The night passed by and so did my time with Chelle. When PAL dropped her off at the Enigma Academy parking lot, the next day, I knew by the sullen expression and the circles beneath her eyes that she had not gotten much sleep.

"I'm not used to having a little sister," I said, and awkwardly placed my hands on her shoulders. "But this place is gonna take really good care of you. I know the dean seems like a wacko but his heart is truly in the right place."

A tilted my head and smiled. "He took good care of me too."

Chelle's chestnut colored eyes gazed up at me. "Promise me you'll still hang with me at my dorm."

"If they let me," I said, "I am an upper class man."

She averted her gaze from me, and I quickly interjected. "I'll make it work. I'm not the begging type, but I'll have to make an exception for you. Just cus' you called me cool."

Chelle didn't smile but there was a glimmer in her eyes. A reflection of light perhaps, but maybe there was some hope too. "Now be the kickass problem solver I know you are," I said, "Just like old Sherry Holmes."

Chelle nodded. "Got it...big sis."

The young clone headed into the front of the building. The Enigma Academy had a brand new pupil and this one I knew would be focused on learning and achieving She had a motive, which was more than could be said about well...

"Hey y'all," Olive said and she bounced happily towards me. She was always a ray of sunshine in her frilly pink dresses...or perhaps a glass of pink lemonade? "Great night doncha think?! Though I must say, I went a little heavy on the martinis and olive pizza. Sure hope I don't get diabeetus!"

"Relax," I said cooly. "You got your veggies in there at least. They don't call you Olive for nothing."

A gust of wind blew causing Olive's bare shoulders to shudder. "Hoo wee," she shivered, "let's get inside before I catch my death out here. I'm wetter out here than a cat in a hurricane."

We hurried inside to the cafeteria where Olive was spending an inordinate amount of time blowing her nose on her matching handkerchief. "Told ya..." she said. "I think I've gotten a ripe case of influenza."

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"Or a cold," I muttered, rolling my eyes. Olive was more of a queen than our bloody queen was!

That was inconsequential, however, because someone entered the cafeteria who I had never seen before. A very strange boy if I do say so myself.

He was dressed in the typical detective garb, grey trenchcoat, matching fedora, but he wore the most peculiar socks. They were orange and green, pinstriped like a particularly garish clown's wardrobe. His shoes were equally clownish, being a shade of pumpkin orange. Everyone gaped at him. Less considerate people laughed even. He simply shuffled past them, quietly. I was surprised those ridiculous shoes didn't honk as they walked.

"Uhh...Olive," I asked as a switched on my vape. "Who is that?"

"What?!" Olive gasped. "Jacky. Y'all never heard of the Quagmires?"

"Uh...no. Should I have?" I asked.

"Well..." Olive answered. "I only know them, because I go to them rich people's parties. But they are apparently nuttier than a tin full of macadamians!"

She twirled her fingers around her ears and crossed her eyes to hammer home the point. "Their mansion is one of the oldest in Noirberg. A real haunted house. His meemaw is apparently a knife throwing circus freak."

"Well..." I said, looking down at his shoes. "That explains the fashion choice."

"His daddy owns a chain of circuses too. The travelin' Small Tops that make rounds to all the districts."

Olive leaned in to me and whispered. "And I've met him. He thinks he's a vampire or sumphin. Dressed all in black!"

I leaned back again the wall and took a whiff. Of all the odd families in Noirberg I'm surprised the Quagmires never found themselves involved with any crimes. It only takes one vampire to go batty and well ...I'll quit with the puns.

As I watched him, Quinton suddenly made eye contact with me. I felt my skin turn cold as he got up and started walking towards me. "Uh oh..." Olive gulped. "He sees us. We better make like a tree..."

"And leave?" i asked.

"Naw," Olive answered. "Stand really still so he thinks we're trees!"

I rolled my eyes as the boy got closer to me. Orange shoes and pinstriped socks notwitstanding, he wasn't bad looking. His skin was nicely tanned and his hair was dark and full. A little young for me. I tended to like older men.

As orange shoes approached us, Olive held her breath. (Well, as much as someone with a corset can.) He nodded and smiled. "Uh... Jacqueline Blunderbuss..." he said, his voice also surprisingly pleasant.

I removed my vape. "Yes."

"See you in class."

Those were the only words he said to me, but they left me dumbfounded. As the bell rang and everyone headed for their first period, I just stood there. My back against the wall.

How the hell did he know my name when I had never seen him before.

"Uh oh, Jackie," Olive stammering. "Looks like Quirky Quagmire's got your number!"

I shook my head. "Tell me about it."