-Tobias's POV-

The itching, burning pain that he had never really felt before lingered. It stayed with intense passion and vehemence. He felt bad, obviously, but...it was much more than just feeling like shit...
It was anger, almost.
Yet, it was strangely different.
He didn't know what it was, exactly...but it really bothered him.

With Cecilia marching into the school in a huff, Adele looked sick to her stomach. Sick with anxiety and fear.
Michael stood with a worried look on his face, as well as Aloysius and Garry. Ib and Mary also looked concerned, but with great fear.

The people who had gathered here...for they were completely unaware that this was only the start of the worse to come.
It was only the start of the worst fucking
experience of his life -- of the Rodanbaugh's lives, the students lives, parents lives....civilian lives.

What the hell is Cecilia thinking?! Won't this just draw more attention to the situation?

"Alright! Listen here, you low-life piece of shit! No! Rina! Let me go! LET ME GO!"

Who is that girl, cowardly standing in the shadows? A girl, who dares not to show her face?

"Cecilia! Don't. It's okay..."

"IT'S NOT OKAY! SHE'S--!"

"I know...I know! It's fine for now, though. Just let me try to talk to her..."

Then, Rina looked over to where the school gate is and it seemed she was looking for someone, as her soft brown eyes gazed upon the crowd of people with intensity.

"Oi! Tobias! Mind helping for a moment?
"And, Michael? Could you please make people move? You have quite the strong voice, yes?"

Michael obliges, and Tobias walks in the almost empty school. As he goes up the staircase to the right, after passing the rows of lockers, he can hear teachers having a very loud conference.

Once up there he could see the cowardly girl's face, glaring at Rina and Cecilia with anger.

Her eyes were obviously not kind, at all. They were an unsettling shade of dark green. Her hair was much like Rina's, but it didn't give anyone kind vibes like her's. It was straight, unlike Rina's wavy hair and it definitely gave off the immpession of "I don't care..." to anyone who happened to look her way.

Suddenly, Erica cracked a smile from her laying spot and began laughing.

It was laughter like everything that just happened was a joke. Just a trick.

"YOU'RE--FUCKING REDICULOUS, IRENA!" She yelled loudly throughout her bout of laughter. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING--AHA--GLARING LIKE THAT?! OH? AM I THE ONE MAKING YOU UPSET?!"

"YES, YOU ARE!", Irena shot back.

"Well, shit! Hah..."

Her laughter soon died down, eventually almost turning into sobbing, and gripping her face with her hands.

"What do you have against us, Irene? You and your older brother...why? Father didn't kill Viktor. He's telling the truth."

"Oh, yeah! Just like he didn't kill all of those other classmates!"

"Don't you dare try to use that as an excuse." She pauses, and moves her face out of her hands to look at her. "He was protecting my mother...you know what happened..."

"Like hell he was protecting her! He was MURDERING anyone who ever got close to her!"

"Shut the fuck up, Irene!" Erica yelled, as she stood up, face bloody and tears running down her face. "Go. Go home. I don't want to see you here ever again. And, if you do..." She walks closer and takes a pocketknife out of her back pocket and releses the blade and points it straight at Irene's chest with firmness. "It is your life...your choice."

She looks over to see Tobias.

"Oh, Tobias...you're back. I guess that means you guys got a lot of candy, yeah?! Be sure to share, okay? We can all split it evenly... and if there's an odd piece, we can just cut a chocolate bar up, I guess...Ah, and Irene? I'm sure Aloysius would just love to talk to you. Why don't you go meet him? He'll be down with the others."

Irene takes the opportunity given to flee, and walks by Tobias swiftly.

Erica folds the knife and puts it back in her pocket and looks at Cecilia.

"Honestly, you're reckless sometimes, aren't you? But, hey, who isn't?" Erica says, as she looks at her very pissed off sister.

Rina looked saddened as everything began to die down.

"Erica...I'm so sorry. You as well, Cecilia." She says as she loosens her grip on Cecilia and looks over at Erica.

"It's okay, Rina. Joseph is still in denial. And, that denial has passed to both Irena and Alexander. They just refuse to accept the truth."

"I wish I could do something to convince them."

"It's not like we can go back in time and really see what happened...Although, that would be quite helpful. Oh...?" Erica stops to look down at the crowd to see Irene and Aloysius talking, but in the corner peeking from the pillar where the gate is, was that girl with the black hair with red cascading down her shoulders.

"Feeling shy, Viridi? Or, are you feeling a bit on edge?"

"What makes you say that?" Cecilia asks, as she walks over.

"Look at her face...! Now that's anger...she's got Irena beat! Anyways, I say we make our way back... this was... tiring. I think I've been outside long enough. If we're lucky, we'll make it back right after the close of day."

"Alright..."

Once the girls began to make it down the steps, Rina began to talk to Tobias.

"Tobias, are you close with Erica?"

"O-Oh, well, I assume so... I don't really have any...um, friends other than her."

"Well, I have a favour to ask of you."

"Y-Yes?"

