#Characters by Abdo Gemaie at Inkitt

Solved By Slberter

PROLOGUE

Something horrible happened on the Las Vegas Strip — the kind of thing that leaves a black mark on the street itself, and on the memory of one man's friends.

...

A murder. Dr. Jeffrey — a psychiatrist — is dead. And two people are left grieving harder than anyone: his best friend since forever, Markely, a surgeon, and Markely's wife, Lateena, a chemist.

But his death isn't going to end just because they buried him. Because he's still here. Really here.

The best detective in the city — the missing fourth piece of a puzzle that's connected Lateena, Markely, and Jeffrey their whole lives.

I won't drag this out. Let's jump into the world you've been dreaming about. We're going back to where it all started.

CHAPTER ONE

We open somewhere unfamiliar. Somewhere...

FANTAZIA: Are you Noy?

NOY: Yeah. Who are you? ...Huh. It's like I'm staring into a mirror.

FANTAZIA: I'm not. But come with me — it's for his own good.

NOY: All right, let's go.

Fantazia locks Noy away...

MARKELY: Morning, Mom! Morning, Dad!

MOM: Morning, sweetheart. You heading to school today?

MARKELY: Yeah — I'm going with Lateena.

MOM: Lateena? Since when do you walk to school with girls?

DAD: Weren't you always going with your buddy Jeffrey?

MARKELY: Yeah, I still do. But this pretty girl's been tagging along with us lately, heh.

MOM: Have you two, you know... already? (winks)

MARKELY (embarrassed): No! I haven't! Okay, gotta go!

MOM: Wait — you haven't even finished your breakfast!

MARKELY: I'm gonna be late, bye!

JEFFREY (with their signature handshake): What's up, Markely?

MARKELY: Jeffreyyyy! My man, how's it going?

JEFFREY: Never better. Check it out — that's Lateena.

MARKELY: We're a thing now!

JEFFREY: Oh, so it's actually gone somewhere? Ha!

MARKELY: Zip it, don't even go there... we're taking it slow.

JEFFREY: Heh-heh, all right, Markely.

MARKELY: You're such a pain.

LATEENA: Hey, babe. Hey, buddy!

JEFFREY: The name's Jeffr, not "buddy."

MARKELY: But I call him Jeffrey, hahaha!

Jeffrey storms off toward school, annoyed.

MARKELY: Hey! Wait up, man, I'm just messing with you!

LATEENA: Come on, we're gonna catch up or we'll be late!

MARKELY: Let's go, gorgeous!

They headed to school —

where the drama outweighs the education.

LOUIS: Well if it isn't Lateena. Still dating that little sissy?

LATEENA: Shut your mouth, you creep — if he hears what you just said, he'll kill you.

LOUIS: Ha! Can't wait. Seriously, ha!

LATEENA: You'll get what's coming to you, you disgusting jerk.

LATEENA (to herself): Where are you when I need you...

MARKELY: Boo! Haha, what're you thinking about?

LATEENA: I was thinking about you. Where were you?

MARKELY: I hate showing up on time. I only come to waste time!

LATEENA: You're gonna flunk out, you gorgeous idiot... (spots Louis)

LATEENA: Markely... it's that jerk Louis.

MARKELY: What'd he do? I've hated him since that last thing.

LATEENA: He called me a slut and said you're gay.

MARKELY: You see this stick? I'm gonna shove it somewhere the sun don't shine.

A fight breaks out, and Markely makes good on his promise to Lateena — stick and all.

Both Markely's and Louis-the-bully's parents get called to the principal's office.

Meanwhile, on the other side of school — Jeffrey.

Jeffrey's known for being brilliant, always pulling the top grades.

He was answering some of the questions the teacher threw out.

TEACHER: We always expect you to get the answer — it's your method that keeps surprising us! Okay, that's it for today — quiz on Wednesday.

