Chapter 3

Travis' POV

Robbie called me around 10:30 saying that Ray's parents had just called him and said that Ray was the killer's latest victim. I told him to call Lily and come over to my place.

A sobbing Lily arrived first. She threw herself into my arms and said, "Ray Brennan, you are a jerk!"

"Lily!" I said shocked. I didn't think she would be so critical of a guy who just died.

"Travis! That was the last thing I said to him! I told him that he was a jerk!" she was borderline hysterical now.

I was just about to shut the door when Robbie came up my front steps. He didn't exactly look as bummed as I thought he would.

"Hey guys, what a rotten deal, huh? Who would've thought that Ray would just die like that?" he said.

I lead them into the kitchen and started making a calming tea for Lily, who was now sobbing into Robbie's shoulder.

"Who would want to kill him? He was so young! So innocent!" Lily cried.

Robbie and I exchanged looks that said 'wasn't she just saying how much of a jerkwad he was?'

"Um, Lily? Why don't you go freshen up? The bathroom's down the hall and to the left," I said.

She got up and left the room. I turned to Robbie and said, "I hate to say it, but Lily had motive."

"Lily? Travis, she could never kill anyone! She cried for a week when her plant died! I mean, she was mad at him, but she's never killed any of her other ex's, has she?" Robbie tried to reason with me.

"Yeah, but think about it. All the people who were murdered ticked Lily off in some way. She had motive every time, and to my knowledge, she doesn't have an alibi for any of them," I pointed out.

Robbie kind of shrugged. I knew he was trying not to agree with me. I hated thinking that maybe one of our best friends could be a cold-blooded murderer.

Lily came back in the room and I handed her a mug of tea. She took it and spat it out after the first sip.

"It tastes a bit bitter at first, but it helps to relax you," I said as she made a face at me.

Lily's POV

The day after Ray's death, I could barely stand to go to school. I got out of bed and forced myself into the world.

I tried my best not to break down and cry. That day Travis and Robbie were both busy during lunch, so I sat down at a table alone, staring off into space.

My trance was broken by a male voice. "Excuse me? I'm new, and everyone's sitting in groups and stuff and I noticed you…can I sit here?"

I looked up and saw a guy just south of six feet, he was a bit on the pale side but he had awesome curly brown hair that fell to his shoulders.

"Uh, sure…whatever," I replied as I tried to go back to being spaced out.

We were both silent for a minute before the guy finally spoke. "I'm Eric Johnston. I moved here about a week ago from Rockwood."

I gave him what I thought was a friendly smile. "I'm Lily Randal."

Before I knew it we were actually having a conversation, I was careful to stay off the subject off the Roscoe Killer.

Before I knew it the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Eric and I got up and stood awkwardly for a minute. Then he said, "Lily, I know we just met, but do you want to go out with me tomorrow? Maybe after school we could catch a movie or something?"

I was scared this would happen. I felt completely guilty that the day after Ray's death, I already found myself liking another guy. I was going to say no, but a voice said, "Sure, I'd love to."

Did I just agree to go out with this guy? The day after the death of my boyfriend?

"Ex-boyfriend," I reminded myself under my breath.

"You say something?" Eric asked. I shook my head.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said as I walked out of the cafeteria.

I felt so guilty that I failed my French test and Mlle (Mademoiselle) Sierra gave me detention for the next afternoon. At least I didn't have to worry about that date anymore.

I ran into Eric in the hall and I cancelled the date, explaining the situation, making sure to accent the fact that I hated Mlle Sierra. He seemed upset, but told me that it was alright and that we could just go out some other time.

I went off to my next class even more miserable than I had been before. Travis and Robbie walked in and took their seats on either side of me.

"Hey Lily, what's wrong?" Robbie asked.

"Oh, well one of my best friends since I was little was brutally murdered, I feel completely guilty because I made a date for tomorrow with this new guy, I got detention that forced me to break the date, and I absolutely hate Mlle Sierra!" I almost shouted the last part.

I think the worst part was, the thing I was most upset over was the fact that I had to cancel my date with Eric. Realizing that made me feel like scum.

I'm not sure how I got through the rest of the day, but at the end of it, all I wanted to do was throw myself off a bridge. I settled for going home and crying instead.

Killer's POV

Unfortunately I have to kill for the fourth time in one week. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving this whole thing-the publicity, the adrenaline feeling that comes with each murder, the revenge factor…but guilt was beginning to catch up with me. I used to be able to tell my conscience to shove it, but it didn't seem to be working anymore. I guess I'd just have to keep reminding myself why I'm killing.

As I walked through the deserted halls, I took care not to run into Waller or any of the night janitors. I stopped outside Mlle Sierra's door, savouring the moment. The door was open, and her back was turned to me. I crept into the room and snuck up behind her. I covered her mouth with one hand and wrapped her wrists in duct tape with the other.

I only took my hand off of her mouth to tear off a piece of tape and put it over her mouth. I shoved her face down on the ground and taped her ankles together, just for the fun of it. I flipped her over and smiled evilly.

"Congratulations, you've just seen the face of the Roscoe Killer. Unfortunately you won't live to tell anyone about it. Quel dommage (too bad)," I sneered.

I took out the same knife I had used before and watched it glint in the light. Mlle Sierra's eyes widened in fear when she saw the weapon and I laughed at her terrified expression.

I slowly dragged the blade down her arm, leaving a shallow cut that slowly leaked blood.

"Well, enough playing, shall we get straight to the death part?" I smirked. I was just going to slit her throat so she would die slowly, but guilt caught up with me. Instead I cut off her head with one swift motion. Quick…although I'm not sure about painless. I picked her head off the ground and once again wiped my knife clean on her hair.

I slipped out of the school and went home. Another death was accomplished.

Lily's POV

That night, around 6:30, the phone rang. I answered it and a raspy voice said, "You shouldn't worry about having to show up for that detention tomorrow. I had a meeting with Mlle Sierra, you're off the hook."

The line went dead and I stifled a scream. I prayed that the French teacher I hated so much was still alive.

Travis' POV

When the 11:00 news came on and announced that the Roscoe Killer had taken the life of Mlle Sierra, I got out the red notebook I had been keeping with me and added her to the list of victims. Looking at the others, I smiled. It was all coming together so easily.