Simon Death High
by
Blair Burden
Text copyright © 2011 by Blair Burden
All rights reserved. Expert as permitted under the U.S Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the author.
Smashwords Edition
There is no paperback version of this book as of 2011. This book is FREE and if you were charged for this book, it was done illegally.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious and are based on characters 18 years or older. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Simon Death High: a novel / Blair Burden
Summary: Hannah left for six weeks but, when she comes back, her friends believe she somehow is involved with the murders that happened to teens at their high school.
Blair Burden official website: here
Feel free to read Reasons for Recovery; also based in Simon, Idaho.
Contents
It is a rainy day outside—you know those days when you were in school and you had to stay in the gym for physical education—those kind of rainy days. Anyway, it's a rainy day, and you decide to stay inside. You're all cozy in your furry socks and you're glad you have the television to yourself. So, you turn on the television to the local news and as expected, breaking news isn't something sweet and innocent. Just another teen dead. They probably died from drinking and driving or overdosed on drugs—typical dumb teens these days.
But, then you cringe and realize that is the fourth kid that's been murdered from your high school in the last two years. You won't discuss it at the dinner table—cause no one eats at the dinner table anymore—and you'll stay silent about the whole thing.
Not until you're on the local news—but, then it's too late.
Lucy Jackson nearly choked on her milk carton as she tried to drink every drop. She sucked on it harder as some freshmen threw tiny paper balls into her mess on her head called curls—and it didn't help that her last name was Jackson. She swore she wasn't trying to bring back jheri curls. That was just what happened when you're a biracial girl in moist weather.
She stuck her tongue out as a paper ball hit her in her green eyes. Linda Wilson began to laugh, nearly choking on her watermelon as Lucy's pale skin turned red—probably as red as Linda’s hair. Lonely Linda had no room to laugh—maybe she did. She had the right to laugh at others, since people seemed to tease her about being the only redhead in Simon, Idaho.
Lucy stuck out her green tongue, that had turned that color from eating too much Sour Patch Kids. “Gosh, I cannot wait until we are out of here.”
“Just six more months,” Linda said as she seductively crossed her legs and the bottom of her cheeks that hung out her too tiny shorts were exposed. “College here we come.”
“If we ever make it!” Michael Rose slammed his body onto the table and water dripped onto Linda’s tanned arm.
“You shouldn't say that around here,” Lucy muttered as she brushed back Michael’s dark locks, that had been wet from swim practice.
Michael rolled his eyes, and not in a masculine way. He gently leaned across the lunch table and removed lent from Linda’s long dark eyelashes. “There is so much tension these days. I think everyone should just calm down!”
Linda rolled her blue eyes, “I agree with you one-hundred percent.” She winked and handed Michael her bottle of lotion to moisten up his perfectly tanned skin.
“You have to remember those kids who died had friends and family. We have to respect that,” Lucy, who was obviously more mature than the rest, said. “It's scary when you think about it.” She gasped as her handbag fell to the floor, and dived to get it. All anyone could hear was the sound of pills swimming around in a bottle hit the floor. “It's menstrual pills. I get bad cramps.”
Linda tried not to make eye contact with Lucy and instead stared at her own boobs that were a size too large for her bra. She stuffed them down, as if she were packing a bag with clothes.
Michael’s eyes grew large and the girls looked back to see what he was seeing. They all stared in disbelief as they expected to not see Hannah Walton anytime soon—unless on a milk carton—and not for a good reason.
She left for six weeks without telling anyone. Apparently, not even her teachers knew she would be gone for so long. That wasn't like Hannah at all. From the gang, she probably had the best head on her shoulders—well, besides Lucy. Missing any amount of school was a big no-no for Hannah. The only thing that she would put before school was a fashion show. And no fashion show was being held for six weeks in Simon. And if so—it wouldn't be worth it so close to graduation.
Hannah stayed silent as she sat next to Michael, in her usual spot. She used to sit beside Lucy, not until Linda said she wanted to have her back toward the jocks—for obvious reasons.
Michael caught his drool from hitting the table as they continued to stare at Hannah. To make sure she wasn't a figure of their imagination, he patted her arm. She flipped her long golden hair over her shoulder and beamed.
Linda tried to make eye contact with the gang but they wouldn't take their eyes off Hannah. Like always, Linda knew she had to be the one to talk first. Unlike the others, Linda had a reputation of not only being attention seeking but being outspoken.
“Um, where have you been?” Linda said, as she expectantly broke the ice. “We thought you were dead!”
Hannah laughed as she put peanut butter on a slice of bread. “What do you mean?”
Michael’s eyes got large again and then he laughed. “Um, you've been gone for like more than a month!”
Hannah laughed again as if she were at a comedy show, “Let's forget that happened, okay?”
Lucy held in her laugh as Michael imitated Hannah. As if she were the mature one, Linda elbowed Lucy in the ribs and frowned.
Linda snatched Hannah's bread, “You've been gone for six damn months. What is going on?”
Hannah tore her face up and made eye contact with Michael—her face reading 'handle this bitch'. But, everyone knew Linda was Michael’s favorite. Not that he liked her like that—she wasn't his type. And he was too afraid to handle any bitch, if Linda. Linda wore the pants, not just in her relation with Michael but with everyone she knew.
Hannah cleared her throat and bit into her apple, “Well, you guys it wasn't that long. If you're worried about me missing school—”
Linda sipped her soda, “I don't really care about you missing school,” she laughed. “I want to know where you've been and why you haven't called us?”
“Yeah, we were really worried,” Lucy finally said as she looked at Michael, waiting for him to speak.
“We thought you were mad at us,” Michael said with his eyes on Linda.
Hannah stayed quiet as she felt as though she was being attacked. She wasn't really being attacked, but she hated the attention. No one would be able to tell she didn't like attention. She was always fashionable—a little too much in this town—and heels were her best friend. She was also the head of the school's dance team. Whether she liked it or not—attention was her middle name.
