It was Sunday and for once I felt at peace with the world. No worrying about anything for few hours. I slide down the stairs and ran down to the refrigerator to grab things to make some pancakes. Displaying all of the ingredients on the counter I popped some chocolate chips in my mouth. I heard a click noise and a russell. I turned around but there was nothing there. I was just probably paranoid because of what I was going to face tonight and I left the window open. I whisked away the continents I had dumped into the bowl and watched as they turned liquidly and the smell of cake batter filled the air.

Then I heard the clicking noises again. It sounded like they were coming from my backyard so I took a wooden spoon as my weapon and went out to see what it was. I know I chose a wooden spoon when there was thousands of sharp objects in the kitchen? But to be fair I didn't actually want to hurt anyone. There was no one there but someone was definitely here. I was about to head back inside when I saw something shiny in the grass. I picked it up and it was someone's driver license. But it wasn't just anyone's driver license it was Cedric Cole's. He was here watching me.

What if I had decided to walk down to the kitchen with only my underwear on? He knows I'm on to him. I quickly walked to my parent's bedroom and knocked on the door quietly. I was too freaked out to be alone right now. No one answered so I walked in. Empty. They weren't here which means they took my sister because if they were going to leave me with her they would have woken me up to tell me. I decided to lock all the doors, windows, and anything else that needed to be locked. I really didn't know what to do and didn't want to be alone. There was no way I was going to call Hazel. I just didn't feel like facing him right now. Maybe I should call Benson. That would be a good idea anyway. We needed to discuss what are our plan would be tonight because it seemed like team Chayton was already one step ahead of us.

"Benson is it ok if you come over because Cedric was just here. I heard noises outside and when I went out he was gone but he dropped his driver license."

"He seems to always drop his stuff when he's in a hurry huh."

"Tell me about it."

"So can you come? I'm making pancakes."

"Why are you making pancakes it's ten o clock."

"What it is? I guess I overslept."

"Can you still come? Please?"

"I was going to say yes anyway. I'll be there at 11."

******

I hid in my room with the door locked until I heard the doorbell ring. I ran downstairs and open the door, pulling Benson in and closing it quickly.

He looked at me with great concern. "Wow you really are scared."

"Terrified." I answered as I locked the door behind me. He stepped closer to me and took my hands pulling me closer towards him.

"Everything will be ok Zoey. Maybe we shouldn't go tonight-"

"No! It's fine. You're here now and I know I'll be safe with you."

"Zoey you know what you're doing is really dangerous. But I'm willing to help you because I know Christina as your friend." He put his hand on the back of his head. "And I would do the same thing if my friend turned up dead."

"Thank you so much for understanding." We stared at each other for what seem like hours just smiling and I just felt like kissing him but he broke the silence by clasping his hands together and the thought quickly slipped my mind like it never happened.

"So let's make some pancakes."

******

For the rest of the day we were planning exactly how we were going to sneak up on Chayton Colby and catch him and Cedric.

"Zoey I have an idea. We should call the cops when we catch Chayton and Cedric so we can end this."

"Yeah! I have this Detective card still. His name is Derrick and we can call him and I'll explain everything!"

"That sounds good."

"Ok I think we've got everything covered."

"Are you scared?"

"No why would you say that?"

"It's ok to be scared."

"Just don't leave my side."

"Never."

There was a loud noise downstairs so me and Benson crept downstairs quietly thinking that Cedric had returned. It was only my parents and little sister.

"Oh good Zoey you're awake can you help us with the groceries."

"Yeah."

"Oh. Who is this?"
"My friend Benson from the hospital remember."

She eyed me. "Right."

Chloe ran up to me giving me a huge hug that I didn't really feel because she was only hugging my legs. "Why is your fwend Benson here? Isn't that other cute guy your boyfriend?"

"Hazel? He still is. Benson is just my friend."

"It doesn't look like it."

Chloe gestured to how Benson hand was on my shoulder and he quickly removed it making it awkward.

"Anyway mom me and Benson are going out to meet some friends at this park."

"Ok do you want me to drive you guys."

"No it's fine Benson is going to drive but thank you."

"Ok then it's settled. Who wants lunch?"

******

Me and benson were staking out at the abandoned park. We had gotten there early so we could see who would show up and Benson didn't want me to do anything that would get me hurt or killed. It was already past 9 and no one had shown up.

