thought of that not only frightens me, but also entrances me. The things I can learn if I play along . . .
Later after school, Daisy’s already out in the parking lot waiting at the Wrangler. “You’re a bitch.”
I climb in the Jeep. So what’s new?
“Samantha overheard Rachel say that she saw you talking in the hall with Zach.”
What, I can’t talk to Zach?
“Samantha overheard Rachel say that Zach asked you out.”
This is why high school annoys me. This is why people annoy me.
Daisy tears up. “I can’t believe you’re the other girl!”
“Oh, would you get over yourself?” I snap.
Daisy’s eyes go wide.
“Yes, Zach and I were talking. Yes, we’re going out on Sunday. Daisy, you need to grow up. You think you can whine and pout and flirt your way out of every issue. It might work with some people. It sure as hell doesn’t work with me, and clearly it doesn’t work with Zach. Move on with your life. Jesus!”
Daisy doesn’t speak. I don’t blame her. I’ve never raised my voice to anyone. Thinking about the Decapitator all day long has put me a bit on edge. Yes, I’ve never raised my voice, but I can’t think of a person who deserves it more than my sister.
I park in the elementary school’s kiss-and-ride, and Justin runs out. Daisy silently moves into the backseat, and Justin climbs in the front.
He hands me a flyer. “Do you think Mom can give me stuff to donate?”
I glance through the flyer detailing a family’s house that burned down. The school’s organized a fundraiser to replace what was lost.
Justin buckles his seat belt. “One of the kids is in my grade, one’s in kindergarten, and another one’s still a baby. They lost everything.”
I hand him back the flyer. “Mom won’t have a problem. I’ll help you when we get home.”
“How’d the fire start?” Daisy finally speaks.
“Arkenic?” He shakes his head. “Ar . . . ar . . .”
“Arson?” I provide.
He points at me. “That’s it!”
How sad they lost everything. I can’t imagine. “Do they know who?”
Justin shakes his head.
Someone needs to pay for making that family suffer . The edginess that had been simmering in me all day heats to a slight boil. The familiar itch raises its scratchy little head. Arson. Maybe I can find out who. Trail the guy. Scratch my itch. Cool the boil. Yes, this is exactly what I need right now.
Daisy doesn’t speak to me the whole rest of the afternoon and evening, and believe me, it’s a welcome relief.
After dinner the whole family scours the house for items to donate to the family in need.
By ten p.m. I’m in my room. I pull up the nanny-cam footage from last night and listen to Mom’s conversation.
“. . . I agree with Bill,” Mom’s saying. “The media leak is on the outside. I feel strongly it’s not an inside source.”
She stops and listens to the other end of the conversation. “Profilers say it’s the Decapitator leaking the information?” She huffs a laugh. “This guy’s got a high opinion of himself.”
The person on the other end talks for a while. Mom responds, “Reports indicate the arm was thrown from a vehicle moving approximately ten miles per hour.” She listens for a few seconds. “Yes, I agree. I think the person was riding a bike.”
A serial killer who rides a bike, leaks information to the media, and who has contacted me directly. He’s interesting. This is for sure.
I want to text Reggie, but after the “creepy” comment I’m hesitant. Reggie and I don’t say things like that to each other. We’ve always accepted one another for our odd selves. It’s an integral part of our friendship. It’s the one thing I value the most.
Back to nanny cam, I save the file and do the only thing I can at this point: dig into researching the recent arson. Taking this guy down will relieve the tension in me. It’ll help me regain my equilibrium.
When I find the arsonist, I think I’ll deal with him by setting him on fire. Or
Later after school, Daisy’s already out in the parking lot waiting at the Wrangler. “You’re a bitch.”
I climb in the Jeep. So what’s new?
“Samantha overheard Rachel say that she saw you talking in the hall with Zach.”
What, I can’t talk to Zach?
“Samantha overheard Rachel say that Zach asked you out.”
This is why high school annoys me. This is why people annoy me.
Daisy tears up. “I can’t believe you’re the other girl!”
“Oh, would you get over yourself?” I snap.
Daisy’s eyes go wide.
“Yes, Zach and I were talking. Yes, we’re going out on Sunday. Daisy, you need to grow up. You think you can whine and pout and flirt your way out of every issue. It might work with some people. It sure as hell doesn’t work with me, and clearly it doesn’t work with Zach. Move on with your life. Jesus!”
Daisy doesn’t speak. I don’t blame her. I’ve never raised my voice to anyone. Thinking about the Decapitator all day long has put me a bit on edge. Yes, I’ve never raised my voice, but I can’t think of a person who deserves it more than my sister.
I park in the elementary school’s kiss-and-ride, and Justin runs out. Daisy silently moves into the backseat, and Justin climbs in the front.
He hands me a flyer. “Do you think Mom can give me stuff to donate?”
I glance through the flyer detailing a family’s house that burned down. The school’s organized a fundraiser to replace what was lost.
Justin buckles his seat belt. “One of the kids is in my grade, one’s in kindergarten, and another one’s still a baby. They lost everything.”
I hand him back the flyer. “Mom won’t have a problem. I’ll help you when we get home.”
“How’d the fire start?” Daisy finally speaks.
“Arkenic?” He shakes his head. “Ar . . . ar . . .”
“Arson?” I provide.
He points at me. “That’s it!”
How sad they lost everything. I can’t imagine. “Do they know who?”
Justin shakes his head.
Someone needs to pay for making that family suffer . The edginess that had been simmering in me all day heats to a slight boil. The familiar itch raises its scratchy little head. Arson. Maybe I can find out who. Trail the guy. Scratch my itch. Cool the boil. Yes, this is exactly what I need right now.
Daisy doesn’t speak to me the whole rest of the afternoon and evening, and believe me, it’s a welcome relief.
After dinner the whole family scours the house for items to donate to the family in need.
By ten p.m. I’m in my room. I pull up the nanny-cam footage from last night and listen to Mom’s conversation.
“. . . I agree with Bill,” Mom’s saying. “The media leak is on the outside. I feel strongly it’s not an inside source.”
She stops and listens to the other end of the conversation. “Profilers say it’s the Decapitator leaking the information?” She huffs a laugh. “This guy’s got a high opinion of himself.”
The person on the other end talks for a while. Mom responds, “Reports indicate the arm was thrown from a vehicle moving approximately ten miles per hour.” She listens for a few seconds. “Yes, I agree. I think the person was riding a bike.”
A serial killer who rides a bike, leaks information to the media, and who has contacted me directly. He’s interesting. This is for sure.
I want to text Reggie, but after the “creepy” comment I’m hesitant. Reggie and I don’t say things like that to each other. We’ve always accepted one another for our odd selves. It’s an integral part of our friendship. It’s the one thing I value the most.
Back to nanny cam, I save the file and do the only thing I can at this point: dig into researching the recent arson. Taking this guy down will relieve the tension in me. It’ll help me regain my equilibrium.
When I find the arsonist, I think I’ll deal with him by setting him on fire. Or
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