Hannah spotted a police officer and put her lunch back onto her tray as if she were done eating. “Can we talk about this some other time?” she whispered.
Michael and Linda looked at the police too. They had been on campus for the last few months ever since the recent deaths of some seniors. The tension was high anytime the students saw a police or a detective. The town was so small, to even think a serial killer was out loose among them.
“Is, um...Dr. Smith still substituting for health class?” Hannah said, as she stood up to leave.
They all frowned as she brought up Dr. Smith—their principle. Ever since ten girls were pregnant last year, he made it mandatory for all seniors and freshmen to take health class. However, it seemed as though every week their health teacher was calling in sick. And eventually, he didn't show up anymore—leading Dr. Smith to sub.
It's not that no one liked Dr. Smith—he was just odd. He wore the same shoes everyday—big shoes—there was a rumor he would fill them with paper just to look cool. He wasn't bad looking either—better than most teenagers—the girls loved him—and if you were pretty enough, you could get away with anything.
Hannah didn't bother for anyone's reply, so she left without saying bye. She flipped her blonde hair, and the smell of her shampoo awoke them. Michael had his mouth ready to say something, but Hannah was already too far to hear.
“The bitch was pregnant,” Linda said. “She had to be!”
“Then, where is the baby?” Michael snapped. “She looks exactly—”
“Fake tan, blonde hair, pink lips, she is back to the old girl we know,” Lucy said. “Maybe, she had family problems.”
“Did you see her butt?” Linda said. “It was huge!”
“She definitely had a baby!” Michael added. “If not, then what did she do for six weeks?”
“Ugh, you cannot have a baby in six weeks,” Lucy snapped, but they didn't seem to notice. Lucy had that problem—snapping a lot. For a shy quiet girl, she sure did know how to throw a fit. “Are you guys even listening to me?”
“That explains why she wore sweat suits before she left. She was hiding the baby. And she didn't even want to go to my pool party this past summer,” Linda said, as read her Facebook status.
Lucy searched the cafeteria for Hannah, narrowing her eyes to get a better view. “You guys are heartless. She is our friend. She didn't want to go to your party because it was sixty degrees outside. Everyone knows it doesn't ever get hot in this town—”
“And?” Michael and Linda said.
“She is obviously hiding something major. There were lots of pregnant girls at this school last year—why would she hide that from us?” Lucy snapped.
“Unless it was something else,” Linda said, as she lifted one eyebrow.
Lucy rolled her eyes and stood up. “I'm not going to sit here and gossip with you guys about Hannah. I'm going to leave.”
Lucy knew she couldn't get Michael to side with her, so there was no point to arguing. Linda always won—there was no winning.
Linda made kissing noises as Lucy walked away. Although, Lucy loved them both, she tolerated them—and nothing more.
With her purse closely under her arm, Lucy put on her shades in the already dim hallway. She knew as well as everyone else, that she couldn't see two feet away—but she liked to be avoided. She could easily gone unrecognized as well. She was average height about five foot four and the only thing that stood out about her was her dark crazy hair—something that guitarist Slash may have liked. And when it came to fashion—band tees, hoodies, and jeans were her style—nothing more.
If it weren't for Hannah, Michael, and Linda she would just keep to herself. If no one talked to her, it didn't faze her. She wasn't too social when it came to people—she would rather read a book.
Poor Hannah's heart skipped a beat as Lucy entered the restroom. From the gang, Hannah and Lucy were the closest, so, her being in fear when she saw her caught her off guard. Lucy stayed silent as she went into a stall to blow out boogers that had accumulated from the windy day.
Lucy squinted her eyes as she searched through her bag for the pills that had made a loud noise hitting the floor earlier. She thought about taking her prescription but instead decided not too.
With a gentle smile, Lucy walked out the stall, “I know you don't want to talk about it,” she said, shades perched on her nose. “But, you should tell them.”
Hannah spun around to the dirty mirror, searching her handbag for her favorite lip gloss. “It's not what you think.”
Lucy slid her shades back over her eyes, trying to hide her disgust. “They are on to you.”
“Um, on to me? How?” Hannah muttered as she fixed her wavy hair. “You didn't tell them, did you?”
“Of course, I didn't tell them,” she said as she tried to rub a stain off her school hoodie. “What kind of friend do you think I am?”
“I'm really sorry I got you involved,” Hannah sighed.
“What would happen if I did tell someone? Or if someone finds out?”
“I'm going to tell Dr. Smith today,” Hannah smiled. “Today will be freedom. I can take this burden off my back.”
“But...that is a bad idea. Everyone will judge you for it.”
Hannah frowned and began to dig around in her handbag. “The bell should be ringing. I really have to go.”
She rolled her eyes, “Okay, fine, we are all going over to my place tonight for a movie and some pizza. We can all talk there.”
“Um, I have dance practice first. We are thinking about joining the cheer and dance team into one. I miss having you on the team,” Hannah said. “But, I'll come over after,” she lied. “Maybe, I might tell them.”
Lucy paused, wondering if her next comment was appropriate. “Whatever you do, be safe. A lot of students have been getting hurt lately.”
Hannah stayed silent. “Don't worry about me.” She grabbed her makeup supplies and headed out the restroom. She gasped in shock, as Linda stood in the doorway. No doubt, Hannah was hoping Linda didn't hear anything. Linda would be the last person, anyone would want a secret to be told to. Everyone knew Linda couldn't hold water.
“Linda?” Hannah said.
Linda just smiled and narrowed her eyes. “And to answer your question...yes, Dr. Smith is still substituting health class.”
Hannah walked quickly to Building A to the offices. As she turned the corner, she jumped back as she noticed two detectives talking to a cheerleader, Susie Robin. Without second guessing, Hannah turned around and decided to head to her fourth period class instead.
She paused in place, as she heard Susie running after her.
“Hannah, wait up! Hannah!” Susie yelled as she caught up to her.
