No matter what rumors were spread about Camilla the next day, she had no doubt they would soon be overshadowed. A missing teenager was one thing, but a dead teenager would be something else entirely.

As Camilla approached Edwardsville High School, memories from her call the night before rang through her head.

“Tiffany knows too much,” Camilla had reasoned. “She needs to be taken out.”

“Doesn’t Amy know more than Tiffany?” Zach asked.

“She does. Technically Tiffany didn’t see River, but she saw my reaction to Amy. I also threatened her today.”

Zach chuckled. “You threatened her?”

“I sure did. As soon as I found out she’s been keeping quiet about what she saw, I knew I had to keep it that way.”

“You don’t think she’d keep quiet about it regardless?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to risk it. I’d do the same to Amy if she wasn’t already exposing what she saw. It would be too suspicious to kill Amy now.”

“Okay.” Zach paused. “Do you think police will get even more suspicious if there are two disappearances back-to-back?”

Camilla smiled. “They certainly would. That’s why we’re not getting rid of the body.”

The plan they had crafted the previous night enveloped her thoughts as she entered the school. Her entry felt more grand than intended. Eyes fell upon her, though she could not determine which were laced with judgment rather than plain observation.

Ordinarily, Camilla adored such attention. It was not uncommon for her to turn heads—although certainly not as dramatically as many fiction books depict for the “popular girls.” She was beautiful, talented, and widely respected at Edwardsville High.

At least, that was the case before.

Now, every glance that lingered set off alarm bells. One more day, Camilla thought. I have to face this for one more day. After today, River’s name will be in the dust.

There was a sense of importance surrounding this day. Everything could go right, and Camilla would have far fewer worries on her hands. However, if Zach made one wrong move, he could take her down with him.

Camilla could hardly think of anything else as she entered her first class of the day. Meagan and Michelle were not at their usual desks yet, but Camilla tended to arrive early, so she did not worry. Besides, the isolation—however fleeting it may be—could be necessary.

Her friends joined much later than usual. By that point, Camilla was past her endless thinking and was more curious about their whereabouts.

Michelle spoke with animated movement—not uncommon for her—while holding a large paper. Gesturing to the paper, Meagan responded with evident irritation.

Although it wasn't uncommon for them to bicker—they were so different, after all—Camilla was often able to mediate it. She didn't know what their conversation about, but considering yesterday's developments, she could infer it had to do with her.

“For them to bring up the accusations,” Michelle argued as she approached her seat, “they must have spoken with her.”

Meagan shook her head, reasoning, “They could've heard the rumors just like everyone else.”

Camilla eyed them as they plopped down in their chairs. “Who are you talking about?”

They glanced at each other briefly before Michelle slid the paper towards Camilla. As soon as she took it in her hands, she recognized the logo with their tiger mascot. In student council meetings, Camilla often referenced the school newspaper, “The Tiger Times,” so she was rather familiar with it. She couldn't recall seeing any other students reading the paper before, though.

“It's the headline,” Meagan said. “I'm sure they're just trying to spread awareness about the disappearance.”

“Or trying to spread more rumors,” Michelle added.

Camilla ignored them as she quickly scanned the article:

Missing student, River Griffiths, may be an abduction case

On Monday evening, 17-year-old senior River Griffiths was reported missing after being last seen in our performing arts building. Very little information is being released to the public as the investigation takes place, but students are being encouraged to spread the word in the hopes of gaining new information.

While some suspect the disappearance to be a runaway case, some friends and peers are expressing concerns that River may have been abducted.

Speculation has spread that one or more students witnessed River’s final moments, supposedly as they were taken away. Similar claims allege that another student was potentially responsible for this disappearance. If these claims are true, it could indicate that River was taken.

The only related case comes from approximately two years ago, when 14-year-old Chloe Lynch was reported missing after a school lockdown. Security camera footage indicated that Chloe was taken with an unidentifiable man, who caused the lockdown.

Although there are similarities in both cases, it is unlikely that Chloe Lynch's abduction is linked with River’s disappearance. It is crucial to remain skeptical as rumors spread. These are only speculations, and there will certainly be more to come. It is our role in the newspaper committee to collect all the information available to us and report on it, which we intend to continue.

Students with any information regarding the disappearance of River Griffiths are encouraged to interview with us.

Camilla fought from crumpling the paper as she set it down. “They think River was abducted.”

“I mean, it's a possibility,” Meagan said. “I heard their car was left on campus. Either they ran away with someone else, or someone did take them.”

Michelle snatched the newspaper from the table, explaining, “But they implied that a student was responsible for it. Based on all the rumors we've been hearing—the same rumors they reference—they're talking about Camilla.”

“I doubt that's what they're doing,” Meagan argued. “They're reporting on the rumors without giving any names. They're just trying to inform other students so they know what's true and what has yet to be proven.”

Camilla blinked. “I wish they wouldn't bring it up at all,” she murmured. Still, her friends heard her, and Meagan shot her a confused look.

“Shouldn't they bring it up?” she inquired. “This is about a missing student.”

“They should,” Camilla insisted, “but I wish they wouldn't report on these rumors. Even if the newspaper committee doesn't mention me by name, the people who know—or think they know—it's about me will do that part for them.”

“It doesn't matter what people think,” Meagan said. “At the end of the day, the police will find out if someone is responsible.”

Camilla shook her head, snapping, “But it does matter what people think. To them, I'm guilty until proven innocent, and they don't even know me.”

“I feel like you're missing the bigger picture. A person—a fellow student, and a child—has gone missing.”

“I know that.” Camilla fought the urge to shout. “But it's hard to focus on that when the victim's friends are accusing me of being involved.”

