thing. Studying him for a moment, I picked up my set of knives. I got a sudden urge to throw it at him, as if he is the enemy. Thinking that day back when we went, he acted weird when watching we walk in the forest. I need to keep an eye out for him.

"Just when we met, you said you needed help with finding him. Speaking of which, how did you find the cabin? I walked a different way when you watched me." I look up to him, observing every move he makes. He seems to think over his answer for a bit, I don't trust it and know whatever he comes up with is a lie.

"Well I'm still looking for him. Plan to this friday. The girl had been chasing me through the woods and I ran hoping to find you. She shot me but I was able to hide for a little hit. When I heard yelling I followed, and found you. By fate it seems." He muttered trying to act innocent. The thing is, the girl had a bad, not a gun. I'll let it slide, but beware of him.

"I'll...Take...You...In...three ...days... to town." After each word I threw a knife, each time getting harder and harder. I still had one so I decided to make a rash move. Slinging it at when Evan stood, I watch as we quickly moved and dodged the knife. Didn't seem to hurt anymore, so I'll need to pay even closer attention to him.

"You could have killed me! Why would you do that? I thought you liked me!" He is angry and now is the time for the truth. I did like Evan, but not this Evan if it even is him. I watched as he grabbed the knife from the board its plunged into. I had already expected him to sling it back, so I flipped onto the car beside me. He wore a shocked expression, like he didn't know I expected it.

"My dad has been training me. I knew exactly what you planned to do before you even knew you'd do it. I do have feelings, I just won't show which ones I feel." With that I gathered my knives and headed inside. I plan to have a conversation with my dad about all of this and my thoughts. I just need to find the right timing.

Walking in, Anthony ran to me, "When I get better, you have to teach me that. You looked like a ninja flying through the air. Then the knives...who did you throw one at?" It is adorable seeing him all excited like this and I do plan to teach him. Honestly though it felt more instinctual than anything. I laughed it off and continued walking to find my dad. Oddly enough I couldn't find him, so I switched to looking for my mom. I couldn't find her, or anyone.

Feeling panic set in, I tried to think through everything that could happen. "Think think think ... knife, sneak and quietly. Bottom floor to top." I kept mumbling to myself. I feel if I keep myself on a mission like then I won't panic. I start with the basement and work my way up. So far I haven't found them, then I hear a scream. Knowing it came from the roof, I rush up there ready for a fight.

I tackled the first thing I came in contact with. Just so happened to be Evan. just as my blade went to come down on him, my sister screamed again. I opted for knocking him out to save my sister. Spinning around, there they were, my family holding a birthday cake. Realizing what's going on I put my knife away and looked to the now out cold Evan. He must've been helping them and that's why he is up here.

"I didn't mean to. When I heard the screams I went into fight mode." They continued to look at me tentative, except my dad. He knew what is happening with me, because he went through it. This may scar me for life, would answer why my dad still boxes at forty-five. "I totally forgot about my birthday, thanks you guys." The awkward mood has now passed and we're back to laughing.

"Oh! My head is pounding, what even happened." Evan came to after five minutes of being out. Everyone didn't want to answer what I had done, so we all just looked down waiting for him to remember. "WHY DID YOU ATTACK ME!!" There it is. He's now angry and had every right to be. He stormed up to me gripping my arm to make me stand and face him.

"Okay I think it's time we calm down. Let go of her immediately. She thought something bad happened when she heard the screams. If it were you or I, we would've done the exact same as Alexi." My dad continued to stare at his hand tightly wrapped around my arm until he finally let go. There's a visible bruise that caused my dad's eyes to harden. "Let's eat." Everyone decided to stay quiet the rest of dinner.

"Are you ready for the presents darling?" I hadn't noticed each person had some sort of gift until my mom asked. Quickly nodding my mom gave me hers first. Opening it, I see our family heirloom pearl earrings. "I promised your grandmother that'd I would give them to you on your eighteenth birthday." I immediately put them on and turned to the next person.

"Mine next sissy." I laughed when Annalise shoved a card into my hands. Opening it I read a poem she had written me. Hugging her, I tucked it in my pocket. I'll always keep in close to me wherever I go. Anthony held out a medium sized box for me to take next.

"I noticed your knife handle didn't fit your hand. Dad helped me with it yesterday and today. I hope you like it." He had designed a mahogany wood handle with an A carved into the hilt. This is absolutely beautiful and I let a tear slip from my eye. "I didn't mean for you to cry." I hugged him to show just how much I loved it.

Next is my dad who is holding another blade. It looks identical to Anthonys. "He made the handles and I crafted the blades. You'll see the swirl I was able to put into the blades." These are beautiful. Hugging him and slide the blades on both sides of my hips. I plan to use these a lot and I'm pretty sure they knew that by the proud expressions they wore.

Evan quietly handed me his. It's in a beautiful little box with a red bow. Inside is a gold heart on a dainty gold chain. An A is on one side while and E is on the other. "Will you help me put it on?" I noticed the little blush on his face. He complied and I returned his gift with a kiss on the cheek. I couldn't help, but feel something off by this.

When on Earth did he find the time to make this? As if on cue, "After we met in town, I got it made. You amazed me with your quirkiness and your beauty, as well as the confidence and strength you radiate." Now is my turn to blush at his words. Smiling I leaned on his shoulder while we talked for the rest of the night.

Morning came extremely early, and I wished we could have more time to sleep. Unluckily though, my dad wanted a training session, with Evan included. Rolling over, I came face to face with someone I didn't think I would. There lay Evan, deeply asleep and his arm wrapped securely around my waist. I'm not sure how I hadn't felt him come in here. "Hey get up, we have training and my dad will kill you if he sees you in my room." I whispered to him hardly.

"I'm going. I just couldn't sleep so I came to cuddle with you. Good Morning beautiful by the way." He rolled over cuddling me even more. I let out a giggle at his childish manner. "Sshh maybe they'll let us sleep in." He cooed me sleepily.

Pushing him I managed to get out of his arms before he tightened them. "I'm going to train. If you wish to stay then you may get yelled at by my dad." That got him up and moving quickly. There's nothing more scary than my dad when he's angry. He saw a little bit of that last night when he grabbed my arm.

"Hey, I have a question. Why did you grab me like that last night? It really hurt and I really didn't mean to attack you. I heard Annalise cream and the worst came to mind." He visibly stiffened when I brought it up. I just wanted to talk about it and clear the air.

He walked up to me and embraced me in a warm hug. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I was mad when I came to with a headache, I wouldn't intentionally hurt you." His words warmed my heart. I'm glad we are past this and able to move along.

"Alexi come on training ha.... What in the world is this!!! WHY ARE YOU IN MY DAUGHTERS ROOM!!" My dad started screaming at us. I knew he'd be mad but I didn't think this mad. He really has no reason, we're only hugging.

"We were discussing what had happened last night. I have feelings for her and I wanted to apologize for how I had hurt her last night. I would like to get to know the family more and join in on the training. My family used to do a lot of sports and hunting." My dad just curtly nodded at Evan and lead us to the forest.

The rest of training had been extremely awkward. My dad refused to allow Evan to be my partner and instead they were. Me and anthony trained together and my mom and Annalise were partners.