Some Things Can't Be Solved With Just Clues

Chapter 14: The "Fun" House

Wrap your head in tears as you scream in pain. The sight in front of you caused your head to throb, as if someone were punching you. Repeatedly. You can't escape the feeling. You can't run. It's always with you. Always.

"What a gay newspaper article, dude." Connor says, peaking over my shoulder.

"Shut up, Con. It's very interesting, why don't you try reading for once instead of playing games and flapping?"

Connor stares, shocked at my sudden crankiness, "Hey man, you alright? What's with the crankiness?" he steps back, following me.

"Sorry. I'm still stressed about Devan's case. What could we be missing?"

"Can you like... explain stuff? I have no idea what you've been doing the past few days without me."

"I sent you an email - do you not look at your emails?"

"Text. Me." He says, with a stern face.

I nod, and take out my phone. I scroll through my contacts until I reach the one that says, "My Partner (in more ways than one)". Beside his name, I add an eggplant emoji, a tongue emoji, a water emoji alongside an ok hand emoji and a beating heart emoji. Very original, I know. I begin typing while stopping in the middle of walking. I can't walk and type, I'm not freaking 13 years old.

Pausing, I realize that Con was looking over my shoulder, and onto my phone. He blushes a dark red, making me flush a dark crimson color too. My cheeks felt red and uncomfortable. All this blushing lately was making my cheeks hurt. Even though that's not actually possible, I think.

"W-What," I mutter, silently adding a, "No homo."

"Nothing, just... those are just some interesting emojis you put there," he explains.

"I was... um... bored at the time. Now go away, I can't concentrate when you're around," realizing what I just said, I blush a slight pink. I turn around to see Connor blushing as well.

"I-I see... I'll leave you to it then," He steps aside, tapping his foot while waiting.

Finishing up the details of the murder, I click send. When I hear the beep of Con's phone, I smile, satisfied. Though, I will never be truly satisfied.

Con unlocks his phone and checks the message. I look over his shoulder as he did mine and catch my contact name before he turns it away from me, "Hot Babe," it read, with a fire emoji beside it. I smack him on the head, becoming a complete tsundere.

"Idiot," I say, turning away.

"B-but, explain yours then!"

"At least mine's reasonable," I say, puffing my cheeks, trying to hide the fact that I was indeed blushing.

"You put the god damn eggplant, tongue, and water emoji!"

"Haha. Oh, well, let's put that aside and run to the Funhouse!" I say, successfully avoiding the conversation and changing the subject.

I run ahead, leaving Con behind to catch up. I breathe a sigh of relief now that I had avoided the confrontation about his contact name.

A few minutes later, we arrive at the Funhouse, once again. Remembering what was required to enter, I thankfully brought the cosplay, hiding it in my secret pocket. A very big pocket, actually. Con had surprisingly brought his and I laugh because of how ridiculous it was last time - seems like he got the tightness on it fixed. Suddenly, I feel very disappointed.

We get out of Con's car and walk up to the building but something feels strange. The building is eerily quiet - as if no one is inside... The first time I came here, I didn't notice the blasting music and flashing lights until the bouncer opened the door. But now, I notice that the windows are open now... and I hear nothing. I look through the windows and saw a dark, empty building.