Author's Note: This is my longest update yet, and I really enjoyed writing this part. This is the final part to the first episode! One down! I hope you guys are enjoying it, I have a lot of ideas of where to take the story from here! I'm moving back into my college apartment tomorrow, so the next update may take an extra day or two! Thank you to the reviews I've gotten so far!


Tape 7, Side B - Part Three

"Uh, a ticket to El Cerrito please."

"You stopping in El Cerrito or taking the train into the city?"

"I'll take the train."

"Eleven dollars."

Justin handed it over to the woman at the ticket counter.

"Bus is leaving in ten minutes." She smiled to him, before calling to the next person. "Next."

Justin turned to find a bench in the waiting area. Buses were coming and going, people flooding about. It was nearly 10 PM, but the transit center was surprisingly crowded.

Justin pulled out his phone. Normally his first instinct would be to check his social media profiles, but he remembered they were gone. So he checked his messages.

Only two.

Hey man, where are you? From Marcus.

Call me bro, I'm worried about you. From Bryce.

Fucking Bryce, thought Justin. Bryce had won Justin's allegiance over years ago, but now, Justin had broken free. His mind filled with thoughts about Bryce at Jessica's party. Thoughts he wanted to be rid of, but they kept invading.

He opened Marcus' thread, carefully choosing a reply.

Don't worry about it.

He sent it.

Marcus' reply came swift, within a minute or two.

Your deposition is tomorrow, right?

Justin pondered whether to reply.

Yeah.

You gonna be there?

I don't know.

This is some serious shit man, I hope you don't skip it.

If I'm there, I'm there. If not, don't worry about it.

He didn't get a reply.

Switching chats, he moved to Jessica's messages. The last thing she sent was a sharp and personal Fuck you Justin earlier that day. He couldn't bear to read it, but he still felt he should say something more.

He began typing.

I'm sorry. I really am. I'll do anything to make this right again.

He stared at it for a few moments, before his bus number was called out.

He backspaced the message and put his phone back in his pocket, headed for the newly arrived bus. He handed the driver his bus pass, and made his way to the back seat. A voice came on over the bus speakers.

"We've got sixteen boarding for El Cerrito, five of them bound for San Francisco. Anyone wishing to switch tickets, do so now at the ticket desk. We leave in five minutes. Bags in the upper compartments please. This will be a forty minute ride to the El Cerrito del Norte station."

A few minutes passed, the bus was put into gear and began backing out of the station. Justin slouched back in his seat and tried to fall asleep, but didn't prevail. Jessica persisted in his mind. Her voice filling his ears. Her face a seared image in his brain.

He couldn't shake it.

Sighing in frustration, he pulled out his phone again, and went to his conversation with her.

He began typing.


"May we speak with Clay for a moment? I'm Olivia Baker and this is my husband, Andy." Olivia Baker attempted to prod Clay's father.

"I-uh… I don't think you should be here. With all due respect." Matt seemed a bit worried as he looked back to Clay, who stood on the penultimate step with a look of pure terror.

"I understand, the case and all." Olivia waved her hand in the air. "This'll only take a moment. It's a personal matter. Please." The desperation in her demeanor seemed to weigh heavily on the conscience of Matt as he bit his bottom lip in thought.

"That's fine, but you should probably do it outside. I don't think my wife would find it very good to have her son chatting up with the prosecuting side."

"It won't take long, we promise." Olivia couldn't even muster a smile, her face almost went blank, devoid of emotion once again as Matt opened the door to allow Clay to exit the house.

"Go on, Clay. Just a few minutes." Matt left his son with an urging smile of reassurance as he beckoned him forward.

"Alright." Clay gulped, making his way down the stairs to the door. He nodded to his dad, who closed the door after them.

The three stood at the top step alone.

"So." Olivia started.

"H-how did you find my house?" Clay replied nervously.

