Chapter 7

Blade was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. “A twin. You say” says Mason. “Such a simple answer”. 

“Yet one that opens up so many questions”. Remarks Keanu. 

“I know, I'm sure that if Rachel were a twin I'd have heard of it by now”. I say 

“Maybe, no one at the school knew”. Blade suggests “Maybe Rachel went to Redwood on a scholarship and her sister went to the public school. Maybe she didn’t have many friends so no one really knew about her home life”. 

I think. Records say  Rachel didn’t go to Redwood until year seven. That's when scholarships become available. So it’s plausible that she went to Redwood on scholarship and her sister went to South Public. It all fits. 

I check the time 8:30 wow it’s late. 

“I should get going”. I says standing up. “It was lovely meeting you all though”. 

“It was nice to meet you too. You're a smart cookie Roxanne good luck figuring out what happened.” Treyton says smiling. 

“Well it is quite dark out. We wouldn’t want something bad to happen to you”. Mason says looking out the window. “Blade boy, why don’t you walk Roxanne to her house”. 

“No, that really isn’t necessary”. I begin to protest but Mason simply cuts me off. 

“I insist. It's the gallant thing to do. Blade. Chop chop.”  

Blade gets up as I mutter an apology. We walk out the door but then Blade walks back in. I pause confused wondering what happened. A few seconds later he comes back out with a brown Border Collie on a blue leash panting happily. “Aw how adorable” I say, bending down to pat him. “This is Charkie”. Blade explains. “I figured I could walk him while I take you home”. 

“That's great, I love dogs”. I gush. 

A few minutes later we’re walking back to my house. I’m Telling Blade the story about  Sebastian  Graham and  he’s laughing hysterically. 

“Wait so you actually said that to him”. Blade asks.
“Yeah, He didn't react like you though”. I say smiling. 

Silence fills the air as we pass the Young's house. All the curtains are shut and there are only two lights on. 

“Blade do you think that the twin story is likely”. I ask 

“Um yeah it seems probable why”.  He asks 

“It seems too neat. It feels like it’s all packed up into this perfect box. I think there’s a loose end somewhere that we’re missing”. I say. 

Suddenly Blade's eyes light up, then his eyebrows furrow together. “Well i do think it’s a bit suspicious as well. I mean if they were having twins why’d they lie about it and tell my dad they didn’t know the gender? Why the secrecy”? He questions. 

“Yes, that's what I mean”. I explain. Suddenly an overwhelming impulsive urge runs through my veins. I march back to the Youngs house with Blade and Charkie trailing behind me confused. As soon as Blade figured out what I was doing it was too late. I ring the doorbell. Same response as the last. Whispered screaming and a set of footsteps running up the stairs. Mr. and Mrs Young open the door together again. Mr.Young is about to open his mouth to send me away but I cut him off. 

“We could do this quickly and quietly  or we could do this my way”. I begin. 

“Was Rachel a twin”?

“What did you say?”. Says an even paler Mrs.Young. 

“I said,'' Was Rachel a twin? And before you say anything I know you bought two of everything for babies when Rachel was due and I know you told Treyton Apollo that you were having THEM not Her. So tell the truth. Was Rachel a twin”? 

Mr.Young sighs than looks at his wife who nods solemnly. “It’s true My wife gave birth to twins. But Rachel's sister was stillborn”. 

SImple enough answer right so why doesn’t it fit for me. 

“So why did you tell my dad  that you didn’t know the gender of the child? Why  not just say you were having twins”. Blade asks. 

“Because we weren’t sure if she would survive. The doctors told us she might not.”

“Then why did you buy two of everything”? I question. 

“We didn’t want to jinx it too much and we also wanted to be prepared for twins if she survived”. Mrs.Young explained. 

“Does that answer your question? Good evening to you miss”. Mr Young says, slamming the door in my face without a second word. 

I walk down to Blade who’s staring wide eyed. “Well that was certainly brave of you. Do you think they're telling the truth?” 

“Well I'm not going to let it go so easily. But for now I'll choose to believe that Rachels twin was  stillborn.” 

We walk in silence for a few minutes. “Hey, what about that librarian? She was the only person there that night that we know of.” Blade says 

“Hm I guess that’s right. She could have cleaned up any evidence before calling the cops. But what motive would she have had?” I ask

“I don’t know, maybe she’s crazy or maybe Rachel was going to get her fired? There are many possibilities.” 

“Well we should definitely investigate that”. I say typing Mrs.Clinton/Librarian  into my phone. I Love Mrs.Clinton. She’s the sweetest thing ever. I highly doubt he’s a killer but I'm not going to leave a single stone unturned. 

Blade stops in his tracks. Charkie makes happy circles around his owner. 

“We”? He asks 

“Um yeah. Do you want to help me? I figured since you seem pretty smart and all it might be a good idea to work together”. I explain sheepishly. 

“Um yeah I'd like that”. Blade chuckles. “I’ve never really worked on stuff like this with anyone before”. 

“Me neither”. I respond “want to”? 

Blade laughs. And one again that usual cold demeanour melts. 

“Give me your number so we can stay in contact”. I say handing Blade my phone. He gives me his and we both share our contact details. 

I give Charkie a pat goodbye and walk towards my front door.  “Hey Roxanne” Blade calls “Don’t die ok”. I laugh 

“You too”. He walks away and I go inside. My head is clouded with all the new information that I've managed to pull into it in the past few days. Something sinister tells me that Blade and I are going to have to remind each other not to die a lot more often.