Thomas was curious and observant, Alice thought as she settled herself at the backseat of their family car.
She did not say anything about Helena’s case, of course. She did not trust Thomas enough to give him information that she kept from the cops for weeks.
It was clear how much he wanted to ask more questions, but she was glad that he did not push any further. It was ironic, but because of that, he gained a bit of Alice’s trust.
The following morning, Alice still wore black tops and boots in which she paired with denim pants that hang lowly just below her knees. She didn’t remove Helena’s keychain from her backpack while the lucky necklace still clung to her neck.
George was already at the dining table when Alice went downstairs. His eyes looked tired behind the thick, black frame of his glasses, while his posture was in a bit of a slump. Despite the illuminating lights and lively noise from the kitchen, her father looked exhaus
The science club was using the biggest room of Hermes, the name of their science building. The wide and lengthy walls on the left were decorated with science posters; there were a few frames that showed the cycle of a butterfly, the rock cycle, and pictures of volcanoes.The right side of the room had cabinets and drawers on them. Jars filled with preserved small animals such as rabbits, puppies, butterflies, and frogs were arranged neatly inside a locked, glass cabinet.Alice squinted her eyes on the jar containing the puppy. “Is it real?” she asked.She was early for their club meeting, but Harry was earlier than her. He was already cleaning, moving tables and chairs around when Alice arrived.“Oh, it’s very real.” Harry nodded. “Sad, isn’t it?”Alice’s nose scrunched. She was not fond of animals, but she doesn’t think that it was right for them to die for science experiments like these.
The thought of a dead body near Alice’s home terrified her.When she got home, she immediately turned on the television and switched it to the local news. Her heart was pounding while her head was swirling with intrusive thoughts as she waited, wishing that the dead body found was not someone she knew.Thankfully, it wasn’t.“The local street sweeper, Frederick Hardy, found Jonathan Miller’s body wrapped in a black trash bag.” A picture of a trash bag appeared on the screen, together with a couple of blurred pixels of blood around it.“The police are now investigating what they have believed to be a murder.”Alice felt her thumping heart slowed. It was scary to think that
Alice immediately found her thoughts funny and absurd. Why would she need a crime board? Yes, she wanted answers and justice for Helena's death, but she was no detective. She was clueless at solving crimes, and Helena's case was not a game she could just barge into. Alice heaved a deep sigh as she stared at the vast mall in front of her. The illuminated place was vibrating with a happy and carefree buzz. Whispers of joy and squeals of laughter were everywhere as kids and teenagers ran around, buying costumes for the nearing Halloween. Alice liked seeing people wear superhero costumes, but she did not like Halloween. Ever since her parents became murderers, kids started to mock her by copying her parents' clothes. They would scream down the streets, saying, 'Where's our little murderer? Where's our Alice?'
Alice could not believe what she saw.Her father was at home, looking sad and exhausted, while her mother was in a romantic dinner with a different man.Not just any man, at that.It was Louis Saint Clair. The owner of Saint Clair Academy, the owner of numerous oilfields in the country, and the father of the boy who she was, kind of, attracted to.“Alice, are you okay?" Wilson asked.Alice hoped she was wrong. She hoped that what she saw was a mere figment of her imagination. Meredith would not do that; in Alice’s eyes, her mother was a woman with class and principles.Her mother wouldn’t cheat. It was impossible.
Candice Carmine’s house was engulfed in deafening rock music while people either scream, dance, drink, or make out. Students were dressed as characters from books and movies; Alice even saw Wonder Woman kiss Captain America like there was no tomorrow.She also noticed how the colorful drinks traveled around the house, students passing them from one person to another like the Halloween party was some sort of a game. A fun, wild game.“We could still leave this place, you know,” Leia uttered as she held Alice's arm tightly."What? I can't hear you!" Alice shouted as she covered her ears slightly."I said, we could still leave this place!""You know we can't!"Alice
“Hurry up!” Alice spattered as she half-walked and half-jogged to get back to Candice’s horrible Halloween party. Thomas was slowly trailing behind her.“I think that detective was lying. He knew more than what he was saying,” Thomas stated, a hint of curiosity could be heard from his voice.“Of course he knows more. He’s a detective,” Alice pointed out, her brows creasing together. “Now will you please hurry up? Or do I have to carry you in my back, Your Highness?”Thomas’ lips formed a mischievous smile. “Why are you in a rush, anyway? It makes me think that you wanted to get away from me because you’re nervous.”“You’re so full of yourself, Saint Clair.” She sho
Instead of clarification, Alice’s mind brimmed with more confusion and questions. If Helena really had a boyfriend, and he was the reason why Helena went missing, why was it not on the news? Why did the detective hide this piece of information from her when she asked for updates? Something was wrong. Alice could feel it inside her bones, she could taste it at the tip of her tongue. “Maybe we shouldn’t get involved,” Leia suggested as the air inside the room thickens with silence. “This is an ongoing investigation. We might screw things up.” “Swear to me.” Leia looked at Alice with eyes burning with concern and worry. “Swear to me that you’ll stop meddling with this case. Let the grown-ups handle this.” “But…”
CHAPTER 19 | Grayson Alice regretted it. She regretted the moment her mouth opened to accept Eric’s… relationship. In just a snap, she earned herself a boyfriend. She imagined that her first boyfriend would be meaningful. She imagined waltzing through the floors of their mansion with the guy, then introducing him to her parents. In her imagination, her boyfriend was a gentleman. Not like the boy Eric was. Speaking of her parents, how would she explain that she got herself a boyfriend after talking to him in seconds? “Is there something bothering you? You look unwell,” Wilson queried. “Just thinking…” Ali
Alice’s ears were ringing as she stared at Grayson, unable to move or speak. “That can’t be right.” Leia broke the silence. “Why would UNITY hurt Helena? And… and besides! UNITY won’t hurt anyone, let alone kill a child!” Alice thought of Detective Sergio, on how he did not tell her that they knew something. Of course, he would not tell her. She’s the daughter of the UNITY’s founder. Maybe he was already suspecting their family. “Why would they kill Helena? It doesn’t make any sense!” Leia continued to blabber. Alice shuddered in realization. “It does if she sees something she wasn’t supposed to see.” She could not bear to think that her parents could have something to do with her friend’s death. The th
The ballgown made it hard for Alice to navigate the stairs. The high heels made it harder.Frustrated from her shoes, Alice stopped in the middle of the empty stairs, reached down to her toes, and removed the hell-bringing, six-inches heels her mother bought.“Where are you going?”The familiar voice made Alice straighten her back and shake her head. Of course, Thomas would follow her. He always followed her wherever she goes; right from Helena’s funeral up until her Halloween journey to the precinct.“None of your business, Saint Clair.” Alice could not stop the bitterness from flowing from her mouth. “You should go back to the party. Candice is probably waiting for you,” she added.
