ACT ONE — CHAPTER THIRTY

2021

"This is a stupid idea. You know she's still like psychotic, right?" Emily noted as she and Natalie were in the car.

The fact that Misty was the first person that both of them thought of when it came to cleaning up a murder said great words on who Misty is.

"Aren't we all?" Natalie arched an eyebrow at the blonde.

Emily rolled her eyes, "Some more than others."

"How'd it go with Ash last night?" Natalie asked her voice as gentle as possible.

The tone of her voice reminded her of those nights that she would wake up hysterical from a nightmare and Natalie would do her best to comfort her.

She pressed her lips together, "It was ok, Tai showed up so that help provide a bit of a buffer."

Emily decided to leave out the bits about Ash giving her a hard time for talking to Natalie again.

Natalie nodded, not really having anything else to add to the conversation.

"Are you ready for this?" Emily asked, putting the car in park.

Natalie shrugged, "Let's get this over with."

The two women approached the door, Natalie stepping forward to knock. After a few moments Emily piped up, "Do you think she's gonna answer?"

"I mean she's still pretty upset with me, so I don't know...but hopefully."

The door creaked open after a few more seconds, revealing the curly haired girl wearing bright red lip stick.

"Wow...you look pretty." Natalie spoke, attempting to come across as being nice.

Emily was slightly concerned about how the other woman's words would come across to Misty. They had gone over the plan in the car, but that still didn't necessarily improve their odds.

Misty paused, "You can save the flattery, I have nothing to say to you."

Natalie sighed, "Why did you open the door then?"

Directly following that comment, Natalie received an elbow to the ribs and a glaring look from Emily.

"Because...I just had to say that?"

Natalie looked at Emily, almost pleading her to take over the conversation.

Emily shook her head.

"Well...I'm sorry."

Misty narrowed her eyes, "Are you making fun of me?"

"No!" Natalie shook her head.

"But you never say you're sorry." Misty stated, still suspicious.

"I know."

"So why are you apologizing?" Misty questioned.

Emily pinched the bridge of her nose, worried about the brunette's response.

"Because... I need you."

Misty let out a quiet scoff, "You need me? Like you need a ride home or you need me to get a hacker to help—"

"No!" Natalie cut her off, "Well yeah, kind of, No. I mean that's not the only reason I would come here."

"Okay?"

"Look, this is sweet and all, but we do really need your help." Emily interrupted.

Natalie sent a glare in her direction, "I've been an asshole. I've been mean and you don't deserve that, you've been here for me in a way that no one has. You've been a real friend. So, I—I'm sorry and you're just really good at things."

"That's kind of you to say." Misty spoke, "What did you need my help with?"

"Well, citizen detective...we need you to get rid of a body."

Emily's eyes grew wide, "Was that the best way you could've worded that?" She exclaimed.

"Well what did you want me to say?" Natalie faced the woman.

"I don't know! But sure as hell not that!"

Misty looked between the two of them, "You two really are perfect for each other."

Emily rolled her eyes, turning on her heel for the car.

Soon the three of them were all in Emily's car. Making a stop at Misty's workplace, so that she could get what they needed.

"What are you planning on taking home leftovers?" Natalie held up the Tupperware.

"I needed a cover story." Misty informed, "I got gloves, waste disposal bags, bleach,"

Natalie looked at her quizzically, "Why didn't we just go to the store?"

"Have you never watched a crime show, Nat?" Emily asked, "You never want to leave a paper trail."

"It's true, 12 percent of killers are caught buying cleaning supplies." Misty nodded, "Plus this bleach is the good stuff."

Misty set the bag down on the seat next to her, "Listen before we go, I just wanna go over the terms of our deal."

"What do you want a blood oath from me? I said I would go, so, I'm going." Natalie stated, and Misty smiled, satisfied with her answer.

When they all arrived to the man's apartment, Taissa was the one who slid the door open, laughing dryly when her eyes fell upon Misty.

"Well," Misty stepped through the door, "Aren't we a bunch of gloomy gusses, who died?"

Misty's humor fell flat amongst the group. Taissa looked at Emily, giving her a look that spoke many words.

Those words being, what the fuck?

"No seriously," Misty pulled back the sheet, "Who is this guy?"

"Misty? Really? This is your big brain storm?" Shauna asked.

"Did you have a better idea?" Natalie asked.

"I think what you mean to say is, 'hi Misty! So great to see you after all this time! Thanks for swinging by and helping us cover up a murder.'"

"Why does everyone keep using that word?" Shauna exclaimed, "It's not like I woke up this morning and thought, 'hmm what am I going to do today, I know I'll find out my boyfriend is a creepy stalker and stab him to death.'"

Shauna sighed, "I'm going to prison, I'm going to prison for the rest of my life."

"No you're not." Misty shook her head, "None of us are. As long as you listen to me and do exactly what I say, okay?"

Emily shared a look with Natalie, who shrugged.

"So if you haven't already turned off your phones, I suggest you do that, now." She looked at Shauna, "Where's his?"

"I took it home, I put it in my safe." Shauna answered.

Emily switched off her phone, wondering why she hadn't thought of that already.

"Ok, as soon as we're done here you're gonna go home, you're going to wipe it, and destroy the SIM card, alright? And then do the same thing to yours."

Emily let out a nervous sigh, her eyes returning to Misty.

"I didn't see any security cameras, did anybody, neighbors see you come in here?" Misty questioned.

"I—I don't think so."

"Okay great! Then we're just destroying evidence." Misty smiled.

Emily tried not to be overly concerned by Misty, but couldn't help but be a bit unsettled by her expressions.

"Shauna you're the best with a knife...clearly." She laughed dryly, readjusting her glasses, "So you'll handle the body."

When the group looked at her blankly she explained herself further, "I mean cut it up."

"Oh god," Taissa gently touched Shauna's arm, "Are you ok to do that?"

"Y—yeah."

"I'll help you," Natalie offered up.

Misty nodded, "So then it's just Me, Tai, and Em on uh clean up duty."

Misty's eyes fell to the floor, "Ugh, sure was a gusher." She chuckled.

Emily pinched the bridge of her nose, she couldn't believe this.

"So what are we waiting for ladies, suit up and get to work!"