Ridgewood Town

Chapter 12.5

Sophia

June 25

Thursday; 12:13

"What do you mean you saw him?" Jean asked in a high tone. I felt her grip on my wrist tightly as she stared at me. It hurts but I can't voice out my pain.

"I can’t stop worrying about Luis. I went to the treehouse this morning but I found nothing," I started as I tried to explain myself to Peyton. That night, I promised that I wouldn't go alone, but I still went out alone. With Luis always running on my mind, I can't seem to put everything behind me. I should do something. I need to do something.

" As I walked around the woods, I found something. You remember those guys from the WIC Company, right?" I asked him. Peyton nodded. "I wonder if they just happened to be there or they are moving the evidence away.” Thinking how those planks of wood are placed, I knew someone arranged them. I can’t think of a reason yet.

“WIC Company is involved?" asked Jean as she nodded her head. “If they are, I can try to ask for help from Dad. What else did you see?”

I see the scene in my head once again. A tall tree stood; below it were planks of birch wood that I recognized as part of the treehouse.

“Some of the debris and wood from the treehouse were piled up in a corner under a tall tree. Some paintings Luis did were there too. What bothers me was that they were all tainted with blood."

"With blood? What do you mean by that? Is he actually dead?" a series of questions came from Ana. Her voice doesn’t sound worried, more like scared. And I didn't like what she said about Luis. Luis isn't dead. I definitely saw him.

“I don’t know. I remember staring at one of his paintings when I felt like I was about to faint again. I snapped out of it when I heard the sound of twigs breaking. When I spotted the spot where he was hiding, he immediately made a run."

"So that's why you're running madly..." Ana whispered.

"I took the shortcut to the lake when I saw him where he was heading, but when I got there, no one was around. I waited and waited until I heard it again. He was running inside the woods. That is why I ran too. That's when I bumped into Ana," I continued.

"Are you sure it's him?" Peyton asked, looking at me, not convinced. His brows are furrowing as he stares into space. What is he thinking?

"Do you think I'm gonna lie about this, Peyton?" I countered. I feel fed up with people not trusting my judgement.. I may be weak right now, but I know what I saw.

"That's not what I meant, Sophia. You've been so obsessed with Luis-" Before he could finish his words, Jean halted him.

"Obsessed? Do you even hear yourself Peyton?" Jean interrupted him. "Luis is her boyfriend… her lover! We are all worried right now and can we just hope that who Sophia saw was Luis?" I could feel the desperation in her voice.

Peyton took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a few seconds. He must be trying to understand the situation. Peyton was the kind of person who isn't easily moved unless you show him facts to prove your argument. Listening to Luis' stories about his friends, I think I can understand them better now that I'm with them.

"Fine! I understand that I overstepped, but are you really sure that was him? Did you see his face?" His question shattered my determination. Right. I didn't see his face. I based it on his body built. Even if his back is turned, I could easily recognize Luis. I never got to see his face, but I will stand on my ground. He is Luis Mason.

"I don't know," I muttered, trying to make my voice clear. "I didn't see his face."

"See?" his voice sounds like I told you so. Well, he was right. Maybe it wasn't him all along. It might be all in my head since I've been missing Luis.

"But that doesn't mean we don't have any lead." Jean looked at everyone, making faces like there was still hope somehow. I felt her warm hands on my hand. "You found something there, right?" she asked. I nodded as an answer.

"Yeah. But I left my bag and hat in the woods. It was among the piles of the paintings and the birch wood," I said.

"I actually brought it with me. You were holding it, Sophia," Ana said as she pointed to something on the couch in the corner. I saw the familiar large backpack that was placed there.

"I'll take care of that. What we need to do is plan," Jean said. There was a change in her voice this time. It was firm, not like how it was laced with worry a while ago.

"Plan? What do you mean plan?" Peyton asked, confused.

"It's not what I'm thinking, right?" Coover, who was silent for a long time, asked.

"I'm on this with Sophia." I felt her hand on mine once again. She gave me a smile and said, "I will help you find Luis."

"Seriously?" My heart felt light when I heard those words from her. Peyton did promise to help me, but I felt his hesitation. Jean felt determined.

"Yes," Jean answered. She walks between our beds and raises her hand. "Those who are in favor, please raise your hand."

Three out of five raise their hand.

Coover

Thursday; 2:39

"Your bed smells good," a deep baritone voice came from a buff guy who had now sunk deeper into my bed. I felt my blood rush up to my cheeks when he sniffed at it. I could feel my cheeks burning as I tried to hide it behind my laptop.

"I'm sorry for that Coover. He always does that. Yeah, he's a dog." Jean rolled her eyes as she jokingly grabbed Peyton's shirt, pulling him up from my bed. I couldn't help myself from chuckling.

It has come to this. Ana was discharged from the hospital after a few hours but she excluded herself from the plan. As for the other person who didn't raise his hand, he was here now. After all, he couldn't say no to Jean; especially when she pulled him into a neck lock when he didn't raise his hand. Sophia Chase was left in the hospital for some more tests. I hope she won't get in trouble for this.

"You know why we need you, right?" Jean hands me a piece of paper. Number combinations were written but I don't know where I should use them.

"Ana told me about your skills. Maybe you can track this phone too." She handed me a mobile phone. When I tapped the screen, I saw her on the wallpaper.

"But it's your phone. You don't know the passcode?" I asked, feeling confused.

She shook her head and gave me a playful smile.

"It wasn't mine," she meekly answered.

"What?"

"It's her dad's phone," said Peyton as he tapped my shoulder and walked to the door.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I stopped him from walking and grabbed his arm.

"Thanks, Coover!" Jean waved her hand as she happily jogged to the door. Peyton removed my arm on his and patted my head before he headed for the door too.

"Wait-"

And before I could ask them more, they were gone. I stared at the mobile phone in my hand, thinking if I made a right decision to join them?

What am I supposed to do now?