Chapter 3

He takes me the one he brought me.

“What talk?” Better to act like you don't know anything.

“Don’t pretend, you heard it all.”

“Why do you think it was me?”

“Easy, you were breathing hard after the marathon you ran from the back of the library to the table. And you also read the book backwards.”

Well, Eliécer might have the nerve, but he wasn't stupid.

“So what if I heard her.”

You already screwed up.

Did I ask your opinion, conscience? Not right?

“Well, the same thing as Aly could happen to you.”

I held my breath, scared, “You would not be able to."

““No, if you do me a favor.”

I huffed with my arms tied, I had no other option, “What do you want?"

“Look for the witness.”

““What? Why me?”

Another question would be: Why doesn't Eliécer hire an Investigator and prevent me from sticking my nose into his affairs? He couldn't do it why; you don't know it, but; Eliécer was the Governor's son, paying an Investigator who could betray him or divulge the information to the press would cause his father's political career to end in a matter of the blink of an eye.

““You are nosy and good at spying, you are exactly what I need to find the second mistake.”

“Eliécer, if I help you I become your accomplice.”

He laughed sarcastically, “Rose, by listening to our talk you became a witness, but by silencing her you became an accomplice.”

I kept her quiet because I have no evidence to prove it, idiot, if you were not behind bars and grateful to me.

“Aha, I'm looking for it; I find him, they eliminate him and then what?... I'm still on!”

“I won't do anything to you, Edrien wouldn't let me.”

“Edrien?”

“You will do my favor, yes or yes?”

“Do I have another?”

"No."

I gave a long sigh announcing my resignation, “On one condition.”

“You are in no position to impose anything, dear.”

“I need to know, Eliécer, or I won't do anything.”

"What do you want to know?"

“About Aly, was it intentional?”

He laughed sarcastically, “It was an accident, Rose, a… mistake in plans.”

"How he died?"

"Tomorrow; here, at the same time; “I want news about the anonymous witness.” he ignored my question, he wouldn't say anything about Aly.

Only silence came from me.

"Understood?" She clenched her jaw and I swore I heard her teeth grind.

It was advantageous to be the one to find the witness, collect evidence and do the right thing. Hand over the culprit and give justice to that poor girl.

“Okay.”

He gave me one last stern look before walking away from the parking lot.

Things were not looking good for me, I had to think very carefully about what I intended to do.

“We know who Mistake #1 is,” I informed Abby, writing down the discoveries in a notebook, “Unfortunate Aly McCarthy.”

“Suspects.” she interacted.

It hurt to say it, but it was the truth, “Edrien and Eliécer.

"Evidence."

"Zero." I exhale overwhelmed.

“We will have them.”

“Eliécer asked me to look for the witness, Abby,” she swallowed thickly, pale, “I have to find him.”

“It's very risky.”

“It's the testimony that could put an end to all this, you understand? He or she has evidence to accuse you of murder.”

“And if you have them, why don't you report them?”

Abby's question makes sense, every person with rational use of their abilities would do the right thing: report. Why didn't she do it?

“What if the witness is someone close to them?”

"It is an option."

“Look, Aly died in the night, I heard it at his conversion.”

“The time of his death varies between 09:00 pm to 05:00 am.”

“But the precise date?”

“When talking to my father, I heard the forensics say that he was three days old.”

Three days. Today was Monday. Monday Sunday…

"Saturday night."

Wait…

“Wasn't Saturday the fraternity smile party?”

"TRUE! “Royalties go to all their parties together.” She agreed with me.

“Except the hermit Edrien. "I don't understand how he knew about the crime, he couldn't witness it."

“Maybe Eliécer screwed up and looked to his brother for help.”

“It would make sense. In his conversation, Edrien said that it was his brother's problem, not his. But he knows what his brother did.” I mentioned thoughtfully, interconnected ends.

"What do you think?"

“That the witness is not outside nor is he as far away as they believe… I believe that the witness is within their popular group.”

“I don't know, it sounds really crazy.”

“Think about it! The witness does not report because they are his friends.”

"It's a posibility."

“Our list of possible witnesses is growing.”

The charcoal of the pencil traced their names.

Jessy and Frederick.

"Whats Next."

I smiled, “Interrogate.”

“But they don't know us and I doubt they want to talk to us. How will we achieve that?”

“Being part of them.”

Abby denied, determined and nervous, “They won't accept us.”

“I have something going for me.”

“I'm not going to join a group of savages with money.” She crossed her arms, angry.

Abby was honest and loyal to herself, she never liked to trample on others, her thing was equality, just like me.

"I will do."

“I don't know, Rose, it could be dangerous if you get caught.”

“We have to get justice, Abby.”

"Promise me something." she said with a heavy, sad look.

"What thing."

