Chapter 17

                                    

                                          
Ever since Clay went missing, time just seemed to slow down for everyone as the police didn't seem to get any closer to finding him than they already were. It seemed like whatever they did find would always lead do a dead end. But, because of the unanimous tipper and the hired hitman being cooperative with the police officers, investigators were finally starting to get somewhere. Word had traveled around town after the news channel talked about the worn out baseball bat that was somehow used against Clay Jensen. Rumors and theories quickly surfaced of how the object could have been used. Many people thought it was used to beat him to death, but others came up with some different theories, like torture. 
                          
With all the rumors and theories being all anyone can talk about around the small town, Clay's friends couldn't help but be slightly curious as well. Being as they were Clay's friends, the Jensens kept the teens and Hannah's parents updated with anything that the police informed them about. But, since police and investigators haven't found him yet, no one can really be sure what the bloody bat was used for, or to what extent it wad used. The town was just left to come up with their own theories about what the supposed weapon was used for, and whether it was used to kill the missing teen or not. When the theory of the bat being used as a murder weapon started going around, it quickly got people talking about what the kidnapper could've done with the teen's body. This only escalated conversations as people continued to come up with their own ideas as to where a dead body could possibly be hidden in this small town.
                          
Even though it was extremely hard, Clay's friends did their best to ignore all the rumors and theories. They wanted to keep a positive mindset about their friend in hopes that he was still alive and would soon be found and brought back home. During school hours, the group of friends would stick together and do their best to ignore the other students whispering around them. They would all sit together at lunch, and after school, they would all meet up and do anything to distract themselves from the many conversations people had about their missing friend. 
                          
Some days were tougher than others, however, as it seemed impossible to escape the different theories and rumors going around about Clay Jensen's disappearance. Especially for Hannah Baker. She did her best to keep a positive mindset and ignore the things being said about her boyfriend. But there were times when she couldn't help but think about the possibility of some of the theories and rumors being true. Often times, she would find herself sitting alone on the small bench at the top of a hill. It was the spot that Clay took her to on a date one time before he went missing. It was their spot. Being alone at their spot helped Hannah calm herself down as she would sit quietly and stare out at the large body of water. She would stay up there for hours on end, just thinking about every good memory she shared with Clay. Sometimes, she would even imagine that he was sitting right there with her, and that he hadn't gone missing at all. But eventually, Hannah would have to bring herself out of her imagination and back to reality, where Clay Jensen was still missing, and could very well be dead by now. 
                          
One day, after school, Hannah and her parents were at the Jensen's house again, simply talking and distracting themselves as best they could from everything going on. That all changed when Matt's phone went off, breaking the small silence that fell over the room. Seeing the caller I.D., Matt was quick to answer the phone. Everyone else watched as Matt stayed silent and listened to what the caller had to say. It was something he hadn't been expecting, as his expression changed from slightly confused and hopeful to shocked. 
                          
When Matt ended the call, he placed his phone back on the table and just stayed silent from shock. "What did they say, Matt?" Lainie asked, wanting to know what was so shocking. Still in his shocked state, Matt blankly stared ahead of him at nothing in particular. "Matt?" Lanie questioned from her spot next to him, gently placing a hand on her husband's shoulder. The gesture seemed to bring Matt out of his thoughts as he slowly turned his head towards his wife. "What is it? What did they say?" Lainie asked again in a curious voice. "They found him." Matt stated simply, still sounding a bit shocked as he spoke. "What?" Lainie asked, becoming slightly shocked as well. "They found him, Lainie. They found our son!" Matt said again, becoming excited as he exclaimed the last sentence.