It was obvious to Alice that Grayson was trying to avoid her.At their lunch, she spotted Grayson and Eric having a deep conversation at the end table. Instead of lunging for her friends' table, Alice directly went to her fake boyfriend's to get a grip of Grayson.However, the latter immediately fumbled for escape, saying that he was meeting his research group mates."So…" Eric started, a mocking grin spread onto his freckled face. "Grayson. That's what you needed from me. My cousin."Alice scrunched her nose as if she was not surprised to hear Eric connect the dots. "Why would I need your cousin?""You tell me, Le Blanc. Why, really?"After a few seconds of waiting,
CHAPTER 19 | Grayson Alice regretted it. She regretted the moment her mouth opened to accept Eric’s… relationship. In just a snap, she earned herself a boyfriend. She imagined that her first boyfriend would be meaningful. She imagined waltzing through the floors of their mansion with the guy, then introducing him to her parents. In her imagination, her boyfriend was a gentleman. Not like the boy Eric was. Speaking of her parents, how would she explain that she got herself a boyfriend after talking to him in seconds? “Is there something bothering you? You look unwell,” Wilson queried. “Just thinking…” Ali
Instead of clarification, Alice’s mind brimmed with more confusion and questions. If Helena really had a boyfriend, and he was the reason why Helena went missing, why was it not on the news? Why did the detective hide this piece of information from her when she asked for updates? Something was wrong. Alice could feel it inside her bones, she could taste it at the tip of her tongue. “Maybe we shouldn’t get involved,” Leia suggested as the air inside the room thickens with silence. “This is an ongoing investigation. We might screw things up.” “Swear to me.” Leia looked at Alice with eyes burning with concern and worry. “Swear to me that you’ll stop meddling with this case. Let the grown-ups handle this.” “But…”
“Hurry up!” Alice spattered as she half-walked and half-jogged to get back to Candice’s horrible Halloween party. Thomas was slowly trailing behind her.“I think that detective was lying. He knew more than what he was saying,” Thomas stated, a hint of curiosity could be heard from his voice.“Of course he knows more. He’s a detective,” Alice pointed out, her brows creasing together. “Now will you please hurry up? Or do I have to carry you in my back, Your Highness?”Thomas’ lips formed a mischievous smile. “Why are you in a rush, anyway? It makes me think that you wanted to get away from me because you’re nervous.”“You’re so full of yourself, Saint Clair.” She sho
Candice Carmine’s house was engulfed in deafening rock music while people either scream, dance, drink, or make out. Students were dressed as characters from books and movies; Alice even saw Wonder Woman kiss Captain America like there was no tomorrow.She also noticed how the colorful drinks traveled around the house, students passing them from one person to another like the Halloween party was some sort of a game. A fun, wild game.“We could still leave this place, you know,” Leia uttered as she held Alice's arm tightly."What? I can't hear you!" Alice shouted as she covered her ears slightly."I said, we could still leave this place!""You know we can't!"Alice
Alice could not believe what she saw.Her father was at home, looking sad and exhausted, while her mother was in a romantic dinner with a different man.Not just any man, at that.It was Louis Saint Clair. The owner of Saint Clair Academy, the owner of numerous oilfields in the country, and the father of the boy who she was, kind of, attracted to.“Alice, are you okay?" Wilson asked.Alice hoped she was wrong. She hoped that what she saw was a mere figment of her imagination. Meredith would not do that; in Alice’s eyes, her mother was a woman with class and principles.Her mother wouldn’t cheat. It was impossible.
Alice immediately found her thoughts funny and absurd. Why would she need a crime board? Yes, she wanted answers and justice for Helena's death, but she was no detective. She was clueless at solving crimes, and Helena's case was not a game she could just barge into. Alice heaved a deep sigh as she stared at the vast mall in front of her. The illuminated place was vibrating with a happy and carefree buzz. Whispers of joy and squeals of laughter were everywhere as kids and teenagers ran around, buying costumes for the nearing Halloween. Alice liked seeing people wear superhero costumes, but she did not like Halloween. Ever since her parents became murderers, kids started to mock her by copying her parents' clothes. They would scream down the streets, saying, 'Where's our little murderer? Where's our Alice?'