STUDENTS: Ohhh, come on! Another quiz this week? (nobody wants more tests)

JEFFREY: Why's everyone so bummed out? This is great — the country needs educated people. Come on, let's study hard and be the best — best in class, best in school, best in the whole state!

STUDENTS: You're right! Let's study — you rock, Jeff!

LUCIA: You're always the one pushing us to study. You're seriously an influence, man.

By the time it hit 3 p.m., the final bell had rung.

JEFFREY: Hey, Lateena! Where's Markely?

LATEENA: He got into it with Louis. Over me.

JEFFREY: Where are they now?

LATEENA: The principal called them in.

JEFFREY (under his breath): "Guys always get themselves in trouble over girls they're into."

LATEENA: Ouch, Jeff! That actually broke my heart!

JEFFREY: No, no, that's not what I meant!

LATEENA: Ha, your face is turning red as a tomato.

JEFFREY: You're just like Markely.

LATEENA: That's just mean.

Louis and Markely walk out of the principal's office.

LOUIS: Next time I'm going in there alone — 'cause you'll be dead.

MARKELY (cold): Sure you will. That stick still bothering your backside? Heh.

LOUIS: You're a nasty piece of work... I really will kill you! Ha, look — your buddy and your little slut. Told you, slut.

MARKELY: None of your business. — Hey, you two, how's it going?

JEFFREY: We're good. What happened with the principal?

MARKELY: You don't even look surprised.

JEFFREY: Lateena told me everything. It's been, what, seven minutes?

MARKELY (scratching his head with his fist): You're such a shy little dork. Come on then, let's go.

LATEENA: I see you didn't even notice me standing here.

MARKELY: You being anywhere near Jeffrey basically cancels you out. Ha!

LATEENA (eyes closed): You clueless jerk.

Her eyes open to find Markely's face right there, close — and he kisses her, saying: I love you.

10 p.m.

LATEENA: Hey, Markely, you going out with me tonight?

MARKELY: Sure — I'll ask Jeffrey to come too.

LATEENA: Is it gonna be like this every time we do something — him tagging along?

MARKELY (exasperated): He's my best friend since we were kids. We do everything together.

LATEENA: And what about me? Where do I even fit in?

MARKELY: We'll just split it three ways!

LATEENA (annoyed): Fine. Call him and hang up.

MARKELY: Hey, Jeffrey! / JEFFREY: Hey, Markely!

MARKELY: Lateena and I are going out tonight, you in?

JEFFREY: Nah, it's your date, I'd just be in the way — plus I've got that quiz Wednesday to study for.

MARKELY: Fair enough, I respect that. See you.

JEFFREY: All right — have fun, you two.

MARKELY (calling Lateena back): Hey, Lateena... it's just us tonight. He's got studying to do.

LATEENA: Oh, okay! You got somewhere good in mind?

MARKELY: Yeah, that same club from last time.

LATEENA: Perfect. Let's meet at the usual spot at 11:30. (Markely agrees.)

LATEENA: Where were you, slowpoke?

MARKELY: Looking for the car keys.

LATEENA: I didn't even know you had a car like this — looks pretty old.

MARKELY: Yeah, it's actually my dad's. He hasn't driven it in a while, so I figured I'd take it out. And now — you, me, and this old thing, all together.

LATEENA: Guess we won't exactly be alone, huh, ha!

MARKELY: Watch it, gorgeous — this "old thing" needs gas.

They head to the club.

MARKELY: You want a drink?

LATEENA: No, I don't drink much.

MARKELY: I'm a tequila guy myself. Want me to order you one?

LATEENA: Just something light, nothing more.

MARKELY: Two light tequilas, my man!

MARKELY & LATEENA (together): Ohhh, this song is amazing!

MARKELY: Wanna dance to it?

LATEENA: Yes! It makes me want to dance from the inside out.

MARKELY: Well now it's inside and out, ha!

They dance and have a couple more drinks... Markely tries to take Lateena back to Mr. Jaden's place — his father's house — but she apologizes and asks to just go home.

