by Milda Harris
I couldn't believe the story Logan was weaving, but from what I knew of Julia, I'd believe it of her. They were equally as crazy. The only innocent victims here were Madison and of course, Lana.
"But I didn't know about any of this. I didn't know that either of you killed Madison or that you had a daughter or anything," Ariel said. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"You know now," Logan pointed out.
"But I didn't know five minutes ago," Ariel argued.
I was right behind Logan. Did I wait a little longer? Maybe the police were coming? Did I act? I was scared.
"Well, I have heard rumors that you might have seen me before I killed Madison," Logan said. "Julia was worried that you might have seen something too. Better safe than sorry and all that."
"I didn't," Ariel replied, but all of us could tell she was lying.
"Sure you didn't," Logan said. "But at this point, it doesn't matter, does it? Besides, you fit the pattern now. It works to kill you. It all fell into place. It was meant to be."
"But you don't have to," Ariel pleaded.
"Yes, I do. I helped kill Madison to get rid of one problem. Then Julia started in on me, so I had to get rid of her too. Nobody was going to pull my strings. The whole Pep Club murders gave both of their deaths credibility, like a serial killer had done it. Seth was already arrested once and I'm going to make sure they lock him up for it. He's here, you know. I baited him to come and if I kill you, the investigation will definitely focus on him and his anti-school spirit."
"Wow," Ariel said.
I was having trouble believing it all myself. Logan was insane. Was there something in the water in Palos lately?
"Yeah," Logan said. "You're gonna have to die."
With those words, I knew there were only seconds left to act. The police had not shown up. Neither had Ethan or any of our friends, although I was glad for that. I didn't want to put any more people I cared about in danger.
I took a deep breath, steeled my nerves as much as I could, and jumped on Logan's back, screaming. Ariel froze. I could see her wondering if she had just been shot. Logan had not fired the gun, thank goodness, so her shock was misplaced. Logan, had in fact dropped the gun, as I attacked him and was now trying to pull me off of his back as I did what damage I could with my hands, while also holding onto him tightly.
"Get off me!" Logan yelled. "Get off me!"
He didn't know it was me, Kait Lenox, on his back. Good looks wouldn't save him now. I wish I had started on those self defense classes I had been thinking about. I should do that once this was all over. I seemed to be getting into a lot of dangerous scrapes lately. It would be a useful tool to have on my belt. In the meantime, I had Ariel to help me in my fight, if only she'd snap out of her daze.
"Get the gun, Ariel!" I screamed.
I wasn't sure if she heard me or not. Ariel was still standing there like a zombie. I knew she wasn't hurt.
"Ariel! Get the gun!" I yelled again.
Logan was scratching at my arms now with his hands, as well as trying to shake me off. I was going to have some serious scratches once this was all over. That wasn't good. I didn't want scars on my arms.
"Ariel! The gun!" I yelled.
Logan dug into my arms with his nails. I screamed. That really hurt. I knew I was bleeding. I had to hold on. I could not let go. Ariel was still standing there blankly. If I let go, Logan would shoot us both. I could not let go.
"Ariel!" I yelled.
Ariel finally snapped out of it and saw me. Recognition registered on her face. Finally. That was the last thing I saw as Logan shook us both to the ground in some kind of wrestling move. I felt the side of my face hit the pavement. That was going to leave a huge bruise. At least I hadn't landed on my nose. I struggled against Logan. Self defense classes were definitely at the top of my list. I tried to knee Logan in the groin, like they did in all of those movies, but it's harder than it looks when you're also wrestling around and fighting for your life. Logan was on top of me, wrestling with my hands, and I couldn't get the impact I wanted in that area. He groaned, but didn't let go of me. We fought on.
I couldn't see what Ariel was doing, but I could only hope that she had registered the words - gun and get it and was doing just that. There was nothing more I could do about the situation than continue fighting Logan with every reserve of energy that I had left.