“Oh, hello, Susie,” Hannah said, as she stared at Susie's new blonde hair. She hated to admit it, but Susie looked cute—almost too cute.
“I'm so sorry you didn't make the cheerleading team,” she said, shockingly being nice. Susie along with many of the other cheerleaders were not very sweet people—especially, toward the girls on the dance team, including Hannah.
“Um, it's okay.”
“Well, maybe next time...when you lose some weight,” she smiled and continued to walk away. “And tell your friend Lucy, to stop being so damn weird.”
Hannah sighed and hurried toward her next class, not wanting to be late. As she tried to walk again, Lucy was pulling her back.
Lucy stared at Hannah without blinking, “What did she say about me?”
“Who?”
“That bitch, Susie.”
“More like, what she said about me,” Hannah nagged. “I can't stand her sometime.”
“Sometime...”
As the bell rang, Hannah kissed Lucy goodbye and then finally ran off to class. She barely realized her life back in Simon, Idaho hadn't changed one bit.
Linda caught herself staring into Dr. Smith's big gorgeous aqua eyes. She tried for minutes at a time to figure out his ethnicity, but every time she was close, she could catch her head dropping. Although, she would never admit to saying he was handsome, she didn't mind hearing him lecture about STDs. She spent her fair share of time in his office—him writing her up for her tiny shorts, or too much cleavage. She couldn't help she had the body of a supermodel but tens times shorter—only if models could be five foot two.
With her eyes narrowed, Linda looked back to see if Hannah had come to class—and she didn't. She tapped Michael on his forehead with her hot pink nails, waking him from his nap. She and Michael had all their classes together and about three of them with Lucy. However, they all had the same teachers.
Michael shoved Linda’s hand out his face and he turned his face to the other side. Still giggling, Linda stuck her finger in his nose and she let out a loud laugh.
Dr. Smith cleared his throat, and stared at Linda. Then, he stared at Michael to wake up. Michael felt that awkward pause when everyone in the class was quiet and he knew they were staring at him.
“What?” he said, as everyone looked at him.
“Wake up!” Dr. Smith snapped. “This isn't preschool.”
“Do they even still sleep in preschool anymore?” Linda added. “I heard they don't. I’m glad I’m a nineties baby—”
“Linda!” Dr. Smith yelled. “Be quiet.”
Just as Dr. Smith was about to continue on, the bell for fifth period rang. Everyone ran out the class faster than people lined up for free chicken at KFC. Dr. Smith pointed at Linda in a vigorous way and she nodded for Michael to wait for her outside.
Walking at a slow pace, Linda tugged on her shorts to make them seem longer. Then, she pulled on her shirt to cover her cleavage. “Sorry...”
“Sorry for what?” Dr. Smith laughed. “You're always guilty of something.”
“Well, obviously it's not something good. I know I talk too much...but, maybe that's what I’m born to do...” she rambled as she stared at his flashy ring that was missing some diamonds.
“What are you talking about?”
Linda jumped on his desk, and swung her legs like she would do as a child. “I'm not sure.”
Dr. Smith leaned closer into Linda, nearly touching her thigh, “So, I’m not sure we've talked much.”
“What do you mean? I’m in your office at least once a week for dress code.”
“Not for that,” he sighed. “About your family and so on.”
“Um, what is there to know?” she said, as she chewed off her nail polish. “I'm an only child and I live with my drunken father on the bad part of town.”
“That must be sad,” he whispered, in an almost seductive way.
“That's all I really know. That might explain why I crave attention—”
“From men...” he said as if he knew.
“No...from anyone.”
“Interesting....” Dr. Smith licked his lips and Linda felt an odd urge to walk away.
She jumped off his desk and pulled out her wedgie. “I should get going to class.”
“Okay, it was nice talking to you, Linda.”
Without saying another word, Linda ran out the class room—feeling violated. As she turned out the doorway, Michael grabbed her shoulder.
Linda arm-locked him and they headed for English class. As Michael hummed a tune from his iPod, they spotted Hannah waiting outside of Dr. Smith's office. Linda pulled Michael so they could go talk to her, but he pulled her the opposite way instead.
If it weren't for Michael, Linda would be late to all her classes. Some would say she was too social to focus in school. Whatever the complete opposite of a loner was—Linda was that.
“We should really talk to Hannah,” Linda said as they approached their class.
“Lucy text me that she is coming over tonight to tell us some major news. Hopefully, it's worth it,” Michael said. “I'm so sick of being out the loop.”
Linda dusted off Michael’s plaid shirt that had crumbs from lunch on it. She narrowed her eyes, realizing he had worn that shirt two days earlier—but Michael always thought no one would notice because all he wore were plaid shirts and skinny jeans.
Linda tensed up as Michael’s twin brother, Mason came running down the hall. They had a bad summer the year before, after Mason tried to get Linda to kiss him at a party and then started a rumor that she was having an affair with a lawyer. The rumor may have been real, but no one had to know that.
“Hey, baby bro!” Mason said.
“I'm only six minutes younger,” Michael said for the millionth time.
“And um...hi, Linda.”
Without a word, Linda frowned and continued to walk into the class. Mason didn't get it though—he just thought she was playing hard to get. Or maybe that she was so drunk that whole summer, that she forgot about the hell he raised.
“So, um, the ASB club is planning a charity school dance. You think you and your crew can spread the word to all the seniors, instead of us posting posters?” Mason asked.
“Um, yeah, I'll tell people about it,” he said.
“And what about basketball tryouts?” he beamed. “They have tryouts all this week.”
“I'm pooped!” Michael said. “I had swim practice today. I highly doubt I will be doing basketball too.”
“Don't say not this year. Dad wants us to both be on teams for our senior year. And who knows, maybe Linda will actually date you.”
Michael nervously laughed as Mason winked. “Um, well, um...I don't know. Is swimming considered a team?”
“Um...sure?” Mason chuckled.