"White Pages. Our only option. It's okay, Clay. You aren't in trouble. We aren't here to strangle you or anything." Olivia attempted to brush off Clay's uneasiness at the confrontation.

Clay noted the irony in the statement, remembering his previous hallucinatory encounter with Mrs. Baker. He simply nodded.

Her face remained lifeless, almost cold in a sense, as Andy stood silent by her side, eyeing Clay curiously. She placed a hand on Clay's shoulder.

"We listen-… we listened." She took a moment to gather what little emotional strength she had.

Clay knew immediately where this was going. His face altered expressions almost instantly from nervousness to near-horror.

"The tapes…" She continued, as Andy put his arm around her and attempting to calm her, kissing the side of her head softly.

"Y-you heard them?" Clay stammered out. "How?"

"Your friend Tony." Olivia managed to reply.

Clay remembered Tony mentioning something about copying the tapes, but wasn't sure what he meant. That's when Mrs. Baker withdrew a small flash drive from her pocket. She held it out to Clay as a display that she was telling the truth.

"The tapes… are on that?" Clay asked.

"Yes." She said.

"Why are you here then, Mrs. Baker?"

"We have something to ask you, Clay." Andy finally spoke, his voice sounding frail and broken, his eyes looked bloodshot and his hands were trembling.

Olivia cleared her throat, locking eyes with Clay.

It was almost if he could see Hannah's dying face staring back at him from within her mother's eyes. But he dispelled the image and focused on the woman before him with an intent gaze of sorrowful curiosity.

"Were you in love with Hannah?" She asked, her voice sounding slightly garbled at the word Hannah, as she fought from choking up. Andy gripped her tighter as he watched Clay's reaction, this time to a face filled with pain.

The regret was eating away at his soul.

"I-uh… Hannah?" He asked, his voice wavering slightly at the sound of her name rolling off of his tongue. It was like a firework shot into the ocean, a beautiful explosion that was left to drown and wither away.

"Hannah." Andy said.

"Excuse me?" A voice came from below them.

Lainie Jensen stood on the sidewalk, peering up at the three.

The Bakers didn't take their eyes off of Clay.

"Mom, it's okay. We're just talking."

"I don't think so, Clay." Lainie began up the steps affirmatively.

"You're both more than welcome here, and you can speak to my son whenever you'd like. But until the case is settled, it probably isn't in the best interest of your lawsuit to be here right now." Lainie turned to the Bakers, her voice surging through the air like a willfully dominant presence.

"Yes, uh. Of course… right then." Mrs. Baker murmured. "I'm sorry to bother you this evening, Mrs. Jensen. Clay." She grabbed Andy's arm and backed away from Clay, turning to head down the steps.

Clay watched them descend down the steps to the sidewalk. He longed desperately to speak up, to tell them the truth. But the words just couldn't come to them.

He stood there, gazing with a teary-eyed expression, as they climbed somberly and quietly into their Jeep. The vehicle originally bought for their darling daughter to take to her Winter Formal.

The engine started, and without words from either party, the car took off down the street, leaving nothing but autumn leaves in its wake.

Lainie rested a hand on her son's shoulder.

"Clay."

"Mom, not right now."

"Do you want to talk about this yet?"

"I can't."

"I'll be here when you can." She smiled to him, rubbing his shoulder with care before opening the front door, calling out to Matt.

Clay stood there in silence, the night sky spread above him like a darkened canvas, the stars glistening as they added a soul to the canvas, each and every one.

But in that moment, Clay felt as if he lacked a soul himself. He sat down on the top step, head tilting backwards to take in the sky above.

Within moments he was back on top of the Crestmont.

"What am I supposed to be seeing?"

"Just a shadow over the moon, look, it's growing slowly." Clay pointed skyward, their legs dangling off of the roof of the Crestmont in the crisp evening wind.

"A shadow… growing slowly." She repeated back to him, looking for what he spoke of.

"Yeah, just, little bit by little bit." Clay pointed again. "Look closely."