He was going to kill me. I could almost see the obituary now - Kait Lenox, 16, killed by the most popular, good looking senior boy at Palos High died Saturday. She is survived by her father, William Lenox, and her cat, Scarlett. Oh, and she crashed funerals. And, there better be something in there about Ethan Ripley and the word girlfriend too. Oh, and Ariel better cry at the funeral. It was the least I deserved for trying to save her life even though we were ex-bffs.
I couldn't die. I bit Logan's arm. He screamed. I meant for it to hurt. What was Ariel doing? I couldn't even look for her. All of my energy was on keeping Logan's hands and feet from doing severe damage. He was sweating and his face was contorted with this weird look. It was really kind of creepy, actually. Maybe he wasn't that hot at all. I fought on.
I needed to have a serious talk with Ariel when this was all over about listening. I mean, when I said, "Ariel get the gun!" what did she think I meant, you know? I meant - Ariel, get the gun! I was going to kill her if Logan didn't end up killing us both first.
"Freeze!" I finally heard Ariel yell, like she was in a movie.
Logan didn't freeze, so neither did I. He must not have believed Ariel would shoot the gun. I hoped Ariel did. I didn't want to get shot again, by accident, but I was starting to lose this battle. My arms really hurt from all of the scratches and fighting with Logan. The side of my face was swelling up and I was getting a massive headache. If this all didn't end soon, I was going to be in major trouble.
"Stop or I'll shoot!" Ariel tried again, taking another line from a movie.
Ariel really wasn't good at this stopping our fighting thing. Then again, I wasn't surprised. This wasn't the sort of thing Ariel would normally be doing on a Saturday night. She'd be happier at the mall or on a date or actually watching the football game with the rest of the school. I was the one that had chosen to investigate and pursue this murder case. I might have to rethink that path myself if I made it out of this alive.
Logan was still not listening to Ariel. My arms were definitely weakening. He managed to pin them to the side with one hand and his other hand was reaching for my throat.
Ariel shot the gun. Logan jumped. Even I was surprised. Logan didn't topple off of me like I wanted him to. She hadn't shot him. I didn't think Ariel had shot me by accident either. At least, I wasn't feeling pain or bleeding. And it didn't sound like Ariel shot it into the stands because nobody was screaming or anything up there. All I heard was chanting, talking, and sports yelling. Other than that, the voice of the announcer was drowning all sound out. Ariel must have shot it into the dirt.
Logan was distracted enough, though, that I managed to get my hands out of his grip. He turned back to me and started fighting again. We were in a death match.
"Stop!" Ariel screamed again. "Logan Collins, I will shoot you! I swear!"
Logan must not have believed her. I suddenly did, though. I had heard that voice before. It was her determined voice. Ariel always used it when she wasn't getting her way and then she used that voice and voila! Suddenly, Ariel Walker got her way. In this case, all she had to do was pull the trigger.
I heard the bang of the gun. I braced myself for accidentally getting shot. My guess was that it was only the second time in her life Ariel had fired a gun and I wouldn't have been surprised if she shot me instead of Logan. Then I saw Logan's face above mine. This shock was different from the first one. This shock was the - Oh no, I'm hurt, I'm shot kind. I remembered that feeling all too well.
We might just make it out of this alive. There was hope! I saw Logan reach for his upper left leg and his hand came back bloody. Ariel had sh
ot him in the leg! She had actually hit her target! Go, Ariel! My esteem for her just rose a few points.
Ariel was screaming. She was holding the gun at her side and yelling. She was in shock. I was in shock too because I had only just noticed that she was freaking out. Then again, Logan was still on top of me, trying to assess his injuries.
"Ariel! Put the gun back on him!" I yelled.
Ariel kept screaming. The next thing I knew, Logan had climbed off of me and was running at Ariel in a burst of adrenaline and fury. He was going to kill her. I ignored the pain shooting up my arms and in my face and neck and got up to run after him.
"Freeze! Police!" Detective Dixon yelled.
