Hushed

Chapter 2: A Message

    A body fell from the second floor of the auditorium, some students stayed in place shocked, while others ran out in terror. Mikaela was trying to pull me out but I didn’t want to leave, I had my eyes on the second floor. The teachers thought it was a good idea to close it since it was just a small game but I think that it’s very evident that it’s not.

    When Mikaela finally left me alone on the bleachers, I took the opportunity and walked up to the second floor, I know I wasn’t thinking right but I need my questions to be answered.

    My footsteps were slow but my heart beat fast. Why did I even go up here? Anyone could’ve seen me. I closed my eyes as I set foot to the second floor. I didn’t know what to expect, half of me wanted to see someone smiling while watching the people in chaos but the other half didn’t want to see anyone at all.

    There’s no one her, the place was deserted. I moved to the opening and saw some kind of contraption. I’m sure this was used to make the body fall. How did they place the body there? The only way I think of is if they killed the person before placing them there.

    My eyes moved to the body lying on the floor. I could see her clearly now, Sandy Nomila. No one likes her; she’s mean even to her so-called “friends”. I can remember her insulting Cain in front of the whole school just for walking in front of her.

    I looked behind me when I felt a hand on my arm. “We need to go,” Max said he must’ve followed me here. “The police will be here in no time. Let’s go down before anyone can even see us here,” he added and dragged me down to the court.

    The police arrived as soon as we got down from the second floor. Some approached the students who were panicking, crying while the others walked up to the body. Max and I were about to leave when a police officer approached us. He had his hair pushed back and was wearing glasses.

    “You guys can’t go home yet,” he says. “I’m sorry. What?” I asked. Is this because I went to the second floor? Or maybe because of the bonfire incident? Why do I always dig my own grave?

    “We just need to question people. You know ask you everything that happened. I know it’s hard for you guys, we totally understand if you say no,” he answers. He had this warm smile which made me at ease.

    “I can answer questions right now,” Max says and I nod in response.

    The officer made us sit on the bleachers and listened to our stories. “Alright, thank you for participating well. I really appreciate it,” he said after Max gave his statement.

    “What does this mean for the game?” Max asked as we got out of the auditorium.

    “It means that you lost,” I answered. He was about to shoot for three points when the body fell and then, the buzzer went off.

    “What, no‽ I totally made us win,” he protested.

    “It’s very clear that you lost,” I said and walked past him. I made my way to where my bicycle was parked.

    “Wait, did you even watch me play?” he asked as I got on my bike. “I already told you, I didn’t,” I said.

    “I will never lie to you,” I added and started to pedal.              

    I rode my bike home and went straight to my room, not bothering to check if my parents are home. They come home when I’m asleep and go to work before I wake up but they haven't been here for years now. 

    My mind was pretty occupied by all the things that happened that I didn’t even notice that it was already three in the morning. I opened my bag to search for my phone when a black envelope took my attention.