William paced a corridor in the hospital. The doctors were working to save Frank. He was not sure what else to do. Adam went to inform the captain. Before he left he warned William about something.

Adam was standing with the crowd when Frank jumped off the building. Most people did not see him jump, they only saw William at the top and Frank at lying on the ground. Rumors began to spread immediately that William pushed Frank. It was easily spread because everyone already believed that William stabbed Frank with a fork. Adam, who was part of the crowd, tried to explain that Frank jumped. But the story involving William was more interesting so nobody would listen.

William now understood why they all whispered behind his back at the dining hall, why the captain wanted a written statement about the stabbing incident. But nothing could explain Frank's strange behavior.

Scratches on his hand, stabbing himself and then jumping off the top of a building! He never thought this would happen when he first met Frank.

The sun was up and William was trying not to fall asleep on the uncomfortable hospital sofa. Then he saw the doctor come out.

"I am afraid Frank has severe swelling in his brain. He is now in coma." The doctor said.

"Will he ever wake up?" William asked.

"It's possible. But the swelling needs to come down." The doctor said. William sat back down. Frank was in coma. At least he was alive.

Putting his head in his hands, William prayed for the first time in years. He liked Frank, even though he really knew the guy for an hour. He was determined to find out why he was behaving so strange. This is likely connected to the strange disappearances in Lanchester.

******

The sun was up, it was a new day.

Dana got her energy back as well as determination. Today was the day she would find Aaron. Dana got dressed and went down for breakfast with her family.

After breakfast she got up to leave for the tickets. Derrick stood up too.

"I'm coming with you." Derrick said.

"Don't worry dad, I will find it this time." Dana said, hurriedly. If her dad came with her, she would never find Aaron.

"Someone needs to come with you." Alice said sternly. "Can't have you disappear for an entire day again."

"I won't! Not this time." Dana insisted but it was no use. Finally she agreed to take the boys out while the parents had a spa day.

"I want you back before lunch!" Alice called as Dana walked away with the boys. Dana waved her hand to show she heard. Sighing in relief internally, now all she needed was to distract the boys.

"So where are we going?" David asked.

"Er.... How about you guys go get some ice-cream I'll meet you back here in a couple of hours." Dana said.

David grinned. "I knew there was a reason you did not want dad to come. Don't worry, Eric and I will be here by noon."

Dana smiled. A little surprised at how easy it was. But before she could leave David called her.

"Just so you know, I'll need some financial backing when you are off to college." David said with an evil grin.

"WE!" Eric piped up.

Dana sighed again. But the way she felt now, giving away all her money to do this seemed worth it.
Dana set off to find Aaron, more determined than ever.

By noon she began to panic. She searched everywhere and still no Aaron. She began to wonder if she read the envelope correctly, or maybe he dint take the offer, but then where would he have gone.

Finally giving up, Dana went to the stall next to Copper pan bar. After getting the tickets, she went back to the boys, more depressed than ever.

"You boys better finish that or hide it before mom sees you." Dana said, the boys had bought a bunch of sweets and were eating them. Alice had strict rules about candy before lunch.

Dana sighed. She could never get the boys to listen to her, but they would easily get scared if she mentioned her mother.

"Sigh, I could never be like mom" Dana said, taking the boys back to the hotel, tickets for tomorrow's carnival safely packed in her purse.

******

"This is the second time something has happened to Frank in the last 24 hours. Both times you were with him. Now I'm not going to beat around the bush. I want answers and I want them now." Captain Norman said. He was very angry when he heard about Frank. He called William and Adam to his office and began to yell.

"Did you push him?" He asked.

"No, sir" William said, trying to control his temper.
How dare he get accused like this when strange things have been happening even before he arrived!

"Adam, did you see him up there with Frank?" Captain Norman shot at Adam.

"Yes sir-" Adam replied but was cut short by Captain Norman.

"See! There is an eyewitness." Captain Norman said, pointing at Adam.

"I dint do anything!" William said outraged. "I have nothing against Frank. I barely know him."

Captain Normal got up and paced his office. Then he stopped in front of the stacks of newspapers and thought for a while before saying.

"Fine, you both can go." He said.

William dint move, confused. Adam however jumped to his feet and moved to the door.

"Sir, something was going on with Frank before I met him." William said. "He had fresh scratch marks on his hands the night I met him. Then he stabs himself and then jumps off the top of the building."

"Are you saying he has mental problems?" Captain Norman said.

"I don't know. But it's definitely worth investigating." William said, before turning to leave.

"Thanks for having my back in there." William said sarcastically to Adam.

"I did have your back! The captain cut me off!" Adam protested.

"Whatever, man. You won't realize what it's like to be accused of murder until it happens to you." William spat. He was fuming. It's been a long time since he felt that rage. People passing by were staring at them.

"Look man! I believe you. But we need to gather some evidence to prove you are innocent. We need to investigate further." Adam said.

"We?" Asked William.

"Yes, we." Adam responded. "I told you I have your back." William did not say anything. He was just thinking.

"Let's go to the copper pan bar. There is always someone gossiping there. Wanna bet someone would be talking about Frank?" Adam suggested.

William nodded. It was a good idea. They could start there and hopefully get more information about Frank before William arrived.

******

It was the longest evening yet. Dana sat quietly watching her family talk excitedly about the carnival tomorrow. Dana was not interested about the maze. She began to worry about what she would do if she dint find Aaron.

Excusing herself, Dana went back to her room. Closing the door behind her, Dana turned around and screamed.

The walls in her room were coated with blood and the words "DIE" was written everywhere. Suddenly the wardrobe opened by itself and there was Louie, her cat, lying dead, his body cut open and insides poured out. Still screaming Dana threw herself out of the room and ran back down the staircase. Stopping to throw up. When her parents found her, she was crying and then her eyes closed in exhaustion.

******

William and Aaron went to the bar called Copper pan. It was dark and dingy but cozier than other places in the town.

William and Aaron took a place in the far corner to be able to watch everyone who comes and goes, hoping to get some information about Frank. It was a long shot but they had to try.

The old bartender came to them and said "Brought a new friend there eh, Adam?" He said, smiling at William.

"William." William introduced himself, shaking the bartender's hand. "I just joined the Grand Maxwell Hotel security staff."

"Nice to meet 'cha" The bartender said, not introducing himself. William just stared wondering why the old man looked so familiar.

"First round is on the house, for the new fella'." The old man said, going back to the counter

"Never say no to free drinks eh" Adam said happily, gulping his drink in a shot. William laughed, forgetting their mission for a moment and gulped his down too.

Soon they went through 6 rounds of the bar's special liquor, Adam' head became so heavy that he put his head down and fell asleep on the table. William was dizzy, his vision blurry. He looked up to the bartender and saw a younger women talking to him. She too looked very familiar. She had short blond hair and wore a lot of black.

Soon the entire room went dark and William dropped his head on the table and blanked out.

******

Louie has met his end. Poor Dana is in shock, what will she do now? Who would do something like that to her?

William and Adam don't seem to be safe either. Getting drunk and passing out in a town with mysterious disappearances does not seem like a good idea.

And.... Who is the blonde?

Next chapter is Number 13! There is going to be BLOOD!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!! Do comment and vote !!

<3<3