Author Note:

*EDIT 1/26/29* This chapter is not "meh" it is absolute ass.

This chapter is kinda meh, but at least someone dies. 🫤 

Trigger Warning: Loss & grief, graphic violence and gore, disturbing imagery, transphobia, death

_____

"I'm so sorry Fawn," I apologized, turning away to cry into my suit sleeve. "This is all my fault."

"You bet it is." Skyler agreed.

They were right. This was all my fault.

My back crunched up. I slammed my elbows onto the casket to cry into my sleeves.

Fawn lied in the open casket. Her face was completely clear of eyebags—anything to indicate she was sleep deprived. I kept telling myself she was only asleep, since I knew she needed a nice, long uninterrupted sleep.

"Bestie, don't be too hard on yourself." Tabitha told me, placing a cold hand on my shoulder. "It's not like you killed her."

"Yeah..." I lightly brushed the influencer's hand off, turning around.

Everyone was standing around talking, smiling and laughing. No one cried or even seemed remotely sad about my sister's death.

"Do you guys even care?!" I shouted at the crowd.

"About what?" Tabitha innocently inquired.

"Fawn is dead!" I shouted at her, clenching my fist. "And all of you are standing around talking and going on with your lives as if she never existed!"

"It's not like we knew her that well." Minerva pointed out. "She was holed up in her room for most of the killing game."

"Plus, that horrific motive is over now." Rory stated, smiling as if they were about to giggle. "And we're all still alive."

"B-But... Fawn..." I sniffled, my vision watering.

"She's gone." Ameila shrugged. "But we aren't. We need to celebrate our survival, rather than mourn the failed survival of others."

"Agreed." Vanessa nodded. "Who's down for a party at my house?"

"Woohoo! Let's fuckin' party at Vanessa house!" Hunter cheered.

The others followed the equestrian's lead, cheering and clapping at Vanessa's proposal.

What...?

Everyone ripped off their formal black clothes, revealing white ones underneath. They threw confetti, popped party poppers, and sent colorful balloons flying to the ceiling.

Why doesn't anyone care? My sister is dead...!

"They only care about themselves." Whispered my sister. "As long as they get to live, it doesn't matter how many people die."

"No..." I frowned. "They're my friends. I trust them."

"What have they done for you?" Asked my sister's cadaver.

What have they done for me?

...

Why should I trust them?

"Well—" I started to say, before getting rudely interrupted.

The door to the funeral home slammed open, a hazy, shadowy figure stepping through the doors. Everyone trembled in its presence, stepping out of the way as it walked towards me.

"What's that?" I asked, shaking.

"Fawn's killer..." Isaiah answered, his glasses cracking as it walked past him.

The shadow stood before me, reshaping itself.

It's... me.

I looked down at my hands, fresh blood covering them.

I killed Fawn!

* * *

I shot up, my body weighing me down. My head spun over to check on my sister—thankfully she was not in a casket.

I can't keep sitting around doing nothing. If Fawn dies, I'll never forgive myself.

...

But what can I do?

I can't kill someone. But I can't rely on someone else to kill either.

...I'm stuck. Nothing I do will accomplish anything.

*ding dong, bing bong*

"It's axing time! Who will get axed on this fine morning? Get your asses in here in five or you'll get a special treat."

"Fawn! Fawn!" I shook my sister, panicking. "Wake up! We have to go!"

"Five more minutes..." Fawn grumbled, pulling the covers over her eyes.

"We don't have time for five more minutes!" I cried, tearing up as she resisted getting up. "Please, Fawn... Get up. I don't want you to die..."

"What?" She pulled the covers down. "Why would I... die?"

I can't tell her. She shouldn't have to worry about that.

"We have to go watch the motive." I said, wiping my tears. "We shouldn't keep Wolf the Cat waiting."

Surprisingly, without any further arguing, Fawn got out of bed. I rushed us towards the dining room, terrified of what would happen if we were a millisecond late.

Isaiah and Amelia took their time; Isaiah was as apprehensive as yesterday, while Amelia did not display any emotion of any kind.

"Do we r-really have to keep d-doing this?" Blane asked.

"Yes!" Wolf replied, making his appearance known. "Until someone kills. Or we run out of people to axe, which I doubt will happen."