MARKELY: Hey, Jeffrey?

JEFFREY (groggy): Hey, Markely.

MARKELY: Did I wake you up?

JEFFREY: Yeah. What's up?

MARKELY: Nothing, just wanted to tell you I was thinking about keeping the night going, you and me?

JEFFREY: No, man, we've got school, you jerk.

MARKELY: Oh... right, forgot about that. Guess I'll head to bed.

Sunday, 6 a.m.

JEFFREY: Mom, Dad! Wake up! I've gotta get to school.

MOM: Sweetie, I made you breakfast early — your dad and I were up all night.

JEFFREY: You guys headed to work?

DAD: Your mom and I took the day off — we had a really nice night together.

JEFFREY: Okay! I'll grab breakfast and head out.

Meanwhile, Lateena and Markely have breakfast with their families, and the three of them meet up to head to school together.

AT SCHOOL

LOUIS: Well, look who it is again. This time the sissy and the slut, together, hahaha.

MARKELY: Ha, look who's talking — "you hang around with your little crew of losers, and I hang around with a gorgeous girl and a real friend."

LOUIS: I swear — one day I am going to kill you.

LATEENA: Forget already? Remember what happened last time you swore that? I believe that stick's still right where we left it, ha.

LOUIS: You lying little— I don't see any stick in the yard. (bitter, mocking tone)

LATEENA: Who said anything about the yard? I meant it's still lodged somewhere lower — like your spine, genius, ha!

STUDENT 1: Ohhh! / STUDENT 2: She's brutal to Louis!

Louis sits down, humiliated.

The teacher walks in to hand out a pop quiz.

MIRANDA: Why? Why didn't you warn us we had a quiz?

TEACHER: And why is it that you only study when there's a quiz?

MARKELY: I'm with you on that, Miranda! Section A1 got a heads-up on their quiz date.

TEACHER: "Not everyone here is smart — but the one who knows is the smartest one of all." I know a lot of you want to move up to the advanced sections — so just be the smartest.

CORIAN: Fingers crossed!

LATEENA: Please don't grade this one, not this month, please!

TEACHER: I don't want to hear it — this is for your own good!

At exactly 11 a.m., Lateena's mother gets a phone call.

COMPANY REP: Hello — is this Mr. Henry's wife?

LATEENA'S MOM: Yes, who is this?

COMPANY REP: I work with your husband. I wanted to let you know Mr. Henry was in a car accident while driving — he's on his way to For Health Hospital now.

LATEENA'S MOM: Oh my god! I'll head over right now!

She rushes to the hospital, calling Lateena over and over — but Lateena's phone is off.

A few moments later, Lateena finally gets the call and hears the bad news.

Jeffrey and Markely notice her face shift — from laughing to shock, tears welling up.

MARKELY (starting to panic): What's wrong? / What happened? / Answer me, Lati!

Jeffrey grabs the phone.

JEFFREY: Hi, who's this?

LATEENA'S MOM: This is Lateena's mother. You're Markely, right?

JEFFREY: No, I'm just Markely's friend — Lateena's classmate. But what happened? Why's she crying right now?

LATEENA'S MOM: I figured as much. There's been an accident — her father's been taken to the hospital.

JEFFREY: That's awful. Okay, we'll come right away — which hospital?

LATEENA'S MOM: For Health, the one for corporate employees.

JEFFREY: Okay, I know where that is — we'll be there. Hope he feels better soon!

JEFFREY: Come on, Markely.

MARKELY: Where? What happened? Who called?

LATEENA: It's my mom — my dad's been in an accident, they took him to the hospital!

The three of them rush to the hospital and wait for the doctor, all of them on edge.

Both mother and daughter are in tears; Jeffrey and Markely try to calm them down — until the doctor finally arrives and reassures everyone.

DOCTOR: Don't worry, just some fractures — we'll get him treated now. Two months of rest, no moving around, and once the cast's off he stays on meds for another month.

