"All is a riddle, and the key to a riddle..... is another riddle."
{Ralph Waldo Emerson}

//

"I CAN'T BELIEVE we're doing this." Pony spoke while shaking his head.

I smirked. "What? All we're doing is going to school."

He scoffed. "Yeah, going to school because we're trying to solve a mystery that could possibly get us killed!"

"You think too much." I spoke as I shook my head.

"Look, I did you a favor. We came here before all of the students are at school. If anyone asks why we're here, we'll just tell them that I'm here to get make-up work." I explained and Pony's expression relaxed a little.

We walked straight to Mr. Stilinski's room and when he saw us, his eyes went wide. "Kieran, what in the world are you doing here? You just got out of the hospital!"

I laughed. "Relax, Stilinski. I'm only here for make-up work."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Darry told me he would pick up your make-up work once he gets off of work."

Of course. 

"I figured I would just go ahead and pick it up. He's been stressed to the max lately, so I figured I'd just come up here and get it myself." I shrugged. The lie came out of my mouth easily. Like silk slipping through your fingertips.

He hesitated, but went over to his desk. I nodded at Pony and he started walking slowly towards the triangle. Mr. Stilinski started to look his way, but I coughed. "Mr. Stilinski, have I told you that Bob hasn't been bullying me anymore?"

That got his attention.

"Oh, really?" He raised his eyebrows, "well, that's awesome. I'm glad he's not picking on you anymore. But, remember what I told you? He may just-"

"He doesn't like me." I cut him off and Pony shot his head over to us, giving me a 'what the hell are y'all talking about?' look.

[WHAT PONY'S FACE LOOKED LIKE WHEN THEY SAID THAT LMAO DJFOSN]

Ponyboy held up the letter, his face still showing a confused expression. Mr. Stilinski handed me my make-up work and I flashed him a smile. "Thanks, Stilinski. See you hopefully soon."

He nodded his head. "See you two later!"

"What the hell was that? Bob likes you?" Ponyboy questioned as soon as we walked out of the school building.

I chuckled, amused at how jealous he was. "No, Pony. He doesn't. Relax. Anyways, let's hurry up and get home so we can read this letter."

Once Pony and I arrived at my Gramps house-yes, it will still forever be called Gramps house. I'm staying there because I couldn't bear to leave all the memories behind I had with him- we sat at the kitchen table. I poured two cups of tea and Pony handed me the letter. I took a deep breath and opened it, my eyes bulging. I dropped my glass of tea, causing it to shatter.

"Kieran!" Pony stood up beside me and looked at me worriedly. He glanced at the photograph and his face went pale.

First victim: Corey Smith. DEAD.

NEXT VICTIM: DEREK MOORE

Awww, poor, Derek. I know he's like a second father to you, Kieran.

Too bad. He has to go.

Unless, you can save him.

But, how?

You have until tomorrow at five in the afternoon. How are you going to save him? You're going to find the second letter, that's how. But, here's the thing.

It's going to be hard.

Here it is:

A place that's memorable. A place that is full of games. Which game though?

Kieran, you should know after all. You were planning to go there, but looks like I ruined that for you.

-Lead

"That bastard!" I screamed and slammed the letter down on the table, slamming it so hard my hand started to swell.

Ponyboy pulled me into a hug. "We don't want Derek to die. So, let's figure out where this letter is."

I scoffed and shook my head. "You don't understand, Pony. I know where the letter is at."

"Where?"

"The carnival."

"Okay, then let's go!" Pony was getting frustrated and I yelled, "No, Pony! The carnival doesn't start until four in the afternoon! That means we have under an hour to find the letter in one of the games AND get to Derek in time. It's impossible."

Pony's mouth dropped. "No, nothing is impossible. We got this, Kip. We can do this."

I shook my head and slumped down into the chair, burying my face into my hands. "We can't do this. Derek's going to die and then I'm going to have another person I loved gone. Again!"

I heard Pony sigh. "Remember what you told me, Kieran?"

When I didn't answer, he answered for me. "To catch a criminal, you have to think like one."

I raised my hands up and knitted my eyebrows in confusion. "What are you even saying, Pony?"

"I say we break into the carnival."

My eyes went huge. "Hell no! Do you know how creepy that would be?"

Pony shrugged. "Alright, I guess we're just going to let that mystery person win and kill Derek."

I clenched my fists and stood up. "Fine. I guess we're gonna go break into one of the creepiest places on earth tomorrow."

He smirked. "That's the plan."

(OKAY PONYBOY I SEE YOU BEING SAVAGE)

I started laughing and we both started walking into the living room. I stopped in my tracks and I heard Pony cuss behind me. My face was drained of all its color and Pony's was the same. I felt frozen. Like my blood flow stopped.

There was red paint on the door.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Someone you love dies,

but someone you hate also dies.

Someone goes missing,

and someone shows up.

One person gets involved,

and one person wishes they didn't.

One person gets shot,

and one person gets stabbed.

And in the end, there's only six people standing.

There's eight people in the gang total... and that's including, Kieran.

so, who goes down?

-Lead

"If this Lead even lays a hand on one person from the gang, I swear I will go psycho!" I shouted, my knuckles turning white from me having them balled up in a fist.

Pony was still speechless. "K-Kieran. He was here. While we were in the kitchen."

Realization hit me and my breath started hitching. "I-I can't even stay in my own house anymore!"

"You can stay with us." Pony choked out the words, still in shock from what just happened.

"Pony, we have to tell someone about this. This Lead person is actually going to kill people."

"No!" Pony whisper-shouted, putting his hands on my shoulders and twirling me around to face him. "He'll kill even more if we tell. Getting the fuzz involved in this will only make things worse. Plus, why would they believe a bunch of greasers anyway?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and sighed. "Okay."

We looked at each other and nodded, dashing out of the house and to the Curtis's. When we entered, the gang all shot up. "What's wrong?!" They all shouted at the same time.

Pony and I quickly shot each other glances. "Umm, we were just racing to the house, but a dog started chasing us." I made a quick excuse and they - gladly - believed it.

"Oh, well y'all come sit down." Darry ordered and we both sat on the couch.

"Hey, Darry. Would it be okay if Kieran lived here with us?" Pony asked and the whole gang turned their attention back towards us.

"Well, I don't see why it would be a problem." Darry spoke and Soda yelled, "Yay, my sister-in-law is moving in!"

Pony and I shot him a glare causing everyone to laugh. "Well, isn't this going to be fun?" I mumbled.