It was deep night by the time Cornelia and I could bear the thought of slipping out. For so long we'd been paralyzed with fear, scared that the moment we peaked our heads out that somehow the murderer would still be there, waiting to shoot us dead. We stumbled back into our regular clothes with haste.

"It's okay, 'Lia, I'm right here," I whispered as she clung to my side, face buried in my chest, "One step at a time..."

I led her through the creaky door, looking around frantically for any movement.

"If it's okay then why is your heart beating so fast?" Cornelia whined, and I could feel the wetness of her tears seeping through my shirt.

I didn't respond.

I cautiously led us towards the exit, and my breath hitched in my throat when I saw the employee who'd greeted us, still and lifeless on the floor. Further, there laid Principal Schaefer.

The gun had been put in her hands.

Cornelia began to stir, wary of the lack of movement for a few seconds, so I tore my watery eyes away, rushing on.

The cool embrace of fresh air was a plume of relief.

•

"There were gunshots? There was a gun? Who the hell just casually brings a gun to a sauna?"

Persephone paced in her living room later in the night, where we'd all met up to discuss our findings. Her parents hadn't come home for days, having instructed her to refrain from going to school until they returned. She'd explained that they'd left to check in at the restaurant, (likely to hack Cornelia's blog), and to retrieve more of the items from their old home.

Holden held Cornelia in his lap like he did when they were younger, and he rocked her gently, lulling her to sleep. Sonia, on the other hand, scanned me intently, checking for bruises or scratches.

"My question is, why the hell did he kill Schaefer, too? If they're so entrenched in this scheme, wouldn't they have needed each other?" Sonia mentioned, batting at my hair to check for cuts on my neck.

"He killed her because he's a psychopath, Sonia! Isn't that obvious?" Holden hissed, and we all fell silent, staring at him as he obliviously stared down at his little sister.

"Okay..." I began, "I still fail to see how Schaefer and Wildman are connected. If he really killed her daughter like she said, why was she still hanging around him?"

"Maybe it has something to do with how Mr. Lin fathered her daughter, like the birth certificate at the dinner party said. You know, blackmail. Isn't he kind of a big deal around here with his business and money?" Persephone offered, and Holden cut in:

"How did you guys find that certificate, anyway? You've never really had time to explain..."

Sonia shrugged as she shined her phone's flashlight on my arms, "It wasn't us who found it. Me and Seph heard your parents arguing at the side of the house about it, got there a little before you did. Pretty sure Mei said she found it in his office."

Persephone nodded, "Yeah, and she was mad because Mr. Lin was so upset over her infidelity while he'd been hiding a love child. The lighter came out when the shouting started."

Holden sighed exasperatedly, "This is too much to wrap my head around."

I shied away from Sonia's examinations and asked, "Well, what did you guys find at the old building?"

Sonia scoffed, "Jack sh*t."

Persephone nodded, "Nothing but an old banner on the inside and some empty boxes. If I had to guess, I'd say it had something to do with medicine."

We sat silently for a few moments, absorbing all the information.

"Alright," Sonia said, "So, that's two names off the hospital's list, right? Aleena and Hannah. We know Wildman murdered both of them, so would we be wrong to assume he killed them all?"

I frowned, "I don't know, maybe we would. The way Schaefer specified that she didn't do 'that' with Wildman makes me think there's other things she did do."

Holden pulled out his phone, tapping determinedly. Persephone left the room and returned with the photo album Cornelia had seen the picture of Diego and Stephen in.

"No offense, but why haven't you looked through your parents' stuff before now, Seph?" Sonia asked, and Persephone turned her head with a downcast expression.

"Most of it is still back in our old town. Plus I just...I don't know if I want to know..."

Before we could question Persephone further, Holden interjected, "Guys. The Plum Creek Sauna. It's owned by Christine Schaefer."

Sonia growled with frustration, "What does that even mean?!"

I stood, "We need a break. It's late. We have school in the morning. We're not about to figure out a serial killer scheme in one night."

Holden gazed down at Cornelia, fast asleep, a peaceful flower child in his arms. Sonia ran her fingers through her frayed hair, and Persephone yawned. They all nodded.

We began standing. Holden carried Cornelia and nudged me affectionately before walking out, eventually disappearing down the street. Sonia surveyed my face one last time, reaching down to squeeze my hand three times before doing the same.

Persephone held me back before I could leave.

"Wait," she plead, "Sleepover at my place?"

I grinned, "What the hell, I'll deal with my mom's wrath in the morning. Break out the bean bag chairs!"

•

"I didn't think you actually had any..."

Persephone laughed, lugging two plush pink bean bag chairs into her bedroom. I couldn't help but stare at the decorations, at all the pictures on her walls.

On her sandy dresser, I saw a small owl statue. It was multicolored, seeming to morph and shift it's patterns with the angle of light. Further, there was a digital clock shaped like a kitten. All across the middle, there were carved faceless figurines, depicting sets of people, like a young lady holding forget-me-nots.

