This is actually a complete work I wrote in fall of 2018. Its based off of the friends I had at the time and I still think about. If I were to write a sequel of this, I think it would be quite cathartic. One name has been changed for privacy reasons, but other than that, it has been left in its original form.

"This is the life," he remarked to himself. The teenager turned another page of the comic book, settling into the comfiness of the couch, almost falling into its softness. He had sat there for hours, content with himself, the couch, and Spider-Man. The rest of the library was quiet, to his knowledge. The Teen Section was separated from the rest of the hallway by a short hallway and a door. For another five minutes, he sat there. Nonetheless, despite his content, he thought something was . . . off. This was the warning in his mind, a nagging little voice that told him 'Something isn't safe'. The teenager, who we will come to know as Liam, sat upright in his couch, put the comic on the bookshelf, and slowly walked to the door, peering through it. All seemed to be normal and Liam, taking a deep exhale, started to head back to the couch.

Yet he heard a scream. Too curious to resist, he looked through the window of the door again. What he saw caused himself to shudder, and duck down when a man passed by the hallway looking (at least, that was what it seemed like to Liam) right into his frightened eyes. He had a red substance on him, and Liam's mind couldn't convince him otherwise that it was fruit punch. After what seemed like five minutes, he looked through the window again. Not seeing anyone, he slowly opened the door, and walked down the hallway.

There was only whispers. That, and a limp body sprawled out at the end of the hallway. Like a furnishing rug, he scoffed. He stepped over it, visibly disgusted Seeing the librarian crouched under the desk, he could tell by her shaky voice that she was in the midst of calling 911. Without anymore observation of the library and the dead person, he ran outside to get fresh air, thinking about what happened, and rang up his friend, Ree.

***

"An exquisite collection," remarked Detective Tal.

He was walking arm and arm with one of his closest friends by the name of Abigail Walker. She agreed to see the collection if they were all to go to dinner with the rest of their friends. Tal agreed to this, for there was a new piece donated by the library just a few hours ago. Fresh out of high school, the young detective was . . . "self-proclaimed", as he often stated.

"I agree," said Abigail, fascinated with one of the paintings. "This one is fascinating."

Tal looked at its undertones and other themes. It whispered something special, depending on the person looking at it. "It has a metaphor. No surprise that this one appeals to you." he replied to the fair lady. They were going at a leisurely pace, but Tal suddenly jumped back in surprise at the next painting. "Vandalism!" he shouted. "God forbid!"

And vandalism it was. The new piece that was he was looking forward too had a huge symbol sprawled hurriedly in blue graffiti. "Distasteful. Absolutely distasteful." In a rush, Tal went to get the nearest worker. The person seemed older than Tal with a mustache and long, floppy hair. His nametag read "TJ". His earbuds were in, listening to whatever the music was of the day (When asked later, he said it was "Gnash").

"Sir, sir! There's been vandalism on the newest painting!" The man called the authorities of the art gallery on his walkie-talkie. He heard something odd, and Abigail could tell by his puzzled expression.

"What is it?" She urged him.

"Uh- Nothing! Scree!" He shrieked suddenly and ran off.

"What an odd fellow. He didn't really help, but I know someone who will."

"You don't mean-" Abigail's facial features lit up.

"We're going to do some investigative work by ourselves. You can help me with the lock-picking and other matters, of course."

They both high-fived each other, and walked out the gallery, excited for what was to come.

***

Ree's phone rang with the ringtone"Africa" by Toto. Scrambling to pick it up, a person answered.

"What's up?"

"A murder, apparently. Ree, are you okay? You sound different." Liam divulged the information.

"Maybe I sound different because I'm not Ree!" Cackling, the little child who answered the phone jumped around, making his voice a bit higher again. It was difficult to impersonate Ree's somewhat low voice, but it seemed like a cinch for the kid.

"Who is this? Kal? Give the phone to Ree." Liam seemed somewhat agitated. All he heard was the continuous laughing of the Ree's cousin, delighted in the prank he did.

"Kal?" Liam heard in the background. "What are you doing?"

Footsteps. Ree walked into the playroom that her young cousin was in. The boy reluctantly gave up the phone to Ree, and went back to playing with the rest of his toys. Although, he made a comment to the elder that caused Ree to leave right away, flabbergasted. Liam laughed when he heard it.

"Sorry, Liam. I've been babysitting Kal today. He's a handful. What's going on?" She leans against the door she recently closed.

"A murder happened in the library, and I'm thinking that we could just hang out? I'm a little shaken up and scared."

"Yeah, of course. Anything for my buddy. An actual murder? Weren't you in the library during that? I'm coming over right away."

"Alright. See you."

"See you." Ree hangs up, and almost falls backwards, for the door she was leaning against suddenly swung open.

"Murder?" Inquires Kal.

"Uh-Yeah. I'm going to have to drop you back off at your parents."

The boy sighs, begging to stay, or at least go with his older cousin.

"Will you be in-vest-tee-gating stuff?" He slowly pronounced the word.