"We aren't going to give into your fucking messed up game." Nikolas exclaimed. "You're wasting your time by trying to convince us otherwise!"

"Oh?" Wolf's eyes lit up with excitement. "Let's see if you still think that after today's video."

Before the ice skater could say anything, the lights dimmed and the video turned on. A man wearing a coat identical to Nikolas' appeared on the screen. However, that was the only thing the two seemed to share in terms of appearances.

"Dad!" Nikolas cried out, followed by a scream.

I wasn't too bothered by this part, anymore. I've seen it twice before, so I knew what to expect. I knew what would happen.

Exactly where the axe would fall.

Exactly where the blood would splash.

Exactly when the scream would cut off.

...I have to stop Fawn from joining those three.

When the lights turned back on, Nikolas had his face buried in his mittens. His quiet sobbing was the only noise in the room for a while.

...

I want to say something, but there's nothing I can do to help. Nothing I can say will ease his pain.

...I can only stand by and watch, hoping I don't end up in the same position.

"What is today's activity?" Amelia curiously asked.

"Can't you read the room?" Isaiah snapped at her.

"This is not a library. There is nothing to read in here." The coroner pointed out. "We've been sitting in silence for long enough."

"I'm glad you're excited, but..." Rory let out a deep exhale, letting themselves calm down. "Now isn't the time to talk about this, Ameila."

"Lunch." The pinkette blurted. "I'll be back to discuss plans then."

Without any further ado, Amelia took her leave.

"How can she just carry on like nothing happened yesterday?!" Isaiah questioned.

"She probably doesn't care." Tabitha guessed.

"That would explain her reaction, I suppose." Zenith concluded.

"How could she do such a thin' after watchin' her mother..." Hunter couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence.

"That's rather unpleasant to think about." Quartz covered her mouth.

"It's none of your business to be speculating on her life." Minerva finally spoke up. "...in my opinion, at least."

"Yeah." I agreed. "None of us know enough about her to judge her for the way she deals with things."

Or to know what her relationship with her mother entailed.

"I guess we'll be discussing today's group plans during lunch." Rory stated. "Though, you're free to not attend either lunch or the activity."

"In that case, I won't be attending either." Isaiah was quick to state.

"Me too..." Nikolas quietly added.

"We understand." Rory said on everyone's behalf. "All of you are free to do your own thing."

Everyone dispersed, Fawn and I leaving as soon as possible.

Think, Felix. There's got to be something I can do...

Well... I could kill— No!

I can't.

"Hey, Fawn?" I turned to my sister when we returned to the room. "Would you kill someone to save someone you cared about?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Maggie is our cousin, but killing someone seems really hard. And, like, a lot of work."

I should have expected an answer like that.

"But what if it was easy?" I asked.

"Maybe if we were super close and I cared a lot about them." Fawn answered. "But her and I were never that close."

...

I do care a lot about you, Fawn.

You were there for me when no one else was.

+ + +

The plate shattered into pieces when it impacted the wall.

"How dare you go behind our backs!" The woman shouted in a rage.

"This phase of yours has gone on for long enough." The man added on.

"First, you drop out and now you've gone and done this!" Outraged the gray haired woman.

"Do you know how embarrassing it is for us when people ask about you?" The man sighed in disapproval. "They ask us why you dropped out, why you dress weird. What are we supposed to tell them?"

"That I was getting bullied for being myself." I answered, clenching my fists.

"You mean, a complete disappointment of a daughter." My mother started to cry.

...

"I'm not your daughter." I corrected her. "And I'm certainly not your son anymore."

"Why can't you be normal like your sister, ______?" The gray haired man shook his head. "She has talent, a future and doesn't go behind our back like a spoiled brat!"

"After all we've done for you, ______!" The woman began to cry into her hands. "Why must you punish us like this?"

"I'm not punishing you guys!" I explained. "I did this for myself, because it makes me feel better."

"How could you be so inconsiderate and selfish?!" The woman shouted, before sobbing more.

"Oh, look what you've done, ______." The man huffed. "Turn in the keys and your phone. You're grounded."

"You're grounding me?!" My eyes widened in disbelief. "I haven't done anything wrong!"