"I see it." Hannah finally replied. "I see it."

She inspected it for a moment, a breeze tossing her long hair around her face.

"It's kind of scary."

Clay turned to her, his eyes gazing upon her features before he spoke.

"Is it?"

She looked at him for a fleeting moment, their eyes meeting, before shifting her eyes back to the eclipse.

Clay nodded as he did the same, and before long he felt her body shift closer to his.

'Put your arm around her.' His mind shouted.

He just sat there.

"Clay? You still out here?" His father's voice cut in.

"What? Oh, uh, yeah. Still here." Clay said, keeping his eyes to the sky.

"You wanna come inside soon pal? Gotta be up early in the morning for that deposition."

"I know."

"Alright, don't stay out too long."

"I won't."

Matt watched his son for a while, trying to figure out what was going on in his son's head. But he eventually left the doorway for his bedroom.

Clay sighed, closing his eyes, returning to his memory. His happiness.


"You do realize you could've just dialed the non-emergency number, Miss Holland?" The officer said to Sheri.

They were seated at a wooden table in a conference room of sorts. Two officers sat before Sheri, the lights were somewhat dimmed.

"I wasn't thinking, I just felt I should've notified someone."

"Why didn't you notify authorities of this sooner?"

"Because."

"Because?"

"I was scared."

"We all get scared, Miss Holland. But you damaged city property, the local Department of Transportation would've been called to replace it, and you would've been left with a simple fine to pay if you gave them your name."

"I understand." Sheri replied.

"What was the intersection, and the date please?"

"Uh… it was that intersection, um…" Sheri seemed lost for words.

"Miss Holland?" The second officer asked.

Sheri felt the water in her eyes.

"The intersection… you know. That intersection."

"What intersection?"

Her fists balled up under the table, she tried fighting it, to control it. The guilt was washing over.

"Tanglewood… the intersection… you know."

"Tanglewood and what street? We need the exact intersection."

"Why?"

"Record-keeping purposes. Please, Miss Holland. Is there something wrong?"

"No."

"What was the intersection then?"

"That intersection."

"Where?"

At that point, she snapped.

"The fucking intersection where that boy was killed! Where I hit a stop sign and drove off like a fucking coward! My friend was killed later that night and I had just driven away from my responsibility like a coward!" The tears flowed. "It was my fault. At that intersection. That… stupid… intersection… where Jeff Atkins, where he was killed." The tears quickly escalated to sobs. Her voice faded away as she buried her face in her hands.

"Miss Holland." The first officer said, the woman.

Sheri just shook her head, unable to speak.

"Miss Holland, it's okay. I'm glad you came to us. We can work all of this out, okay? I'm glad you came forward. It's all going to be okay."

Sheri just sat there, her body convulsing with every sob, she struggled for air, gasping as she did so.

"Get her some water." The first officer said to the second.

The officer left the room.

"It's going to be okay. I promise."

Sheri struggled to reply.

"P-prison, right? That's what it's gonna be?"

"If his parents decide to press charges, there may be a case to decide what happens from here. We're going to have to impose a fine for destroying city property and not reporting it. But at this point, your admission is the only evidence we have to support this. There are no cameras at that intersection, if I recall correctly. If this is true, we will notify Mr. Atkins' family, and they can decide where to go from there."

"P-pl-please. Please. I'm so sorry. I'm s-so sorry." Her sobbing fit continued as the second officer returned with a small cup of water, placing it on the table in front of her. She didn't seem to notice.

"It's okay. We promise. Everything will be just fine. We're going to send you home and call you back tomorrow, okay? Is that okay Miss Holland?"

Sheri could barely nod.

"Just fill out a little bit of paperwork for us, okay?"

She pushed a folder towards the distraught girl, a pen resting on top.

Sheri looked up slowly, her makeup running down her face and her hands soaking from the tears. She reached for the cup first, taking a few sips, before putting it back down and reaching for the pen.

