Murder+in+the+Sun

She let me borrow Nobody for this story! Shout out to Yu! If you want to understand a little more, check out last years wiki.


 * // Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock. //**** The class was listening to the last seconds before summer. Isis watched the clock. //Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock.// “10 more seconds…” she muttered in a light tone under her breath. //Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock. Tic. Toc. Riiiiiinnnngggg!// Everyone ran out of the class, but Isis was the first one out. **
 * She stepped out into the warm afternoon air. She took a deep breath and smelled everything that described the last day of school: joy, barbeque, money, and chocolate. She pulled a dollar out of her back pocket and walked to the bus stop. The driver pulled up and gave her change for the dollar as she climbed in. As she was driven home for a mere 36 cents, Isis stared at the window. She grew bored with glancing at kids buying ice cream, newly freed from their prison of learning. She pulled a book out of her backpack. On the cover was a magnifying class and a yellow, plaid cap. The book was __Sherlock Holmes__ by Arthur Conan Doyle. Isis was fascinated by the mysterious tales and cases Holmes solved. **
 * Isis lived in a quiet town located in Maine. Nothing much happened in Cambridge. It was a woodsy place that was relatively quiet—except during hunting season. She soon noticed the bus pulling up to her stop. She closed her book and picked up her backpack. It was a two-minute walk to her house. Her home was a two story homely cabin. A cliché brick chimney stood on the side of the house and towered into the trees. She opened the mahogany door and stepped inside. “I’m home!” she hollered. **
 * Her mom replied from the kitchen. “Come in here, sweetie! You got a letter in the mail,” she said. Isis ran into the kitchen. She never got mail, and the few times she did it was just a letter from school. **
 * Isis snatched the letter out of her mother’s hand and looked at the return address: N/City View Condos, Condo 1345/ Boston, MA. She had no idea who this “N” guy was, but she ripped open the envelope anyway. **
 * “Dear Isis Jones,” she read aloud, “I am a detective in Boston, Massachusetts and I have been given a job away from home. I read online at Babbysitterseastcoast.net that you love mysteries and are good with kids. I would like to know if you could watch my younger brother Daimon for a week. He’s 9 years old. I will pay all expenses for your flights to and from Boston. Please reply ASAP at this email: dectectn@gmail.com. **
 * I hope you can do the job, **
 * N.” **
 * She squealed. “Mom, can I?! It could be so cool!” **
 * Her mother smiled. “I think it could be great. We’ll ask you father when he gets home.” **
 * Hard footsteps started pounding down the stairs. “What’s with the screaming, butt-munch?!” her older brother, Matt, yelled. Matt was very tall and muscular, but he had a horrible attitude. He was 17 years old. Isis was only 13. **
 * “While you’re stuck in Cambridge, I’m going to be in Boston for a week! How’s that for something awesome, monkey brains?” He glared at her and mumbled something before storming back off to his room. **


 * That night at dinner, Isis told her father about the letter. “Boston? Are you sure you can handle it?” he asked. **
 * She rolled her eyes. “Of //course// I can, Dad!” **
 * He put down his fork and sighed. “Well, I guess it’s ok if your mother said so.” **
 * As soon as Isis finished dinner, she rushed up to her “cave”, as she liked to call her bedroom, and emailed N immediately. **
 * // From: mysteryobsessiongirl@yahoo.com To: dectectn@gmail.com RE: Babysitting. //**
 * // Dear Mr. N, //**
 * // I’d be honored to babysit Daimon! When should I receive the tickets and be at the airport? //**
 * // ~Isis //**
 * // From: dectecn@gmail.com To: mysteryobsessiongirl@yahoo.com RE: Babysitting //**
 * // Wonderful. I’ve enclosed the E-tickets in a file in this Email. Your flight leaves at seven a.m. tomorrow. Better get packing. //**
 * // ~N //**
 * She rushed downstairs to tell her parents about the big news. **
 * “Tomorrow?!” her dad yelled. “Couldn’t he have waited and given you at least a full day to pack?” **
 * Her mother put a hand on Isis’s dad’s shoulder. “Go get packing, sugar. I’ll drive you to the airport tomorrow.” **


 * “Are you sure about this?” her mom asked just as Isis was getting her bright red suitcase out of the car. **