"You've done everything wrong." The man assured me. "Get out of our sight."

Even though I was experiencing a confidence high, I couldn't bring myself to stick around for the consequences. I had already pushed the limits farther than I should've tonight. I know to expect more damage later tonight than a couple broken plates.

Once I got upstairs, I slid against the wall and fell to the floor. I cried, unable to control my emotions.

What if they were right?

What if this is just all in my head?

What if I'm not–

"Uh..." A quiet voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Hey, Fawn." I greeted my twin. "What are you doing awake?"

"I heard something break." My sister explained.

"Mom's just throwing plates." I casually explained. "Her and Dad are mad about my haircut."

"Why?" Fawn tilted her head. "I think it looks good."

"Heh." I forced a laugh at what I assumed was a joke from my sister. "Well, they don't."

"...oh." She pushed up on her sleeve, awkwardly looking around before looking at her shoes. "They've been nothing but assholes to you lately."

"Yeah." I agreed, shocked by my sister's words.

"You shouldn't be putting up with them." My twin bluntly stated.

"I have no choice." I hopelessly sighed. "I can't afford to leave. Literally."

"I can help with that." Fawn said. "Dungeons has been taking off lately, especially now that I don't have school to worry about."

"Would you really do that for me?" My eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yeah." She awkwardly chucked. "I wouldn't have offered it if I didn't plan on actually doing it."

"What am I waiting for, then?!" I jumped up.

"Me." Fawn said. "Let me pack my stuff."

"What?" I questioned her.

"If you're leaving, I'm coming with you." My sister said, disappearing into her room.

We're leaving... together?

"I'll pack my stuff too." I followed suit, packing a suitcase as quickly as I could.

It didn't take us long to pack our things. We had gotten lucky, sneaking out when our parents weren't in view of the stairs.

"So, uh..." Fawn apprehensively turned towards me, closing the car door.

"Felix." I told her with a confident smile.

"So, Felix," She started, before going on about something to do with apartments.

I was listening to her, but I accidentally tuned out after she said my name. Serotonin pulsed through my veins, I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"I'm lucky to have such a cool sister." I told Fawn.

"Uh, okay?" She replied, confused. "I guess I'm lucky to have a cool brother too."

+ + +

"I'm going to do something." I stated, aloud.

The image of Fawn in a casket plagued my mind. I knew she was fine, but that wasn't enough to prevent my worrying.

"Um, okay." Fawn replied, not looking up from her tablet. "Have fun."

I decided to go to the kitchen to get breakfast for both Fawn and I. However, before I could reach the kitchen I walked in on a rather interesting sight.

"Do you think I would make a good e-girl?" Tabitha questioned, laying face down on the table.

"I have no idea what that is." Amelia replied.

Tabitha, who looked to be bored out of her mind, sat all the way across the table from Amelia. The coroner crossed her arms, waiting in anticipation for something.

"What are you two doing?" I curiously asked the two.

"Bonding... Duh." Tabitha gave me a low energy reply.

"Wasting time is a more accurate description." Amelia turned to me.

"What are you two bonding/wasting time until?" I followed up.

"Rory." They simultaneously said.

"What do you need Rory for?" I asked.

"Why are you being so nosy today, Felix?" The influencer frowned.

"Oh sorry—" I started to apologize, before being cut off.

"I need to discuss plans with them, so I'm waiting until they arrive." The pinkette explained herself.

"And I'm hungry." The blonde quietly said.

"Why don't you go make something to eat, Tabitha?" I suggested.

"Already tried it." She sighed. "I'm not about to eat cold poptarts, so I'll wait for Rory to show up."

"Rory isn't the only one who can cook." I said, before glancing towards the kitchen. "I came here to make breakfast for Fawn and I. If you want me to make you something too, I will."

"Really?!" Tabitha's eyes lit up, perking up in her seat. "This is why you're my bestest bestie, Felix!"

"Do you want anything, Amelia?" I offered.

"No." She answered.

Tabitha followed me in the kitchen, excitedly bouncing as she watched me. I decided to make her's first.

"What did you want again?" I sheepishly asked. "I may have forgotten."

"Poptarts!" She energetically replied. "The birthday cake ones."