I froze. Ariel froze. Logan did not. There was another gunshot. I hit the ground and so did Ariel. Logan tried to, but the shot was aimed at him. It hit him in the same leg and he went down. That had to hurt. Ariel bolted for safety toward the police and away from Logan. I stayed where I was on the ground. I just wanted to go to sleep. Logan was writhing in pain. From my spot on the floor, I saw Detective Dixon and a bunch of policemen walking toward us. Ethan was behind them. My savior. I could relax now. I passed out.
Chapter 20: Status Learning
I woke up in the hospital. Again. Was this going to be a bi-monthly event? My dad was so going to kill me. He had complained about the previous hospital bills, but then maintained that he was proud of me for sticking to my gut instincts and supporting Ethan in the search for his half sister's killer despite what anyone else thought. I wasn't so sure he was going to feel the same this time. Although, maybe I'd get some points for saving Ariel's life. My parents had liked her as much as her parents had liked me. So, maybe that was worth something.
I looked around the room. Nobody was in my room with me. I felt my heart plummet. Last time I woke up, Ethan was by my side. It was like a romance novel, except real, and then he had stayed with me for almost the whole time I was in the hospital, except for the sleeping parts. Where was he? I knew I saw him coming to my rescue...right?
Then as if on cue, there was Ethan, in the doorway with flowers. They were sunflowers and I had never seen a more beautiful sight. I had never gotten flowers from anyone other than my parents before in my entire life. In fact, I think the last time I got flowers from them was for my eighth grade graduation and they were red roses. They made it through an entire week without dying on the desk in my bedroom. This was the first time I was ever getting them from a boy, though. Particularly, a boy I really, really, really like liked.
I'll admit it. It was pretty cool. I hurt all over, particularly my arms and my head, but my stomach was suddenly full of happy butterflies and I don't think I've ever felt so great. Well, except maybe at the Homecoming Dance when Ethan and I were dancing, before all the crazy stuff happened. Or, when Ethan kissed me the first time. Okay, it was definitely in the top five moments of my life.
"Hey, you," Ethan said, walking in.
"Hey," I squeaked.
"Your dad's outside making some calls, do you want me to go and get him?" Ethan asked.
"No, it's okay," I said. "You're here."
"Okay. These are for you then," Ethan said as he walked over to me and put the flowers on my bedside table. "I was going to go for roses, you know, the whole romantic flower thing, but these reminded me of you more because they're bright and sunny and amazing. I know you like funerals and maybe black roses would have been more appropriate and more you to most people, but to me, you're like a bunch of sunflowers. You brighten my life."
I smiled. I was glad it didn't hurt to smile. I reached for Ethan's hand and he placed his in mine. I could see now that my arms were wrapped in gauze. I hoped the scratches wouldn't turn into scars. I had a boy to look cute for now.
"Thank you," I said. "They're the best flowers ever."
Ethan smiled, "I'm glad you like them. Just promise me that the next time I get you flowers, it won't be because you're in the hospital, okay?"
"I promise," I said. "I'm totally done with this whole hospital thing. It's totally overrated."
"Glad I'm finally getting through to you on that, at least," Ethan said.
I smiled and we stared at each other for a moment. Ethan bent down and lightly kissed me on the lips. I tried to kiss him back, but he pulled away.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I just don't want to hurt you," Ethan said.
"I'm fine," I said, wanting to kiss him some more. "Really."
Ethan turned serious, "Kait, it's really scary to almost lose you."
I nodded, "I'm really sorry."
"Don't go off like that again," Ethan said.
"I had to save Ariel," I said. "She is okay, right?"
"She's freaked out and in shock, but physically she's fine. Troy's with her," Ethan said.
"Good," I said and felt a weight lift off my chest. Ariel was okay. I had saved her.
"She wants to see you," Ethan said.
"She does?" I was surprised.
"Yeah," Ethan said.
"Wow, okay," I said. I figured Ariel would probably be milking the attention from Troy and everyone else for all it was worth instead of wanting to talk to me, "Why?"
Ethan shrugged and then said, "My guess is that she wants to say thank you for saving her life."
I nodded, silent. Ariel didn't need to thank me. I couldn't not save her. Even if we weren't friend friends, Ariel still meant something to me.