 * “Positive,” she replied with a smile. Her long, auburn hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She hugged her mom. “I’ll be alright. I love you!” **
 * Her mom’s eyes watered. “I love you too. Be careful, okay?” Isis nodded and went off on her way. She was so young compared to everyone else in the airport, and all the security guards gave her a funny look when she walked by. She got through security perfectly fine and made her way down the long, aluminum corridor, ice-blue backpack over her shoulder, into the plane. **
 * The flight attendant flashed her a bright white smile as she took Isis’ ticket. “You’ll be in window seat f3. Enjoy the flight,” the attendant said. She walked deeper into the plane and found her seat. An elderly man sat in the seat next her. **
 * “This yer first time flyin’ solo, little miss?” he asked. Isis nodded. “I remember my first time… scary, but exhilaratin’ and wondaful all the same. Before we take off, I need to ask, will you be bothered by my snorin’ when I catch some shut eye, little miss?” She shook her head. “Wondaful… just wondaful…” The man smiled a giant grin towards Isis with his tea-stained dentures. The plane began to vibrate and Isis quickly buckled her seatbelt. **
 * The take off was smooth and fast, like a rollercoaster. Isis stared out her window and watched as Maine turned into a tiny speck in the distance. It was only a 45-minute flight, but the suspense of meeting this N character made it feel like days. When they finally touched down in Boston, Isis was so lost in thought that she barely noticed. “Little miss, we’ve landed. Better pick up yer stuff an’ git goin’,” the old man said, bringing Isis back to reality. **
 * She climbed out of her seat and went to terminal 5, where her suitcase was going to come out. Once she got her luggage, she meandered to the front of the airport. Mr. N had said a cabby had been prepaid to pick her up. Sure enough, there was a man in a Red Sox hat holding a sign in front of his taxi that said “ISIS JONES” on it. “Hey, you the gal I’m supposed to take to the City View Condo complex?” **
 * “Um, yes!” Isis said. He opened the door for her and she climbed inside. The taxi wobbled along the cobblestone streets of Boston. Centuries-old buildings towered high above the streets. Isis was fascinated by it all. The cab jerked to a stop. **
 * The cabby got out and opened the trunk. Isis stepped out. “Here we are, Miss Jones. Enjoy your stay Boston.” She took her suitcase and went inside. According to the directory, condo 1354 was on the 13th floor. She stepped into the elevator and punched the 13 button. Calming music was playing in the elevator and started toying with her nerves by the 8th floor. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. **
 * Isis wandered down the hallway until she reached N’s condo. She knocked on the door and a 15-year-old boy answered. “Oh, sorry! This must be the wrong apartment!” she stuttered. **
 * “Are you Isis?” he asked. **
 * “Y-yes…” **
 * “Then you’re in the right place. I’m N,” he said. He was tall and had slightly overgrown brown hair. He had an eye patch covering his right eye and he wore a scowl on his face. He wore a long grey trench coat, although it was summer. “Come in. I’m glad you were able to do the job on such short notice.” He gestured her inside. **
 * She stepped into the condo. The carpet was gray and the walls were a faded blue. There were papers scattered everywhere in the front room. The place reeked of coffee and oatmeal. //Is this guy seriously a detective?// Isis thought. //He’s what, fifteen maybe? This is weird…// They walked into another room. There was a small table with two chairs in front of the window. There was a tile countertop with many electrical appliances underneath some cupboards. **
 * “This is the kitchen,” N said. “You might need to go out and buy food. We’re kind of low. There’s money in my study, the first room you saw.” He led Isis into a bright yellow room. There was a small bed with blue bed sheets on it. It contrasted so much from the first two rooms that Isis gasped. A 9-year-old boy, most likely N’s little brother, was sitting on the bed, reading. He had blonde hair about as long as N’s and he wore a slightly Victorian gray hat. “Daimon, this is your babysitter Isis. Do you want to introduce yourself?” Daimon jumped off the bed and ran over to Isis. **
 * “Hi there! My name is Daimon Grace! It’s nice to meet you Miss Isis…” **
 * “Jones. Isis Jones,” she finished. **