Okay, maybe Michael had a huge burden on his back, hiding that he may not have been the more masculine son, or the more macho guy. Quite honestly, Michael would rather paint the girls' nails and read fashion magazines all day.
He hid it well, and if someone looked close enough it was all in his walk. He didn't have the stereotypical “gay” voice. The only thing that may have given away that he...didn't like girls...was that he only hung out with girls. And for those who were completely clueless, they just thought he was a womanizer who dated Lucy, Linda, and Hannah.
During class, Mr. Conner put on a movie based on War World II that he had been playing for the last week. Linda dug into her handbag, searching for anything to throw into Michael’s big curls that perfectly sat on his head.
As Michael didn't realize, that she was tugging on his hair, Linda decided to go to the restroom. Mr. Conner really didn't notice if she were gone or not. His main goal was that everyone would pass the final exams.
Linda paused as she walked by Dr. Smith's office and noticed Hannah sitting at his desk in tears. To not look too obvious, she walked by again to get a better look to make sure it wasn't just another blonde sitting there crying.
Nosy like always, Linda leaned down to the door. It was easy for her to do things like that, with her petite frame. She cocked her head into the cracked door, trying to listen.
“...We really cannot be seen like this anymore. It's bad and you know it,” she overheard Dr. Smith say. “I think it's best if we avoid each other from now on.”
“But, it worked,” Hannah said.
“Hannah, do you know what can happen to me?” he laughed.
“No, sir.”
“If anyone finds out about us, then we can be in big trouble,” he said. “If people found out what we did to all those girls, we can be in big trouble. I mean big trouble!”
What the hell? Linda thought as she jumped to her feet. She may have not known what she heard, but she knew what it sounded like. She didn't want to believe what she heard, however, she had no idea what it was she heard. She was like the annoying child that parents despised because they would listen in on their business then try to put the pieces together.
As Linda turned the corner, she bumped into Tyler, a boy known to sell drugs in class and do anything for a buck. Her nostrils flared up as she smelled liquor on his breath.
“Linda?” Tyler said, as he looked at her as if she were the most darling thing he'd seen all day. His hazel eyes perked up and he smiled like a child.
“Hey, Tyler,” she muttered, trying not to seem interested.
People didn't know much about Tyler. He barely started at the end of their junior year. However, everyone knew not to mess with him. It was also no secret that Tyler knew everything. There may be a word for it, but Tyler knew how to read people. Not like an ordinary person, but little things could tell him a lot about a person. For instants, just by rubbing her nose a few times, he got a teacher fired because he called her out about being a cocaine addict. That was why he had the title “creepy Tyler.”
“So, what's wrong with you?” he laughed. “You look like you saw something you shouldn't have.”
Linda stiffened up, trying to put on a poker face. “Eh, not really.”
“Let me guess. It's about Hannah.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“She's been in there a while now. I need Dr. Smith to sign some papers of mine, but she is taking all his time. From the looks of it, he isn't happy to see her,” Tyler said, as if he were uninterested.
“Do you know anything about her being gone for six weeks?” Linda said.
“No...” he beamed. “But, I can find out...if that's what you're wondering.”
“For how much?”
“For you?” he paused, “I'll do it for free.”
Linda leaned closer in to Tyler, “So, do you know anything suspicious about what's going on with the Simon death case?”
“You mean the teenagers who were murdered from our school?” he snapped. “I don't know anything, do you?”
“Yeah, maybe...I might even know who is involved,” she winked. “But, if I tell you, you have to promise me that you'll help me out.”
“I told you I would do anything for you,” he laughed. “I know too much to tolerate.”
“So, then you know about these murders?” Linda said as she spotted the biker boys coming into the school building late. She hated to admit it, but she dazed off staring at them.
Tyler snapped his fingers in front of Linda. “Ha, not yet, but I guarantee I'll know who did it before these lame ass detectives. I'll give them a real case, like figuring out that mystery meat. These Simon detectives are a bunch of jokes.”
“Ha, I wouldn't know!” Linda laughed. “Why do I have the oddest feeling that Hannah's disappearance is more serious than she is making it out to be?”
“Because it is.”
“What do you know, bro?” she said as his eyes grew large.
Tyler stayed silent as they watched Hannah leave Dr. Smith's office with a huge smile. She flipped her hair like usual and shook Dr. Smith's hand. Linda’s eyes narrowed at the hand shake, then she elbowed Tyler to look closer.
“Hey, Linda,” Hannah said as she passed by her.
“Um, hey,” Linda said. “Something is going on with that girl...and I’m going to find out,” she whispered to Tyler.
“Uh, yeah...me too,” Tyler said. “We should work together. My life is way too boring right now.”
“Touche.”
Linda grabbed Tyler to walk with her outside. As if he were her boyfriend, she held his hand. Some would say Linda may have had emotionally issues due to her home living. She easily attached to guys in general. She may have not been in love with them, but she did want them around her all the time.
Tyler pulled Linda to sit behind the school, with the only thing in sight were trees. He dug around in his jacket with his eyes still on her. She didn't know if she should run from him, because he was being suspicious or stay because she thought he was cute. However, that was how dumb girls died.
“What are you doing?” Linda asked, with wide eyes.
Tyler beamed as he pulled out a bottle of scotch. “Do you want some?”
“How the heck were you hiding that in your jacket? Do you have magic powers or something?”
“It's a secret.”
Linda grabbed the bottle and chugged have of it down. “Don't tell anyone but I sneak and drink my dad's liquor collection all the time.”
“Ha,” he paused, “so, you live over here?”
Hating the subject, she rolled her eyes, “Nope, I live a little further down in the poor area. You know where the crackheads live.”
“Me too...well...not really...but yeah...”
“Where do you live?”
“Um...I don't have one place to stay.”
“Tough subject, huh?” Linda said.
“Yeah, it is.”