"Ughh! I'm going crazy with all this waiting!"

"When are we going to actually see someone or do something!"

"Zoey we have to be patient. We can't be wandering around in a playground near the forest at night."

"Why not?"

"Because CHayton could already be there. Waiting and if he sees you're not Cedric he'll flee the scene then we lose everything."

I rolled my eyes. "Ok you're right."

"Shh.. I think I heard something."

We both looked out the car window and saw someone walking towards the playground.

"Who was that?!"

"I don't know but I think we should stay-"

"I'm going to find out." I opened the door and headed out.

".... In the car. She never listens to me!"

I followed the guy and hid behind a huge toy model.

"Is that Cedric?"
"You scared me!" I whispered.

"Sorry but you really didn't think I was going to let you go alone did you?"

I smiled but Benson didn't see because it was dark.

"You're right it is Cedric but where's Chayton?"

"Listen he's talking."

"Ok! I'm here like you said! Where are you?! Let's settle this once and for all!"

No one answered. Maybe Chayton knew we were here and decided to stood Cedric up. Cedric searched around and decided to head into the woods.

"Come on Zoey let's follow him before we lose him."

"In..in the woods? The dark scary woods where no one can hear you scream? Maybe this is a bad idea. We should just go home."

"Finally you're actually listening to me. Let's head back to the car-"

I grabbed Benson jacket sleeve before he could get up. "Wait! But we need to do this for Christina right?! I mean she told me this because she wanted me to help her."

"Do whatever you want Zoey. This is all on you. Whatever you decide I will be there to help you."

"We should go after Cedric."

"Lets catch up so we don't lose him."

"Ok." I followed Benson towards the woods but abruptly stopped.

"Amber?! What are you doing here?"

"I knew you were weird! Something definitely up."

"What are you doing here?! Did you follow me?"

"What do you think Zoey? Anyway I knew you were lying to your boyfriend and now I have the proof. You don't deserve him. You never did from the beginning and I knew all too well there was something wrong."

"How can you say that?"

"Come on! Don't act so innocent. I saw you sneaking around with another guy, lying. You're a liar, cheat, and weird anti social girl. You were destined to be alone. I can't wait till your boyfriend finds out."

There was nothing else to say. She was right. Benson stopped walking realizing I was talking to someone. He walked over to us. He at first raised his eyebrow and gave me a questioning look then like he understood the situation he smiled and came to my side.

"Tell her."

Tell her what? She's right about everything. Let's just go."

"Me and you both know that she's wrong."

"Don't you get it Benson I can't when I know she's right."

"Zoey, she is just trying to get in your head because of something she believes but she's wrong. All your doing is trying to protect someone you love. Don't let her take over and make you feel horrible just because she saying that. If you do how will you ever win? Any man is lucky to have you. I hope you realize that."

I looked at Benson and he smiled he was right. This whole time I was trying to make my friend gain confidence when I hadn't tried to do the same.

"Amber I think it's time you left. Nothing you say will change anything that me and Hazel have. I like him and he likes me. It's time you stop worrying about what Hazel will think of me because he will like me just the way I am."

Benson high fived me and I smiled. I turned and Amber was already walking away. This time I win. I faced Benson again to find him grinning like an idiot.

"I did it."

"Yes you did. I knew you could."

We were staring at each other again. I was so happy I could kiss him. I almost did when he interrupted by pulling my arm towards the woods.

"Right we have a murderer to find."

"I was really hoping you forgot." 

Me and Benson ran towards the woods looking for Cedric but here was nowhere to be found. 

"Don't tell me we lost him!" I whispered to Benson.

"We just have to keep looking."

"Ok." I saw something flash in the distance and went towards it. I didn't realize Benson wasn't following me when I heard a scream.

"Benson!" I turned around but to my surprise he wasn't there. In fact there was no one there just me.

I kept searching and looking for Benson.

"Benson!!"

The I heard a groan not too far away and ran to where I heard it. When I came close that was when I saw Benson lying on the floor with his head bleeding.

"Oh my god! Are you ok?"

He just lifted his head to face me then lied back down.

"Right stupid question. I'm going to get you help ok?"

I didn't want to call detective Derrick especially when I definitely couldn't explain to him what had happened. I didn't even know myself. I decided to just call 911 hoping after what I explain happened they would just bring an ambulance.

Something tells me Chayton's tired of us snooping around.