DAYMARE 18: Friendly Fiend part 4

They both left the room. I couldn’t say a thing, but I chased them. We stopped at the school’s front yard.

“To clear your minds, yes, I work with the police to investigate Hestral Gern’s death last year because I live in the same house as hers. That’s it!” I clarified.

“And no, I’m n-not teaming up with Jethro. We just talked about something, uh, about… how I copied his homework!” I scoffed.

Keep lying, Lewin. You’re a pro when it comes to this. Not to mention, I always lie to my family to play video games, so this will be a piece of cake.

“He got mad at me because he accused me of plagiarizing his essay. That newcomer jerk has the nerve to accuse me without solid proof.”

“That’s it?” Lorean asked.

“Yes!”

“We’re sorry.” Vance apologized. “We jumped to conclusions.”

“Don’t sweat it. I understand how you feel about Hestral. I also think Hestral didn’t deserve to die.”

“What do you mean?” Vance asked.

I saw Lorean looking at me.

“Lloyd and Nicole didn’t deserve what she did to them. I may haven’t met them, but I know, they’re good people just like you.”

“You’re right.” Vance sighed.

“It makes me wonder, why did Hestral do that? I mean, is she didn’t have a motive, then she’s indeed crazy.”

“From what I heard from my sister before, they quarreled with her, the same day before they were killed. That night, Nicole headed out of the house to meet Lloyd for a school project. She brought our house a blunt religious decor for their project, but hours later, she didn’t return, the same with Lloyd. Right, Lorean?”

“My brother wore a face mask and hand gloves that night which he usually doesn’t,” Lorean added.

I pondered, trying to connect the dots.

“You’re probably assuming they attempted to murder her but were killed in the process.”

My eyes met hers.

“Even the police said that’s what happened because of the scratches, wounds, and bruises on their bodies, which indicated signs of resistance.”

“Is that the truth?”

“I believe it was signs of struggle from their murderer. Hestral has planned it all along.”

“Then how would you explain the blunt weapon Nicole brought from their house? She lied about doing a school project with Lloyd, but they visited Hestral’s house instead. How about your brother wearing a disguise?”

My intuition says Lorean’s wrong. Her logical reasoning is blinded by her emotions.

“Perhaps they’re plotting to murder each other instead.”

“W-What?”

“Nicole and Lloyd may have motives and could be charged with premeditated murder, but the truth is that Hestral is the only legitimate murderer here. Taking their lives doesn’t justify it as an act of self-defense.”

I don’t know how to react to how Lorean’s judgment works.

***

It was midnight. I was eating random snacks in the kitchen after trying to help myself become sleepy, but I couldn’t. I skipped my dinner earlier because I lost my appetite thinking about how I ruined my friendship again.

It was raining hard and it was cold. I am still alone at home. They extended their visit to the Metro.

*doorbell rings*

I looked at the door. Who would it be at this time?

Opening the door has led me into another question.

"What are you doing here?"

“I wanted to give you something,” Lorean said.

She was wearing cartoon sleepwear, holding her red umbrella.

"What is it? You could give it to me tomorrow instead."

It’s Thursday night.

"Here," I saw her holding yellow green food container. "You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

What? How did she know?

“No, ah! You don’t have to worry about me, hehe. It’s raining so hard. You have to go home. It’s dangerous out here.”

I scanned around to see if she’s with someone but she’s alone.

I would have closed the door but her left foot blocked.

"I know you can't eat and sleep because of what's happening to you. You don't know how to cook. Your sisters and mother are not home. You don’t go out of your house that much because you’re scared. Am I correct?"

Why does she know every detail of my life?!

“Lorean?...

"You don't have to lie."

She suddenly dropped her umbrella. Her gaze deepened on me.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." I stuttered even though I didn’t know which lie she was referring to. “Hey, your umbrella!”

I went out of the house and grabbed her umbrella. I position it over our heads. She’s soaked.

"Just take this food, then I'm leaving." She insisted.

I don't know what to do. Her expression went from threatening someone to being concerned.

“Vance and I cooked this.” She smiled. “This is her sister's special recipe.”

I took her food container while still holding the umbrella with my right hand. It was warm and heavy.

"Thank you for this. You should go home now,"

I went inside the house and handed her umbrella.

"Remember Lewin, if you try to hide from us, what happens next will make you wish you hadn’t.”

I stared at her.

"See you at school tomorrow."

She walked away. I closed the door as well.

I opened the food container and saw four large fried dough balls.

I heard my stomach grumble.

Lorean mentioned that this was Vance's sister's recipe. It was Nicole’s recipe.

If she didn’t say the last part, I would have thought how sweet of her to deliver me warm food alone in the middle of the night, raining.

I took a fork and stabbed the fried dough ball. I chewed and it tasts great! Never knew that Nicole is a cook.

I really enjoyed the food until…

I spit out the dough ball when I almost choked. I drank water instantly.

I glared at the dough ball I had spit out in the kitchen sink.

D*mn her! She’s planning to kill me!

There were thumbtacks inside the dough balls, and I almost swallowed them!

Those two are indeed crazy.

What are they up to with me? What do they want to happen to me?!

I tossed the dough balls all the way to the trash. I slammed the food container in the trash, too. I sat on the floor and leaned against the sink base cabinet.

As the rain poured down, my memory of what Jethro had told me came back.

I don’t even get what those two are up to anymore. Sometimes they’re loving and fun to be with, but then outta nowhere, they act creepy. I am done putting my trust in them.

I’ve been hanging out with them for months, like almost every day we’re talking and doing fun stuff. But why do I still feel like there’s some kinda distance? Like, something just feels off or missing.

Maybe Jethro was right about warning me, but why would I also believe Jethro? I don't know him very well yet, compared to Lorean and Vance, whom I've known for a longer time. He, himself, said that I should be cautious with him, too. But is true friendship measured by the length?

I’m completely lost here.

Who should I believe?