In a dark void, a voice hummed as she watched the events that happened that night on replay. "Looks like you failed me Gwen but it is alright. You were useless from the beginning."
Meanwhile...
"Wow, Jake! I didn't know you were loaded!" Brianna yelled.
Jake smiled and gave me the wad of money. "I hope this will cover everything you need to buy for Andrew's cousin's birthday."
"Are you kidding?" Brianna snatched the wad of money from me. "This is more than enough!"
I too was surprised by the huge amount of money but dared not to ask him where it came from. Besides, I didn't want to know.
Soon the taxi arrived and we hopped in.
"I hope you have fun shopping," Jake said waving at us.
"Oh don't worry we will," Brianna yelled. "Do you need anything?"
"Nope!" he replied as the driver started the engine.
"Wow! I didn't know he had all this money!" Brianna squealed shifting in her seat. "Wait, how much is it? I'd better count."
I felt uneasy as she counted the money because I haven't gotten over the events that played out that night; Gwen's death, Alice's betrayal, and the fact Stan could be burned to death. What scared me was the fact he may have put something in my phone to track me but a part of me was grateful he did because if he hadn't found me...
"Emma what's wrong?" asked Brianna.
I sighed and looked out the window.
She playfully nudged me. "Cheer up. I know this mall where we can get a swimsuit at a serious discount!"
Her words made me chuckle. "Are you sure? All the things sold at a mall are expensive."
"Not this mall. I know some of the workers there so we can get huge discounts."
"Wow! You are lucky but how did you know these people?"
"My Uncle Harry and his buddies work there," she explained. "He sells shoes there and he is friends with the owner of the mall but who is his favorite niece in the world? ME!"
She laughed and I joined her. The ride was uneventful except we talked about the things we needed to buy and what birthday present we needed to get for Andrew's cousin.
"What is his name again?" I ask getting out of the taxi.
"I think his name is Charlie," Brianna replied.
I laughed as we walked towards the entrance of the huge building. "You are not thinking about chocolates now are you?"
She frowned. "No, I am not. Okay, maybe a little but I am serious. That is his name."
The cold air hit us as we walked through the doors of the mall making me shiver a bit. It was glamorous like every other mall I have seen on TV filled with shops that had a section for clothes, and shoes right down to children's toys. There was also a section where you can actually go food shopping and a restaurant where you can get something to eat.
"So what do you think?" Brianna asked.
"It is beautiful," I reply breathing in the air-conditioned air. "And clean too."
She chuckled. "You sound like you this is the first time you have entered the mall."
'Actually, it's been a long time since I entered the mall.' I thought. 'But when was that?'
We walk past various shops until we come to the section where they sell women's shoes. There, we see a chubby old man sitting behind the counter reading a magazine who looked up and smiled.
"Why here is my favorite niece." he stood up and hugged Brianna. "Did you miss me?"
"Of course I missed you. Why do you think I came here to visit?" she replied.
"Aww. Where is your brother?" he asked.
She rolled her eyes. "Still sleeping in bed. Oh. I would like to introduce you to Emma. Emma this is my Uncle Harry."
"Pleased to meet you, sir," I greet giving out my hand for a handshake.
"The pleasure is all mine," he replied taking my hand. I seize the opportunity, to look at his eyes and as usual, they were fixed on my boobs but that wouldn't be a problem if they didn't look... you know, starved.
'Oh my gosh did he just lick his lips?' I quickly take back my hand and resist the urge to rub it on my jeans. 'As long as he is not present in the changing room I am fine but for now, let's get this over with.'
"So Uncle know a good place where they sell good swimsuits?" Brianna asked sweetly.
"As a matter of fact I do!" he replied eagerly with a broad smile. "Just follow me."
"I hope it is cheap though," I mutter as we leave the shop.
Brianna and her Uncle were talking about the good times they spent together and laughing at each other jokes which did not sound funny to me. Some of the jokes were a bit dirty for my liking but she laughed her head off.