"How did you have trouble making these?" I asked, opening a packet of then.

"The toaster stopped working." She signed.

I inspected the toaster, noticing it wasn't plugged into the outlet. I plugged it up and it started to work.

"You forgot to plug it up." I smiled, lightly laughing.

"Of-fucking-course I forgot to plug it up." She covered her eyes in embarrassment.

"It's fine." I assured her.

I started to make Fawn and I's breakfast, while Tabitha waited on her poptarts. They popped up, startling her a little.

She didn't leave the kitchen to eat her birthday cake poptarts. She starting eating them in the kitchen, so she could talk to me.

...or at least I thought so.

It's kinda weird hearing her eat, but I can't tell her to go away.

"I'm not stupid." The blonde declared.

What?! Where is this coming from?

"I didn't say you were..." I frowned.

"But you were probably thinking it." She huffed. "Like what kind of idiot can't use a toaster?"

I never said anything about you being stupid, Tabitha.

"Well, I'm not stupid! I just don't pay attention because I have more important things to do like checking my follower count and making sure I look good!" Tabitha began to rant.

I still never said anything about you being stupid, Tabitha.

We're... friends. Best friends, actually. I wouldn't say something so mean to a friend.

"But since the cat took my phone away I've been bored out of my mind." She informed, her voice lowering back to an inside one. "I've started to pay more attention and I'm starting to notice more things."

"Like what?" I asked.

I think this talk is helping her.

"Like how good Quartz's nail polish is. It holds up so well, it's like we just put it on today!" She said with excitement, holding out her pink nails for me to observe.

Out of curiosity, I checked my nails. They were still in prime condition, the black paint having only the slightest trace of it fading.

Of course she would have only the best of the best nail polish.

"It's weird without my phone." Tabitha stated. "I haven't been able to do anything important with it since we got here, but at least I had it with me. I just feel like a part of me is missing without it."

"You'll get it back." I gave her a reassuring smile.

Eventually, Tabitha finished her poptarts. We cleaned up and I took the plates I had made for Fawn and I. I followed Tabitha out, but she came a sudden stop.

"Rory's out there." The blonde informed.

"Do you want me to go first?" I offered.

"No." She shook her head. "I need to think for a second."

"I'll just go then—" I began to announce, before being interrupted.

"Wait, Felix." Tabitha stopped me. "I need your help."

"What do you need help with?" I asked.

"You know how I've noticed things? Well I've also been really bored. All that boredom has led to me thinking." Tabitha info dumped. "One of the things I've thought about is Rory. And how we usually argue about whether I should be allowed in the kitchen."

"Okay..." I didn't quite understand what her point was yet.

"You said that if I want to get an apology from Rory, I need to be the first one to do it because they are stubborn." She explained. "I'm going to do that."

"What do you need more for?" I inquired. "It sounds like you've got this all planned out."

"I need you to smooth things over if I mess up and end up making things worse." The influencer smiled.

"Ah." I sighed.

Tabitha and I entered the dining room. Rory had sat down to talk to Ameila. Amelia was about to open her mouth to say something, when Tabitha beat her to the first word.

"Rory!" Tabitha called out.

"What is it?" Rory questioned her.

"I need to talk to you." Tabitha rushed over to take a seat across from Rory at the table.

Amelia buried her eyes in her gloved hands. She had likely been waiting for Rory's attention for a very long time.

"I need to talk to you, Rory." Tabitha said.

"You already said that." Rory rolled thier eyes.

"Oh... Okay." The blonde girl paused, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "I'm sorry for always getting in your way when you try to cook."

Rory's eyes widened, their jaw dropping.

"I want to help out, I really do, but I don't know what I'm doing and I'm just get in your way instead." She continued. "I know that it bothers you when I get in your way, so sorry for that. I'll make sure to not get in your way anymore."

"Tabitha, I—" Rory was about to rely, before the influencer herself cut them off.

"I'm gonna go now. I think Amelia wants to talk to you." Tabitha began to back up towards the exit.

"Finally." Amelia let out a relieved exhale.

"Wait Tabitha." Rory stood up, prepared to go after the blonde.

The pink haired coroner sunk in her chair.