Above the dresser was a mirror, the edges rimmed with sparkling rhinestones, contrasting with the mint green wall color. Taped to the edge of it was a picture of what appeared to be a younger Persephone, cheek to cheek with a blonde boy making a wacky face.

"Who's this?" I asked after a time of her watching me explore.

"...that's my ex boyfriend," she answered, perching on her bed, and I raised an eyebrow before sitting beside her.

"I don't really know a lot about you, Seph," I told her, and she nodded, putting her hair up in a messy bun with a waffle patterned blue scrunchie.

"After we met, I told you I don't give information, I just exchange or take. But..." she scanned me, then slowly smiled, "For you, Mar. Just this once. I'll tell you anything you want to know."

I nodded, beaming, "Wow, that's so awesome that I forgot every single question I've ever had."

She chuckled, pulling a box of snacks from under her bed.

"I'll just tell you anything that comes to mind then. Snack away!"

•

After I changed into a baggy t-shirt that she lent me, Persephone furrowed her brows.

"Let's see then," Seph reclined against her mountain of pillows, "I grew up in Apricot Valley. Before I came here, I was a mega daredevil. I've always loved trying new things, good and bad-"

"Good and bad? Like what?"

"Good like underwater cave exploring with my parents every weekend," she fiddled with a candy wrapper, "Bad like...like drug and alcohol experimentation. But never enough to get addicted, and not anymore."

"Oh!"

"Yeah..." Persephone sighed, seemingly lost in memories, "There wasn't a single dare I wouldn't do. I once egged the mayor's house and accidentally found out he was cheating on his wife with her sister."

"Woah, what?! What did you do with that info?"

Persephone giggled, "Nothing. His wife's sister was my boyfriend's mom!"

I chuckled, then said, "Tell me about the people you used to hang around, Seph. What was your old friend group like?"

She grimaced, "A mix of bad influences and acquaintances. Being the life of the party can be so lonely..."

I briefly thought of Kyle. I hoped he'd never experienced such isolation...

"And which was your boyfriend? A bad influence or an acquaintance?"

She smiled, "Angel was a childhood friend turned lover. He was sweet, but too spacey for me. An acquaintance. All he really cared about was his popularity and his shoes...but on the bright side, that made gift giving easy."

I laughed softly, leaning closer. Persephone held my hand before going on.

"I really like going to the mountains because it's so peaceful. When I was nine my parents bought me a vintage movie projector, and it's my most prized possession. When I'm bored at night I use my phone's flashlight to read books because it makes me feel like I'm exploring new worlds. I take a lot of selfies with people because I like to keep a scrapbook of my adventures. I'm afraid that if I let people too close they'll think I'm boring. My favorite color is yellow. I love citrus fruits so much that I'd willingly live off of oranges for a month. I'm learning how to sew because plus sized clothes in stores are usually frumpy and ill-fitting. And lastly..." she paused, taking in my elated expression, "I think you're the most amazing and beautiful person I've ever met. And I've met me."

My heart skipped a beat. I felt safe and mellow. It was like Seph and I were the only two people in the entire world.

But then...it was also like that with Holden.

And Sonia.

Had they been waiting for me to make up my mind between them? Could I ever? I didn't want to let them down, but I didn't want to lead them on...

Or maybe I was way too in my head. Hell, maybe they didn't even have feelings for me, maybe I was just imagining things.

"You are amazing and beautiful, Seph. You could never bore me," I smiled, resting my head on the bed completely, pretending to be more tired than I felt.

"Let's get some rest," she said gently, packing up the snacks and putting a blanket over me.

Persephone flipped the switch on the wall, and the soft glow of blue fairy lights illuminated her dark room. The enchanting colors seemed to outline her figure as she crawled back onto the bed beside me.

Just before I drifted off to sleep, she gazed at me admiringly, then pressed a feather light kiss to my cheek.

*

"Marinette Ruby Pembrooke! Get your a*s in here!"

Crap.

I'd left Persephone in the early morning, the scent of the blueberry waffles we'd eaten a stark contrast to the dusty pavement of the outside world. The hug she gave me before I could speed away almost stopped me in my tracks; It was like being wrapped in Christmas morning.

Unwisely, I'd tried to sneak back into my home to change clothes for the new school day, and had unintentionally alarmed my mother.

My full name? Oh, she meant business.

"...yes?"

I cautiously stepped into our small kitchen, where Mom stood in her waitress uniform with her hand on her hip.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I was at Persephone's house."

"Why the hell don't you know how to answer your phone?"

"I'm sorry, it died."

"What the hell were you thinking?!"

"I just-"

"Shut up and tell me what the hell you were thinking!"

I fell silent, staring at her confusedly.

Mom massaged her temples exasperatedly, drumming her fingers on the kitchen counter.

"So you don't have anything to say? Do you have any clue about the news report today?"

I shook my head.

"Two people were found dead at the spa this morning! Dead, Marinette! Dead! Do you know how often people get killed in a small town like this?!"

I opened my mouth to answer, and she cut me off.

"Exactly! Never!"

"Well I'm not dead, Mom. I'm right here."

She folded her arms, glaring down at me.