EVERYONE: Thank god! / JEFFREY: Can we take him home?

DOCTOR: In half an hour.

MARKELY: All right! Thank god he's okay — thirty minutes and we'll get him home (to Lateena).

JEFFREY (to himself): I've got that exam, I really gotta study — but I can't just bail on them like this.

Everyone heads back to Mr. Henry's house.

Jeffrey excuses himself and heads out.

LATEENA'S MOM: Thank you so much for your time, sweetheart!

JEFFREY: See you around! Markely, you coming with me?

MARKELY: I'm gonna hang back a while longer, sorry.

JEFFREY: No worries — I'll head out now. See you.

A few uneventful days pass, and Wednesday arrives — quiz day for Jeffrey, who's noticeably on edge.

LUCIA: What's wrong with you? You're always so calm on test days — don't forget, everyone feeds off your energy today.

JEFFREY: I haven't had a chance to study — too much going on lately.

LUCIA: There's still time — want a quick review session?

JEFFREY: No, I don't have time for that.

LUCIA: What happened that kept you from studying?

JEFFREY: I mean, my little brother got sick, couldn't find my parents at home, so I ended up taking him to the hospital myself. And before that I was with Lateena, Markely, and her dad.

LUCIA: Lateena and her dad, with Markely? Were you there when he told him about the two of them?

JEFFREY: No — Mr. Henry was in the hospital after a car accident, and we were all there with Lateena until he was cleared to go home.

LUCIA: I'm sorry to hear that... so you really didn't study at all?

JEFFREY: I mean, I did, when Mr. Jacob announced the quiz — but then I realized how much material there was.

LUCIA: You know, "space is never the same twice — even a knife goes dull enough to kill us eventually." I'm scared to say more in case it makes you mad, but — if there's a question you don't know, I've got your back.

JEFFREY: Cheating's not something I do, Lucia, you know that. I don't take credit for someone else's work.

LUCIA: That's not what I meant, I just want to help. You're the reason I study as hard as I do — I figured it was a good chance to return the favor.

JEFFREY (smiling): What you did is just what friends do for each other.

The exams get handed out. Jeffrey tenses up for a moment, then begins.

MR. JACOB: One hour, fifty questions. Grades back next Saturday.

LUCIA (whispering): Jeff! / JEFFREY: Don't try it — I'll be fine, I remember most of it.

They walk out of the exam, and Jeffrey seems cautiously optimistic.

LUCIA: You look better than before.

JEFFREY: Yeah! Just a couple I wasn't totally sure on. Wanna go over it?

LUCIA: Nah, I'd rather not... do you want to?

JEFFREY: If you'd rather not, then let's not.

LUCIA: I hope you, and everyone else — and me too — get full marks!

JEFFREY: You've got such a good heart.

LUCIA: You're making me blush, handsome.

JEFFREY (with a light laugh): And now you're doing it right back.

In the yard, after everything wraps up

VOICE: Lateena didn't come today!

JEFFREY: Who are you even talking to, weirdo?

MARKELY: Jeffreyyy, how was your day too?

JEFFREY: Stressful, with the exam and all.

MARKELY: I don't believe it — did you just learn how to lie?

JEFFREY: You don't believe me either... it's been a stressful week — first the whole thing with Mr. Henry, then my brother got sick and I couldn't find my mom or dad home, so I took him to the doctor myself.

MARKELY: Sorry to hear that... so how'd you do?

JEFFREY: Probably lost a couple points, maybe.

MARKELY: I know you, man — you don't settle for anything less than perfect.

JEFFREY: I think I love that more than most people love money.

A few seconds of silence, broken by Jeffrey.

JEFFREY: You heading to see Lateena?

MARKELY: Yeah, probably... you coming with?

JEFFREY: I'll swing by around 5.

MARKELY: Cool, I'll wait for you there.

JEFFREY: All right — but hey, are we still on for our night, man?

MARKELY: You worried about the night you always lose, ha?