"No, that's too dangerous. For me, and for you to come with me. I'll just be comforting a friend."

"You mean your boyfriend?" He stuck his tongue out and ran to the car.

"No!" she shouted. "He's just my friend!" Ree runs out after him, leaving the playroom. Kal was playing with action figures with little props; Like paint cans, knives, and guns.

***

He finished his last song with incredible grandeur, drawing out the last note as summer is drawn out for young students. The podium descended, but not before someone had to have a wise idea and throw a tomato at him. It landed smack in the center of his black and white tuxedo.

"Blegh," he muttered. Going from around the back of the stage, he met with his friend, Michael, who attended the recital as a promise. He went in for a hug, but noticing the rest of the tomato still dripping down his suit, he backed up.

"Guess they were jealous that they couldn't ketchup to your skills," snickered Michael. As an afterthought, Michael added, "Puns are more of Ree's speciality. But oof, Luis. You didn't do that badly."

"Thanks," Luis grimaced. "You want to head to that paintball place? Dream Team, if you know what I mean." They fistbumped each other, and went to exit the building.

The building that Luis and countless others performed at was called "El Sonido de la Música". There were countless rooms of people practicing their instruments and singing. Personally, Luis would have performed something instrumental-wise, but he was encouraged by his friend, Cecilia, to sing. It was a shame she had to travel halfway across the country, and was not able to make the performance.

Glancing through one of the rooms, Luis saw a slumped body. He found it odd, considering how there were no instruments in the room. Usually, this would mean they were singing, but the lights were off, and the only possessions that he could assume belonged to them was a small backpack, but it's contents were sprawled across the floor.

"Pst, Michael," he nudged his friend. "Look at this."

"Not a chance in the world," said Michael, once he saw what Luis was pointing at. "If you're thinking about going in that room, forget it. There's always some ghost or whatever planning to come after you, saying "Sara" or something." This was a reference to a frightening video he saw late at night with a couple of friends. It still makes him shudder to recall it.

"I want to check to see if they're alright, Michael. It'll be quick, lo prometo."

Jiggling the doorknob, Luis could tell that it was locked. The noise did not rouse the person in there to wake, however. Backing up slowly, he suddenly rushed towards the door with all his weight, practically breaking the lock with the force he used. Luis pushed open the door, with Michael farther behind him.

Moving over to the side of the person, who turned out to be a young woman, Luis was not sure whether to laugh or run out of the door. It was a dead body. And the murder weapon? Tomatoes.

***

Abigail and Detective Tal rushed into "El Sonido de la Música". They heard a gasp, and immediately ran towards the sound, pushing the opened door further wide. "Luis? Oreo?" Remarked Abigail, for those were two of the friends they planned to dine with tonight. "Hi, Abby," said both Luis and Michael. Detective Tal gave them a mere nod, and whipped out his notepad.

"Abigail. Thanks for your help. Want to read the summary of what we found so far?"

"Yes. Why exactly did we come here in the first place?"

"The graffiti. I noted the writing on it. The scrawl was hard to read, practically illegible, but I noticed it right away. It was a math equation. Geometry, to be precise. The angle it gave, mind you, this was quick math in my head, gave me a direct angle and cardinal direction towards this exact place. So, to summarize this and tell you who solved the whole place, I'll reveal a few intricate details that had to be noticed."

"Now, the first murder was in the library. You already know that we went there to investigate, but the truth is, I found it out only because the worker at the gallery was simply no good at keeping a secret if you bribed him. I found out the convenient placing of where the body was placed. And you know who he looked eerily similar to? The one you and all of us know as Liam Safer. While we were taking a break, I rang up our dear friend Ree, and found out that Liam was a few yard away from the murder. One can now safely assume that the target was meant to be Liam.

The second clue may have seemed irrelevant to us, but if you pay close attention to details, you will realize it. The graffiti was blue, and I found the coordinates by geometry. But that's not all. The last clue is right here." Detective Tal unashamedly pointed at the dead body.

"Our culprit was most definitely not a big fan of music, and was also jealous of the friendship between Michael and Luis. Why? Because paintball, a whole rivalry feud from months back! His plan was to distract the kind-hearted Luis with the body, then murder him in cold-blood!"

Tal's voice grew louder, and he stated loudly, "And while we speak at this moment, he planned to kill you, and even witnesses! Yes, it is! It is Jonathan!"

Whirling around, Tal pointed an accusing finger at the figure who was about to run off near the shadows of the door, not yet stepping inside. It was who they considered a close friend, but never knew that he would be the one to turn on them all.

Everyone's face was of shock, and at that instant, Ree and Liam ran in. "Guys!" Ree waved her hands high. "The murderer is Jon- Oh. You already found that out," for she realized that Abby had grabbed Jonathan's hands, twisted it behind his back, and Michael was casually calling 911 (with the polite talk, such as how their days were going).

Like promised, they did all have dinner together that night, talking of what happened through the day, and perhaps even a detective business, with the whole gang joining in. Except for Jonathan, as he was in prison.