“This is why I cannot stand some people like Hannah because she has everything in life. Some would say we are always in competition with each other, but we are not. I just hate that she can go buy a four-hundred dollar handbag and I can't even afford pants. I wear these same shorts almost every day! She has a chef and I don't even have food to go home to.”
Tyler sighed and rubbed Linda’s back. “Yeah, I understand.”
“Thanks,” she whispered as she drank some more liquor.
“So, um how did you meet them?” he asked. “Your friends?”
“Well, I’ve lived in Simon, Idaho all my life. I know, how lame. But, I’ve known Michael since kindergarten. We've been friends ever since. When my dad was sane, they were best friends. Then, we met Hannah in sixth grade. She was the new girl and believe it or not but I was like the goth girl. People stared at me all weird because I had red hair,” she laughed. “Then, we barely met Lucy in the ninth grade of high school. And we all remained friends.”
“That's nice though...to have friends who you trust.”
Linda playfully smacked Tyler, “Were you not listening how I do not trust Hannah?”
“True, but at the end of the day—you're all best friends. And at this point in your relationship with them, if one goes down, you all go down.”
“So, you're saying I should leave Hannah alone?”
“No, I’m saying you should stay on her case. You don't want to go down with her, do you?”
“Hell no!”
“Then, do what you do best. Get all in her business.”
Lucy wiggled her toes so the nail polish would dry and Michael had his face to the window trying to make out figures through the storm outside.
To get away from their well hated lives, most of the gang spent their after school life at Lucy's home. They were never downstairs because it reeked of a smell like the sewer—they always stayed in her room.
Not only did she live in the middle-class part of town, but she always had the home to herself. She had parents old enough to be her grandparents—literally. Apparently, Lucy said they were both retired and spent their time traveling the world. Occasionally, she claimed she got a postcard from them. She didn't mind it since she was used to being alone.
They all tried to avoid Linda’s house as much as possible because of her drunk dad. Her dad lived off a check because of his mental disorder and he spent most of his time on the porch. And Michael didn't want the girls over for obvious reasons. As for Hannah, no one was ever allowed at her home.
“I'm worried about them,” Michael said as he slid his face down the window. “What if that Simon massacre got them?”
“That is so not funny,” Lucy whined. “I'm sure they are fine. Trust me.”
Michael flipped on the television and turned to the local news. Once again, the teen murder was still headline news. “To think someone in our town is a murderer. Doesn't that scare you?”
“Can we please not talk about this?” Lucy yanked the remote from his hands and turned the TV off. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as she blew on her toes.
Michael leaned his head against the window again, trying to see through the fog. “I'll text Linda. You text Hannah.”
“Why can't you just text them both?”
“Because Hannah won't answer me,” he sighed. “Linda didn't tell me she would be late. She never came back to class after she went to the restroom. What if she got kidnapped?”
“She didn't get kidnapped. The last time I saw her was after school and she was flirting with creepy Tyler.”
“Ew creepy Tyler?” Michael acted as if he were gagging. “Well...he's not bad looking...”
Lucy smiled and patted Michael’s head with her foot. “Will you ever tell your dad the truth?”
“About me?”
“Yeah, about you being gay—”
“Shh, Lucy, don't say that word. It's not easy to just come out like that. No one knows but you girls and I want to keep it that way. I'll tell him when I fall in love.” Michael lied back onto the bed and held a fashion magazine to his face. “I'll tell him when a cute guy asks me out.”
“Ha,” she laughed.
They both turned frightened as they heard loud footsteps coming up the stairs. Although they assumed it had to be Hannah or Linda because they were the only others who had the keys to the home. However, the footsteps didn't sound like the girls.
Linda slammed open the bedroom door, with creepy Tyler behind her. He looked wasted like always, with his eyebrows arched over his eyes—mysterious looking for no reason.
“Hey guys!” Linda shouted, obviously drunk.
“Linda?” Lucy and Michael said as they stared at a bandana tied around her head like a 80s rocker.
“You didn't drive here, did you?” Lucy said. “Or I hope not...”
“Well, um...I forgot?” Linda said as she stumbled to the bed. “This is Tyler.”
“Yeah, we know Tyler,” Michael said as he threw his magazine on the bed.
Tyler didn't say anything, but instead walked over to the foggy window and stared outside. He shook the rain off his leather jacket a few times and looked back at Lucy.
“Do you know if Hannah is coming?” Michael said.
“Do I look like Hannah’s keeper?” Linda snapped. “How the hell would I know?”
“Gosh, she's so rude when she's drunk,” Lucy muttered to Michael.
“Besides, Hannah is a slut. She is having an affair with Dr. Smith!” Linda slurred. “If anything, she deserves what happens to her.”
“What does that mean?” Michael said, as he walked over to the window next to Tyler.
“I'm not...sure...but it won't be good.”
Lucy stood up and pulled Linda to her feet. “Okay, Michael go run a bath for Linda and I'll get her some of my pajamas. She is obviously under the influence,” she snapped as she stared at Tyler. “Maybe you should go, Tyler.”
Tyler stayed silent like usual and headed to the door. Lucy and Michael both listened as Tyler dragged his feet out the front door and were relieved to see him walking home instead of driving.
Lucy used all her strength to take off Linda’s tight shorts. This wasn't the first time Linda had passed out with them—they always stayed positive though and would never talk about it the next day. They should have though, since she would probably never believe she was that drunk in the evening. Like father, like daughter.
Two hours after giving Linda a shower and tucking her into the guest bedroom next door, Michael and Lucy decided to try and contact Hannah.
They all knew Hannah was always on her phone and she would never let a call go missed—unless she was angry. And if Hannah was angry about something, she usually started the fight. Like, back when they first started their senior year, Lucy quit the dance team and Hannah didn't speak to her for two weeks. They would sit at the same table, but Hannah wouldn't dare talk to Lucy. She was good at things like that—acting as if someone never existed, so her leaving for six weeks and being silent—was no surprise.
Lucy threw her phone across the room when Hannah finally answered on the tenth call—but hung up as soon as Lucy said “hello.”
