Chapter 7

Simone made plans with Michael to meet up in town together two days after the festival. She hadn’t heard a word from him that day or the day after, and couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on during his absence on the Spirit Day Festival. What scared her was that she sort of already knew. But she was very relieved when she heard Michael’s happy voice this morning, and how he accepted her invitation to hang out. She smiled to herself, and her smile grew wider when she saw Michael’s beautiful complexion waving at her.

            “Hi!” She squeaked, immediately hugging him.

            “Hey…” He greeted back, startled by the sudden embrace. He then wrapped his arms around her, slowly tightening his grip. “I’ve missed you.”

            They walked around for a while, Simone catching Michael up on what’s been happening at school, how she managed to keep everyone from school from finding out that she was actually Simone and not Miriam, and small things here and there from Michael. He didn’t mention the Spirit Day Festival, not once. So she decided to bring up the subject.

            “Michael,” she said.

He turned around, smiling as usual. “What is it?”

“Please, tell me, the day of the spirit day festival�"
The moment she said that, Michaels face grew tight. He turned around so his back

was to her, so that she couldn’t see the look on his face.

“I told you it doesn’t concern you,” he mumbled in a gravelly voice.

Simone grabbed his hand. “Michael… the night of the spirit day festival, you killed her, didn’t you?”

            His palms were sweaty. She made him turn around, but he wouldn’t look her in the eyes, his pupils turning smaller and smaller. He breathed heavily, not saying anything.

            “It’s okay, Michael, I understand. Don’t worry about what I think, because you did well. I would have done the same.”

            When she said that, he squeezed her hand back. He finally looked at her, staring deeply into her eyes. “Simone…”

            “Well, well, just the person I wanted to see.” Boomed a voice of an aging man. Simone whipped around. It was Officer Overlin. Michael froze in his place, and Simone scowled at him.

            “What is it, Mr. Overlin?” Simone hissed.

            “Actually Miss Miriam, you’re not the one I want to talk to.” His eyes fell on Michael.

            “Well, that’s too bad, because we were just leaving…”

            “Not so fast there, hon. I’m afraid that your friend here is involved in some serious business involving the murders that happened on the night of this years Spirit Day Festival.”

Michael started to shake.

            “You have absolutely inaccurate information then, because Michael was with me at the Hammermill Café the entire time during the festival.”

            “Nice try, Miriam, but we have proof that you were at the festival the entire time�"

            “I’m not Miriam, though,” Simone easily whipped out her ID. “I’m her twin, Simone Sonozaki. If you don’t believe me, do a background check on the Sonozaki family.”

            Overlin raised his eyebrows. “Well then…”

            “Right, let’s go Michael.” She grabbed his arm and stomped away, leaving the officer stunned. When they were out of his line of sight, she plopped down against a wall and Michael sat next to her.

            “I took care of that well, huh?”

            “Simone, I think I love you.”