Okay, I admit it: I had been trailing Reyna, her freaking boyfriend, Aero, and her best friend Maren. SolarisPsychos.com always seems to get the scoop on the murders and attacks before the police do. If I stick around long enough, something is bound to happen. I know it sounds selfish, but I want the spotlight for once. If I can just show up and play hero, I'll be a hit on that blog. Then, everyone will love me as I come into Solaris High for the first time. I mean, can you imagine a greater way to start the year? 

I didn't actually expect anything to happen when I circled the out-of-town church. There's been nothing going on since Della's murder, which is a little coincidental. Maybe she was the killer all along. Certainly, she could do it. From what I know, she was merciless and cold; yet alluring and sly. But Makai fell in love with her, and she loved Makai...how bad could she have been? I'll never know. 

So anyway, I'm not expecting anything to happen, right? Well, you can imagine my shock when the back door bursts open and a blood-covered Reyna stumbles out into the street. Slamming on my breaks, I hurried out and helped the girl into the back. Where were her friends? Why weren't they there to help her, or are they dead, too?

 I drove to the hospital, which had rapidly recovered since its bombing. Unfortunately, the lockdown victims never will. Reyna was checked into the same room as Hanzo, ironically.

I tell the lobbyist that I'm a friend of Reyna's, and ask for her home number to deliver the news about her stays here. 

My cellphone rings three times before someone answers. "Hello?"

Clearing my voice, I answer. "Hi, is this Mr. Copulas?"

"Uhh, no. This is Enzo."

"Where's Reyna's dad?" I ask him.

There's a hesitation before Enzo King answers. "Sleeping. Who is this?"

"...Ozzy," I admit.

There's a clearly audible, deep sigh through the phone. "Alright, Wizard of Oz. Why are you calling Rey's house?"

"She's in the hospital."

 "Again?" is his response, referring to the SH incident. Not: oh, is she okay? Or: what happened? It's an odd reply but I guess that's how psychopaths function. 

 "Yeah. It looks like she was attacked. There's a major stab wound through her side and slash over her abdomen."

"How do you know all this?" he sceptically inquires. 

 "I was the one who found her. Look, just tell her dad that Reyna's here. She's in the same room as Hanzo, so that's good, I guess." 

"Whatever, kid," Enzo grouches before hanging up on me. 

Stuffing my phone in my pocket I roll my eyes. "'Whatever, kid,'" I mock in a high voice. "'I think I'm some badass who's crap doesn't stink, kid.'"

Are you talking to yourself?" Sheriff Desario questions. 

 "Not exactly," I admit. I glance out through the glass doors of the lobby and noticeflashing cop lights in the parking lot. "What's going on?" 

 "As Sheriff, I can't disclose that information. However..." he pointedly looks at somenearby chairs, where his daughter, Aero, and Kellin sit. When did Kellin get here? "I don't think some key eye witnesses are limited on what they can say."

 "Thanks, Mr. Desario," I gratify. 

"No problem," he assures with the wink of a green eye.

 Tentatively, I walk over. Kellin sits between Maren and Aero, holding a smartphone outand reading something. "They already have pictures of the church up," Aero notes. "What if the killer is the one running the blog?"

 "You're saying the psychopathic, now a serial killer is an Internet nerd?" I jokingly ask.

 "Sorry, but your dad said to come here for answers as to what happened at the church."

 "Kellin," Maren starts. "This is Oscar. Oscar, Kellin." 

 "I go by Ozzy," I correct, flicking my eyes to Maren. "But nice to meet you." 

 "Nice to meet you," Kellin greets. "The blog covers it all, really. Reyna wanted time alone with her dead mother after a disastrous funeral, suddenly the lights go out and the doors lock. I drive along, see Maren and Aero in some kind of scramble...one thing leads to another and I'm driving through the church doors."

 "Burst through the entrance...nice touch," I compliment. 

 Kellin shrugs and smiles. "I've done worse." 

"When we got inside," Aero continues the story. "With Kell's headlights on, of course...the chairs were all flipped over, there's blood covering the floor, and the stage curtain is intatters. Before we walked in, I had called the police. Before they showed up, we scoured the church. There was no trace of the whereabouts of Reyna." 

 Maren holds a finger up in the air, making a place for herself in the conversation. "Orthe killer." 

"Right," Aero agrees, nodding her way. 

 "How did you get there?" Kellin Kodiak inquires. "I mean, you were in the right place atthe right time."

 Nonchalantly, I shrug. "I suppose it's exactly what you said: right place, right time."

 Yeah, it's not like I was basically stalking you guys or anything. 

 Aero grunts. "Enzo's coming. I'm going to bounce. See you guys at school tomorrow?" 

 "I'll be there," Kellin says. 

 "Me too...sadly," Maren pitches in. 

 Aero looks at me and I'm surprised he even cares. We've hardly talked to each other before. "Yeah. My first day is tomorrow." 

 "That settles it," Aero positively chirps. "Catch up with you guys later." 

 And just like that, Aero King is gone. 

 "Yeah. It's getting late. I should go, too," Kellin adds. "Bye, Maren. Nice meeting you,Ozzy." 

 Then Kellin Kodiak vanishes. 

 "Maren," Sheriff Desario calls to attention. "Go ahead and go home. Get some rest. You have school tomorrow.

"Will do," she obeys. "Need a ride home?"

"Awh, no thanks. But thanks. See you tomorrow," I bid.

"Bye," she replies with a quaint smile.

Now Maren Desario is vacant from the area.

So I wait...

Wait for what?

The minutes tick by and turn into hours.

Guess we'll see.........