 * N led her out of the room. “We’re almost done with the tour,” he said. He led Isis into a room with a worn brown couch and a TV. “It’s not much, but this is where you’ll be staying. There are blankets in the closet. Your key is in my study. Take good care of Daimon, ok. He likes Oatmeal, Spongebob, and any form of chicken. He’s allergic to sulfides, so no blue cheese or freeze dried/preserved food. The exception is beef jerky.” **
 * Isis nodded. “When does he have to be in bed? Is he still in school?” **
 * “He has to be in bed by nine o’clock. He isn’t in school, but he does go to summer camp from nine to three. The camp picks up kids at the school bus stop, so everything should be fine. You have to pack him a lunch, though.” **
 * “Got it! Good luck with your case, Mr. N!” Isis said. **
 * He nodded. “Daimon! It’s time for me to go!” he hollered. Daimon rushed out of his room and hugged N. Isis could have sworn he actually smiled. **
 * “I’m gonna miss you a whole bunch, Nobod—N!” Daimon said. **
 * N patted Daimon’s head. “I’ll miss you too. Have fun with Isis,” he said before turning around and walking out with a brown leather suitcase. **
 * Isis turned to Daimon. “So, what do you like to do?” she asked **
 * “I like reading. Mysteries especially. N got me into them,” he said. **
 * // He seems like a good kid. //**** Isis thought. “Really? I love mysteries too! What else do you like to do?” she asked. **
 * It took a while for him to reply. “I like ice cream. And games! Games are really fun! Especially the ones we play at camp. We play tag and flag football! And we do a lot of arts and crafts!” **
 * His enthusiasm made Isis laugh. “Have you made any friends?” she asked. **
 * He nodded eagerly. “Yes! I everyone at camp is really nice! Well, except for a few kids. Like Clara. She’s such a girly girl and she doesn’t do anything except for crafts. And she wears makeup. It’s so dumb. And Quincy is such a brat. He throws a fit every time he looses a game or doesn’t get his way. He also is always trying to get his hands on other kids’ stuff.” **
 * “Well, that’s their problem. At least there’s only two.” **
 * Daimon stopped her, “Oh, I’m not done yet. There’s one more. Darren scares everyone. He’s all quiet, but if you try to talk to him, he’ll hit you. He’s got anger issues.” **
 * “That’s terrible! Well, who are the good kids? Your friends?” Isis asked. **
 * Daimon smiled again. “Eric and Jeanie are my best friends at camp! Eric likes reading too! He’s a little quiet, but is really good at sports. Jeanie is hyper and sweet and talks to everyone. She’s prettier than Clara, and Clara doesn’t like that. Clara wants to be the prettiest girl in the world or something. She has a really pretty necklace that’s a gold turtle she wears every day. Quincy tried to steal it once. Darren hates Jeanie though. She tried to make him play a game once. She tried pulling him over to the game and he fell in mud trying to stay put.” **
 * “Well, seems like Jeanie loves people. That’s good!” Isis said. She looked at her watch. “It’s almost time for you to get picked up for camp! Go get your shoes on and I’ll make lunch!” she exclaimed. She quickly whipped together a ham sandwich, a bag of Lays chips, an apple, and a chocolate chip cookie. When Daimon came back she handed it to him. “I’ll walk you down to the bus stop. But you have to lead the way!” she said. **
 * They got there just as the bus pulled up. “Bye Daimon! Have fun!” Isis said. Daimon hugged her before running onto the bus. **


 * Isis spent the next few hours tidying up N’s condo. //I wonder where their parents are…// she thought. //I mean, N is only 15! And how’d he get that eye patch? Oh well, I guess some things are private.// The phone in the kitchen rang and she rushed to pick it up. “Hello?” she asked. **
 * A man’s voice was speaking on the other line. “Hello, are you… Isis Jones? Daimon’s current guardian while mister… N is away?” he questioned. **
 * “Yes. Is there a problem with Daimon?” she asked. Her heart was pounding. If something happened to Daimon… she didn’t even want to think about it. **
 * There was a pause on the other side of the line and she heard faint police sirens in the background. “Sort of. We’ll send the camp bus to pick you up and bring you here. There’s been an accident.” She hung up the phone and grabbed her backpack. She kept a lot of things in there, including notebooks. You never know when you’ll need one. Isis rushed outside and waited at the bus stop. **