"It's all okay." The officer repeated.

"It-it's not… but okay." Sheri said timidly, voice shaking. She signed all of the papers in the folder, not bothering to read any of them, before pushing them back across the table. The officer watched her with a keen eye, almost wishing she had read what she had signed.

"C-can I go now?" She asked.

"You are free to go, Miss Holland. Thank you so much. Officer Hawkins here will escort you out."

Sheri nodded again, taking a few moments to push herself out of the seat. She grabbed her purse and hurriedly left the conference room with Hawkins by her side.


The flowing lights overhead from the twin bridges cast shadows inside of the bus. Justin sat in his seat, eyes open and alert as he awaited a response on his phone. The bus rattled over a few potholes, jostling him about in his position, but he remained steadfast in his focus as the phone laid on his lap.

He felt a buzz, and immediately looked down to check it.

Justin. Seriously. Where are you? Call me. It was from Bryce.

Justin scoffed and leaned further down in his seat. He considered blocking Bryce's number, but decided to leave it alone for now.

Traffic passing the bus increased as they came into a more heavily populated area across the bridge. Justin reasoned that they must be closer to San Francisco at this point. The bus pushed on, not a single occupant speaking or saying a word. Many asleep, others watching Netflix on their tablets or checking news headlines on their phones.

Justin pulled up Jessica's messages again.

I just want to talk to you. I'm truly sorry for what I did. Please give me this chance.

The message remained on "Delivered." He figured she hadn't seen it yet. Then he questioned his logic again and knew that she probably had.

Twenty minutes passed and the bus settled into its berth at the El Cerrito station.

"The five passengers bound for San Francisco. This is your stop." The bus' interior lights activated and Justin squinted at the newly revealed lights beaming down on him. He stood to his feet, grabbing his bag from the apartment, and followed the other four passengers off the bus.

Justin checked the time on his phone.

10:50.

He stepped off the bus and looked upwards. The BART platform rose above the station. He eyed the stairs and ascended to the train platform.

One train whizzed by, causing a heavy breeze to rattle the passengers waiting beside the tracks.

Another came in slower, presumably from the northernmost point on the line, Richmond. Justin watched it intensely, thoughts flashing through his mind.

Jump.

Do it, you coward.

Just end it here.

The thoughts never came to fruition however, as the train passed him, who stood at the end of the platform, his hair blowing in the wind as the train car lights brightened his face consecutively until it came to a halt, his face remained emotionless as he prepared to board.

The doors opened. Only one occupant stepped off. Justin and the other four passengers stepped through various doors onto the train. Justin's car at the rear was all but empty, minus a lone woman sitting in the back. She was elderly, appeared to be reading a magazine of some sorts.

Justin paid her no mind and found a seat, watching the doors close and feeling the train take off towards San Francisco.


Night quickly turned to day.

Liberty High School teemed with activity, students bustling to and from class, the library and the gym. Voices filled the hallways, from the lockers to the bathrooms and everywhere in between. Some conversations going into great detail about the War of 1812, others discussing proper beer pong tactics. But a select few chose to whisper.

"Is he here?"

Zach Dempsey closed his locker and turned to find Marcus standing in front of him.

"What?" Zach replied.

"Justin. Have you seen him?"

"No, why?"

"It's his deposition day."

"He wouldn't be in school if he has a deposition, Marcus."

"It's not until 3:00. He can still be here."

"Don't worry about him, I'm sure he'll go."

"What about Clay?"

Zach eased his way through the throngs of students rushing to class, Marcus followed him.

"What about him?"

"His deposition is today too."

"What's your point, dude?" Zach appeared frustrated.

"He could talk."

"Yeah, that's the point."

"About us."

"Haven't we already done that?"

"He could spill more."

"Get over yourself, Marcus. I honestly could care less. I know what I did and if the truth comes out, we deserve whatever we get." Zach didn't pause to look Marcus in the eye as he continued to second period Chemistry.

