I wished my day with Hazel didn’t end so abruptly. Being unable to speak, I ended up going home, but on my entire way, I wanted every second for me to turn back. In the end, I decided to stay true to my plan. On a later date, the two of us would go to the mall. Remembering that, I felt okay with waiting to spend more time with Hazel.

For the time being, I had to focus on the investigation.

With Harry Ballman hiding out at my house, I needed to monitor the movements of Tesha’s group carefully. If they caught on to Harry’s location, they would threaten everyone in my house.

By the time I returned home, evening already came. My path home colored orange on the way home, as the sun set in the distance. My house seemed to bend forward, as I neared it. Darker skies made my home appear like a tower. My old friend Phija used to joke about it being haunted.

Entering the house, I only found Harry. He sat on the floor, in my living room, at the coffee table. By the light of the fireplace, he wrote on a piece of paper. I approached him.

“What are you writing? A will and testament?” I joked.

“Actually, I kind of am,” Harry replied, putting his pencil down. “There’s a few things I would have liked to say to a friend of mine.”

“Really? Who?” I asked, “Maybe I can find them.”

“It would be better if you don’t,” Harry responded, “I don’t want the serial murderers to associate her with me. Plus, I’d rather not have her get into this business.”

“Oh, I guess you’re right.” I nodded. “How about when this is all over? Ever since I found the sixth member, we’ve been about one step away from getting enough evidence to turn them in.”

“I sure hope it’s as easy as you say it is,” Harry mumbled. He started folding his papers and sliding them into envelopes. “Still, if anything ever happens to me–if, and only if–could you deliver this to Hera from the Consultation Club?”

“The Consultation Club?” I parroted.

I heard rumors about the club. Apparently it’s made up of the former members of the Investigators Club. Judi Ka-So’s talented nephew started the old club, and his friend Hera continued it after he transferred schools. If he stayed a little longer, I wondered whether he’d have helped my parents in their investigation.

“The last time I saw her, we fought,” Harry explained, “Hera told me not to get involved with the disappearance case, but I ignored her.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“I bet you regret it now that you’re being chased,” I replied.

“I don’t regret a thing,” Harry denied, “I’m doing what I wanted. I expected nothing less.”

Before I could say anything back, I realized the weight of Harry’s words. He didn’t regret getting involved with the murders, even being chased. Even if his life was in danger, Harry would continue on. Perhaps my mother thought the same.

“Right now, all I’m doing is hiding,” Harry continued, “I’d like to do more to help, so if you ever need anything from me, just ask.”

“I’d rather not endanger you,” I responded, “but I’m glad to know you’re willing to help.”

He smiled, and I went to my room.

To my surprise, I entered a clean bedroom, rather than the messy room I was used to seeing. With both my father and I going out for the day, the only person who could have gone around to clean was Harry.

A pleasant air wafted through my window as well. I never had anything of note lying around, so I could only see Harry’s kindness at face value.

I made the right choice, going through the length to save him. I just wish I could guarantee a much safer place for him to stay.

----------------------------------------

I slept well through the night. No frightening dreams shook me awake, and no horrible events came over to threaten my rest. When I woke up, I didn’t want to keep hiding under my blankets. Instead, I stood and went on with my day.

My first thought went to Hazel. I wished I shared phone numbers with her, but I realized we wouldn’t be able to talk anyways. Tesha had my phone. Luckily, I had no friends who would text me. My father knew better, and I didn’t have a phone when I used to talk with Phija.

I remembered the plans I made with Hazel. We planned to meet at the mall, but we didn’t set a date to meet. I made a note to determine a calendar day at school with her. For the day, though, I decided to help my father with investigations.

After my morning routine, I met my father in his office. Because I was helping him, he didn’t mind having me inside. Everything was still a mess though. Apparently he didn’t let Harry clean his office. My father kept a lot of classified information in his room.

“Neuire, this is very important,” my father warned me, “if you are not careful, your mother’s killers will catch on to our investigation. If they figure out we’re onto them again, they will put effort in to stop us.”

“I understand,” I responded, “but what’s this all of a sudden? Why are you acting so stern?”

“I want you to plant a listening device in your teacher, Mr. Yellow’s room,” my father instructed, “and I have listed a few other possible meeting points he may have with the other murderers.”

My father handed me a sheet of paper, addresses.

“Your mother and I came up with these before, but I narrowed the list down now that we know the other members of this group,” my father explained, “I want you to investigate these areas before and after their meetings. One to plant listening devices, and another to find any lasting evidence at any of these scenes.”

“Got it,” I replied, “where do I start?”

“Wherever you feel most comfortable,” my father answered, “if you ever feel nervous, leave. Your safety matters.”

The following day, I began my father’s plan.