 * Isis arrived at the Daimon’s camp, Camp Awesome, and saw an unnerving sight. There were police cars everywhere. There were some enraged parents and one couple that was crying. A man walked up to Isis. “You there, are you Daimon’s guardian?” he asked. She nodded. “God dammit! Why did N have to leave today of all days?! This is impossible to crack!” **
 * “What happened?!” Isis asked in a panic. **
 * “One of the campers, Jeanie Elderwood, was found dead behind the arts and crafts room. She was found by one of the counselors, Emma McClain. There are 5 suspects; unfortunately, all of them are also campers. And one happens to be Daimon. Come with me, the suspects are by the body. If N trusted you with Daimon, you have to be of SOME use to us.” The man, a detective from the same agency as N, led Isis to where the body lay. **
 * Daimon looked up with a tear streaked face and saw Isis. He ran over to her and hugged her. “I didn’t do it //sniffle//! I didn’t //sniffle// do it! Why would I?” he bawled into her shirt. **
 * She hugged him back. “I know you didn’t. We’re going to find out who did, ok?” He nodded and went back to where the suspects sat. Daimon was right, Jeanie was pretty. She had short, dark brown hair and her skin was a sun kissed olive with a golden glow. Her forehead was bleeding and there was a rock near bye Jeanie’s head. Isis looked at the suspects. There was a boy with sandy hair next to Daimon who was also crying. //That must be Eric,// she thought. On the other side of Daimon was a girl with long red hair curled down her back. She was wearing makeup and had a sort of dead gleam in her cobalt eyes. //This is probably Clara.// Next to Clara was a boy with shaggy black hair and wire-rimmed glasses. He looked around with antsy eyes. //That’s Quincy, most likely.// On the very end, pushed farther away from everyone else was a blonde boy with black eyes who sat with no emotion at all. //And that’s Darren. He gives me the creeps.// She looked back at Jeanie’s corpse. “Can I get a closer look?” she asked. The inspector nodded. Isis bent down by Jeanie. She wasn’t wearing the necklace Daimon told Isis about that morning. “Ms. McClain, was Jeanie wearing a necklace this morning?” she asked. **
 * Emma nodded. “Why, yes. She was wearing the same necklace she wears every day. With a—“ **
 * “Gold turtle, yes,” Isis finished for her. “It’s not there. Someone took it after they killed her.” She looked around and saw a disheveled clump of dirt. She walked over to it and dug up what had been hidden under it. **
 * “The necklace!” Emma exclaimed. **
 * Isis rolled her eyes. //Thank you, because it’s not like that was soooo obvious,// Isis thought to herself. “ I need to speak with each subject separately,” she said. It was weird for Isis. She had spent so many hours reading Sherlock Holmes and now it seemed she had become the inspector. Emma led her into the arts and crafts room, where the interviews would take place. She brought in Clara first. **
 * “Who are you,” she said with a snobby tone. **
 * “I don’t like your tone. I’m here to prove one of you guilty. I know you were jealous of Jeanie. You’re pretty. She’s beautiful. You hated not being the prettiest girl around. You could have killed her so there wasn’t any competition for beauty.” **
 * “Why would I do that?” she said. **
 * “Jealousy get’s the best of us sometimes,” Isis explained. **
 * “Sure, I was jealous. I wanted to be prettier than her, but it’s not like I’d kill her. I’m nine years old! I’m not going to be killing anyone anytime soon. And if I did kill her, which I didn’t, why would I take the necklace?” **
 * Isis nodded. “Okay, that’s enough. Go back to the others and send Darren in.” He walked in and sat down. “Did you kill her?” she asked. **
 * He didn’t answer. “I repeat, did you kill Jeanie? Yes or no?” Still no reply. “Okay, Darren. I know you didn’t like Jeanie. I know about your anger issues. Could you have done this for revenge? For her making you fall in the mud?” **
 * “I don’t want to kill her,” he said. “I wasn’t going to kill her. I may have anger issues, but that doesn’t mean I kill. I punch. And I only attack on the spot. Not a week later. And what would I want with her dumb old necklace? Can I go now?” He brushed his hair back and Isis noticed some dirt gathered on his hand. //Probably nothing. I mean, this is summer camp.// **
 * Isis sighed. //There go my top suspects… wait… the necklace! That’s got to be it!// she thought. “Sure. Can you send in Quincy?” He left and Isis took out the necklace and looked at it. “Who knew a little necklace could cause such a problem?” she muttered. The door started to open and she shoved the necklace into her pocket. “Hello Quincy,” she said. **
