It's that time. Time for a new chapter of LOM! This one will not have any murders committed, but instead some grief, soft moments, and reactions to the latest murder in North Philly. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 5: A Sister's Grief
"Hey, hey, hey! Time to play!"
The guys were getting ready to play some board games at Rudy's house. The sleepover had been going great so far. Tommy tagged along, in hopes of getting his mind off of his parents for one night.
Rudy had brought out various games such as Scrabble, Connect Four, Monopoly, etc. Just enough for some fun. After all, they've got at least two hours before bedtime.
"Are you dudes ready to lose? After all, I am the best at Monopoly!" Rudy said smugly.
Russell snickered, "Only when you lose everything in the game."
"I do not! I got the whole city last time."
"Only with Dumb Donald's help..."
Donald himself smiled to himself. Rudy rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Anyways, it's great that we're here getting some time together to have fun..."
Albert smiled, "I agree. With everything that's been happening this week... we could all use some positivity for once."
The boys all nodded. This has definitely been pretty crazy with all the sudden murders that have happened. Bobby, Elaine, and now Tommy's parents. Speaking of, the little boy was still feeling blue from the whole ordeal. His mind kept flashing back to when he found his parents... and all the blood... the blood...
Just thinking about it put a funny feeling in his stomach.
"Um... I'm gonna head to the bathroom... I don't feel so good..." Was his response as he got up and exited the room.
The guys looked at him with concern. Although, they all had a feeling they knew why he left, "Poor dude must be feeling sick... given what's been happening, I don't blame him..." Bill whispered.
"I know. But we just gotta be there for him the best way we can..." Albert whispered back.
"Hey. Bobby's funeral is scheduled for this Saturday. Any of ya'll going?" Harold asked.
Rudy shook his head, "You won't see me there. I have no reason to be there anyway... besides, there might be some people who think that I'm the one who killed him."
"What makes you say that?" Bucky asked.
"Well, that note that was left at the scene of the crime that night implies that it was me... and..." With a deep frown, Rudy got up for a moment, reached into his dresser that was nearby, and pulled out several sheets of paper, "I got these notes from close friends of Bobby, telling me to watch my back. Because of that damn note, and because of what happened with my bike, they assume I had something to do with Bobby's murder... but I didn't."
"Can't you just tell them it wasn't you?" Donald asked.
"Don't you think I've tried? They don't believe me... I gotta find a way to clear my name before I get arrested or something..."
Albert nodded, "They know it wasn't you. They just want someone to blame... give it time, and they'll forget all about you."
"Yeah, like everyone forgets about you." Russell snarked.
Rudy sneered at the smaller child, but just put the notes in the trashcan. Suddenly, the guys heard retching in the bathroom. It sounded like Tommy was throwing up. Albert got up immediately to go check on him. As he did, the home phone began to ring. The boys listened as Rudy's mother answered it.
They were going to proceed with their game if it weren't for the fact that Mrs. Davis started to sound shocked and concerned in the phone conversation. Eventually, the call was ended, before Rudy's mother appeared in the doorway, looking worried.
"Everything okay, Mom?" Rudy asked.
"I'm... afraid not..." Was her response.
That response alone was enough for the boys to know the deal. Somewhere, somehow, another murder has been committed. And to be honest, they'd rather not hear about it right now, "Where... whatever it is... can you maybe not tell us...? We'd rather not know..." Rudy requested.
"Oh, of course, dear... would you boys like to come out to the kitchen... I've made frozen pops..." Mrs. Davis asked.
The boys awkwardly nodded as they all followed the woman to the kitchen. Albert and Tommy joined them, for the latter could use something to hopefully settle his stomach.
The television was on and happened to be on the channel of the news. As the boys were getting their frozen pops, they heard what was being reported.
"A house on Oakwood Street has exploded in flames. A firefighters struggle to put out the flames, the body of sixteen-year-old Devery Suter was pulled from the damaged. It is suspected that this was an arson, as yet another note was found at the scene of the crime. This is the fifth murder scene this week..."
"W-WHAT?!" Rudy was horrified as he stared at the TV, "Devery is DEAD?!"
Mrs. Davis frowned deeply, "I had gotten a phone call from your father, Rudy. He was on his way from work when he drove past the house... they're saying that explosives were found... I'm so sorry..."