"I'm sorry too." Rory frowned. "I've been mean to you since practically the beginning and I haven't tried to talk with you about it once."

"That doesn't justify me getting in your way." Tabitha replied.

"You getting in my way doesn't justify me accusing you of murder and being an asshole towards you." Rory quipped.

"Well I was an asshole to you too, so I guess we're both in the wrong or something." Tabitha shrugged, getting a little lost about what the two were discussing.

"What can I do to make things even with you?" The former food tester asked her.

"Hmm. I dunno." The blonde shrugged. "What about what I need to do to get even with you?"

"You could help me in the kitchen." Rory suggested, perking up.

"And you could teach me how to cook!" Tabitha jumped.

"Yeah, sure!" Rory smiled. "But you have to pay attention and listen to my instructions."

"You're the boss!" Tabitha exclaimed.

I should leave those two to have their moment. I've overstayed for long enough.

On my way out, Tabitha's eyes caught me leaving. I gave her a proud thumbs up, before leaving the dining hall.

I returned with breakfast for Fawn and I. I did enough talking for the both of us, which my twin sister didn't seem to mind.

"Fawn, have I ever told you how much I appreciate you?" I smiled, taking a big bite of my toast.

"I dunno." She answered, confused. "Maybe?"

"Well," I took a deep breath, trying to prevent any tears. "I really appreciate you. More than you probably know."

"Thanks, Felix." Fawn replied, still puzzled. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Why not?" I answered her question with a question.

"Oh, alright then." She dropped the topic. We went back to silently eating.

A knocking sound came from the door. I was mildly surprised to see Tabitha again today.

"Hey bestie!" Tabitha greeted me with a grin.

"Hi bestie." I smiled back at her.

"I have some news about Rory's talk with Ameila that I think you might want to hear." She informed me.

"Yeah? What did they talk about?" I asked.

"Amelia wanted to plan a group activity because she thinks that murders are less likely to happen that way." She explained. "And apparently Rory is the person to go to if you want to plan group activities."

"What's the activity?" I curiously asked.

"Yeah, right... About that..." She stalled. "It's the pool."

"The... pool?" I inhaled a heavy breath.

"It's not mandatory since the ice skater guy is a 110% no show." Tabitha said. "You don't have to go if you don't want to, Felix."

"I want to, but I'm scared." I admitted. "...I can't give a definitive answer yet."

"Okay." Tabitha nodded. "Tell Rory once you make up your mind."

"I really would like to go." I stated.

"And I really want to see you there." She parallel. "But... Uh... You know... You don't like water."

...

"See you later." I waved to her as she left.

...

I've been doing nothing for too long.

"Fawn, I'm going out again." I informed my sister.

"Okay." She didn't look up from her drawing tablet.

"Bye!" I shut the door, making sure to lock it behind me.

I wish I could say I was wandering around aimlessly, with no particular goal in mine. I wish I didn't have a goal that I felft determined to achieve.

Unluckily for me, I did.

I've been doing nothing this entire time. I keep saying I'll do something, like to help Fawn, but I never do it.

It's time to change that.

...I'm scared. Mored scared than I've been in a while.

But I feel less scared when I have a friend beside me.

I knocked on his door.

"Hey Felix." Gabriel greeted me.

"Hey." I replied. "Can I ask for your help with something?"

"Sure?" He sounded confused. "Is it laundry day again?"

"No, not today." I stated. "There's a group pool party later today and I wanna go."

"If your going, then I can go too." He said.

"Thank you, but I don't know if I'll be able to go." I explained.

"But you said you wanted to go?" Gabriel exactly didn't get what I was saying.

"I don't know if I can get in the water." I told him. "I'm scared, but I don't want to be."

...

"I was thinking I could test it out now and give Rory a definitive answer on whether I'll go or not." I explained. "I was thinking that bringing a friend along would make it less scary."

"Okay." The brunette nodded. "I'll go with you."

"Thank you!" I thanked him, smiling. "I hope this isn't an inconvenience for you."

"I have nothing better to do." He informed. "Because I have nothing at all to do."

We made our way to the pool. The door was heavier than it has ever been, though perhaps I'm just nervous.

I really don't think I can do this...

I want to leave.

...

No.

I can't leave yet... Not yet.

