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Present. Friday, 5:00

Maddie

The alarm clock beside my nightlight finally let out an impatient repetitive beep. I always woke up two minutes before it went off but still groaned as I reached for it. The sun was up: I knew not only because of the alarm but because my vision through the sleeping mask became lighter. I also felt a presence at the foot of my bed but nothing horrifying about it.

Just a new day.

Just my minions.

I knew Chanel Givens and Adela Hemingway were waiting for me. They did every day starting tenth grade and I bet they wouldn't stop now. Smirking before I removed the piece of fabric from my eyes, I gracefully greeted, "Good morning, girls."

But when I scrutinized the room, there was no one. Just me and not even a trace if my minions. Adela's eye-blinding neon pink winter jacket couldn't be seen, nor was there the annoying powdery scent of Chanel's thick layers of makeup.

I frowned as I thought of it - Only to soften my features when I remembered what we've been through. And for the first time in years, I thought of the others. "They need a break, " I said to myself.

I was pretty much of a bitch, wasn't I?

I was a bitch when I threw my best friend out; I was a bitch every time I looked down on others; I was so much of a bitch when I proposed to dispose Harvey.

Harvey Whitaker, who was probably rotting by himself in one of the four ridiculously huge water tanks near the greenhouse.

The original plan - as horrible as it sounds - was to chop him up into small pieces and place him in garbage bags... but it was almost a bust. We stayed in school till ten in the evening where we thought was deserted. When we were about to sneak Harvey outside of the school premises, we found the front gate clammed with a galleon of chit-chatting guards. Having no other choice, we stuck him inside the third water tank and all agreed to get back to him two days later... Which was today.

I took note of several odd things on the day of Whitaker's death. First, someone had actually sent me a verse on Bible friends. Proverbs 11:04 - "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death," it said, and the fact that it reflected Harvey's trait and obviously suggested murder gave me the creeps!

Riches (ie. Greed) didn't really profit my friend, but who was the righteous one?

Second, I also wondered how Ally Wright managed to get inside the club. She isn't a part of it anymore but she was the first one to know. Chanel Givens has all the keys (we change locks every two months), of that I'm sure since I gave them to her, so it just doesn't make sense! Was Ally capable of teleportation now or something?

Third, the way his right hand had been cut and that a rosary was lying on his palm intrigued me. It was a mother of pearl rosary which was different from his cheap plain wood. The hand's appearance seemed to be mocking a saint's too. So maybe the killer planted it for us to find?

But that was none of my business, I guess. If I know, his killer could've been someone he stole from.

"You are such a twat, you know that?" I declared as I scrubbed gums off the bleachers. "A useless brainless twat. Stealing is a criminal act and getting caught is far worse! So what has gotten in your non-existent mind despite the fact that we keep telling you?!"

Harvey shook his head as if repenting. To me, he looked like the human embodiment of a migraine. Tears dwelled in his eyes and the next thing I knew was that he was kneeling. "I'm really sorry... I just... I can't help it. It just got me by the scruff of my neck and I can't help it.

"It's like some kind of disease that might kill me if I don't do it. But I'll try to fight next time. I swear I'll try." He looked so helpless - no, pathetic- with his bloodshot eyes, slight snot showing, hands trembling.

I smiled gaily and gently laid my hands on his shoulders. "There wouldn't be a next time, honey." I pouted in mockery. "I'm removing you from the club."

He didn't say anything like he always did. Instead, he just continued to sob... Like he always did.

"I really have a feeling that your end is near, Harv. In fact, I wish for it because you're basically useless. The world doesn't need criminals like you, and you gone is one less burden for it," I bent over and kissed his cheek before whispering, "Thief."

The memory went as soon as it came and I shuddered. That wasn't a happy thought anyway so why should I still relive it? Besides, it made me feel like I was responsible for his death, but words we're all I really have to hurt people. I was only teasing.

Perhaps before I go to school, I'd cry. Ally Wright, though tough, has a soft spot; Adela Hemingway, though dumb, knows when to sympathize; Hell, even Ethan who practically doesn't care about the world can shed tears.

Yes, I'd cry this morning. I'd cry and later be a good friend.

A friend who listens.

A friend that the club needed.