Marcus left Zach's side after the comment, standing alone amidst the crowds circling him, darting every which way, as he watched him disappear up the stairs.


Tony's Mustang rolled up to the curb in front of Clay's house. He had no intention of staying long, however. A simple knock on the door brought a rather formal looking Clay to the front porch.

"Hey Tony."

"What's up Clay? How are you?"

"Seen better days." Clay quipped, buttoning up the final button at the top of his collared shirt.

"You ready for your deposition?" Tony asked.

"Let's get this over with." Clay followed Tony to his car, locking the front door behind him. Clay's father was out for some literary meeting, and of course his mother was already handling depositions at the law office.

Climbing into Tony's car, Clay noticed a tape on the dashboard.

"What's that?" He asked.

"New mixtape. Put it in." Tony said, smiling to his friend.

Clay obliged, pushing the tape into the vehicle's cassette player.

(( Author's Note: At this point, if you have the ability to listen along with them, the song is "The World Ender" by Lord Huron. Strongly recommended! You don't have to wait for the music, just keep on reading as it plays, if you wish! ))

I had a name but they took it from me

I was the man that I wanted to be

"I recognize the voice." Clay mentioned.

"It's Lord Huron. The same group that sang that song."

"What song?"

"The one you and Hannah danced to." Tony started the car, and off they went.

Clay's mouth opened to reply, but he decided against it. The song was his favorite in the world, and hearing something new from the group was almost pushing him out of his recent comfort zone. But he willingly obliged, maybe it would help him.

I had a place where I lay my head

They burnt it to the ground and the sky turned red

The streets of San Francisco were filled with life. Vehicles honking, crowds pushing down sidewalks. Storefronts buzzing and the various smells of the city wafting through Justin Foley's nostrils. He waded through the hundreds of people on the crosswalk as he made his way south down Market Street against the morning sunshine. His destination was a mere mile away. He looked down at the address listed on his phone, his pulse beginning to race.

I had a life and a place in the world

I had a sweet talkin' wife and a beautiful girl

I know I'm never gonna see 'em again

Gonna tear the world up until I have my revenge

"Remember Clay, just be honest. Tell the truth and don't hold back." Tony told his friend, as they arrived at the law building, downtown.

Seagulls chirped and cawed overhead as the waters of the bay crashed against the floodwall beyond the building.

Clay nodded, taking a deep breath, collecting his thoughts.

They took my life but it isn't the end

They put me in the ground but I'm back from the dead

"Just relax, you got fifteen minutes." Tony said.

"We're that early?" Clay stammered nervously, his fingers fidgeting in his lap. He wanted it to be over with already. "I should just go inside."

"Are you the first deposition today?"

"I think so, but I'm not sure. Mom doesn't talk about it."

"Just ease up for a minute, Clay."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I know the Bakers are up there waiting for me."

Oh I'm the World Ender baby and I'm coming for you

They put me in the ground but I'm back from the dead

Oh I'm the World Ender baby and I'm coming for you

They put me in the ground but I'm back from the dead

"Are they?"

"Why wouldn't they be, Tony?"

"You're worried about this?"

"Of course I am."

"Just take some deep breaths, I'm sure they'll be happy to know the truth."

"They were at my house last night."

"What?"

You'll hear me howl by the light of the moon

That's how you'll know that I'm coming for you

Gonna find you alone in the dark of night

When the World Ender comes better run for your life

Justin stepped up to a brightly colored house on the corners of Waller and Fillmore streets, in the Lower Haight district of the city. The car horns never faded in the distance as he stood inches away from the door. Fighting an internal battle on whether or not to knock, he felt a buzz from his phone. He paused briefly to check it.

You skipping your deposition, bro? Zach had typed.

Don't worry about it. Justin responded.

I'm worried about YOU man. Get up with me when you can.