“She hung up on me!” Lucy snapped as she tightened her robe. “It sounded as if she were at a club.”
Michael rolled his eyes, “But, it's like seven at night. Why would she be at a club? And with who? We are her only friends,” he said. “She is really starting to piss me off.”
“Pissing you off? I feel like smacking her across her perfect face!” Lucy snapped.
Michael tried not to make eye contact with her, “Calm down!”
“Sorry, I just get so mad sometimes.”
“Really? I couldn't tell,” he joked. “Back to the club, who could she be with?
“I'm not sure, but there was loud music in the background. Maybe she has bad service where she's at.”
Michael began to chew on his lip. “Or maybe she just doesn't want to be bothered with us. What was so important that she had to tell us?”
“I don't know,” Lucy lied.
Michael jumped in fright as the thunder seemed to shake the entire house. He jumped back onto Lucy's bed and hid under her covers. “I hate to admit it, but this weather scares me. You would think I would be used to it, considering we never have summer in this town.”
“Maybe we should go check on Linda. I don't want her choking to death from vomiting in her sleep.”
Michael and Lucy ran to the bedroom next door. In fear, Michael turned on the lights to witness her gone. Linda’s pajamas that they had put on her were laying on the floor and there was a trail of wet drops leading downstairs caused by her hair.
“What, she left?” Lucy gasped.
“But, how?” Michael said. “What if someone took her?”
“Maybe we should go find her. She is probably sleep walking again. With all the loud thunder and rain, we must didn't hear her leave.”
Lucy hurried to put her rain boots on, while, Michael started the car downstairs. He didn't know how to drive yet, so he hopped in the passenger seat. Well, he tried to get his license back when he was sixteen, but would freak out whenever he was in the driver's seat. Driving reminded him too much of his mother—she died in a car crash five years ago. It was not a good way to live his life—but it worked for him.
He flared his nostrils up for some odd reason to try to smell the garage. He found it odd how the house smelled like a sewer but the garage didn't smell like it. “Um, it doesn't stink in here,” he said to Lucy as she got into the passenger seat.
“What are you talking about?” she snapped.
“Well, your downstairs smells like crap.”
“I told you it's a pipe!”
He wrapped himself in a raincoat that was on the backseat, while Lucy began to drive. “Hmm, you should get it fixed, or tell your parents to fix it.”
Lucy began to laugh, “I don't talk to my parents like that.”
Michael's heart began to pound harder as the rain hit the windshield like rocks. “We should head back home. This weather is dangerous.”
“Oh, don't be a baby,” she teased. “It's just rain.”
“And lightening, and thunder, and hail,” he cried. “Please, let's just go back home!”
Lucy pushed on the gas break harder, “HA!”
Michael tugged on her shoulder, “Please stop!” he hyperventilated. “You're gonna kill me!”
She pushed on the breaks and then stared at Michael, “I wouldn't want that—I was just kidding.”
Linda could feel vomit sliding up her throat but she swallowed it down. Her eyes began to water as she tried to make sense of where she was. She felt someone gently brush her hair back as loud music filled the room.
As she tried to reposition her body, it felt as though she would fall because she was on a bar stool. She grasped the edge of the table and tried to focus her eyes. However, everything was a blur, as Linda couldn't even remember how old she was.
“You cannot be here!” a blonde girl, who Linda tried to recognize said. “Linda, go home!”
“Nah, let her stay!” said a man, standing behind Linda. “She's funny.”
“This is between me and you! I don't know how she found us here!” the girl cried. “What if she tells someone?”
Linda opened her eyes wider as she made out the girl to be Hannah. She tried to say something, but no words would come out. She turned her head back to see who was standing behind her, just to realize the man looked like Dr. Smith. Her heart began to pound like crazy as he sipped his drink. She wanted to scream and run like hell, but it was like she wasn't in control.
Hannah leaned in with her bruised wrist to pull Linda off the bar stool, but instead her ring got caught onto Linda’s belly ring. Hannah tugged on her finger and Linda gagged in pain. Dr. Smith snatched Hannah's hand hard off, ripping Linda’s ring right through the hole. If she were sober, she probably would have cried in agony, but she held her stomach, trying to understand what just happened.
Linda touched the ripped hole, and blood was on her hands. She tried to cry, but Hannah put her cold palm over her mouth and lifted her to her feet.
“Why do you always do this?” Hannah shouted. “Just stay out of my business!”
“Whhh?” was all she could say.
“You hate to see me have a life? I’m not Michael; you cannot control me like you control him!”
Dr. Smith walked over to Linda, “She won't remember in the morning. I promise.”
“How do you know?” Hannah said.
“Because—” Dr. Smith took his huge fist and slammed it into Linda’s face knocking her out cold. Her head snapped back, not hard enough to break her neck, but hard enough to give her a cramp. Hannah wanted to cry as Linda collapsed to the floor, but she knew if she showed any emotion...he would do the same to her.
With her head swollen, Linda lifted her head up in confusion. She looked around as she realized she was in the school cafeteria. The room was empty, but she could tell it was almost lunch because it smelled like mystery meat.
With squinted eyes, she looked around the table and all her stuff was around her, including her phone. She went through the fifty missed calls and text messages—most were from Michael, Lucy, and Tyler.
She turned around as she heard footsteps enter the cafeteria—it was Michael. He came running, hair dripping from swim practice, and then he hugged her.
“You're okay?” he cried. “I'm so happy. I got worried when I didn't see you in class today!”
Linda shoved him off her sore body, “How did I get here?”
“Ugh, you tell me. Lucy and I were looking for you last night, but like an hour after we were searching, your dad claimed you were home—”
“And you believed him?” she snapped. “He's an old mental drunk. He probably thought the cat was me!”
Michael held in his laugh. “Well, you're okay now. Where were you? Were you with Tyler?” he said as he lifted one eyebrow, hinting he wanted details. “You don't have to lie about it.”
