Scout was fast asleep when I woke up.

I smiled as I stared at her, she looked so peaceful when she slept.

She opened one eye, causing me to jump, "You're cute, you know,"

I rolled my eyes as I got up, cheeks flushed at the thought of her catching me.

Giving her a hand up, I laughed at her laziness, "You're just as lazy as you were in high school,"

"That's me," she chuckled, taking her hand in mine.

We walked back to where the tents were, bracing ourselves for endless amounts of teasing.

Not that I minded deep down.

As we navigated through the bushes, I could see Olivia and Eli with their backs turned away from us.

This was our chance.

I gestured for us to tiptoe towards the right to avoid both of them.

The plan was going well, we passed them swiftly and I turned around to high five Scout, when I bumped into something, or rather, someone, causing me to fall over.

Scout face-palmed, "Cole!"

"Wow, these, guys really thought you could get away from us," Noah chastised, "Bit rude, don't you think,"

Olivia and Eli turned around, and Daisy came out of her tent sniggering.

They all burst out with countless whistles, catcalls and circled us.

All of them were trying so hard to annoy us.

And it was working.

Scout and I looked at each other and sighed.

This was going to be a long day.

***

"Hey guys, so I was thinking, since we all have a day off today, we should all go to the diner en route to Bamer,"

Everyone nodded and cheered in agreement, but I stayed silent.

After the Allerton market fiasco, I had no intention of showing my face anywhere.

"Oh come on, Cole," Eli looked at me cheerfully, "It'll be fun,"

"I don't know, I'm not really in the mood," My voice shook slightly.

"Don't worry, Cole," Noah chimed in, "Literally no one visits this diner - it's like a petrol station,"

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, "Huh?"

Did she know about my secret? How could she tell I didn't want to go to crowded places?

I began to panic internally as someone finally spoke up.

"After our trip to Allerton, Scout and I thought you might get a little anxious in busy places," Olivia explained.

"Come on Cole, the food is SO good!" Daisy exclaimed, earning a laugh me, "And I'm tired of cooking,"

"Please, Cole," Scout made puppy eyes, weirding me out beyond belief.

I stared into her eyes and couldn't take it anymore.

"Fine," I groaned.

***

It was so worth it.

Daisy was right, the food was amazing, and I was so glad I took the risk of going.

The diner was almost empty as well, mostly filled with travellers, stopping for breakfast.

As we exited the diner I intertwined my hands with Scout.

"Look at that cloud!" Eli pointed at the sky, laying down on the grass, "It's a dinosaur,"

"No it's not," Olivia argued, "It's a flower,"

Noah shook his head joining them on the floor, "You're both wrong, it's definitely a man doing the worm,"

"What?" Daisy sat next to him, "You're all wrong, it's a burger obviously,"

Scout and I chuckled, as we walked around the area instead.

I set my eyes on an old telephone booth in the corner of the parking lot, right next to the picnic benches.

"Hey, is it okay if I make a quick phone call?" I let go of Scout's hand as I gestured to the booth.

Scout raised her eyebrows, "Why don't you just use Olivia's brick phone?"

I didn't want the police to be able to trace me, and if they got to know that I was with Olivia and the others I'd have to destroy her phone too.

And quite frankly, I didn't want to have to do that.

But I couldn't tell Scout that.

She'd think I was a psycho.

"No, it's fine. You guys should save the credit on that phone for emergencies," I thought up on the spot, sounding confident so she wouldn't see through my lies.

She nodded, buying my excuse, "Okay, I'll leave you to it then,"

I walked over to the booth, fetching a coin out of my pocket.

My forehead was pressed against the box as I dialled the number and waited anxiously for it to ring.

"Hello?"

"Amelia? It's me, Cole," I spoke through the phone, my voice shaking after hearing her voice for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.

"Cole?" she whimpered, "H-how are you? Where are you?"

She instantly bombarded me with questions, causing my heart to race as I wondered whether calling her was the right thing to do, considering it could've gotten her into trouble.

I kept my cool for her, "I'm fine, sis. I'm just laying low for the moment,"

"Why didn't you answer my texts or calls," she said between sobs, "I was worried sick, we all were!"

"I got rid of my phone so the police couldn't track me, I'm so sorry," I explained, hoping she would understand, "Are you okay though?"

"No, of course not," Amelia sniffled, "Everything's so messed up, the police are talking to everyone at school, and I keep seeing all of these awful things happening to you,"

"This is a nightmare," I whispered.

"I miss you so much, big bro," I could tell she wasn't keeping well by her strained voice.

I hated doing this to her, but I knew it was for her own good and mine.

"I miss you too," I replied, pressing my eyes together, "I'm sorry to put you through this,"

Amelia paused for a second before responding, "C-cole, maybe you could come back? You're innocent, we can fix this,"

"No, I can't come back sis," I shook my head, "They won't help me, there's so much evidence against me, it's almost like someone framed me,"

"This is so messed up, Cole," I could hear her sighing, presumably knowing I was right.

"How are mum and dad?" I asked, changing the subject.

"They're not doing great. They're worried sick, every day," her tone was unrecognisable.

I massaged my temples, coming to terms with it all. I was ruining everyone's lives around me as well as my own.

"What's the new goss at school then? Any new boyfriends?" I teased, lightening the mood.

Amelia laughed at that.

It was nice to hear her laugh again.

I turned around to see Noah, Daisy, Eli and Olivia cloud gazing, and smiled.

Wondering where Scout had gotten to I scanned the area and spotted her near the entrance of the diner, reading something in a box.

"Cole, are you listening?" Amelia squawked, turning my attention back to our conversation.

"Huh? Yeah, sorry, just got a bit distracted," I replied, still looking at Scout.

"Yeah, that's fine, it wasn't all that important anyway," she answered, chuckling, "But where did you say you were again?"

"Erm, I'm actually not too sure," I squinted to gain a clearer idea of what was in front of Scout.

And then it hit me.

"Crap," I muttered, running my hands through my hair.

"What is it, Cole?" Amelia sounded worried.

Scout turned around to look at me, her face losing all colour.

"Nothing, running out of credit though, I have to go now," I lied, panicking.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, "I-"

But it was too late.

I had already clicked the line dead, focusing my eyes on Scout, her hands shaking as she held a newspaper.

It was titled: Monstrous Murderer on the Run, with my face plastered over the entire front page.

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Annnnnndd we late again! Sorry haha!

Sup lads, hope you did enjoyed this chapter regardless of my schedule - make sure to give me a vote and a comment to let me know x

WHat did you guys think of the phone call between Cole and his sister? Touched my heart😣😣

And AGH, what happened at the end over there??? Scout has just seen something that could tear the relationship apart.

Next update: 18/9/20 (again, no promises lmao)

Teaser: eek...