"You're a young lady now, aren't you? Galavanting around town at all hours of the night like some teenage delinquent! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"

I sighed, leaning against her, "I'm sorry for worrying you, Mom."

She squeezed me tight, voice wavering, "I just don't want you to end up like..."

...Kyle.

"I won't. I was at Seph's house. That's all."

Mom scanned my face, "I didn't think you'd start giving me heart attacks so soon, sweet pea. Changing your hair, falling in with a crowd again. I'm happy you're coming into yourself with people who I hope support you, but..."

"But?"

"All I need is a little warning, okay?"

"Of course!"

Mom gave me a tired smile, ruffling my hair as her phone buzzed. Curious, she opened it, reading for a few moments before she spoke again.

"...no school for you today. They're implementing a new principal. Kasper Madsen. That's your history teacher, right?"

I nodded, a hollow feeling in my gut, as if my insides had been carved out.

"Hmph."

A silence descended upon us; The same silence we'd been living in since Dad passed. The disconnect. I spoke again before she could pick up her purse.

"Mom. How did Dad die?"

She flinched, stunned. Her hands fell to her sides before she led me to the table, sitting down.

"I told you when you were younger, maybe you don't remember. It was a heart attack, sweet pea."

"Where...where is he buried?"

Mom grimaced, "He's not. I chose cremation. I just..." she teared up, "I didn't want to see him that way..."

I frowned, "You never saw his body?"

She shook her head before furrowing her brows, "No, I didn't. Why the sudden interest?"

I sighed, "I just wish I knew more about him..."

Mom managed a half smile, "He was a real hot shot around here! Everyone loved him, even the grumpy old man who runs the hardware store. He was best friends with Mei and Diego - they were inseparable-"

An alarm rang on her phone and she sighed, standing up.

"Have to get to work?" I asked sadly, and she nodded.

"I do. We can talk later, sweet pea."

She kissed the top of my head and sped towards the front door. Just before she could step outside, she looked at me again.

"Oh," she started, "And you're on punishment. No TV for a month."

I chuckled before waving her off.

•

I was roused from my slumber much later in the day by the insistent knocking at the front door.

Groggily, I stood and made my way to it, careful to look through the peephole before answering.

Ms. Madsen?

I opened it cautiously, a confused expression on my face. She wore sunglasses and a hoodie.

"Here," she said, shoving a stack of papers at me, and then she turned to leave.

"Woah, wait! What's this?" I asked, flipping through them, and she peered at me swiftly.

"Listen, Marinette. I'm a pregnant woman, I can't keep endangering myself like this," she lowered her voice, "Christine told me to give you these letters in the event that she died within the next few days. To protect myself, I haven't read them. That's all I know. I tried to steer you away."

Ms. Madsen ran towards her car, speeding off.

I stared after her for a long time before collecting myself and closing the door, making for my bedroom.

•

I began reading:

"To Marinette Pembrooke,

Don't be daft about it; I knew Sonia Moreno had been snooping through my purse at the salon. I know you and your friends are getting closer. Maybe I want you to. Maybe I've been hoping, begging, praying for you to connect the dots, but I'm too much of a coward to give it all up. Trapped in my own self preservation. But maybe I can let some things slip. Maybe this will help you.

Cedric Wildman has always been my confidant, my lover. But he's also been the reason I hope I never wake up when I go to sleep at night. He's my paramour and he's my enemy, wrapped up into a single cruel and mesmerizing being. I love him. I think he's going to kill me. I hate him. I wish he would take my life.

When we met at the Plum Creek Sauna as young and dumb children, I was sure he was who I'd marry. And then I was sure it would be Demi Galanis during our fling, then Jimmy Lin. And now I'm not sure of anything. Cedric seemed so perfect. How could I turn down a man who'd bought me the sauna we met in as an anniversary gift? Who else would have me? Who else would I want when everyone in the world has some tendril of darkness running through them?

Nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Nothing is so uncomplicated. You want to know who Cedric has killed? I'll tell you. He killed Aleena Kurlow because he wanted to tick off followers of the Muslim faith in Plum Creek. He killed Hannah, my sweet Hannah...

I don't know why. Maybe to strengthen the control he already had over me. Maybe to prove to himself that he could do it and I'd still stay. He was right. I'm nothing outside of him but a principal. A principal without any principles.

Look at me, listing off his crimes like my own hands are clean of his influence. I guess I'm already in this deep.

He killed your father, Jonathan Pembrooke. Why? Because Jimmy Lin paid Cedric off when he found out about Mei's infidelity, despite how Jimmy cheated on her with me. Hannah was Jimmy's. I fell pregnant with her just after Mei fell pregnant with her Holden.

I wanted to keep my Hannah safe. Perhaps too much. Perhaps I loved her so much that I lost her. I sent her to live with my parents across the country when she was four, but it was no use. I'd never be able to protect her from the life I helped create for her.

I wish I could tell you more. About what you really want to know. About Kyle's murder, about how deep it truly runs. But I can't. What I can do is list these names: Katerina and Stephen Andreas. Diego Moreno.

I'm terribly sorry, Marinette.

Christine Schaefer"