“Promise that I went through what I went through… you won't change or walk away from me.”

“That would never happen,” I laughed at what he was going to say, “if you see that I behave like Monica, throw a brick at me.”

“I swear on my favorite cereal,” he said and we laughed, “The joker?”

“Yes, yes, Watson.”

We spent the whole afternoon watching movies until my mom called me and when mom calls I have two options: a) answer and tell her that I'm halfway there without having left Abby's house. Or b) not attend and pedal as hard as my legs can to arrive early.

“Honey, until you finally arrive.” she exclaimed, exaggerating my mother.

“Healthy and beautiful.”

“How is Abby?”

“Well, crazier than sane” my belly roared as I smelled the sauce for the family's traditional pasta, “Spaghetti and meatballs?”

“You have a better developed sense of smell than the bloodhound.” she joked, feeling like a dish.

“Next week I move to the Institute residence.” she murmured, amused, because she would miss this, the taste of the food with its essence and love. And of course, her too.

“I will continue to feed you, even if you are on Mars.”

It was not something that was in my hands, leaving or staying was not my decision; It was mandatory by the Institute's rules: Upon reaching the age of majority, the student must stay in our establishments created for these purposes.

“How I would like to stay, mom.” I longed out loud, looking at her and knowing that leaving would make me mini-depressed, it would affect me a lot not to feel her close to me. By God, I would go from living with her to living alone in a matter of seconds!

“And I'll stay, but it's time to leave the nest, Rose.”

“I don't know how to fly, mom.”

“How do you know, little one, if you don't try.”

"I love you."

He smiled, “Me more, good night.” She kissed my forehead and I delighted in watching her climb the stairs.

“Tomorrow will be a rough day.” I guessed in the silence of the kitchen.

One day at a time, my grandmother used to advise me, enjoy each date and live each square on the calendar, and it is very good to keep that in mind. For the FourShadows the days were lived in a deplorable way.

Their lockers were covered with huge letters written in red can paint: Sick psychopaths!

The students' taunts were off-color, especially Frederick's, like just now when they were being booed to deny them access to the dining room.

“Find yourselves a madhouse!” Monica shouted angrily, that was her state lately, they got angry with everyone, I guess it's her way of dealing with the loss of her friend.

“We are innocent!” Grean defended indignantly, with three boys in black that he knew very well.

Peter, had a bruise on his right eye from a fight in geography, his face was one of resignation, he did not get angry at the mockery of the others.

I couldn't say the same about Robert, he was furious and aggressive, no wonder they shouted atrocities at them, judging them and cataloging them as the plague of Westside Institute.

Michael was being Michael, deadpan and serious. Was he really a human?

“Get out of here and take the misfortune with you!” protested Maggie, the girl who appeared out of nowhere and joined her group. Her gestures were very Aly. We all knew about her envy of Aly, but I never thought that he would stoop to behaving like her… isn't that sick?

“We are not going anywhere, we are part of this Instinct and we will stay in it.” Robert said angrily, pushing Freck who was laughing.

“Enjoy your short stay here,” Freck laughed, “we will make sure it is unforgettable.”

That could only mean: Stay and see how shit goes.

“Don't take trouble that doesn't belong to you, hypocrites.”

“They think that by having money they can humiliate whoever they want,” Robert spat, seconding Grean, “well let me tell you that money can maybe buy everything… except the truth.”

“They're delirious, did they change medications or what?” What Maggie said sparked jeers and boos.

“Don't waste soap washing your hands,” Peter laughed mockingly, “when the dirty is on your conscience.”

“Let's go, guys.” Grean encouraged indignantly.

“Fucking hypocrites.” Robert insulted, leaving the dining room with the other three shadows.

"They are cruel." I thought out loud.

“Yes, but I'm becoming more and more convinced that they may be involved in Aly's affair.”

“I don't see or think what you do, Gus,” I clear my throat, receiving his attention, “Why them? What links you to Aly?”

“They don't give me a good feeling.”

“Don't tell me, feminine intuition?” he joked checking the royal table.

“How funny you woke up today.” Mofo Gus.

The usual ones in the usual positions, Mónica, Frederick, Eliécer and Edrien. I got lost in Aly's empty stall remembering her typical laughs and flirtations. Which was taken over by Maggie in a matter of seconds and it made me angry to see her flirting with Edrien.

I hate you.

“Rose.”

“Abby.” I responded by coming to and looking at her.

“I have news,” he whispered, linking our arms, “the witness has been delivering accusatory notes to Eliécer's locker.”

"How do you know?"

“Eliécer burst out in the morning, shouting: Who is it! Is it you, right?! “To all of us who wandered the hallway.”

"I can not believe it."

“Eliécer is not tolerant just like his brother. "Apparently the witness leaves them every day, we must guard his lockers and we can see who he is."

