Twisted

Chapter 2

The students gaped at the boy. Alex looked up, surprised.

"Y-You?" She sobbed. He nodded.

Mr. Carson cleared his throat. "This is a very serious thing to take responsibility for Marc. This is no joking matter."

"I know Mr. Carson," he said, briefly glancing at Alex. "I did it."

Mr. Carson frowned. "Students, call your parents. It is time for you to go home," he announced to the crowd. "Alex, CJ, Marc, please stay here with me." Alex stared at the floor unblinkingly. CJ went and sat on the floor near her, rubbing her back. Marc looked at the celing.

While the students were filing out, a few of Victoria's friend glared at Marc as they left. He didn't look at anyone, just kept staring at the celing. After the last student had filed out, Mr. Carson sighed.

"Marc. This is... This is horrible. Did you really do it?" Mr. Carson moaned, his head cradled in his hands. Marc swallowed and nodded slowly. Mr. Carson let out a small cry and sat crying for a few moments. He pulled himself together and looked Marc straight in the face. "Why Marc, why?"

"She.. She irritated me, sir," Marc said quietly, staring now at the floor. Just then, two police officers charged in with guns out. Alex squeaked and started crying again.

"Where's the killer?" They yelled, their deep voices echoing around the empty gym.

"Here, officers," Mr. Carson told them. "It's this... young man right here." The police officers walked over to Marc and handcuffed him. Alex watched in fascination while they read Marc his rights. She seemed in a stupor until an officer walked out. She blinked her eyes many times and started screaming, deep, mournful cries; the cries of one who has lost a friend. CJ started gently talking to her, trying to calm her down. Another officer walked in and asked Alex to come with them.

"Why?" She asked quietly.

"Well," A large officer with an even large mustache said gruffly, "We need an eyewitness report. Routine stuff."

"Routine?" Alex said softly, gradually building to a crecendo. "You think my best friend's murder is ROUTINE?! What kind of cop are you!" The officer looked surprised.

"I didn't mean-" he started.

"Of course you didn't," soothed Mr. Carson, "I'll get you some hot cocoa Alex. I know how much you love chocolate."

"Victoria used to give me chocolate," Alex said emptily. Mr. Carson cleared his throat and opened his mouth to say something else, when the large officer coughed loudly.

"I'm afraid there will be no chocolate today, sir," he grunted. "We have to take these kids down to the station."

"Why me?" Cj said, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Not you son, just the girl in red and the other boy," he replied simply. Alex looked up, surprised. She nodded slowly and stood up.

"Okay. I'll go. Do you have a phone that I could call my mom from?" she asked. "My mom gets really upset if I don't call her when i go somewhere and don't tell her." The officer nodded and handed her his phone. She stepped away from the group and started talking to her mom. The officer rubbed his head nervously and frowned. "She's going to meet me at the station. Is that okay, officer?"

"Of course," said the officer. He motioned towards the door. "It's time to leave. Mr. Carson, I think you should stay here." Mr. Carson frowned but nodded. The officer pushed Marc out the door. He led Alex gently to the car, murrmering how sorry he was. Alex accepted the sentiments without a word. She only nodded mutely.

The ride to the station was a silent one. Marc kept glancing out of the corner of his eye at Alex. She didn't even acknowledge him. The officer coughed a few times and tried to start a conversation with Alex, but she just frowned and stared out the window.