He ate, got into his uniform and headed out towards the school. His first class was biology, and he wasn't looking forward to having to face both Caleb and Fae together for an entire hour. So when he dragged himself into the lab he was thrilled to see the latter was missing. Caleb was sitting at his usual spot looking particularly gloomy, so Tyler didn't mention the discussion they had last night.
The biology teacher arrived ten minutes late, holding a single piece of paper and looking mournful.
"Students, I'm afraid I have some bad news for all of you. A fellow student of yours, Fae Renfield, passed away last night."
Tyler choked.
"A memorial is being held at the moment in the grand hall. If you can all exit in a single file, we'll head down there and pay our respects."
All the students rose and left the classroom, the four sons at the back of the line. Reid joked about how great it was missing out on bio, Pogue punched his arm and told him that it's because someone is dead, dumbass, you shouldn't be celebrating. Caleb merely looked at Tyler and mouthed to him what did you do?
Tyler tried mouthing something in return but the foursome was separated with the flow of students down the hall. They arrived at the grand hall and seated themselves on the plastic chairs and listened to various speakers, including the principal, a few teachers and several teary-eyed students, speak of the wonders of Fae Renfield and how she was snatched from life too soon, how her brilliant journalistic career was planned out for her but cruel fate took her away.
The ceremony ended ten minutes within the next class, so the administration allowed the students a free period, to remember their friend and possibly contribute something to the shrine dedicated to her in the lounge.
Caleb headed off to the rescheduled swim meet he missed, Reid went to the gym to look at cheerleading practice and Pogue set off to study for his calculus test. Tyler followed him, and the two ended up sitting in the deserted library, Pogue completely concentrated on his calculus book. Silence reigned for a few minutes, before Tyler broke it.
"We had a problem you know."
Pogue looked up from his book.
"Had?"
"Yeah, had."
"So why does it matter now?" Pogue said, diving back into his calculus.
"Because it disappeared suspiciously."
Pogue sighed and closed his book.
"What happened?"
"This girl, Fae Renfield."
Pogue frowned.
"The dead one?"
"Yeah."
"What about her?"
"She… knew."
"What?"
"She knew. About us, and the power and the using. And she caught me using on tape. And she told me she was going to tell the world."
Pogue just stared at him in utter shock.
"What the fuck went through your head when you used in front of her!" He was angry now.
"This kid was going to get run over by an eighteen-wheeler! I wasn't just going to let that happen! I used and the truck stopped an inch from his face! And how was I supposed to know that the psycho bitch would suspect something and use her camera phone?"
Silence ensued, giving Tyler time to catch his breath and Pogue time to think it over.
"Well, she's dead now. So we don't have to worry."
"But doesn't it seem just a tad suspicious? I mean, its too convenient."
Pogue's eyes widened.
"You think one of us did it? You're insane, and besides no one knew until now! And that's just me!" He hissed.
"I told Caleb last night. He was pretty pissed, and you know how he always says that he'll do anything to protect the covenant..."
"No."
"Pogue, its just a theory-"
"No, Caleb couldn't have killed anyone. What the hell are you trying to do, turn me against him? Caleb is the most caring person I have ever met, he never would kill anyone!"
It was no use trying to reason with Pogue, Tyler now realized. He was just going to blatantly deny the obvious change in Caleb's attitude and the fact that it was possible that Caleb had something to do with it.
"Look Pogue, I'm sorry…"
His voice trailed off as a familiar girl entered the library and walked towards him with a lingering smell of cigarettes and perfume around her. Her long brown hair was tied back today, but she looked as stunning as she did the first time he met her.
"Hey Tyler Sims." Anastasia purred. "Sorry to here about your friend."
"Hey. Um, thanks."
She sat in the chair infront of him, beside Pogue. He looked over the newcomer with surprise.
"I'm Anastasia by the way." She said. "Anastasia Siward, but you can call me Ana. I'm Maddie's roomie."
"Pogue Parry." Pogue said.
"Nice to meet you." She shook his hand briefly, then turned her attention back to Tyler. "I suppose you didn't take Mads' advice, you still went to meet her?"
"Yeah, I did."
Anastasia pouted briefly, and twirled an unlit cigarette between her index and thumb.
"Shame, you should have. Most people don't listen to her, although its in their best interest…" She stood up. "Well I must be going. I just dropped by to say hello. See you around."
She walked out the library, swinging her hips and giving the two boys a great angle to view her rear-end from. They both stared for a minute, then snapped back to their conversation.
"Who's Maddie?" Pogue asked.
"Madeline Sparrow. The blonde girl I scared in bio yesterday."
"Ah, yes. What advice did she give you?"
"She told me not to go. That I would regret it."
"And do you?"
He paused for a minute, thinking about it. He regretted going, using in front of her, exposing himself, exposing his friends.
"Yes."
Pogue leaned back on his chair, satisfied.
"So you're telling me you're accusing a guy you've known for seventeen years and that just happens to have a mood swing over some girl you just met that one moment thought you were the devil and the other a friend and correctly predicted one of the most important moments of your life?"
"Thanks a lot Pogue. I feel like an idiot now."