"What happened to Logan?" I asked. "What happened in general? I mean, I seem to pass out after everything finally goes down and miss all the best parts."
Ethan laughed, "Well, you called me. I freaked. I called the police. Detective Dixon came straight here and we found you guys under the bleachers. He shot Logan, who's now in the hospital. There are reporters all over the place. This story totally beat out my sister's. Poor Lana Brown. Logan confessed to everything as the police handcuffed him."
"Wow," I said. "So, have the Browns made a statement? Are they going to do a paternity test?"
Ethan shook his head, "As far as I can tell they bolted out of town. I'm guessing they're trying to help keep Lana safe."
"Good," I said. "That little girl totally doesn't deserve this insanity. What about Julia's parents?"
"They released a statement basically saying that their daughter was murdered by a maniac and it was an insult to her memory that anyone would believe a word he said about their daughter," Ethan said.
"Wow," I managed. "Sadly, I think they're wrong. There was definitely something off with her."
"Maybe, but I'm still having a hard time believing any of it. It's just so crazy. I sort of knew Logan Collins. He never struck me as a murderer. Ever. It's freaking me out," Ethan said.
"Well, just the thought that Madison had a baby the summer before freshman year and that people thought she was just getting fat is crazy," I said.
"Yeah," Ethan said, "It's totally nuts, but they've got a confession from him, so Logan will probably go to jail for quite a while. He's only seventeen, though, but maybe they'll charge him as an adult. He did kill two people and tried to kill two more."
"I hope so," I said.
"And, by the way, we got some reports back from our other sleuths," Ethan said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah, they took their jobs pretty seriously," Ethan said.
"What did they say?" I asked. I was curious. Plus, I was kind of impressed that they had taken the time to report to us.
"Kyle and Suzie said that Jenny Kendall did absolutely nothing unusual except eat a lot of junk food, like two hotdogs, nachos, and soda. They actually wrote down everything she ate," Ethan said.
I almost laughed. Kyle and Suzie had wanted to give me details, even if it meant giving me Jenny Kendall's junk food preferences.
Ethan continued, "More helpful, they also wrote down everyone Jenny talked to, including Sebastian Zane. Kyle and Suzie eavesdropped on their conversation. It sounded to them like Jenny and Sebastian were plotting to overthr
ow Ariel," Ethan said. "Step one was to complain that Ariel wasn't with the other Pep Club members being all presidenty."
I chimed in, "Of course, they didn't know that she was busy almost getting murdered."
"Yeah," Ethan said. "And Dave and Mike decided to team up. Dave left Sebastian once Kyle and Suzie were watching him and Jenny plot their takeover of the Pep Club. They got bored watching Ray hook up with a girl in the stands. In Mike's words: They didn't come up for air for twenty minutes. They decided Ray wasn't the killer. He was just a player. So, then they took it upon themselves to chat with Noah Robertson when Dave caught him in the bathroom without his cast on."
"What did Noah say?" I asked.
"He confessed to a whole lot, actually. Noah faked the injury to get out of playing football and he went so far as to fake being angry at Madison about the whole thing for months. He just didn't want to play football and his dad wouldn't let him quit. He didn't want to play in college. Then he was afraid people would think he was the murderer because he had acted so angry at Madison," Ethan said.
So Noah did have the cast on the wrong foot! I had at least, noticed something off about that. I was really impressed with everybody's efforts. We all made a great team.
"Can you tell them that they all did a really great job?" I asked. I was really impressed, actually. They had backed me up...like friends.
"Already did," Ethan said. "So, Ariel?"
"What about her?" I asked.
"She wanted to come in and talk to you," Ethan reminded me.
"Right now?" I asked. "I thought you meant one day or someday or something."
"Right now," Ethan said. "I told her I would get her once you woke up."
I felt Ethan's hand in mine. I didn't want to let it go. I did want to see Ariel, though, just to make sure that she was really okay.
"Alright," I said. "Send her in, but then come back, okay?"
"I will be right outside," Ethan said.