Tw: Mentions of murder and death, swearing

It was still early in the morning but that wasn't important. Any second was precious. They had very little to work with so it'd be difficult for them to solve it on their own. The knocked on what Patton knew to be his student's place of residence. They knocked on the door and a few minuets later a women, presumable to be in her 30's opened the door. It was clear she had just woken up. She looked up and down Patton. "What the fuck?" She whispered, "You're supposed to be dead, the school had an unplanned vacation because of your murder."

"And that's why were here," Patton told Elizabeth's mom, "I wanted to tell all my students that I'm okay personally so that they don't freak out."

She accepted the fake reason, "Okay, I'll go get Eliza. Come on inside." They sat down on the couch in the living room and the woman went up the stairs.

"Mr. Sanders!" Elizabeth yelled out as she sprinted down the stairs to her favorite teacher.

"Hey kiddo!" Patton smiled and gave her a hug. Eliza's mom went into the kitchen, presumably to make some coffee. "Hey do you remember the day I disappeared?"

She nodded, "Yeah! Where did you go?"

"Just away. But before I went away you told me there was a kid stuck in the tunnel by the creek. Do you remember who the kid was?"

Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows, "I didn't tell you there was a kid in the tunnel."

"Then who did?" Virgil questioned.

"I don't know," She shrugged, "I left right after school."

"Did you see anyone in the creek?" Patton asked.

"Nope," Eliza said, popping the p.

Virgil and Patton were left even more confused. "Okay well it was nice seeing you again!" Patton said with a fake smile, "I hope to see you in class again soon!"

She hugged him and then Virgil, "Goodbye!"

The two left the house. On their way out Patton waved to her mom, "Thanks for letting us in!"

"Anytime."

They got back in the car. Virgil sighed, "How- how did she tell you but not tell you at the same time?"

Patton shook his head, "I don't know."

Virgil tried to fit the pieces together but nothing was working. "Maybe we should see what evidence the police picked up."

"It's worth a shot," Patton mumbled as he turned the key and the car roared to life.