Justin bit his bottom lip as he thought up a reply.

Thanks, but I'm okay.

You sure? I don't hang with Bryce anymore, I wanna help you.

I don't need help, Zach.

Suit yourself, I'm here if you need it.

Justin put his phone away, turned back to the door, and found it already opened.

"Justin?"

I'll never bleed and I won't ever age

I'll never feel the embrace of the grave

Sheri Holland stepped up to the front doors of the police station. She took a deep breath and opened the doors, immediately coming face to face with a couple in tears.

Jeff Atkins' parents.

The fair and the brave and the good must die

I seen the other side of living, I know heaven's a lie

"Yeah, they came to my house to see me." Clay answered Tony quickly.

"Why?"

"They had to ask me a question about Hannah."

"Did you answer?"

"I didn't get a chance to, my mom shooed them off."

"Shit."

"What?"

"Did they have a flash drive with them?"

"Yeah… you gave them the tapes."

I'll tear through the night, and I'll raise some hell

'Cause I'm the World Ender, baby and I'm back from the dead

"I did."

"Do you think that was the best decision, Tony?"

"I do. They deserve to hear the truth. Now get going Clay, you got five minutes."

"Right, right. Okay. What floor again?" Clay asked as he opened the door and climbed out of the Mustang.

Tony sighed, chuckling to himself. "Eighth. Just breathe, Clay."

"Breathe floor, got it. Thanks, Tony." He stumbled off towards the building's entrance. Tony smiled as he watched him.

Lord knows I should be pushing daisies

I was 6 feet down, but something raised me up

"Look, Marcus, I don't care how long it takes. I don't care that you have a meeting this afternoon. Find the little fucker, I need to talk to him."

"I texted him last night, I don't know where he is."

"Shit. Well find out!" Bryce Walker brushed past Marcus in annoyance as he made his way to the gym for baseball workouts.

Sent back for to lift my curse

I'm gonna get me a taste of some chaos first

"I know what happened, Bryce." Marcus called out after him. The hallway they occupied was empty, save for them.

Bryce paused, turning to face him.

"Know what?"

"About what you did to Hannah."

"You heard those tapes?" Bryce began pacing his way back towards Marcus.

Untied, gonna get little wild

Go screaming through the dark like a demon child

"Yeah. So did Justin, so did Jessica. So did Zach and Alex. We all heard those tapes."

"You heard them cause you're on them?"

"Yeah."

"Do you believe her?"

"I don't know."

"Where are they?"

"I have no idea."

"Where the fuck are those tapes, Marcus?"

"I don't fucking know, Bryce."

"Well find out, fast. I'm done playing these fucking games with you guys. Remember my one rule."

"Keep you clean."

"That's right."

"What do I do once I find the tapes?"

"Bring them to my house, we'll handle them."

"We?"

"You wouldn't want to ruin your perfect little reputation now, would you Marcus?" Bryce smirked, before turning to walk back down the hallway, disappearing around a corner, leaving Marcus alone once again.

Close your eyes now, the light is fading

And the noise in the night is gonna get a little louder, baby

Tony started up his Mustang engine, preparing himself to leave the parking lot. He check his phone for any messages from Brad.

I'm the World Ender, baby, and I'm back from the grave

They can run for their lives but they cannot be saved

Clay exited the elevator hastily at the eighth floor. He remembered, luckily enough. Seeing the marked door at the end of the hallway for depositions, he saw a figure emerge from the door.

Closing the distance, he noticed it was Ryan.

"Good luck in there, Clay." Ryan said, eyeing Clay with intense curiosity as he shuffled past him and waltzed towards the elevator.

"Oh, uh, yeah, you too." Clay murmured back. "I-I mean, yeah, thanks." His awkwardness got the best of him as he approached the door. Ryan exited through the elevator doors as Clay turned the doorknob to the deposition room.

