In Plain Sight by Alyza (ereader with dictionary txt) 📕

“Hey, Hailey, did you hear about the murder last night?” The schools slut, Rebecca asked so casually

I glared at her, “Yeah. It’s horrible.”

She nodded but I could tell she didn’t care. She’s the type of person that only cares about themselves.

“It’s on the news, right?” Ashley asked looking around but her eyes stopped at me

“Yeah.” I said quietly looking down at my desk

“What was it about?” Idiotic Rebecca asked

“It was about the murder, dip-shit.” I growled

“Woah! Hail, calm down.” Ethan said looking at me in shock

“Whatever.” I said looking to the front of the class

Our teacher was letting us have a free day. Without any work or anything. Just to talk. Although, nobody was really talking.

This is the third murder in two months. There’s a killer around here. And he or she is in plain sight.

It’s someone we see everyday. Someone that’s friends with some of us.

“Hailey, what’s wrong?” My boyfriend, Matthew, asked

I turned to look at him, “What isn’t wrong?”

“Hailey, just tell me what’s wrong with you?” He asked staring into my eyes

“This is the third

murder in two months. Whoever this killer is, they’re around all the time. We see them everyday. It could be anybody, Matt. Anybody.” I said frowning at my desk, “In plain sight.” I whispered

“It’s going to be alright, Hail. The cops will find whoever’s behind these murders.” He said confidently

“I don’t doubt they will. But how many more people will have to die before they do?” I asked rhetorically,

“You just need to lay back and calm down.” He said calmly

“Maybe I do.” I sighed, “Doesn’t mean I am.” I added turning back to the front of the class

He sighed but didn’t press.

“What if the killer kills me?!” Rebecca asked with wide eyes

I rolled my eyes, “I will personally

thank him.”

She gasped, “You’d let him kill me?!”

“Did I say that? I said I’d thank him. Nothing about killing you.” I glared

“Does anyone know who the victim was this time?” Mason asked

They all looked at me and I rolled my eyes.

“Doesn’t anybody else watch the news?” I asked

They all shook their heads and I sighed.

“William Stone.” I answered

“That child molester down the street?” Ethan asked

I nodded, “He was

a child molester. It was like, 20 years ago.”

“So? Once a child molester, always a child molester. He deserved to die anyway.” Emma shrugged from across the classroom

“Not true. People change.” I stated

“That man raped children and you’re defending him?” Chloe asked in outrage

“I most certainly am not defending him. I was just stating my opinion. You guys can look at is as justice, I will look at it as what it truly is. Murder.” I replied looking at Chloe the whole time

Her eyes widened, “It is justice! William Stone raped and abused his victims! All his victims were from the age rang of 8 to 12. You think people change but they don’t. They just hid who they really are.”

“As I said before, just stating my opinion. You have your opinion and I have mine.” I shrugged

She glared at me, “You are sick.”

I raised my brows, “Am I now? I’m sick because I think people change. He did change. Justice is getting put in jail for your wrong doings. Death. Death is not justice.”

“He deserved to die. He raped kids. Most of those kids didn’t survive the abuse he did to them. Those kids had a life, family, friends. That’s gone because of some sick asshole who liked power.” She sneered

“So, what you’re saying is that no matter how much a person changes or tries to reverse his or hers wrongs. They deserve whatever comes their way?” I asked

“Yes.” She said simply

I nodded, “I’m sure you’ve done wrong doings in your life. Does that mean you deserve to die?”

She hesitated, “…If I raped children. Yes.”

“When the first murder happened, do you remember who that person was?” I asked

Her eyes grew hard, “That man who killed that lady.”

“Michael Ace he was drunk when he hit Jessica Faden. It was an accident. And before you go crazy on me, I am not defending him. A life was taken. Simple as that. But Michael was already living with the guilt of it. Everywhere he went, he was shunned. People looked at him in disgust.

“He couldn’t even go to the Supermarket without getting harassed. Michael Ace knew what he did was wrong. He was remorseful. You don’t know how many times he apologized to Jessica’s family. I do. Because he was my neighbor.

“Of course if you were Jessica’s family you wouldn’t forgive the person that killed you daughter, wife, sister. Whoever she was to you. But the family didn’t want him to live in guilt. They wanted to forgive him but in their hearts they knew they never could.

“I bet you were one of the people that shunned him. Weren’t you, Chloe?” I asked staring intensely at her

She looked at me in shock and nodded slightly.

“Of course you were. Everyone in this room probably shunned him, treated him with disrespect. Made him remember what he did everyday of his life. Made him feel even more worse. You, Chloe, you’re the sick one.” I finished grabbing my bag, walking out of the class

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me but I didn’t care. They can all go to hell.