"Are we getting in the pool?" Gabriel asked.

"Uh, I think we should save that for tonight." I forced a laugh. "I'm just going to put my hand in the water and go from there."

"Okay." The tennis player said.

I rolled up the sleeves of my hoodie, crouching down closer to the pool, hesitatly holding out my right hand. The water was calm, I could somewhat see a reflection of myself in it.

I need to get this over with. It won't be that bad.

My right hand hit with the water, splashing water on myself and the floor.

The feeling of water sent chills all through my body, despite not being even remotely cold. I wiped my hand dry with my hoodie.

I don't think I can do it tonight.

"I think I have my answer..." I stood up, turning towards Gabriel. "Thanks again for being here."

Gabriel simply nodded, as I walked around him.

I feel awful for bringing him here.

"Actually, I'll try one more." I announced.

Splash!

I was back at the edge of the pool, clenching my hands underwater for as long as I could. The water seemed to be fighting against me, trying to push my fingers out.

I need to do something.

I keep my hands in the water for awhile. It got easier as time went on, calming down with me.

"Now I'm done..." I retracted my hands, turning away from the water with no intention of looking back.

I can't stay in this room any longer...

"Goodbye!" I said, looking back on the horrific sight of the pool.

I didn't stay in the room long enough to hear his reply.

"Might as well break the news to Rory." I signed, wiping my hands dry on my hoodie.

I made my way to the kitchen where I assumed Rory would be. I was right in my hypothesis. Tabitha and Amelia were hanging around Rory in the kitchen; Tabitha running back and forth to get ingredients, while Amelia stood against the wall and watched.

"Is now a bad time?" I questioned, watching as Tabitha rushed across the kitchen.

"No! Not at all!" Rory replied, not looking up from the bowl they were stirring. "What's up, Felix?"

"I won't be at the pool party." I sighed. "Sorry."

"That's okay!" Rory assured me, going back to work.

"Nikolas, Isaiah, Blane, and Fawn all have expressed a disinterest in the group activity as well." Amelia told me. "Nora has also not said anything about going."

"So Rory, Hunter, Quartz, Zenith, Gabriel, Minerva, Tabitha, and you are going to have a pool party?" I questioned.

"Count me out!" Tabitha shouted.

"Huh? What for you?" Rory gasped. "You were all excited about the party pool earlier."

"Somebody has to keep Felix company." The blonde explained. "All those other people are too sad or boring for him."

"You really does have to—" I started to say.

"I'm not going and that's final!" Tabitha announced.

"Alright, then." I shrugged.

"I need to help Rory finish dinner then, we'll go hang out." Tabitha stated.

"Dinner? This early?" My eyes widened.

"Yeah." Rory chimed back into the conversation. "I'm hoping to fed everyone by 4 PM, so we have plenty of time before early bedtime at 7 PM."

Oh right. Early bedtime.

"We'll probably be at the pool by 5 PM, if I had to guess." The food tester added on. "Hey Amelia? Can you go get everyone that's coming? It's time to eat."

Amelia didn't reply and left the kitchen.

"You and Tabitha are welcome to eat this as well." The cyannette offered us.

"I'm good." I assured them. "But I'll take a plate to Fawn. She might be hungry."

"Met me in the library, okay bestie?" Tabitha told. "That's where we're hanging out tonight after I finish up with Rory."

"Alright. I see you there." I left the kitchen with a plate for my sister.

I stopped by my room, where Fawn was drawing on her tablet. I sat the plate down beside, though she didn't notice.

"I'm going to be hanging out with Tabitha until 7 PM." I told her. "Just stay here until I get back. But if it's an emergency, come to the library."

"Okay." Fawn nodded, not looking up from her drawing.

"Bye!" I waved to her, getting no reaction.

I went the library, however I did not find Tabitha there as I had expected. Instead Isaiah was showing off a book to a teary eyed Blane.

"Horror isn't your thing?" Isaiah guessed. "Same."

The blonde man tossed the book behind him. It hit me in the head, landing in my hands afterwards.

"Oww..." I groaned. I glanced at the title for a second, before looking up at the back of Isaiah's head. "You threw Insides Out at me."