'Maybe she is just appreciating his sense of humor or she is innocent.' I thought.
Uncle Harry laughed and pointed to the shop in front of us. "Well, here we are ladies. This is where they sell swimsuits for both boys and girls. Do you need any help in selecting the best one?"
We say 'No' and enter the shop. After looking in the aisle for a while and playing 'Peek-boo' behind a curtain of clothes, we picked out the swimsuits we wanted to wear and try them on in the changing room.
"You know, we should have gone to the adult section earlier," Brianna commented from her side of the changing room.
"Well, I do have the body of an adult. Pass the next one please." I ask the staff outside the changing room and she gave it to me.
"When we are done, we are going to buy sunscreen, sunglasses, and cosmetics for you," said Brianna.
I huff trying to put on the next swimsuit. "I do not need that."
"I know. Your body is all that you need to turn a guy's head 360 degrees." She giggled. "And, there are a lot of guys at the beach. Good thing Jake is there to make sure they keep their eyes off you."
I quickly change the topic. "Aren't you into girls?"
"I know but I am bisexual. Just don't tell my brother okay?"
"You're secret is safe with me."
I heard her struggle from my side of the changing room. "Do you need help?"
"Yeah. I think I am stuck!" she said. "Nope! I got it!"
I look at myself in the mirror and smiled. 'This swimsuit looks nice on me. It also makes sure my cleavage doesn't stand out too much.'
"By the way, I met a girl called Julia at the Arcade the day before yesterday. Do you know her?" Brianna asked.
I hear a sound outside the room and take off the swimsuit. "Yeah so?"
"She asked us if you were with us but we said 'No'. She was with a tall boy wearing glasses and he said he knows you too."
I stretch my arm through the curtain and another swimsuit was placed in my hand. "You mean Magic?"
"That's his name?"
"Yeah."
"Magic?"
"Yeah. He is the Student Council President back at my former school."
"Former school? Are you a transfer student?"
"Yes, I am. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
"It's okay. There was nothing 'magical' about him anyway. He was so rude he made Aubrey flare up."
"Really?"
"Yeah, and he was so creepy too."
"How?"
"He was asking us questions about you until Jake told him off." then she grunted. "Say, is Julia your stalker?"
I freeze on the spot. "Come again?"
"Julia. Is she your stalker?"
I frown. "I am not sure. Who told you that?"
"Jake. He was with us when we met them."
'Great! Just great!' I had to give her a reply quickly. "I...I am not sure about that but I do know she was my bully."
There was a pause from her side. "Oh thank God! Brutes asked him if he knew about your stalker issue and the fact you were suspecting him. He said yes and he thinks she might be your stalker."
Smooth. "Why would he think that?"
"Didn't she molest you while you guys were out on a date?"
My head snapped up.
"He said something about her hand going underneath your shirt and..."
"Okay, okay she did but that was all. Besides, she knows the consequences of stalking me."
"But your former bully won't be stalking you unless..." she trailed off at that part.
"I know what you are thinking and yes she is obsessed with me." I rub my arm trying not to remember the times she forced me to French kiss her. "You see, I never told anyone the reason why I choose to stay at our current school."
"All right, explain." She said in a serious tone.
"I was bullied back at my former school and it was so bad I nearly committed suicide once."
'Lies.'
'Shut up.'
"Gosh, that is terrible! Was Julia one of them?"
"Well, there were two. Ned is a spoilt pampered guy who thinks he owns me and Julia the Queen Bee. I thought she was bullying me out of jealousy but realized she had a thing for girls when she started sexually harassing me."
"In other words, you found out that she was gay." Brianna pointed out.
"Yeah, but she never told anyone. Her parents are well-respected people in town and I heard they are homophobic. If they found out their daughter is gay..."
"It could ruin their reputation." Brianna reasoned. "I think she is your stalker."
"I highly doubt it. Her parents would flip if they hear she is stalking a girl."
"Then that leaves Ned."
"Yeah but I don't want to jump to conclusions because he was dating Julia."