The other guys were just as shocked, but no one was more shocked than Rudy, who put his hand to his forehead, "I think I'm gonna be sick..." With that, he darted to the bathroom. As for the rest, all they could do was stare at the burning house on TV...
The murderer struck again... they lost another friend...
The next day...
School time seemed to be even worse than ever. More tears, more talking, and even more heaviness filled the air. Albert and the gang found that not a whole lot of people even showed up today, as half of their classroom was empty. Rudy had been silent this morning, having cried his eyes out the night before after learning about the death of his friend.
Miss Wucher hadn't arrived yet, so the boys began to talk amongst themselves...
"I honestly can't believe it..." Harold shook his head, "Five deaths in one week. Something's going on for sure..."
"I agree. With the killer leaving all these notes... there has to be some sort of connection." Albert agreed.
"I-I can't stop thinking about Devery..." Donald sighed, "And w-what a-a-about his folks? Not only did they lose him, but they also lost their house. What are they gonna live now?"
Russell frowned, "What about Melba... she lost her brother... I can't imagine losing my brother..." He then looked at Bill, who smiled back sadly at him.
"Well... we'll just have to try and be there for her like we're doing for Tommy." Albert said, "It's the least we can. We all knew Devery as well as she did, she'll need someone..."
Rudy sighed, "That is if she'll let us go near her... you know how stubborn she can be... and I'm not exactly her most favorite person... I just can't believe Devery's gone... just like that..."
They all couldn't believe it. And they couldn't believe why would anybody take these innocent people's lives... what was their purpose? What were they trying to achieve?
Soon, class began, and school was let out much earlier this time, as the campus now be closed for the rest of the week, and possibly all next week as well. The staff realized that all the students needed time to refresh from everything that's been happening...
The guys got together to... just be together. The sleepover ended up being a bust after learning about Devery, but they realized that they needed each other as much as possible. They were all... afraid...
Afraid of what would happen next...
Afraid of which unfortunate soul would be killed next...
Afraid... that one of them would be next...
After a while of thinking, the gang decided that it would be best to visit the Suter family to pay their respects. From what they heard, they were currently staying with family members, since their house was burned to the ground. After receiving the address, they soon found their way there...
"We thank you boys for coming. We sure weren't expecting you at all..." Mr. Suter nodded with gratitude. He sat on the couch with his wife, who was sniffling into tissues. The boys could tell that she had been crying for a long while. They didn't blame her one bit.
"It's been some hours since..." Mrs. Suter started before she let out a sob.
"We know... and we're sorry for your loss..." Albert spoke for everyone, "If there's anything we can do for you, let us know. We were all friends of... well..." He didn't want to say Devery's name, for fear of causing his mother to bawl.
Mr. Suter sighed, "Well... maybe you can tell us where little Melba ran off to."
"Huh?"
"We haven't seen her since this morning. She ran out suddenly, hopped on her cousin's bicycle and tore off... and we're starting to get worried."
That was worrying indeed. With how Melba may be feeling right now... she could definitely get into trouble. So the boys agreed to help find her, and with that, they left, promising to bring her back safe and sound.
However, after about twenty minutes, none of the guys found any sign of the little girl anywhere, and it was starting to get dark. Even when they split off, they couldn't find her.
"Any luck?" Albert asked when they all met up again.
"I don't see her anywhere." Harold shrugged.
"Me neither." Bill shook his head.
"We better find her soon... before the killer gets her." Russell frowned with worry, "The killer always seems to strike at night."
"Hey, guys!" Bucky ran up to the others, "I saw a pink bike sitting near the waterfront. I think it's the bike Melba was riding." He said.
The waterfront?
"Oh great. Bad things always happen at the waterfront." Rudy frowned, "We better get her before she falls in the water, or gets mugged by thugs."
With that, the boys headed for the place where they always happened to find trouble. Once there, they desperately started calling Melba's name. Anything could happen at the waterfront, and none of them were going to be responsible.
"MELBA!" Rudy called, "MELBA! Where are you?!"
He rounded a corner, looking everywhere and anywhere that Devery's sister could be located. The rich boy found himself near the peer... he looked closely... and saw a small person sitting on the peer.
