Chapter 2
When he arrived at his destination, Vinny wandered down the muddy path and towards the pool where he and his buddies had been swimming only hours earlier. As he walked past the various plants the conversation he had with Starlene re-entered his brain. She had stood up for him against Joe-Boy. But why? Vinny couldn't answer that. He didn't want to answer that. The chance that Starlene may like him made him feel funny. It would mean big trouble with Joe-Boy and maybe even with Moe. Vinny didn't want that. He was just comfortable with the way their friendship was now. Cool and composed.
Vinny reached the pool moments later. It was getting late and the sky was already beginning to darken. He looked at the green waters and thought about the dead boy again. He couldn't help it. He knew this ravine would always remind him of Butchie what's-his-name. There was no other way he could ever view this place again. For all he knew, he and his friends had been swimming in he same water as the boy's body. But the diver's hadn't found anybody, he reminded himself. Even so, a chill ran down his spine and goosebumps appeared on his arms.
"Gosh! Quit scaring yourself!" He said aloud, rubbing his chilled arms though it wasn't even cold. Vinny didn't believe in ghosts, but then again he didn't believe in stone goddesses either. But Starlene did. He shook his head again. Who cared what she thought. She was just a girl. A pretty girl. Joe-Boy's girlfriend. Besides, who could want a wimp like him?
Vinny walked father down the trail. He knew it was nearing time for dinner, but he wasn't very hungry. He just wanted some time to think and with his eccentric parents, he knew he wouldn't get any time to do much of anything at home.
When he neared a bend in the path he stumbled. He fell towards the dirt, stopping himself before he landed face-first in the mud. He froze when he spotted something. A small footprint, lay in his line of vision. It looked to have been made by a tennis shoe. Butchie? Vinny hated the path his thoughts had taken. Butchie was dead. He wouldn't be making fresh tracks in the mud.
He pulled himself up off the ground and rubbed his grimy hands on his jeans. Ghosts? Spirits? Dead boys that weren't dead? Vinny stared to wonder if he had swallowed too much ravine water earlier in the day.
A light breeze blew through the trees and leaves rustled. The sound reminded Vinny of rattling bones. Enough is enough! Why is everything making me think of death all of a sudden? He didn't know, but Vinny hastily scrambled back up the trail and past the ravine, not looking back until he had reached home.