JEFFREY: Pretty sure you've got that backwards.

MARKELY: Ha, we'll see tonight — our night. (shoots him a challenging look)

JEFFREY: (that look says you wanna murder me like some serial killer) Ha, all right, see you later!

Each of them heads their own way — Jeffrey showers, eats since nobody's home, and reads a psychology magazine before heading over to Lateena's.

The doorbell rings at Mr. Henry's house.

MARKELY: That's gotta be Jeff.

LATEENA: I'm betting pizza delivery.

Lateena's mom opens the door: It's both of you, sweeties!

JEFFREY: I already paid before you even opened the door!

MRS. ELIZABETH (Lateena's mother): That's so generous of you, dear.

JEFFREY: Thank you!

JEFFREY: Hey, guys — how's Mr. Henry doing?

LATEENA: He's doing great, everybody — thanks for coming by!

JEFFREY: Just doing my duty, keeping a promise. But where's Mr. Henry?

ELIZABETH: He's in his room.

JEFFREY: Can I go see him?

MARKELY: Go ahead and bring him some pizza.

LATEENA: Sure thing, sweetie!

JEFFREY (calm, needling): Last person I heard call you "sweetie" was your mom.

ELIZABETH: Okay, come on in, this way!

JEFFREY: How's the leg, Mr. Henry?

HENRY: Doing great — how about you?

ELIZABETH: This is Markely, Lateena's friend, and, um—

JEFFREY (cutting in): I'm Jeffrey, Markely's friend since childhood, and Lateena's classmate.

HENRY: Pleasure to meet you both.

JEFF & MARKELY: Likewise!

They have a good time until 7 p.m., then the two friends say their goodbyes and head home.

JEFFREY: I've got nothing to do tonight, this is boring.

MARKELY: Remember our special night?

JEFFREY: Yeah! Wanna do it tonight?

MARKELY: Please, I'm bored too, nothing else to do.

JEFFREY: All right, don't flake tonight... today's the day you go down.

MARKELY: I've figured out your whole game — today's my day to win.

At exactly midnight, Markely shows up banging on the door loudly.

JEFFREY: You're gonna wake up my whole family, you idiot!

MARKELY: You saying we play quiet tonight?

JEFFREY: No, I've got a better spot.

MARKELY: I can't walk anywhere, I'm wiped out... we always play here — why change it up tonight?

JEFFREY: Doctor's orders from my dad — my little brother's still sick and needs quiet to rest.

MARKELY: So where are we spending the night, then? One of the clubs?

JEFFREY: No... my grandma's old place.

MARKELY: Nice, as long as that's where we started this tradition!

JEFFREY: But we're gonna need that car you had earlier.

MARKELY: Why? I don't want to go back home.

JEFFREY: We're staying out the rest of the night.

MARKELY: Damn, I feel like moving our night up early just brought us bad luck.

JEFFREY: Sorry for the hassle, man, but it's for a night to remember.

They go to grab the car to kick off the night.

JEFFREY: I'll go easy on you this time.

MARKELY: Don't mock me — I'm feeling unstoppable tonight, this might be my peak.

JEFFREY: Hmm, don't think so, 'cause you're always rushing in without thinking, and you lose, and... yep! Got you again — that's a hundred bucks for me, buddy!

MARKELY: Damn it! Let's play for fifty more.

JEFFREY: Fine, but we're always blowing the winnings on food anyway.

MARKELY: Speaking of which, I want grilled meat with tequila — (I got into it after having it with Lateena).

JEFFREY: No issue with the meat, but the alcohol — you know I don't drink that stuff.

MARKELY: No problem, order me a tequila and get whatever you want.

JEFFREY: All right! Whoa... one more win for me!

MARKELY: Fine, whatever... congrats on tonight too.

JEFFREY: Next time we're playing something besides chess.

MARKELY: How about checkers?

JEFFREY: Good pick for betting... I'll get it ready!

And they head out toward the restaurant...

MARKELY: And here we go!