After riding the subway and following the route laid out on my phone, I finally arrived at Nico's house.

It is a two-story New England-style house in a quiet suburban neighbourhood. Trees line the sidewalk and the pathway through his house's front yard. A small wooden fence lines the perimeter of his front yard, blocking the view of the backyard.

I push the gate open and amble down the concrete pathway. I then step up onto the creaky porch, instantly getting shade from its overhang. A doorbell sits by the screen door; I push on it.

The front door clicks and shakes before opening to reveal a figure through the screen door. Then the screen door is pushed open, sharpening the view of the figure.

Leaning his palm against the screen door is Nico; his brown eyes stare up at me in confusion through his thick eyebrows.

I hold my palm up to him in a friendly manner. "Hi! Um..." In settling awkwardness, I close my palm and lower it. "...I'm looking for Pat." I pause, yet realize Nico might not know him based off of solely his nickname. "Nolan Patrick. You hung out with him yesterday. I need to talk to him and I can't find him."

Nico doesn't change his position or expression. "Aren't you supposed to be in jail?"

Now I'm the one staying still. Minus my eyes, which are wide on him. "Uh, no."

He straightens up, letting the screen door rest against him, as he lists out, "You murdered Giroux. And just right now, Konecny." He drums his fingers against the door jamb. His eyes begin to slide to peer behind him. "I should be a good citizen and call up the police—"

"NO!"

Nico snaps his head back to me. He gives him a suspicious glare.

I have my palms out at him, breathing hard with fear. "No! I-I didn't murder them, okay? I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time." I slam my hands to my chest. "I was framed! Someone framed me!" I drop them. "Didn't Pat tell you this?"

Nico scoffs with pressed lips. "Like as if I believe him."

My jaw drops into a gape. "You don't believe him? But aren't you guys friends? You should believe your friend...!"

"A friend doesn't always have to agree all the time with another friend." He crosses his arms.

I let out a groan. "Look, Nico, just let me see Pat—"

"He's not here."

I raise my eyebrows at him. "What?" I slide my hand into my pocket. "But it..." I raise my phone into view. "...it says that he is—"

Nico shakes his head. "That's what he told me to tell you, but apparently, you outsmarted him. He doesn't want to talk to you. Have a good day."

He then steps backward into his house. The screen door swings shut in front of him, followed by the front door.

All I can do is gape at the closed doors. Shock has me stuck in place. Now Nolan doesn't even want to talk to me anymore!

I hold my breath and rub my upper arm, soothing away the urge to cry.

What did I do to make Pat hate me so much? I've done everything I could to please him and make him happy!

I dip my head and purse my trembling lips.

Like the time when—

Sirens howl from the distance.

With a jolt of adrenaline, I snap my eyes up.

"Oh, no."