Clare's POV
"I have some archives going back to the early 1800s just give me a date and I can find it for you," the very eccentric librarian stated happily.
"March 7, 2001," I gave her the date, which she scribbled down on a post it note before disappearing into the back room.
"Hun do you want some dates after the seventh?" She asked not coming out of the room.
"Can we just have all of March 2001?" Adam asked nicely.
"Um sure…" she trailed off carrying two boxes both labeled March out of the room. Adam was the first to try to help the woman by taking both boxes out of her hands. "Those include news papers from several journalists, deaths, births, accidents, arrests, marriages, divorces, anything really. And I can also check a database for someone if that's needed." She continued.
"No that's fine this is all we need," I said before Adam and I started walking back to the table that both Alli and Eli were sitting at with a copy of My Life in Color, several other books, all of our laptops, and a lot of papers.
"Great you got the archives," Alli exclaimed pulling Eli from his concentration on his laptop.
"Yup," Adam stated as he pulled a file folder out of one of the boxes. "I think we should start on the day of the deed and move forward to the day the obituary was released. Look for anything odd or out of place." Adam ordered taking charge. I've never seen this side of him he's always docile as a lamb and usually stays out of leadership roles.
"Damn Torres taking charge I see. You said to search for something odd I think I've found it," Eli joked.
"You two seem know each other pretty well for two people that met three days ago," I accused.
"Who said we met three days ago?" Adam questioned. I opened my mouth to answer but Adam cut me off. "We used to be neighbors when I was twelve but then I moved and lo and behold he moved here three years later. Right Eli?" Adam asked turning to the raven-haired boy.
"And it was quite shocking-" Eli started but before he said anything else he turned to Adam silently asking permission who granted it with a slight nod "It was quite shocking to find out that Grace turned into Adam, but I probably could've told you that when we lived next to each other but I didn't know it was a real thing." He quietly chuckled causing my stomach to twist into knots and butterflies erupt all throughout my body… wait what? I'm not in love with Eli Goldsworthy! Lie number two I have fallen very hard.
Adam's POV
"The attractions so thick it can be cut with a knife," I whispered to Alli. She giggled a bit and continued to flip through papers.
"Yeah but they are both so oblivious. I give it two weeks before they realize it," she responded not looking up.
"Hopefully," I sighed opening the folder labeled March 7. I flipped through the folder quickly skimming over the papers looking for a death certificate or something of that nature.
"Hail Mary, forgive me. Blood for blood, hearts beating. Come at me, now this is war! Fuck with this new beat. Oh!" my phone started to ring causing all the library goers to look at me.
"Shut that god damn thing up!" A crotchety old lady hissed. I dug around my bag trying to find the source of the music. I pulled out my phone and looked at the number.
"Blocked number," I stated out loud confused but answered it anyways. "Hello?" I asked the mystery caller.
"Hello Mr. Torres," a melodic voice practically sang out.
"Yes and who may be asking?" I asked the voice.
"I'm not asking I know its you Adam… or should I say Gracie," The voice still sickly sweet as ever.
"Who are you?" I asked more forcefully than before.
"Why does it matter?" she asked
"How do you know my name?" I asked trying to force myself to be nicer and maybe I'll get a straight answer.
"Your friend, Eli, told me just now," She stated before hanging up. I quickly turned after that phone call I'm about a hundred percent sure someone was watching us.
"You seem skittish." Eli commented noticing my behavior "and that phone call of yours was pretty odd." I continued to examine the area surrounding the table me and my friends were at before answering.
"The person on the phone practically said she was watching us," I said in a distressed voice. Eli only looked at me with a questioning look, "She said something that only you guys and my family know, my real name," I squeaked. I was scared though I didn't want too admit it.
"Okay scary!" Alli squealed.
"Lets just not think about it okay?" Clare asked looking as nervous as all of us even Eli seemed to shudder with fear.
"Okay," we all chorused before returning to our work. I'm going to have to remember to lock all the doors and windows in my house.
Eli's POV
'Time to panic,' I thought to myself. Can you blame me? Someone's practically stalking us! I might have a tough exterior but this is real we can really get in trouble. I'm going to try to stay strong and not crumble like a little Chihuahua. I shook these thoughts from my head and began working on my part. 'H. J. Edwin' I typed in the search engine.
New Book by H. J. Edwin
My Life in Color: The Complete Story is a riveting story taking you along H. J's life from how she faked her own death to her new life as a now married author.
Who is H. J. Edwin?
Author of the book My Life in Color may be hiding behind a pseudonym.
I clicked the second link and started to read.
Though Mrs. Edwin is one of the most popular budding author's in Toronto she has yet to release her name to the public. In other news her first press event, a book signing, shall be in three weeks at a popular bookstore in central Toronto, Down the Rabbit Hole… I continued to read but this article had nothing and then I remembered something.
"Clare?" I asked digging in my backpack. "I found this yesterday at the cemetery." I said handing her the envelope.
"Oh, that makes me remember something," Adam exclaimed mimicking my actions and a pulling out a much smaller envelope he opened the envelope and pulled out a slip of paper and a key and set both on the table.
"Two thirty-seven," I read off the slip.
"It's a number," Adam states
"No shit Sherlock," Alli mumbled. "Do you always state the obvious?" She then asked raising one of her eyebrows.
"You know me well enough to know that I do," Adam shot back.
"Okay we get it Adam's Captain Obvious and this is a number, but what is it a number to?" Clare asked looking at all of us.
Adam continued to flip through his folder before he responded "A lock box maybe, or something like that."
"Where'd you get it?" Alli asked.
"H.J. dropped it when she left my moms office," He answered.
"Okay Clare open my envelope," I commanded sliding it towards her. She opened the envelope slowly and pulled out the paper. Her eyes scanned the paper before gasping rather audibly.
Authors Note- *le gasp* cliffhanger!