"Good idea." I urged, smiling at him.

“What are you hiding from me!” Gus exclaimed seriously.

“What could we hide from you?”

“You whisper among yourselves, you no longer talk to me, you are distant and you forget that I am also your friend.”

I separated from Abby and patted her shoulder with a bored expression, “Better tell us how long you've known Monica.”

"That? Well I-or I met her…” Her pale face indicated that her brain was preparing a lie.

“Come on, lie to me.”

“She and I met at… at summer camp.”

“A summer camp.” I repeated knowing that he was going to spend the summer at his grandparents' house.

"Yeah."

“And what does Monica think about your grandmother's cookies?”

He lowered his eyelids and sighed, “I would like to tell you girls, but you won't let me.”

“Who won't let you?” I asked in disbelief because he was a free soul.

"Is prohibited." I mutter more self-consciously.

“Gus, are you in illegal trouble?”

“No, stay away. Forget what I said.” she warned, getting up and leaving the dining room at a quick pace.

“He's in trouble.” Abby determined worriedly.

“Yet another problem.”

“We have to help him.”

“Watch him and follow him. Gus won't tell us anything. I take care of them.” I raised my chin towards royalty.

“Well, I have an exam in a few minutes, after that I'll focus on Gus,” he stood up, kissing my cheek, “I'll let you know if there's any news.”

"Good luck on your test."

I saw how she walked to the exit bouncing, Abby wouldn't be Abby if she didn't jump in her happy walk. And suddenly Richard enters through the dining room doors looking bad; watery and swollen eyes, red nose, dry and pale lips like his skin, disheveled hair, and absent eyes. He seemed to be going into his own world.

Okay, we all had a bad week.

Without anything else to do, I went to my classroom, I had physics and the Professor was not condescending by adding theory about quantum physics. And the only subject I shared with Edrien was what delimited my concentration.

“Time,” he announced, adjusting his glasses, “its unit is hours, minutes, seconds…” and the rest makes me lazy.

He spent the hour transcribing his class into my notebook, without mentioning that my hieroglyphs were not understandable and even if they were well written he still wouldn't understand.

“I chose the pairs for the following works on the basic theories of time,” Professor Hemmings spoke slowly, “The pairs are Navarro with Smith, Irwin with Lombardi,…”

That I touched Edrien, That I touched Edrien.

“Peck with…” please with me, please, “Morgan,…”

I'm worth shit to the universe.

“And finally Sharman with Elordi.” He finished by closing his folder.

Magnificent, he paired me with Grean Elordi.

“See you, students, you may leave.”

I followed the order and put my things away, I left the room stealthily, spying on him, it was so beautiful.

“Rose?”

"Yeah." I turned around to find my co-worker.

“When are you free to do work?”He settled, crossing his arms and studying my face.

“You see, Grean, I don't know if I will be of much help to you because I don't understand physics and the relativity of time at all…”

"I explain to you." he interrupted sympathetically.

I smiled, “I think that's great.”

"You are great."I wink flirtatiously and wrinkle my brow at his unexpected compliment.

“Um. Thank you."

“Well, you can look for me to explain the topic to you whenever you want.”

"Clear."

"See you."

"See you." I smiled watching her go down the hallway, and I continued smiling alone... wait...

Was Grean freaking out on me?

“Be careful with him.” warned a thick voice that I knew very well, interrupting my meditation.

“I'm careful with everyone, Edrien.”I dragged the syllables on my tongue bitterly.

“I don't want to see you crying because of a moron like that.”

“I know how to take care of myself, but anyway, thank you very much.” I smiled, staying away from him.

He frowned, “Why are you thanking me.”

“For worrying about me.” I shrugged my shoulders, avoiding him to go to the computer area.

“I don't care about someone as insignificant as you.” I detected high degrees of arrogance in her prayer.

I turned around showing him my hurt face.

“So thanks for warning me, but like I said: I know how to take care of myself.”

Fool.

I would say something, but I left at lightning speed McQueen, I wouldn't waste my saliva or time on him. What was happening to the world today? Grean flirted with me and Edrien worries about me. Whats Next? Armageddon.

“Peter?” I called entering the computer room.

"Here." I heard and saw her hand raised between the cubicles.

I went straight to him hoping that he would solve my problems, not all of them, but the most confusing one.

“I thought you wouldn't come.”

"Me too." She responded by offering me a chair next to her to start the action. The laptop in the room was on and playing a YouTube video about the most common mental disorders.

"The mail." she asked typing something on the laptop.

"Here it is."

“Why do you want to access Eliécer Peck's email?” he questioned, reading Eliécer's email address that I obtained by snooping through his I* account.

Don't be impertinent, Peter.

Now what would I say to him?