Hell School

Chapter Six

  Torn...

 After a series of replays, I could not watch any more of it. On one hand, Ronald believes he is safe for the moment, by the sudden disappearance of his tape. On the other hand, we were scared. The gruesome, horrific murder took place right in our school and to the most innocent soul I knew of in school - Yvonne. 

Yvonne was a senior but I got along with her well. Her classmates teased her as the 'Lone Electron' because of her timid and quiet nature. She was declared missing seven days ago, no one knew she is dead. We were s**t scared. If it happened to her, only heaven knows who that thing is coming for next.

 "W-what are we going to do?" I beamed at Ronald with hope of hearing something soothing from him.

 His dark brown eyeballs, housed under bushy brows, glaring at me, was the last thing hope could look like. I felt a strong nauseating sensation from the smell of dead rats all around his garage. There was a plate of fresh a day or two chicken on his table, he is either a dirty regular or an unnoticing occasionist.

I watched him pace back and forth the 15 feet long garage. The garage used to belong to his dad, but ever since his father passed away, his junks replaced his father's cars.

 "W-w-what are we going to do?" I asked again, really scared.

 "f**k! I don't know. Let me think!!!" He bellowed, very angry and a bit of trembling in his voice 

I have never seen Ronald like this - wearied, troubled and mad - since when we were five. Whatever this thing is, it really was getting to our core.

I sat on the floor, wrapper my hands round my legs propped up to my chest. "I don't want to die like this," I said wimpishly.

I saw his face radiated; it only meant one thing - he has an idea.

 "Stop whining around and get over here." He picked his phone, then brought out a dusty sneakers from his shoe rack. He booted up, ready to move. 

 "Where are we going?" I watched him put on his jean jacket and bandana round his head.

 "To the police," he said with a wide smile. Now that is the Ronnie I know. Always sly and having something up his sleeves.

 "The police? Why?" 

 "What do you expect me to do?" He rolled up the garage door, "if that nerd brain of yours got anything better I am very much willing to welcome them."

He was right. The police was the best option for us, that way we would become heroes for finding out what happened to Yvonne. Then I reasoned, "what if the school authorities gets involved and we are asked how we came by the video, uhn?" 

 My question put him in a pause. He shook it off, "that is a risk I am willing to take," he said, getting into his car, while I stopped at the garage door. "You coming or not?" He yelled at me.

 I was hesitant for a while, trying to picture what would happen to my record as the perfect A student. Or the disarray it will put my mother in, who is striving to make sure I graduate as a valedictorian and proceed to medical school. Following him means forfeiting everything I dreamed of, staying back means our friendship of fifteen years is over. I had to choose between myself and my friend. He honked at me, telling me to make my decision. Ronald has always been there for me: whenever I was bullied, he stood as my bodyguard, when I was scared of people, he pushed me to talk. I owe the little self esteem I have of myself today. And this one time he needs me, I was going to bail on him? No. I won't be that kind of friend. 

 I slid my jacket's zip to the neck, I scurried into his car. We zoomed off to the police station. We did not talk to each other as we drove. It was still kind of awkward choosing my friend over myself. My mother would definitely hate me for the decision I just made. 

 On getting to the police station, Ronald exhaled and inhaled sharply, knowing fully well he had nothing to lose. While me on the other hand, would lose everything I have ever achieved in Meldow hills. 

 I was about to get down from the car after parking, then he held my hand. He looked into my eyes and I saw pity in it, "thank you." The solemnity of his voice melted my heart and I was ready to put everything on the line.

 "Anytime," I said. We did our custom handshake afterwards.

We strode into the station puffing out our chests. Their eyes were more on Ronald than I. He was taller (towering 6.2fts) than I (barely 5.8fts), bigger than I and looked more manly than I.

 "How may I help you?" A police woman behind the counter questioned.

Ronald sniffed, "uhm, we are here concerning the missing case of Yvonne Sanders." He gulped a cupful of saliva.

 She turned her back to us to make a call over the landline. Ronald gazed into my eyes, bowing in appreciation and I did the same.

 "Sit over there," she points to a chair.

 "Thank you Ellaaine," Ronald said, squinting his eye at her name tag on her chest, with a flirtatious smile. 

 She smiled back at him. We took our seats. We waited for thirty minutes, which looked like eternity to me in particular. A well built man with fine facial features, strutted into the reception. He heads over to Ellaine, they talked in an indistinct tone, then she points at us. The man was now heading toward us. Ronald held my hand. I guess he must have noticed me fidgeting. 

 "Hey boys, you got something for me?" His bass tremored in our ears.

 "Yes, um we..." 

 "Names," the man said, "I am Johnson, but you can call me JJ."

 "I am Ronald."

 "I am Jimmy."

 "Good. Jimmy and Ronald, what do you have for me?"

 Ronald tucked his hand into his pocket, bringing out his phone. 

 "Yvonne Sanders was murdered, not kidn*pped," he went on, swiping his phone, "we have a footage that shows have was murdered."

Johnson's ears twitched ready to listen to us. I was having a good feeling about this, no loops so far.

 My hopes didn't last for long. I knew something was wrong after Ronald handed over the phone to the office. Johnson's broad faced housed a frown.