“Hailey! Hailey, wait!” I heard someone yell behind me

I turned around and saw Matt running after me. He stopped in front of me,

“What was that back there?”

“It was me defending the dead.” I stated as I started to walk again

He grabbed my shoulder and turned me to face him, “Hailey…I know this is hard on you. Your brother and all. But you can’t protect and defend people that deserved what happened to them.”

My eyes turned steely, “This has nothing

to do with my brother!”

“I know you still hurt. But he wouldn’t want you to live with this pain.” He pleaded with me to understand, “I understand that this is hard. Your brother was murdered too, so I can see how this hits home. But Hailey, you can’t defend those rapist and murderers.” He said feircly

“Matthew, you obviously don’t know me as well as you think. For you to think that…I wouldn’t help the victims of these murdered keep the little

pride that they still have. You must

not know me.” I glared ripping myself from him, “And don’t ever

bring my brother up again.” I said walking away

I pushed the doors of the school open and walked to my car. I slid in, threw my bag into the passenger side, started the car and drove home.

Pulling into my driveway I saw that my Mom and Dad were here. Which is weird because they’re divorced.

I frowned and got out, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

“Hello, Hailey.” My neighbor Mr. Sade smiled from his porch

“Hey, Mr. Sade.” I smiled politely

“Why are you home so early?” He asked

“Couldn’t handle all the drama.” I said cautiously

I never really liked Mr. Sade. He’s creepy.

“Oh, yes, I heard about that murder. Shame.” He sighed

I nodded, “Yeah…well, I’ll see you later Mr. Sade. Have a nice day.”

“You too, Hailey. You too.” He smiled

I smiled and walked up my driveway. Standing in front of my door, I turned the handle and pushed the door open.

“I’m home!” I yelled throwing my bag down

“In here!” My Dad called from the kitchen

I walked into the kitchen slowly and saw my Mom sitting on a stool.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad.” I smiled and walked over to the fridge

“Why are you home early? School still has about an hour left.” My Dad frowned

“Just had to get away.” I shrugged grabbing a bottle or orange juice

He nodded slowly, “You okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked tilting my head to the side

“Andrew.” He said quietly

I instantly grew cold towards him, “I’m fine.”

“Hailey…I’m sorry. I just asked.” He said frowning

I nodded briskly, “Well, don’t ask again.”

“Don’t be rude Hailey.” My Mom scolded

“What’s going on?” I ignored her turning to my dad

“Um…you mother and Jesse are going to stay here.” He said quickly

“Why?” I asked

“Jesse is scared. He wants his sister.” My Mom said

Jesse is my half brother but I treat him life he’s my full brother.

“No. Why are you

staying here? Doesn’t you new hubby want you with him?” I snarled

“Austin is away for business.” She answered dreamily when she said his name

I gagged, “Whatever. Where is Jesse?”

“Daycare.” She glared

I nodded and grabbed my car keys.

“Where are you going?” My Dad asked

“To get Jesse.” I said walking out the door

I shut the door and walked to my car.

“Bye!” Mr. Sade yelled walking into his house

“Bye.” I smiled and got in my car

I started the car and pulled out of my driveway and too Jesse’s daycare. Pulling into the daycare, I saw Jesse playing through the gates.

I smiled and got out. Walking into the daycare building, I was greeted my Amy.

“Hi, Hailey.” She chirped

“Hey, Amy. How are you today?” I smiled grabbing Jesse’s batman backpack

“Great! You?” She grinned

I nodded, “I’m fine. Thank you.”

“No problem.” She said happily as she followed me out to the playground.

“Jesse?” I saing smiling

His head snapped up, “Who?”

“Jess.” I laughed

His head snapped to me and his eyes widened, “Sissy!”

He ran to me and hugged my legs.

“Hey, Buddy.” I ruffled his hair
ph
“Why you pick me up? Where is Mommy?” He asked looking up at me

“At my house. Let’s go. I’ll take you to get pizza and ice cream.” I smiled

He let go of my legs and ran into the lobby. Amy and I laughed, following behind him.

He was standing on his tip-toes trying to reach the door handle.

“I…can’t…reach!” He grunted

“It’s that high for a reason, Jess.” I chuckled signing my name saying that I picked him up

“But it’s no fair!” He pouted crossing his arms over his chest

“Bye, Amy.” I laughed opening the door

“Bye, Hailey. See you in school.” Amy smiled

I nodded and walked out. Jesse grabbed my hand as we walked across the parking lot to the car.

“Where’s my car eat?” He asked frowning as I opened the backdoor

“Sorry, Buddy. I forgot it.” I said lifting him up

“Fine.” He sighed as I buckled him up

I shut