Seated before him at a long conference table was his mother, the prosecuting attorney, and the Bakers, huddled in a corner near the wide windows that adorned the backside of the room. They all eyed him as he entered, but Clay said nothing.

"Have a seat, Mr. Jensen." The prosecutor motioned to Clay, to an empty seat in front of a video camera mounted on a tripod. His mother watched him with worried eyes, but stayed silent, a pen and paper before her. The Bakers never took their eyes off Clay, but he avoided eye contact as he took his seat in front of the window.

I'm the World Ender, baby, and I'm coming for them

They put me in the ground but I'm back from the dead

"You've got some nerve showing up here again, Justin."

"I know." Justin murmured, putting his hand to rest on the right side of the doorframe. "Please just hear me out. Please."

In front of him stood a somewhat older woman, maybe mid-50s, who studied his expression for a moment, before sighing and stepping out of the way to allow Justin inside her home. She closed it slowly behind him, watching his every move.

He sat down on a nearby couch and she sat across from him, in a rather comfortable looking armchair. She turned off the television and folded her arms across her chest.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"A second chance."

I'm the World Ender, baby, and I'm back from the grave

They can run for their lives but they cannot be saved

Tony looked up from his phone and put the Mustang into reverse, he turned to look out of his rear window, when he saw her.

She appeared in his passenger seat, causing him to jump back in sheer terror.

"Oh shit! What the fuck!?" Tony's heartbeat began to increase in speed, as he carefully put the car in park and stared, mouth slightly agape, at Hannah Baker beside him. Her attire was the same as before, her gaze focused on the law offices in front of them. She blinked twice before turning to Tony.

Their eyes locked, and Tony felt a cold surge rush down his spine. He had to be dreaming, he had to be.

"What the fuck is going on? Who the fuck are you?"

"Who do you think I am, Tony?" She replied, her voice rather chilling, with a subtle hint of tenderness hidden within.

"H-Hannah?" He could barely speak.

She shifted her gaze back to the building in front of them, before replying.

"We need to talk."

I'm the World Ender, baby, and I'm coming for them

They put me in the ground but I'm back from the dead

"Good morning, Mr. Jensen."

Clay nodded, attempting to smile. "Good morning."

The camera was recording.

"My name is Dennis Vasquez, representing Andrew and Olivia Baker, and this is a deposition. I'll be asking you questions, and you must answer them truthfully unless your attorney clearly instructs you otherwise." He paused. "Do you understand?"

"Uh, y-yes. Yes, I do." Clay said, fighting hard to avoid looking over at the Bakers.

"There's no judge present, but this is a formal legal proceeding." He cleared his throat before continuing. "You are under the same legal obligation to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand." Clay replied.

"Good." Dennis looked down at his papers for a moment, before resuming his conversation with Clay.

I'm the World Ender, baby, and I'm back from the grave

They can run for their lives but they cannot be saved

"For the record, please state your full name, your age, where you go to school, and what year you're in." The prosecutor, Dennis, spoke up to Clay. Lainie watched him apprehensively.

"Um, my name is Clay Matthew Jensen. I'm seventeen, and I attend Liberty High School as a Junior." He continued fidgeting with his hands in his lap, while his mother smiled faintly at his statement, knowing she raised her boy well.

"Okay, good. Now, let's start with a simple question."

"Okay."

"When and where did you first meet Hannah Baker?"

For a fleeting moment, Clay felt as if the eyes of the world were on him.

I'm the World Ender, baby, and I'm coming for them

They put me in the ground but I'm back from the dead


That's Episode One! I had a lot of fun writing these first three parts. I can't wait to see where this story will take me next. As stated in the beginning Author's Note, I'm moving back into my college apartment tomorrow, so I may be delayed on updating for a day or two. But thank you again to the reviews that have been submitted! This third part was probably the most difficult for me to write, simply because of the emotions and the situations, but things will slowly begin to take off. I like slow burns, so things will start to move along quicker the further we go! Thanks again for reading!