Camilla took a steady breath as she parked her car at Edwardsville High School. She knew how important that day was. If Zach failed and got caught somehow, the police could find evidence that would trace not only Amanda's, but many other disappearances to her hands. They were taking tons of risks this time around, ones that would seem preposterous to them before the previous day. But there was no going back.
Camilla was at least somewhat at ease with the photo of Amanda's backpack messaged from Zach last night. He'd successfully broke into the school and gotten rid of the evidence, which meant that the police hadn't found it before him. It also meant that her concerns were drastically reduced. There wasn't any evidence left that could be found.
All she was left to do was hope that Zach wouldn't get caught killing Tiffany. It wouldn't be a challenge for him—he'd committed murder a few times before—but his job was customarily limited to ridding of the evidence, so Camilla wasn't sure how much she could trust his methods.
Regardless, she needed to calm her mind and concentrate on hiding her guilt from her peers, while manipulating them into believing her side of the story. If she didn't, her reputation would never recover, and she could be at risk of being detained.
With a heavy sigh, Camilla cranked her car down and withdrew the keys, swiping them onto her lanyard. She grabbed her bookbag, lunchbox, and drawstring bag and exited her white car. As she shut and locked her doors, she mustered a casual, although fake, expression.
While she trekked to the school doors, she considered the two different ways the day could go. Either Amy spread the word about what she saw and people would be suspicious of her and asking questions, or Amy kept quiet and very few people or none knew a out it.
Regardless, if anyone knew, Camilla planned to give away hints about the culprit possibly being Amy. If they were friends with her, she would try to give them away slyly. If they were people Camilla was close to or someone who gossiped frequently, she knew to make it blatant that Amy was suspicious.
Camilla swung the doors open, and immediately, she became hyper aware of the people around her. She was lucky enough to be able to conceal her emotions well and not have anxiety, but that day would be a challenge even for her.
As she walked down the hall, she was met with a very familiar face. Christina Benedict, the vice president under Camilla, met her gaze and instantly strode her way.
She came to a halt, her vivid ginger hair brushing forward, and greeted, "Hey, Camilla."
Camilla noted the stoic expression and presumed that Amy had spread the word. Christina was in band with Amy, so chances were that they were at least acquainted. Camilla was certain that she'd seen them together before as well, so Camilla was prepared for the discussion approaching.
"Hey, you okay?" Camilla asked.
"Well, in comparison to Amanda, I'm doing just fine," she replied, blue eyes scanning mine.
"Oh, so you heard that she went missing. I was wondering if the mystery was going to spread."
"Yeah, Amy told me. Just out of curiosity..."—she paused for a bit—"...do you happen to know anything about that. Why she's missing, that is."
"I already know what you've heard," Camilla mumbled with a sigh, "and I can confirm that what she told you is false. I have no idea what happened to Amanda, but I do recall her being at drama before she left to go looking for something. I left after her, which is maybe why Amy suspected me, but my parents both confirmed that I was at home for hours before the police arrived.
"What doesn't line up is why Amy called the police. The only reason I can think of is that she suspected me, but to accuse me of murder just based on a hunch..."
Christina was quiet for a moment before continuing, "I don't know either. She just seemed so convinced about what she saw."
"I know, I heard her last night when we were being interrogated. I understand why you'd believe her, but nothing she said was even true, besides the fact that I was in drama that day and had to leave early. The only reason the police are suspicious of me is because she seems so certain that it was me. Apart from her false accusations, there isn't any evidence on me.
"But of course, the case is going to continue. Only because Amanda is missing and this is their only lead. It makes me suspicious of her, to be honest. I had nothing to do with her disappearance, but Amy claimed she was gone before anyone else even worried about it."
"Yeah, it's weird," Christina admits, shaking her head. "Nothing really lines up, though. Amy doesn't seem to be the kind of person to lie or commit any crimes, much less be the cause of someone's disappearance. Then again, you don't either and there isn't any evidence on you. It's all just a mystery."
"I hope it doesn't stay that way, though. I don't know Amanda's parents, but I feel so sorry for them. Nobody else has a clue what happened to her. They probably feel hopeless."
Christina nodded, but she doesn't continue the conversation any further. Some awkward moments later, the bell rang, signaling that it was time to head to first period. As they parted, Camilla's phone buzzed in her pocket. Since nobody was around, she pulled it out and checked her notifications.
It showed a message from Zach with a picture attached. It was a picture of Tiffany's parents leaving her house with a message that read, "They just left. It's about time."
Camilla's heart rate fluctuated with nerves, but she maintained a casual expression so she wouldn't alert her peers. It was really happening. Tiffany was about to be eliminated, and with it, all of Camilla's threats. Apart from Amy, of course. But, as long as everything continued to go as planned, Amy wouldn't be a problem anymore.
As Camilla returned her phone to her pocket, she spotted Michelle, one of her close friends on the cheerleading team with her, wandering down the hallway in her direction.
Once their eyes met, Michelle trotted up to her urgently with two other girls on the team, Allie and Macy, following close behind. Her straight, brown hair with platinum highlights flung around before she halted in front of Camilla.
"You've heard, right?" Michelle asked straightforwardly.
"Yeah, and I know about the rumors," Camilla answered, her annoyance audible in her voice.
"You don't even have to tell me, girl," Michelle commented, rolling her striking blue eyes. "It's such bull that anyone thinks you have anything to do with it."
Camilla released an exasperated chuckle, and the quartet continued ranting about the situation. Once Camilla made it to her first class of the day and took her seat, her phone buzzed again. Even before she observed the contents of the notification, her heart pumped loudly in her chest. She knew it could only mean that the job was done with no casualties or that Zach hadn't gotten away with it.
Camilla ensured that her screen wasn't in anyone's view before opening her phone and inspecting the notification. As expected, it was a message from Zach that read, "Make sure you're alone."
She briskly responded, "I am."
Only a moment later, he sent a picture of Tiffany's lifeless body on the beige carpet of her room, hosting a new red stain under her head.