"Won't they break up after he discovers Julia is gay and obsessed with you?" she asked.
"Donno. I didn't stick around for the drama because I left immediately when I was approved for the student exchange program."
Brianna hummed to show she was thinking deeply. "It looks like we have to do some kind of investigation in order to give the police a suspect but we have hit a brick wall with only two of them. Do you know anyone else?"
I shake my head. "No."
She sighed. "Let it go. Maybe your stalker will slip up. Stalkers normally do that."
I dress up in my clothes and step out of the changing room. 'Jake you smooth criminal. You pushed your crimes on Julia!'
I look around and see our purchases were on the floor.
Brianna was mad. "How rude! The least she could do is to tell us she was going somewhere before dumping her purchases on the floor."
I had a sinking feeling as we get our things and shop for the remaining things we needed for the beach party. I bought a dress because I was uncomfortable dancing in a swimsuit and Brianna bought me a bikini just in case 'something' should happen to the dress giving me hint she might do something sneaky. We pay for the clothes, say goodbye to Uncle Harry, and go to the exit where we were stopped by a female security guard.
"A detective was looking for you ma'am," she said pointing to an old man wearing a brown coat.
We walk off to see him. "Good afternoon Detective Walsh."
"Why Ms. Cross-wood it is a pleasure to meet you," he said with a huge smile. "Do you mind if I talk to you in private?"
I give Brianna my things and he took me to a restaurant situated in the mall. There he ordered a cappuccino for himself and a piece of chocolate cake for me.
"Thank you, sir," I say.
"You are welcome." He replied. Silence passed between us until he said something. "Are you friends with Gwen?"
I felt my feet go numb but kept a straight face. "Yeah, we are friends."
"When was the last time you saw me here?"
I pretend to be in thought. "A few weeks ago but I don't really remember. Why do you ask?"
"Well, she's declared missing for some time now and her parents are really worried about her." he coughed a bit. "Since you were the last person to see her alive, maybe you can give me a few tips on where she might be."
I keep up the poker face and sigh. "To be honest with you detective, I don't really know her well. We met in school, bumped into each other during the summer, and talked on the phone. The last time I talked to her, she said something about exploring some creepy place but I did not go with her."
"Did you know the name of the place she wanted to go?" he asked.
I shake my head.
He groaned and leaned back on his chair. "Too bad there are a lot of creepy places in this town and that school is one of them."
I cut up a small piece of cake with the fork and shove it up my mouth to suppress my guilt. I was lying and the fact I had planned this since her death made it worse.
Speaking of the school, "Detective Walsh?"
"Hmm?"
"Is it true Madeline's High school was once called Akademi High?"
He looked at me and leaned forward. "Yeah. It was."
"Why did they change the name?"
I watch him put his elbows on the table and cover his head with his hands. "Where do I begin with this tale? Akademi High was once a prestigious school until murders took place during 2012."
That got my attention. "Murders?"
"Well, girls were found dead during the school year and some were declared missing." He explained. "No one knew who the culprit was but one thing is for sure, the incidents were similar to the events that took place in 1980 when the school was in its prime."
I put my hand on my chin. 'So Magic was telling the truth. This is interesting.'
"Do you think there is a connection between what happened in 1980 and 2012?"
He shrugged. "I am not sure. What I do know is a girl named Megami Sakou suspected the murders had something to do with a male student."
"What was the boys' name?"
He hummed for a bit. "Taro Yamada."
I felt my heart sink. "T...Taro Yamada?"
He nods and looks at the time. "Looks like I have to go back to the station."
He dug into his pockets and placed some money on the table. "You can keep the change Ms. Cross-wood. Have a great day."
I watched him walk away and look at the half-eaten cake on my plate. 'Taro Yamada! Could it be...he is the murderer?'
'What about the incident that took place in 1980?'
The question bugged me and something churned in my stomach. I pay for the meal and go off to see Brianna who was waiting for me.
"Hey what was that all about?" she asked.