"Melba!" He sighed with relief as he approached her.
The little girl looked over her shoulder to see Rudy, before turning back with a sob, "Go away, Rudy. I don't wanna be bothered..." Was her response. Rudy didn't leave though. He continued to approach her, before eventually sitting down beside her, much to her annoyance, "I said go away! I wanna be alone..."
"You shouldn't be out here... it's too dangerous here at the waterfront, a lot of crazy stuff has happened." He told her gently, "Come with me and the gang, and we'll take you back to your parents. They're worried."
Melba just turned away, not answering at all. But Rudy could tell what she was thinking, and how she was feeling. Cautiously, he put his arm around her, sighing with relief when she didn't reject him, "Listen... I know how you feel... I was close to him too..."
"I... I know we fought a lot... and I got on his case all the time... but he was my brother..." The girl whimpered, "I never wanted this... I could never imagine... I just... I don't... OH, DEVERY!"
Suddenly, she flung herself into Rudy's arms, crying loudly and uncontrollably. Rudy hugged her tightly, rubbing her back to try and soothe her. He felt his own tears threaten to fall, but he blinked them back. He did all the crying he needed for once. Now he was lending his shoulder for someone else to cry on, "Shhh... shhh... I know, I know... it's gonna be okay..." He whispered to her.
"W-W-W-Why would anybody k-kill Devery?!" She wailed, "Devery was dumb sometimes, but he wasn't a-a-a monster! Why would anybody wanna kill him?!"
Rudy sighed, "I don't know, Mel... I just don't know... something strange is going on for sure. But I'm sure they'll find the killer... and you and your folks will get justice."
"I MISS HIM SO MUCH, RUDY!"
"I miss him too..."
The other boys had heard Melba's cries, followed the sound, and soon saw the heartbreaking scene. Melba sobbing hysterically, and Rudy rocking her back and forth, trying to comfort her. Russell's heart went out to his best friend, as he walked over to rub her hand soothingly, "We're here for you Melba..." He said softly.
"He's right. We're all here if you ever need us..." Albert assured her, with the others echoing the assuredness.
"I just don't know what I'm gonna do without him..." Melba sobbed, "He... he was honestly the best big brother I could ask for. Sure, he was a pain, but he was always there when I needed him most. And now... he's GONE!"
Rudy just continued to soothe her as much as he could, "We know... Dev was our friend. He and I especially got along... I know you think I was a bad influence on him... but we were pals... just take a deep breath, Mel... try to relax and calm down... I know it hurts... but don't make yourself sick..."
The gang watched with astoundment. Never have they ever seen Rudy so caring and tender before. While he did have his moments... they were never this kind. Especially towards a person that used to bug him more than he cared to admit. They supposed that even in a serious moment... Rudy could be serious. Of course, Donald already knew this, having been comforted by his best friend already after Elaine's murder.
After about five minutes, Melba eventually calmed down. She had left Rudy's shoulder completely soaked with her tears, but he didn't mind at all, "Thank you..." She said with a small smile, "I guess I was wrong about you, Rudy. You're not a bad influence after all..."
She then reached up to give the rich boy a kiss on the cheek, to which he blushed, "Aw... it's no big. The least I can do is be there for my friend's sister..."
Rudy then stood, holding Melba in his arms as he walked over to the rest of the gang, "Let's head back. I think she's good now." He whispered.
Albert smiled, "That was the noblest thing we've ever seen you do, Rudy."
"For once... you've got class," Russell added with a sincere grin.
The rich boy couldn't blush any more than he did this evening. With that, the gang traveled back to return Melba to the Suters. Afterward, they stayed a while to make sure she was calm before heading home.
And as they did... all of them had the same thing on their minds...
Who was this killer... and why they killing people that seemed to be close to them...?
Now it looks like the boys are starting to see a pattern with all these killings. All the victims so far have been either close friends or connected to them in some way. And we get Rudy once again being a sweetheart for Devery's little sister. We'll be getting a lot of sweet moments from the guys. I say it's warranted.
Next chapter will have the boys pondering the current events, along with yet another murder. They just won't stop, will they? Until then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you guys later, and as always, don't forget to review, please. Thank you!
