Bloody Sunset by Gwendolyn Harper (classic books for 11 year olds TXT) 📗

said primly. “If he says it isn’t his, maybe we can find out who the real owner is.”

Extending her hand, she waited for Mark or Edward to give it to her.

Edward yielded finally, withdrawing the blade from the back of his belt and placing it in her palm.

As the men continued to disagree over Bob’s innocence, Caitlin examined the long, filthy buck knife.

The wooden handle was worn and covered in blood, as was the blade.

Caitlin frowned.

The knife was too bloody. No one would leave their weapon that unkept unless they were in the middle of a fight. Even the less experienced fighters like Vanessa knew to clean their knives properly, if only for comfort the next time they had to use it. No one wanted to spread Geek blood all over a box of instant oatmeal they had to cut open or have a sticky handle to hold during chores.

She flipped the knife over in her hands, paying close attention to the near perfect palm print that wrapped around the handle.

Caitlin’s gaze flicked up to where Bob stood, still frantically explaining he didn’t own the weapon or the bloody boots.

His knife sheath—the one she assumed was really his—was strapped to the left side of his belt.

The palm print on the handle was of a man’s right hand.

“Bob, you’re left handed,” Caitlin said, interrupting whatever Mark had been saying.

The group went silent.

“Uh, yeah,” Bob said. “Why?”

“And you’re not ambidextrous or anything?”

He wrinkled his brow. “No.”

Caitlin looked to Edward. “Then this definitely isn’t his knife. But someone really wanted us to think it is, and that he’s the one who cut up those squirrels.”

“Cut up… what?” Bob gaped. “What happened?”

She inwardly cringed. She forgot the majority of the group didn’t know about the real cause of the Geek attack.

“Never mind,” she said, hurriedly. Glancing at Booker, she said, “This knife was used by a righty, not a lefty. And it’s almost comically covered in blood. Whoever planted it under Bob’s bed was really going for the theatrics.”

“Well it clearly worked,” Edward said. “Donna freaked when she saw it.”

Caitlin frowned. “Why would Donna have known to be worried about a bloody knife and boots?”

Mark and Edward glanced at each other in confusion. It hadn’t occurred to them it was strange either.

Handing the knife back to Edward, Caitlin nodded. “Someone should clean that. It’s disgusting.” Facing Booker, she added, “We need to talk to Donna.”

Fighting a grin, Booker agreed. Cocking his head at the others, he said, “Think y’all can kiss ‘n’ make up now?”

Edward and Mark shifted their weight while Bob crossed his arms.

“Sorry goes a long way,” Booker told them.

After a moment, Edward mumbled, “Sorry, Bob.”

Jutting his chin out, Bob said, “I’m sorry too.”

Clapping them on the shoulders, Booker smiled. “Now don’t that feel better?”

The muttered, faint agreements were enough.

Caitlin forced her expression to be neutral as they walked away from the other three.

She cracked as soon as they rounded the corner.

Chapter Ten

Passing the door to the group’s makeshift clinic, Caitlin thought twice and backed up.

“Hey,” she said to Scott and Nicole, poking her head in. “Have either of you seen Donna?”

Nicole looked up from the textbook she was making notes in. “Not today. Why?”

“There was a… well, a kind of incident,” Caitlin said, faltering over the words. “We just wanted to ask her a few questions.”

“Have you tried the maintenance work detail?” Scott asked. “Last I heard she was put in charge of it since she had so much experience from the Iowa camp.”

Nicole frowned. “Wait, what incident?”

“Just something connected to the Geek swarm,” Caitlin said, not wanting them to worry.

Yet.

Stepping back into the hallway, she added, “I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Is it ‘cause of the chopped up rotters?”

Caitlin’s sneakers squeaked on the tile as she pulled to a stop.

“Desi?” She scowled, scanning the room.

From beneath one of the tables, Desi emerged with a screwdriver in her hand.

“What were you…?”

Desi jerked her head at the piece of furniture. “The leg was wobbly. I fixed it.”

Nicole tested the table’s sturdiness and smiled. “Good as new.”

Stepping further into the room, Caitlin pegged Desi with a firm stare. “Back up. What did you say about the Geeks?”

Stuffing her hands into her overall pockets, Desi shrugged. “I saw them this morning out my window.”

“What time was that?”

“I don’t know… Early. The sun was barely up.”

Caitlin leaned in. “Did you see anything else?”

“Like did I see the person cutting them up?” Desi shook her head. “Nope.”

Inhaling, Caitlin tried not to let her disappointment bleed into her expression. After a moment, she squatted in front of Desi.

“I’m really sorry you had to see that,” she murmured.

Desi looked off, trying to seem disinterested. “They’re just dead rotters,” she said. “It’s no big deal.”

It was like looking in a mirror fifteen years prior. The tough-gal act, the refusal to admit when something was upsetting for fear of being told to quit being a wimp or to stop being dramatic.

Caitlin’s heart ached behind her sternum.

“Well, you’ve got a stronger stomach than I do,” she said softly. “It really got to me seeing those Geeks like that.” She paused, waiting for Desi’s gaze to drift back. “It’s okay if it got to you too.”

Pressing her lips together, Desi only gave a jerky nod, but didn’t say anything else.

“Hey, I bet Max and David would let you play with Fancy in the gym if you want,” Caitlin said, tone brighter. “Want to go ask them?”

Desi glanced over her shoulder at Nicole and Scott. “Is it okay if I don’t finish the chapter today?”

Scott smiled. “Of course. Go play, Desi.”

“Cool,” she said, already sauntering towards the