 * “Uh, hi,” he replied. **
 * Isis pulled the necklace out of her pocket and held in front of Quincy’s face. “I know you wanted the necklace. You’ve been watching it since day one of camp. Why’d you go so far for it as to kill her?” **
 * “I didn’t kill her!” he yelled. **
 * “Don’t deny it! We have all the proof we need!” Isis exclaimed. **
 * “Shut up! Why would I kill her for a dumb necklace! Sure, I wanted it, but I’m not a killer!!!!!!! I’m out of here. I’ll send in Daimon.” Quincy stormed off. **
 * Isis slumped back in her chair. “How? I could have sworn he did it…” Daimon walked in. **
 * “Have you figured it out yet, Isis?” he asked. She started to cry. He came over and hugged her. **
 * She broke down. “No! I have no idea who it was. I was positive Quincy killed her, but he didn’t! I’m sure of that now. I know you didn’t. So who could it have been? I’m not a detective! Why can’t the real detective do this?” **
 * “N chose you to watch me. N doesn’t choose just anyone. He had to make sure you could solve a crime. You can do this Isis. I know you can,” he said. Daimon stepped back and wiped the tears from Isis’ eyes. “There’s still one more suspect. Maybe he’ll give you a clue.” Daimon left and went to get Eric. **
 * Erica walked in with tearstains on his face. He sat down. “Hi Eric. I hear you like reading and sports. What types of books are you into?” **
 * “I like mysteries… same as Daimon,” he said. **
 * Isis nodded. “Cool. What sports do you play?” **
 * “I really like baseball… Jeanie and I used to play every Saturday. **
 * “Interesting. How long have you known Jeanie?” **
 * “We’ve been best friends since we were really little… I… I can’t believe she’s really gone…” he started crying. **
 * “Neither can we… you can go. I think I’ve figured out who did this.” **


 * “Friends, enemies, parents, police, and killer. I’ve gathered you here because I know who did this,” she began. “Eric, you killed her.” **
 * ‘What?! No! I didn’t kill her!” he screamed. **
 * “Don’t lie. You’ve known Jeanie forever. You killed her because of Daimon. You said you play baseball. That’s how you were able to kill her with a rock. Then you took the necklace and buried it to frame Quincy. But why would you go that far?” **
 * “Because! I’ve liked Jeanie ever since we met! She was mine! But then Daimon came along and she went all goo-goo eyed over him. If I couldn’t have her, no one could!” He fell to his knees and started crying. “She was mine…” h muttered. **
 * “Dude, you’re NINE. Don’t you think you went a little too far?” Daimon asked. **
 * “Shut up! It’s all your fault Daimon! If it weren’t for you she’d still be alive!” **
 * “That’s quite enough, young man,” the inspector he said. He turned to Eric’s mom. “Mrs. Pierce, I’m afraid your son is going to the Juvenile Detention Center. Come with me.” He led them to his car and drove away. **
 * Isis put her arm around Daimon. “C’mon. Lets go get some ice cream. You deserve some after today,” she said. **


 * The rest of the week went by quickly. Daimon got over the death of his close friend very quickly. He and Isis spent every night watching old movies and eating ice cream. Daimon ended up getting Jeanie’s necklace and he never took it off. Finally, the day came when N came home. **
 * “So, how was it?” he asked. **
 * “Good… but, one of Daimon’s friends was murdered on my first day.” **
 * “What?! Did they catch the killer?!” he yelled. **
 * Daimon smiled. “Isis figured it out.” **
 * N patted his head. “I guess you were right to choose her.” **
 * Isis was stunned. “He told me it was your idea to pick me!” **
 * “No, it was all Daimon’s idea. He’s a really smart kid. I’m glad you had a good time, and were able to solve a mystery. I’m going to come to you next time I need someone to watch Daimon. Have a safe trip back,” he said. **
 * Daimon started blubbering. “B-bye Isis! I’m gonna m-miss you!” He ran and hugged her. “Please visit sometime!” **
 * It was like a chain reaction and Isis started crying too. “I’ll miss you too, Daimon. Be careful, ok?” He nodded. As she nodded and started to leave, she turned around to wave goodbye one last time, N half smiled and tipped his hat to her. It was sad to go home, and she was definitely going to miss Daimon, but it was going to be nice to be back in quiet old Cambridge. **
 * On the plane ride home, she stared out the window the entire time and thought about the mystery. She had solved it on her own. She was going to keep reading Sherlock Holmes. Maybe she’d do even better if a case came up again. **