The following day. The whole dormitory was crowded with students. People gathered around separate spots, murmuring, whispering and gossiping among themselves. "Is he really dead?" "How the hell did that even happen?" "Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this. This is the craziest story I’ve heard all week." Peter had already gotten dressed for school, together with his buddies, Owen and Tom. When the trio stepped outside their dorm and saw the multitude of gathered students, they couldn’t help but wonder. "What the hell is going on?" Peter asked, obviously curious. Tom was also confused on why the dormitory was so crowded at a time like this. It was quite unusual to see students gathered in numbers at such an early hour. From the noises radiating from the building, it was obvious something had happened, but he couldn’t tell if it was something good or bad. Owen on the other hand was still in a state of shock. Flashes of what he had seen last night began replaying in his hea

"I need my lawyer." Peter said, unsure of what to answer next. The investigator was putting words in his mouth and he didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Moreover, Oscar had asked him to remain silent until the family lawyer arrived, but he didn’t listen. "Your lawyer? do you even have one?" the investigator asked. "You do know that’ll make you appear more suspicious than you already look. It’s just questioning. If you’re innocent, then I believe you should be able to answer all the questions without the presence of a lawyer." Peter’s lips curled. He opened and closed them, still unable to find the right reply for this investigator. He was really insinuating he had killed Punch, all because he returned a favor. If anything, he simply defended himself, because Punch was going to take his life if he hadn’t acted. Just when he was about to drop a statement, his lawyer burst into the investigation room, accompanied by another policeman who seemed like he was holding the lawyer

It had been a week since the death of Punch Walker, and there still seemed to be no leads on his case. Today was a new week, like every other week, except the air seemed thicker than usual and filled with tension. It was as if everybody was keeping a close eye on one another—especially on him, since he was the first person the police had called in for questioning. Peter was walking to class on this very morning when Mr. Gary stopped him in the hallway. "Lawson!" he yelled firmly. Peter turned toward the source of the voice only to see this annoying looking man approaching him. "Mr. Williams would like to speak with you in his office." Peter froze. Mr. Williams? That was Troy Williams father. Why the hell would Troy’s father want to speak with him? He was so confused he could barely process it. "Me?" he murmured. Mr. Gary replied with a nod. "Aren’t you Peter Lawson? Or have you changed your name?" Peter swallowed. "No, Sir. I’m… sorry about that." "Hmm…" Mr. Gary

Troy stepped down from the stage, walking around with a glass of alcohol in his hand. Shortly after, Sophia approached him. She looked as shocked as every other person in the field, because everyone had expected a deep, soul-touching eulogy, only to end up hearing Troy talk about having a good time. "Troy?" Sophia called out in a whisper. "What the hell was that?" she asked. But Troy looked so unconcerned for someone who had just lost his friend. Was all that fury at the station earlier just an act? "What the hell was what?" Troy asked. Obviously he had been drinking long before the memorial even started. "Why are you so uptight, bruh? Come on… have a good time." Troy grumbled, looking like he wasn’t entirely sure of what he was even saying. "Are you drunk?" Sophia asked, her eyes squinting in disbelief. "What?" Troy protested. "Of course not. I’m not. Just get the hell away from me." He pushed Sophia away as he made his way out of the arena. Sophia couldn’t take the h

The next morning, Lucia woke up in a hospital bed, her eyes fluttering as blurred stripes of light almost blinded her.She was in the hospital. How she had ever landed here was something she couldn’t understand.“Lucia?” Peter echoed, his voice beaming with delight the moment he saw her awake.“Lucia? Are you alright?” another female voice rang out from the room. It was Rhonda, Lucia’s best friend.Lucia had now fully regained consciousness. She sat upright, one hand steadying her head to ease the sharp ache.“What the hell happened to me?” she asked, trying to remember what had happened last, but she couldn’t recall anything.“You passed out last night after the memorial. I think you were a little overwhelmed or just tired.” Rhonda said, patting her back gently.“I passed out?” she asked, looking at Peter with sincere confusion. “But I… I don’t remember being tired last night.”“Must be the side effects of the drugs. Just focus on gaining your full strength back, okay?” Peter said, h