Sunny walked the school halls with a sense of determination in her chest. Despite what Ren, Maxis, or anyone else would think of her, she’d have to investigate the event behind these trucks. The connections were too similar and too consistent. Ren may have meant well, but could never fool Sunny. She’d spent most of her life around trains, and there wasn’t a single part of the locomotives with such a peculiar-looking fluid in its engines. Of that, she was certain.

Wandering memories of Papa resurfaced in Sunny’s mind. His warm smile and captivating voice were just as fresh as when she rode with him on the trains. There was a pause in her step, and then shook her head. She couldn’t spend time thinking about him. Not right now. Not when there was such a strong lead before her that could lead her to the reason for his death.

Sunny would need to be exceptionally careful. She couldn’t put Ren in danger. Especially after what happened to his arm. Even if she were to come to him with the problem, there was no way Ren or June would let her investigate this matter. If she wanted to figure it out, she would need to remain quiet. With all other avenues explored, there was but a single person she could trust.

Not to mention that he could be terrifying in the right circumstances.

“Benji,” Sunny said, catching her best friend as he exited the boy’s restroom. “I need to talk to you.”

The teal-eyed boy blinked, gaping. “Uh, sure. What’s this about? Did I do something wrong?”

Sunny shook her head. “No. Come with me.” She instantly snatched up his hand and led him outside to the bleachers where nobody could hear them. She continued when she was sure it was just the two of them. “I got a big score.”

Benji blinked. “Uh, what? What are we talking about?”

Sunny paused, bowing her head. “On my papa’s accident,” she whispered.

Benji gasped, his eyes widening. “No way. What did you find out?”

“Well, that’s… umm… promise you won’t laugh?”

Benji stuck out his pinky. “Promise.” The two wrapped their pinky fingers around one another, smiling warmly. “Tell me.”

Sunny adored Benji. Of all the kids she knew at school, he was the one she could trust most. He was a timid boy, roughly a year younger than she was. Like her, he usually got picked on by the other kids for the way he dressed.

An old basket hung from his elbow. It was shaped like a pumpkin and colored a vibrant mix of dark blue and black. At some point, Benji had cut the eyes and mouth out so he could occasionally wear it as a mask. Oftentimes, he wore it if he was struggling with something. This would invite further ridicule, and Sunny took the chance to stand up for him whenever she saw it happen.

Unlike many of the other kids, he had a sense of fashion that resembled her own. He had a bowl cut, though it was a bit unruly compared to what Sunny usually saw. Benji wore a varsity jacket, blue shorts, and dark blue boots that looked black in the proper lighting. An eyepatch was strapped over his left eye.

Occasionally, Sunny wondered if Benji still had an eye under there or if it was simply for show. She abstained from asking, especially since it was a constant source of ridicule for Benji. He earned the nickname Patchy, so Sunny had to assume the eyepatch was an item of necessity.

“Thanks, Benji. I knew I could count on you,” Sunny said. “There’s so much to tell you.” Sunny released her pinky from Benji’s grasp and clasped her hands behind her. “Remember when I told you there was some strange rainbow-colored liquid at my dad’s accident?”

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Benji nodded. “Yeah, I remember.”

“Ren mentioned that he found some of the same stuff where he and I fought a Lurker. I snuck a glance at some pictures Ren and Maxis were looking at, and the same stuff has been seen in some attacks as well.”

Benji drew a deep breath. “You’re joking. You’re sure it’s the same, though?”

“It’s gotta be, right? I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“I guess that’s true, but… are you sure? I don’t like to doubt you when you find these things, but did you get a good look?”

Sunny contemplated telling a white lie but shook her head at the thought. “I didn’t get a good look,” she admitted. When Benji frowned, she continued. “But really! It’s gotta be the same stuff! It’s not just that, either! There’s claw marks, meat problems, all the same events line up!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Benji said, putting his hands up, “let’s slow down. I don’t even know what’s happening. I’m confused.”

Sunny sighed. “Sorry. I’m just excited to finally find something that could tell me what happened to my papa. I know these events have something to do with each other.”

“Start from the beginning, then.” Benji smiled. “Retrace your steps, Sunny.”

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Sunny said with a nervous laugh. Sometimes Sunny wondered if she and Benji were more adult than Ren and his friends. Benji didn’t seem to think anything bad of them, but still, she liked to look the part of a mature girl whenever he was around. If she told him Ren and, especially Maxis, were drunk when she saw it, then that could call into question her judgment.

“That’s fine,” Benji shrugged. “But school is going to start pretty soon. Why don’t we wait until lunchtime? I don’t wanna get in trouble again.”

“Oh, right! Sorry!” When she thought of everyone else listening in on their conversation, Sunny hummed and shook her head. “Actually… let’s plan a sleepover and talk about it then.”

Benji blinked. “If you’re sure.”

“Absolutely.” Sunny grabbed Benji’s hand and scurried back to the classrooms with him in tow just as the bell rang.

I got an idea.

Sunny marched to the cafeteria with a confident step in her stride. She struggled with the images of her father’s accident. They served as a reminder that justice was seldom wrought. The more she thought about it, the more her impatience grew. Sunny shook her head, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. There’d be time for that later. Right now, Benji needed to hear her out.

The cafeteria was a large room spanning the size of at least a dozen classrooms packed side by side. Students hustled from one table to the next. Some carried trays, while others brought along lunches packed by their parents. Sunny’s shoes squeaked against the white-and-black tile, her lunch packed in a brown paper bag, courtesy of June.

“We have to be quiet,” Sunny said, plopping her bag on the foldout table. Benji blinked twice and nodded before Sunny took a seat beside him. Benji took a bite of his green apple, chewing on it while Sunny continued. “I have a plan to see Papa avenged.” Her cheeks pinked. Benji was no stranger to her words but was wise enough to know that speaking about her father so outwardly and fondly was still difficult for her. She’d learned most kids referred to their fathers as ‘Dad’ or ‘Daddy.’

“Whatever it is, we’ll do it,” Benji said as he swallowed the shred of apple. “Uhh, got an idea?”

“I do, but it’s going to be dangerous, I think. But we’ll be fine!” Sunny was quick to emphasize their capabilities. Benji was strong, much stronger than people realized. There was a stoicism about him that Sunny knew she could depend on.

Benji raised the brow of his good eye. “You’re kinda worrying me. Are you sure about this?”

Sunny nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I just… can’t talk about it here.”

Benji looked to his left, then to his right. “Umm, so then what do we do?”

“Let’s plan a sleepover.” When Benji frowned, Sunny continued and nervously threw her hands between her legs. “I’ll tell them I’m going to your house, and—”

“And I’ll say I’m going to your house,” Benji completed. “Oldest trick in the book,” he smiled. “I dunno, though… June seems like she’d catch on to that.”

Sunny shook her head. “She won’t. I promise.”