Meagan took a slow breath. “I get it, Camilla. It's tough for you; I understand. I'm trying to support you through this, and I don't even know the truth.”

“The truth?”

Michelle's head whipped to the side as she said, “Camilla has been telling us the truth, Meagan.”

Camilla's expressions contorted into shock. “Do you not believe me?”

“I am putting as much trust into you as I can,” Meagan explained, eyes darting to Michelle's, “but neither of us know anything for certain.”

“I know for certain that Camilla is innocent,” Michelle asserted. “I don't understand how you—or anyone else—could think differently.”

“I don't think she's guilty; I just don't know the truth.”

“I am telling you the truth,” Camilla maintained. “If you can't put your faith in my honesty, you don't support me. And if you don't support me, you are not my friend.”

Camilla flung her backpack towards her and stormed from the desk. The silence from her friends was interrupted briefly by the late bell.

As she found a lonely desk near the back of the classroom and took her seat, her gaze drifted upon Tiffany's empty desk. That miniscule reminder kept her head cool enough to not ignite. There were more important matters taking place today.

A notification buzzed Camilla’s phone, and she immediately swiped it open. When she saw the text from an unsaved number, she knew what the notification would entail.

Still, she viewed the message. It was a photo of a house Camilla recognized as Tiffany’s. She quickly texted a response:

That’s the house. The key should be under the mat. Text me if something goes wrong.

Camilla promptly deleted the messages. After her questioning from last night, she wasn’t going to take any chances.

Her wandering eyes caught onto Meagan and Michelle. They whispered back and forth with loud expressions as the teacher began lecturing.

Although she knew Meagan’s nature, Camilla was not concerned that she would remain distrusted. She and Meagan had been friends far too long for them to share such feelings. If needed, Camilla would keep reminding Meagan that their friendship was delicate. She did not doubt the power of her manipulative tactics.

And if Camilla couldn’t clasp onto her alliance with Meagan, then good riddance.

꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦

With light steps, Zach crept up the stairs approaching Tiffany’s doorstep. Even as he maintained caution, Camilla had instructed him to act as casual as possible to avoid drawing attention.

He had parked entirely outside of the neighborhood and walked along the sidewalk to reach Tiffany’s house. These were all, of course, Camilla’s precautions. However, with his all-black attire—and a handgun hidden at his hip—Zach didn’t appear to be a friendly neighbor. Regardless, his girlfriend felt that extra care was necessary today.

And she wasn’t wrong; too much was at stake to take risks.

Zach’s shoes met the welcome mat, and he crouched down to lift it. As Camilla had instructed, he retrieved the key hidden beneath it. His gloved hands were steady as they gently slid the key into the keyhole, careful to make very little noise.

With a click, the door unlocked, and he paused with his hand on the doorknob.

As anticipated, there were no vehicles on the property. Although Zach had no clue how he would be greeted upon entering, he knew Tiffany’s parents would not be in sight.

Zach’s grip tightened as Camilla’s enticing words revisited him.

“If everything goes right,” she had said, “I’ll visit you this weekend. And then, you can have me.”

With a sharp twist, Zach swung the door open. It creaked loudly enough to signal his entrance. Just as Camilla described in their call, he could see the living room and a staircase. Since Tiffany wasn’t immediately visible, he assumed she was upstairs.

As the door shut, Zach rushed into the living room and pressed his back against the side of the staircase, where he would be hidden temporarily.

His heart rate picked up, and he grinned wildly. He fought back the bubbles of laughter crawling up his throat with shallow breaths as his fingers reached for the gun.

Once Zach heard footsteps from upstairs, he grabbed the gun and pulled it from its holster.

His own shuffling was interrupted by a soft voice calling, “Hello?”

Zach froze against the wall. There was a brief pause before the footsteps sounded against the stairs. Zach took in a breath and held it.

“Mom?” the voice asked, much closer to the intruder. “Dad?”

A glimpse of long blonde hair came into view, cueing Zach into action. He glided from the wall to the foot of the stairs. With a malicious smirk, he faced Tiffany.

She jolted and fell back against the step behind her as the stranger entered her vision. Her arms thudded against the wood before she belted out a sharp scream.

Zach quickly raised the gun to her head, cutting off her voice. “There's no need for that,” he uttered in a dark tone, stalking towards her. “It's not like I'm Camilla.”

Tiffany gripped the sides of her head with trembling hands, wide blue eyes darting everywhere but Zach's own. He crept up the stairs, gun still drawn.

Crouching down to meet her pale face, he mumbled, “That is, unless she sent me here.”

Using his free hand, Zach snagged Tiffany's arm. She jumped but did not resist as he dragged her up the stairs and into her bedroom. Her shaking legs struggled to hold her steady. As Zach flung her further into the room, she collapsed against the carpet.

He moved behind her, shutting the bedroom door before prowling back to Tiffany.

Zach kneeled at her side, snaking his arm around her waist. Her breaths were rapid and shallow, and tears pooled in her eyes. With a firm tug, Zach lifted Tiffany back to her feet, though her knees held her weakly.

“Stand up,” he commanded. Her legs and back straightened, but her legs still shook.

“Good,” Zach said. Descending fingers met Tiffany's arm, prickly with goosebumps. He grasped her wrist—tight enough that she winced—and raised her hand to the gun.

His breath blew against her ear as he whispered, “Don't you want to know what happened to River?”

He guided her hand around the gun's handle. Zach maintained his grip and turned the barrel towards her head.

Tiffany's eyes shut as the end of the firearm pressed to her temple. “Please,” she choked out, with quickening breaths, “I don't know anything.”

Zach tightened his hold. “Ask River for yourself.”

And he pulled the trigger.