Villain

“I knew he was up to no good the moment he walked in.  I just wanted to leave and never look back, but I didn’t think I should leave Lacey.  I knew she was more at risk if Jared was there.  But I didn’t really know where she had gone.  That’s why I am out here.”  I gestured toward the field and hoped the police would take my word for it.  My story was mostly true. 

“Which way did he go?  Do you remember?”  The police officer took a step to the side so he would break the contact between Zach and I. 

This was the only party I had been to all year, and I managed to get interrogated by the police.  Zach was trying to make sure I was all right, but I didn’t want him to know anything.  He was Jared’s best friend and I knew he would report back to him immediately.  If I told the police where Lacey had gone, Zach would run straight to Jared.  And Jared couldn’t know what I knew. 

If he knew I saw Lacey leave with Virginia, he would completely lose it.  Jared was beginning to prove his point of how dangerous he really was, and Zach was just a pawn in his game.  I hoped Lacey would leave and never come back.  Leave and never call again.  Leave and disappear.  I just wish I had known Virginia was on Jared’s side.  And that Lacey was hurtling straight to Jared.