“I'm not sure where I was, but I had a hell of a dream about Hannah.”
“Hmm, strange. I didn't see Hannah in Economic class today. I usually see her sitting at her table when I walk by. I didn't even see her with the dance team today either.”
“Ha, yeah...she was like in super small shorts—I mean short like how I like my jeans. And she had her hair all big and wavy—but the oddest part is that she was with Dr. Smith,” Linda laughed. “It didn't make sense though because I remember her like...I can't remember but, yanking my belly button ring out.”
“Eh, weird dream. I had a dream about Dr. Smith once. I dreamed he moved in next to me,” he shivered.
The bell rang, and within a second students came running to the cafeteria line. Linda seemed entertained as she was never in the cafeteria this early. She enjoyed watching teens fight over food. Lucy ran over to the table as she saw Linda sitting there. She threw her bag onto Michael’s lap and hugged Linda.
“Oh, Linda! You're okay!” she cried. “You had us so worried.”
“Michael told me,” Linda said.
“Where were you?” Lucy asked as she sat on her hands, trying to warm them.
Linda pouted and leaned her head on Lucy's shoulder. “I'm not sure, but I don't feel good. Can we all go home instead of going to our last classes?” Linda said. “I just have an odd feeling here.”
“Yeah, baby,” Lucy said. “I really didn't want to be here today anyway. I have mega cramps.”
“Why don't you take those pills?” Linda said.
“What pills?” Lucy said.
“The ones you said are for menstrual cramps. You know, the ones that hit the floor the other day and everyone stared at you,” Michael added.
Lucy shook her head in confusion. “I don't have menstrual pills.”
Michael stared at Linda with a funny face. “Um...okay...”
“Have you guys seen Tyler today?” Linda said, changing the subject.
“Nope, I thought he would be with you,” Lucy said. “I don't ever notice him though.”
“No, I didn't see him either,” Michael said.
“Have you seen Hannah?” Lucy said.
“No, but tell Lucy your crazy dream about her,” Michael said.
“Later, because it feels like I’m going to pass out. Can we just leave?” Linda said. “Like now!”
“Okay, let's go now—” Lucy got quiet as she stared across the cafeteria.
Michael and Linda turned to see who she was looking at—Adam Black.
Adam was nothing more than Lucy's summer fling. A lot of crazy things happened last summer, but Adam and Lucy were the most memorable. Everyone just knew they would graduate as high school sweethearts—not until he left her right before school started. He never gave a reason why, and anytime someone would bring up the subject, Lucy would give them a death stare. Their breakup was always on Linda’s mind—mainly because she was nosy.
Also, Linda thought he was gorgeous, like Shia Labeouf gorgeous. Although she would never tell Lucy, Linda wanted to snag him up after they broke up—but, that would break the friend code.
Michael tugged on Lucy to get up and pulled her to her feet. “Come on, let's go home.”
The gang went to Lucy's home like usual, trying to get answers on where Linda had went. She couldn't have gone far since their town was small. Also, someone they knew would have seen her.
Michael turned on the television on full blast, trying to block out the loud rain from outside. He flipped on the local news and as usual the Simon High deaths were breaking news.
“...Detectives have just released new info that connects all the deaths of the teenagers that attend Simon High. They're saying that all of them had bruised wrists. They're not sure if this is due to after being killed or before—”
Linda’s eyes got large as she remembered Hannah's wrist from her dream. “Hannah had that in my dream.”
“What dream?” Lucy said.
“I don't know, one of the ten weird dreams I had. It was when she was leaning for me and then her ring got caught onto my belly button ring and she pulled so hard, it yanked out—” Linda lifted her shirt and screamed. She stared at her belly button that had hard blood on it. She poked at it, which was red and purple.
“Ew?” Michael said in confusion. “What happened?”
Linda put her shirt down, “I'm not sure.”
“You know, sometimes in dreams things happen in real life too. Like when some people dream about peeing in the toilet but they're really wetting the bed,” Lucy said.
“So, you think I pulled my own belly button ring out?”
“It's possible,” she sighed.
“No! That's crazy!”
Michael sat close to Linda, “So, what else happened in that dream?”
“Where is Tyler?” Linda said, ignoring Michael. “What if he is the next victim? What if I was supposed to be the next victim last night?”
“I'm sure he is fine. Why don't you just call him?” Lucy said.
“I don't have his number yet. I don't think he has a cell phone.” Linda sank down into the blankets and tried to think back to her dream. “I was at a bar,” she said, remembering back. “A bar for people at least twenty-one. Um, that's all I remember...”
“What type of bar? It must have been out of town. I don't know any bars out here,” Michael said.
“No, it's an underground bar just before you leave Simon. Like around South Simon. I used to go there back when I was depressed. I used my looks to get in.”
“Are you sure you were dreaming?” Lucy said.
“Ew, I had to be!” she shivered.
“Why?”
“Because Dr. Smith was in it,” Michael answered for her.
Linda gagged and leaned back onto some pillows. “It's not just that, but...but...he was there with Hannah...like a date.”
Lucy's face turned fearful as she turned the television off. “How would you know that?”
Linda’s eyes narrowed, “I wasn't dreaming, was I?”
“How...how...would I know?” Lucy stuttered.
“You're stuttering. You know something,” Michael snapped.
“I don't know anything,” she giggled.
“Is Hannah having an affair with Dr. Smith?” Linda said. “And you knew about it. That's what you guys were talking about in the restroom the other day!”
“What?” Michael gasped.
“You were listening to us?” Lucy said.
“Of course I was listening,” Linda said. “You should know by now that I’m the most nosiest person in the world.”
“Well, it's not what you think. Let's just end this conversation now. I have to find something to wear to the dance tomorrow night.”
“I thought they canceled the dance due to the deaths?” Linda said.
“No, they changed it to a charity dance now. Most likely detectives will be there too,” Michael said. “Linda?” he waved his hands in front of Linda’s face as she stared into space.
