“‘The New York Police are still attempting to solve the murder of Bella Swines,’” the news reporter said on the TV. “‘The death of the freshman at Manhattan High School still shakes the community of the Manhattan homes. Officer Jonah states that currently, the police have not placed the death of the student a murder, because there is evidence suggesting manslaughter or suicide. Fellow officers urge parents to keep their teens safe and to not step outside your houses after ten pm.’”
Riley sat on the floor of her living room, staring at the TV blankly for the last ten minutes. Her spoon was halfway up to her mouth, the milk dripping off the edge and into the cereal bowl.
“Riley,” a girl said, catching her attention and she dropped her spoon into the bowl. When she gazed up, she saw her mother standing there with her brown hair curled around her shoulders. “You should really stop watching this stuff,” Violet told her daughter.
Riley looked back to the TV. “I want to see if they figure out what happened.”
“They took your statement,” Violet told her, kneeling down beside her daughter as she leveled her eyes on the floor boards. “There’s nothing else you can do, Riley.”
“I watched her die…” Riley whispered. “I knew something was off by the way she was acting and….”
“It’s alright,” Violet said, pressing Riley’s head to her chest and drew back. “There was nothing you could do, Honey. Seriously, you shouldn’t blame yourself.”
She only stared back at the TV. “I know what’s happening. I know she was murdered. I told the police that, and they still don’t believe me.”
“They have to find evidence,” Violet explained, “that suggests that there was a murder.”
Riley stared back at the TV. “I want to know what happens.”
“And I know you do,” Violet said, “but it’s not good for you if you’re staring at the TV for the last twelve hours watching the news about it.”
“I want her to have closure. I know she’s dead and I didn’t really know her that well, but she deserves it. Her spirit deserves it.”
“Riley,” Violet said, “you have your therapy in thirty minutes. Let’s go now, okay?”
She stared at the TV blankly for a moment before turning it off and standing, glancing over at her mother before making her way to the front door, where the shoes were.
“Riley,” her mother whispered, “I know you’re not the average teen and you won’t run from these situations until you find the culprit, but you have to let this go.”
“I found who killed dad and now that person is in jail for the rest of his life,” Riley stated. “And I’ll find out who killed my best friend.”
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