"Huh?!" The romance novalist spun around in a panic, spooked. He relaxed when he saw it was only me. "Oh... Uh... Sorry about that. I didn't know you were there."

"I didn't expect you two to be here." I stated.

"Were you expecting s-someone?" Blane curiously questioned.

"Yeah..." I nodded, glancing around awkwardly. "But she's not here yet."

"Who are you waiting for?" Isaiah inquired.

"Tabitha." I said. "She wanted to hang out with me."

"I never expected her to be much of a reading person." The blonde man mumbled.

"They have p-picture books here t-too." The biologist added. "Th-Though, I th-think her and Felix are pr-probably here for the g-games."

"That makes more sense." The blonde pushed up his glasses.

"You two can go back to whatever you were doing before I interrupted." I told the two, feeling weird around them. "Just pretend I'm not here."

"That's kinda hard to d-do..." The biologist stated.

"What we were doing is a private matter that doesn't concern you!" Isaiah was quick to say.

"Actually, it d-does." Blane informed me. "We were... T-Talking about the m-motive."

The motive...

Isaiah froze where he stood, dropping book in his hand.

"Is he okay?!" I asked.

"Y-Yeah..." The two toned haired biologist nodded. "Give him a b-bit."

I waited, until Isaiah started to come back to reality. He slowly walked over to one of the table and took a seat. Blane handed him a book on flowers, before walking over to me.

"After this m-morning... I've b-been all worried about my s-sister, Elsie..." He stated.

He has a sister too?

"Sh-She's a lot younger than m-me..." Blane frowned. "She's, uh... N-Not even 10 yet..."

"That's terrible!" I gasped. "Would they kill a kid?"

"Yes." He answered. "Th-They would."

If it gets someone to kill, then I guess it does it it's job.

"I'm gonna g-go lay down..." Blane told me, sniffing. "Today has b-been a long d-day."

I nodded, watching as he left the library. On Blane's way out, he quite literally ran into Tabitha, only making him leave the room faster.

"Sorry I was late. Rory made me watch the oven while they got their swimsuit." Tabitha explained. "But who really cares about that? We have stuff do!"

"What are we doing then? Playing cards? A board game?" I guessed.

"A bored game?" Nora repeated. "Sounds kinda boring."

"No not that kinda of board—" Tabitha stopped when she realized who had mostly recently spoke. "It's you?!"

"When did you get here?!" I joined in.

"That's a secret." Nora replied with a grin.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her.

"You probably know the answer to that, Felix." A hollow expression glared into my soul.

"Wh-What...?" I gasped, my hand covering my mouth in fear.

"That's right." Nora nodded. "I'm here to play a card game with you guys!"

...oh.

"I didn't invite you here!" Tabitha told the gameshow host.

"You didn't invite him either." The bluenette looked to Isaiah. "Plus you don't want to play cards with just 2 people."

"Hmm..." The blonde influence thought for a single second. "She has a point. I guess Nora can stay."

"You remembered my name!" Nora's eyes widen with genuine surprise.

"That's because I was scaried out of my mind when you told us your name." The influencer elaborated. "If I wasn't scared, I wouldn't have paid attention to you. You're boring AF."

"Boring and funny?" Nora assumed. "I'll take it!"

"Should we invite Isaiah too?" I questioned Tabitha. "He's here too."

"I can't surround myself with too many boring people..." The blonde girl groaned. "But fiiiiine. Hey, Isaiah, you can join us too!"

"With what?" Isaiah asked, pushing up his glasses.

"We're playing Uno." Tabitha said.

"I suppose..." The romance novalist agreed. "There's nothing better do."

"That's the spirit!" Nora cheered.

We sat down for a game of Uno. However, we were interrupted shortly by's Isaiah's stomach.

"Are you hungry?" I asked him.

"Yes, but I'm not stepping foot in the dining room after what happened this morning." He stated, looking to the ground. "Let's just keep playing."

"No, I'll go get you a plate." I insisted. "I won't take too long."

Before anyone could protest, I was already out of my chair and halfway to the door.

In the hall I saw Hunter and Quartz outside Nikolas' room.

"Hey! What are you two doing?" I questioned them.

"Tryin' to get Nikolas to join us." Hunter explained, frowning. "I know what happened this mornin', but isolation isn't good for ya."