“What?” she finally said.
“The dance...aren't you going tomorrow night?”
She bit her lip, “Of course. I wouldn't miss it.”
“I'm going to the bathroom—I have to pee,” Lucy announced. “I'll bring the dresses from the guest room that I want to show you guys!”
Linda got up from bed and walked into Lucy's messy walk-in closet. Like always, she dug around searching for something to wear for the dance. Although Hannah was more fashionable, Lucy always had new things—no matter what. And she never wore them because she hated her body.
“Ouch!” Linda shouted as she banged her toe on a plastic bag. Angry, she snatched up the bag and bottles fell onto the floor. “Cl-o-za-pin—”
“Linda!” Michael shouted, cutting her off from reading the prescription bottle. “Come help us carry these dresses!”
Linda threw the stuff back into the bag and ran out to them. She beamed as she noticed new sparkly short dresses. “Oh, I’m in heaven. Please, let me borrow this one!”
“The pink one?” Lucy smiled. “Of course you can borrow it.”
“YES! Thank you!” she kissed Lucy's cheek.
“Hey, that's what friends are for.”
Hannah slid on thick bracelets as Lucy hurried to straighten her black hair. She only ever straightened it on occasions, but by the end of the night, it would be a fur ball again. It was worth spending hours straightening because the photos would look gorgeous. Hannah never had that problem though—her hair was always perfect.
Linda honked the horn of her car for Lucy to hurry up. However, she didn't know that Hannah would be coming along too.
She turned stiff as Hannah came out the house door first. With a smile, Hannah opened the passenger door just to realize Tyler was sitting there.
“What are you doing here?” they both said to each other.
“These are my friends,” Hannah snapped.
“Um, just climb in the back,” Linda said to Hannah.
Everyone knew Hannah always rode shotgun no matter who was driving, and in their case it was always either Lucy or Linda. With an attitude, Hannah slammed the passenger door shut and hopped in the backseat next to Michael who was dressed in a blazer and jeans.
“Jeans, Michael?” Hannah rolled her eyes. “This is our last real dance until prom and you wear jeans?”
“These are my formal jeans,” he teased. “This isn't a fashion show, Hannah. It will be dark inside, no one will notice.”
Lucy came running to the car next, trying to avoid the rain. “Hey, everyone.”
Hannah rolled her eyes again as she dusted off her new sparkly dance uniform, “Lucy, it sucks you're not on the dance team anymore. I miss you.”
Lucy nervously laughed, “Really? I wouldn't have guessed it,” she mumbled.
Michael stared at Hannah's flashy uniform. He liked the aqua blue and how it showed off her fit shape. “How did you guys afford new uniforms this year? I thought our school was poor?”
“Um, we...had...” Hannah thought of something to say.
“They were charity,” Lucy said. “Yup, charity.”
“Charity?” Tyler butted in. “Is that what they mean by charity,” he laughed. “Man, this school is messed up.”
As Linda drove, the tension was stronger than ever. Their usual car rides were loud and full of gossip stories, but nothing was like normal anymore. As they arrived at the school street, they could already hear the music from the gym.
Michael slicked his hair back as he winked, “We are going to have so much fun!” he beamed. “I'm so excited. This is our last dance until prom. Aw, sad moment...”
“This is the last thing this town needs...is a school dance,” Tyler said. “All these kids should be at home eating at the dinner table.”
“Then, why did you come?” Hannah snapped. “You just want to be nosy.”
Tyler rolled his eyes and jumped out the parked car first. He waited for Linda to fix her eyelashes and then walked over to her side. Hannah got out next and didn't wait for anyone. She sped walked toward the entrance and met up with the other dance team members.
“Why didn't you tell me Hannah was coming too?” Linda said to Lucy.
“Yeah?” Michael agreed.
“What's the big deal?” Lucy said. “She is our best friend.”
“Where has she been?” Tyler said. “I heard her family put out a missing persons report.”
“How do you know this stuff?” Michael said.
“I know everything,” Tyler winked and grabbed Linda’s hand. They left without Lucy and Michael and walked passed everyone waiting to get in.
Simon school dances tended to be full of only seniors and freshmen, who wanted to experience a dance. However, today almost the entire school was there. If anything, those kids should have been home—a murderer was loose.
Tyler felt awkward as he slicked his hair back and tugged on his formal attire. Nervously, he sipped on his soda, trying to get the ice out. “There are way too many students here!” he shouted over the loud music.
“People like charity,” Linda shouted back. “Plus, it's cool.”
“Eh, I guess so.”
“Thanks for paying for me to get in. I wasn't expecting that,” she smiled.
“Eh, yeah.”
Linda leaned in to kiss Tyler, but for the first time in her life, a boy pushed her away. Tyler turned Linda’s face in the opposite direction. She frowned in confusion and tried to kiss him again.
“I can't kiss you,” Tyler said.
“Why not?” Linda said. “You're not gay are you?”
“I’m not gay,” Tyler said as he continued to search the room.
Linda pouted, “But, I got all pretty just for you. Don't you think I look pretty?”
With a frown, Tyler stared at Linda’s sparkly pink dress. “You look nice, but I just cannot kiss you.”
“Why?”
“I'll tell you later,” was all he said and he smiled at her.
She rolled her eyes and searched the busy room for Michael, but instead she spotted Hannah. She elbowed Tyler in the gut pointing at Hannah. “Look!”
Tyler was tall enough to see over the crowd as he saw Hannah speaking to Dr. Smith, who was monitoring the dance. “She is just talking to Dr. Smith.”
“You can't just talk to Dr. Smith at a school dance.” Linda looked over at Hannah and Dr. Smith. She looked relaxed next to him—a little too relaxed.
“Why can't they just talk?”
“About what? How to take their relationship to the next level,” Linda laughed at her own joke.
“What do you mean?” Tyler snapped.
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(Pages 1-44 show above.)