86 Days Earlier

MAROON

Halloween should have been a day full of scary movies and trick or treating. I was at a party while Mikey Brown was starring in a horror movie of his own. A family found him propped up against a wall next to a bowl of candy. They assumed he was going to jump out and scare them. It didn't take them long to figure out he was dead; I'd like to think there was lots of screaming but I can only imagine. Not that I particularly like to imagine people being murdered a girl just wonders.

Mikey and I weren't friends by any means, we exchanged greetings in the halls but other than that we never spoke. I didn't kill Mikey, nor do I know anything about who did. I hope you believe me because nobody else does.

I was sat in a room that held nothing but a small round table and a recording device that sat upon it.

'Are you an officer?' I asked, he seemed frazzled, but I noticed he wasn't wearing a uniform like everyone else.

'I'm a detective, I don't work for the police I work alongside them.' He explained. He seemed defensive. I wasn't judging him, It's not like I had a job.

'Is this your first case?'

'I'll ask the questions.' he said making me smile

'This is so your first case.' I rolled my eyes at him.

'I-uh-yeah.'

'Why would you choose a murder for your first case?' I asked curiously

'I didn't pick the case my boss did. that's not what we're here to discuss.' he said dismissing me with a wave of his hand. I laced my fingers together and leaned forward

'Then tell me, detective, what are we here to discuss?'

'Mikey Brown. I've spoken to a few people who think you're relationship with Mikey wasn't a positive one.'

'Mikey and I didn't have a relationship.' I said shutting that notion down real quick

 'An incident has been brought up on more than one occasion.' he said making me scoff. I knew exactly what he was talking about and it wasn't enough for me to kill him.

'He tripped me and I fell headfirst into some spaghetti. that hardly warrants me to kill him.'

I hadn't thought about that day for a while. Why would I? some dumb boy tripped me. It wasn't a hugely traumatic experience that ruined my life or something I would hold a grudge over. I decided to play along to see how long he would try to convince himself that I did this.

'Maybe it upset you.' he suggested. I leaned forward on my elbows a little more as I shifted in my seat.

'Tell me this, why would I wait 8 years to murder him if I was so upset? and why, pray tell, would I leave his body out in the open for anyone to find?'

'Maybe you're a sloppy killer.'

'I've had 8 years to plan.' I countered 'Besides, I live in a town where everyone knows everyone else's business. People love to gossip so I wouldn't be stupid enough to kill him here.'

'We looked at the security footage from the area in that time, his body just appears. Most people were in costumes so it's hard to get any facial recognition.'

'I have pictures of me in my costume, my mom saw me leave, dad saw me come home. I also have texts to my friends telling them I was on my way and to my dad telling him I was coming home.'

'Tell me about your home life.' he said and I frowned

'What does that have to do with this?' I asked. If he had spoken to people around town as he said then he should already know.

'Well, we are a product of our environment.'

'What exactly are you suggesting?'

'Please answer the question, Miss. Garcia.'

'My home life is great. I have two amazing brothers and a great dad.'

'And your mom?' he asked. I hope the look on my face conveyed just how much he was starting to piss me off.

I mean, sure I didn't hate my mom but we weren't exactly close. She hadn't been the best at being around for us but she wasn't abusive or mean in any way. just distant. especially after what happened between us last year

'What about her?' I asked after a moment of silence

'Is she as great as your dad?'

'She's not around much, she works a lot.'

'Does that upset you?' I took a deep breath. If I told him what happened then he'll use it against me. Despite living in a small town we managed to keep that one thing a secret. It's most likely because mom is a lawyer and she could silence anyone if she wanted to.

'No, we haven't ever been that close. I guess you could say I'm more of a daddy's girl.' 

'Would you describe yourself as violent, Maroon?'

'Obviously not.' I wanted to roll my eyes again but didn't think it wise at this moment in time.

'We have more than enough accounts of you being violent.'

'Great.' I sighed and looked around the room 'look, you seem to have already made your mind up about me so can I go?'

'If you did it, I'll find out.'

'Oh, I don't doubt that you will.' I replied with a wink as a parting gift. 

When I got home I saw my older brother chasing our younger brother around the porch as they both laughed. Forest looked like a mini version of Jet. Both with dark brown hair and eyes like honey, they even smiled the same. The only thing we all shared was our names. We were named after colors, I'm not sure why but I think It's kind of cool.

'School finished two hours ago, Mars. Where have you been?'Jet asked when he saw me.

'At the station.' he looked down at Forest then back up to me

'Why were you at the station?' he asked. I was very aware that my 8-year-old brother was standing right in front of me so I chose my words carefully.

'Some people mentioned me when they were interviewing people about the case.'

'Mikey's case?' he asked confused 'wait because of 3rd grade?'

'Yes, they think I killed someone because of some spaghetti.'

'That's silly why would you hurt someone over some spaghetti? was it good?'

'It was from the cafeteria so it was most likely gross.' I replied to Forest and he shrugged in response

'I think we should get some ice cream' he said looking up at Jet with a hopeful look. 

'That's a great idea.' Jet said so I scooped up our little brother and carried him inside. As we ate ice cream I let my mind wander.

I thought about Mikey and who told the detectives about what had happened between us. It was no secret that many people in this town disliked me, I was slightly shocked to hear how many of them thought I murdered someone. I could do it, I've seen enough unsolved shows and I learned a lot about the law from my mom. I had enough distain for people in this town to have thought about it, planned it even, but carrying it out? That's another thing. I went to bed that night thinking about the last time I had seen Mikey. What had I said to him? in what tone of voice? I had a feeling I would have to walk on eggshells from now on, over-analyzing everything I did and said. I wasn't exactly looking forward to what life would be like from now on.