"Where are the others?" I asked. "I remember Amelia saying a lot more people would be at the pool party."

"They're cleaning up from dinner." Quartz answered. "I wanted to get there early and change before anyone else showed up at the lockerroom."

"And I hopin' to recruit Nikolas for the party." Hunter added. "So we ended up leavin' together!"

"Do you think there still be plates?" I questioned them. "That's actually what I left the library for."

"If ya hurry, ya might be able to get one." The man with a cowboy hat advised.

"Thanks!" I quickly thanked him. "Good luck you two!"

"Good luck to you too, Felix!" Quartz called back.

Dashing to the dinning room as fast as possible, I couldn't help but come to a complete stop when I noticed the infirmary door creaked open. It wasn't open by a lot, but it was definitely odd.

I have time to check it out before I go to the dining room.

I opened the infirmary, only to regret my decision instantly. The thick smell of fresh blood made my stomach grow heavy, a horrible sick feelings spreading across my body. I lost my grip on the plate, though I honestly couldn't be bothered. Every inch of me was filled with denial; there was no room to fit any other emotions,

If this is a dream, I'm fucking ready to wake up.

"AAGGGH!!!" I screamed, freezing to take in what I was seeing.

Fawn's body was on the floor, her head surrounded by fresh blood. Her eyes were closed as if she were peaceful sleeping, though I wish she weren't.

"F-Fawn! Fawn!" I yelled, running over to her, uncomfortably sliding to the ground. "F-Fawn wake up!"

Footsteps came up from behind, followed by a quiet gasp from Blane.

"Fawn...!" I started to shake her, hoping that would wake her up from her nap. "F-Fawn you need to wake up! It's time to be awake...!"

Tears flooded my face, falling down my face like raindrops.

"Fawn! Stop sleeping!" I shouted, shaking her more. "Just get up...! Please!"

I gripped her sweater, lowering my face.

"I-I can't lose you..." I hopelessly cried, nearly choking on my tears. "You're all I have."

Another pair of footsteps. I can't to look who's they were.

*ding dong, bing bong*

No no no no no no no no no no!

This can't be happening...!

"A body has been discovered!"

"F-Fawn...!" I scream as loud as I possibly could, shaking my sister once more for her to wake up.

"Felix," Minerva quietly approached me.

"She's not dead!" I turned around and snapped. "She can't be! She can't be..."

"Everyone report to the pool immediately!"

The pool...

The pool!

"Wh-What?!" Blane gasped. "If the b-body is at the p-p-pool, why is F-Fawn h-here?"

"The announcement wasn't for her." Said the person who stood in the doorway.

...

"Who is it for Nora?" I asked.

"You'll have to go see for yourself." She smirked.

"I'm not leaving Fawn here...!" I announced. "She's bleeding!"

"And she's not going to stop bleeding if you keep sitting on the floor with her." Nora pointed out.

"What do we need do to save her?" Minerva asked.

"Blane, what do we need to do?" Nora turned to the biologist.

"Stop the bl-bleeding, obviously!" Blane answered. "G-Go get Amelia. N-Nora and I will h-handle this."

"Come on, Felix." Minerva encouraged. "She'll be alright..."

"How do you know?" I asked her.

"Well... If we don't find the killer then we'll all be executed." The red head reminded me. "Fawn included."

Right... If the group votes wrong, everyone but the killer gets executed.

"Okay..." I took a deep breath.

On my way out, I couldn't help but glance at Fawn who had been moved to a bed. The bleeded was stopped by bandages, but the pool of blood remained.

I'll be back.

I promise.

Minerva and I were some of the last ones to make it to the pool.

Despite the relief I felt from my sister being not dead, there was no way I could prepare myself for the sight of the body.

My heart sank, much more than the body afloat in the pool. There was no blood in sight; it only made the scene worse to look at.

There was a body afloat in the pool. The body of Gabriel, the Ex Ultimate Tennis Player, calmly floated in the pool. Almost as if he were asleep.

...

He's just asleep.

...

The Body Discovery Announcement went off. He's not asleep.

I sank to my knees and started sobbing. 

_____

Author Note:

For Wattpad, I'm waiting until I finish the deadly life before I post it.