"Gwen is missing," I say.
She gasps. "That is horrible! I hope she is okay."
I let my mind go blank as we walk towards the exit where the security guards were waiting for us.
"Got everything you need?" one asked cheerfully.
"Yes thank you," we reply in unison.
"Great! Oh someone told me to give this to you," he said handing me a pink shopping bag.
Our eyes widened when we saw the contents of the bag.
"Geez! I didn't know you were into these kinds of things, Emma." Brianna said as the guard opened the door.
"Don't get me wrong. I read manga but I would never buy this genre in my life." I said. "It's disgusting."
Nothing more was said until I got home. Jake was waiting for me in the living room and when I walked in with my bags he stood up to hug me.
"Forgive me."
I cock an eyebrow. "What?"
"Forgive me for not being there for you My Love." He said crushing me closer to him.
"What do you..."
"I heard everything you told Brianna." He said. "Don't worry Beloved, I will make sure they will pay for what they have done to you. I swear it. I will find them and make them suffer for it."
'Not this again.' I thought letting my shoulders slump. "You already know I was being bullied..."
"Yes, but I didn't know it was that serious." He released me from his embrace. "Too bad I only got two names but I find the rest and make them suffer. They will pay for tormenting you, My Love. I mean it."
'Looks like I don't have to tell him about the chat I had with the Detective then.' I thought solemnly to myself.
It had been three days since the incident and he apologized to me for killing Gwen after labeling her as a threat to 'our love'. It made me wonder why he apologized in the first place and despite how sincere he looked, he was happy she was dead. Yet, I was unable to mourn her because of wanted to do to me. Was I really that heartless?
'I will cross that bridge when I get to it but for now,' I put the pink shopping bag on the floor. 'I have something to discuss with him.'
Then I place its contents on the coffee table; three volumes of an erotic manga, two pairs of handcuffs, red rope, some kind of electronic device, a whip, and a box full of thong-like panties.
Jake looked at them in awe then turned red. "Be...beloved you told me to wait until marriage before we do it but..."
His acting and his nosebleed didn't satisfy me. "So, you bought them?"
"What? No!" he squeaked dabbing his nose with the handkerchief.
"No?" I was shocked.
"You...you told me to wait until marriage but...I didn't know you were into this kind of thing, Beloved,"
Blushing, I put all the items into the bag, toss them in the trash and go to my room.
Third POV
Jake was breathing heavily as he dabbed his nose with the handkerchief but the nosebleed kept coming now that the image of Emma wearing those panties was embedded in his mind. But a text from someone was going to change that.
Alice: Happy with the results?
Jake: Not really.
Alice: What is wrong?
Jake: She thinks I am a monster 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrgMfR8C9l
for killing the b!tch.
Alice: Well you did kill her.
Jake: Yeah.
Alice: Are you glad she is dead?
Jake: I am.
Alice: Too bad I didn't do the deed. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t7ODUMyyM
Looking at the bright side, 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq41UHMHqK
Emma will stay away from us...
Jake: And come closer to me. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq9QEi8WTD
Smart. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1ipcBm9Kh
Sorry for doubting you.
Alice: No you are not.
Jake: Whatever.
Alice: But you don't know how to tie her down.
Jake: I was curious.
Alice: Yeah right.
Jake: It looks like our contract ends here.
Alice: Not quite.
Jake: What do you mean?
Alice: You will understand when school resumes. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTLC7wM0o2
Bye.
He stared at his phone in anger and turned it off. 'What does she want?' then he stood up. 'But I have bigger things to worry about. That Detective is walking on thin ice but I have to wait until he makes his move. In the meantime...'
He walk to the trash can and took out the pink bag. '...I have to find out who sent these things to her.'
Irritation flowed through his body as he took out the items from the bag but the manga stood out from the rest.
'This...this...this is a...' he looked at its spine, recalling what he heard about Emma's sexuality, and his blood boiled.
'Looks like I have another threat.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS73KEahwC