"Don't hurt her if she tries to form something...different. She's quite sensitive about those kinds of things. She is like her father. She will know if she truly loves someone. So, I ask. Please be kind to her and before you interject, my suspicions may be totally wrong. But, please do not take my words lightly, despite that."

"Yes, yes ma'am."

"Thank you. Now, I shouldn't keep you..."

"Rina?"

"Yes?"

"Did Erica really mean that threat? Is she going to keep her word on that?"

"I doubt it. Because she knows that Irene is important to me, no matter what she tries to do to break Erica's spirit. It would, however, scare Irene, because she knows what Erica is capable of."

Tobias gives her an assured nod, and walks to the door to the rooftop.

Soon after, everyone met back up and went towards the house.

By nightfall, everyone was out of their costumes and gathered around the table sharing candy and treats that were made by Anneka and Adair. Except Erica and Anneka.

Emmaline eventually tugged on Adair's shirt sleeve.

"Uncle Adair? Is it okay if I spend the night?"

"Of course, just be sure to ask Catronia and Blasius first, alright?"

"Okay!"

She runs off to the staircase and calls her parents.

"Father? When do you think they'll be back?"

"Anneka messaged me not long ago. She said that her nose is fortunatly not broken and they cleaned it up, despite it still swelling. They'll be back soon, Michael."

That was good news, at least. Erica stayed shut up in her room while her shoulder healed...which was quite a while. Cecilia used to have to bring her food because she wouldn't get up a whole lot. But, she did enjoy being read to. That was the only thing that really gave her joy for a month...

"That's really good...she won't have to deal with another fracture." Cecilia said, happily.

"And, I won't have to read to her for half a month, nor does Tobias. It made me tired..."

"Really, Michael? Reading made you tired?"

"It was a large book!"

"You read one chapter every night!"

"Well, it wasn't the book I like! Only Erica likes that damn book!"

"I've read it in front of you, you idiot!"

What the hell.....?

Michael was stopped after that last comment from Cecilia, which was true.

After that argument between siblings, the door opened to Erica and Anneka, who both looked relieved to be home.

"ERICA!" Emmaline shouted, as the door closed. "ARE YOU OKAY?!"

"I'm fine! Fine! It's just swollen."

"GOOD! Father said I could stay the night! He'll bring my stuff over soon!"

"Ah! I haven't seen him in a while! Maybe we'll get to talk!"

"Mhmm!"

Meanwhile, Tobias was talking to Adele, who still seemed out of it after the day's events.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, I appreciate your concern, Tobias, I do, but I am fine."

Her voice was soothing and calm, but it still showed slight hesitation.

"You just seemed so startled earlier..."

"Well, I've never actually seen Cecilia that mad before. It just took me by suprise."

"Alright, well, I'm glad you're okay. We don't need anyone else hurt, physically or emotionally."

"That's very true. The Rodenbaughs have suffered enough..."

"This might be an odd question, but, do you know who Viktor is?"

"I don't think it's my place to say, really. If you wish to know more about the past lives of the Rodenbaughs, ask Erica. I'm sure she'll tell you. She trusts you. Michael made her promise to keep all of that within the family, but she ignored that simply because she thought some people had the right to know. Cecilia told me about living in the old house when we were eating one night in Ireland. We were visiting my grandparents at the time, and since we were away from anyone who would be upsetted by me knowing all of that, she told me then. I will say that it was heartbreaking to hear, but it made me understand her family much more. And, that includes what happened to Anneka, Adair, and Viktor in their schooldays. I think you will find it much more interesting coming from Erica herself. "

"I'll ask her once she settles in..."

"Alright. Good. I'm going to go to bed. I shall see everyone tomorrow."

The house had calmed down soon enough until there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Erica yelled from the living room.

She opens the door to a man with messy black hair and piercing crimson eyes.

"Uncle Blasius!"

"Erica! Ah, you've grown so much since the last time I saw you! Emmaline told me what happened. I hope you feel better soon!May...May I come in, if that's alright with Adair?"

His voice was powerful, like if you were in a fierce argument with him, his words would cut you like knives, much like his brother's voice, but it also gave a lighthearted impression, which showed the great compassion he had for his nieces and nephew, as well as his daughter.

"Come in, Blasius. Please." Adair replies, with a remorseful look.

"Thank you...Here you go, sweetheart."

He hands his daughter her things and she thanks him.

"Blasius...I wish to speak to you, dearly."

"Of course."

"Father? Before you talk to him, can I show Uncle something?"

"Sure, Erica. I know you are eager to talk to him. Take your time."

"Thank you! Come this way. Tobias! You too!"

Me...? Why does she want the both of us?

The three of them walk upstairs, and ends up at Erica's room.

"Uncle. You can sit in that chair over there, if you'd like. Though, I suppose it might not take very long."

She walks over to her lamp table and opens the bottom drawer and lifts the box she took not long ago and shows it to Blasius.

"Do you happen to have a box that matches this one?"

"Well, I was going to talk to you about that. You told Emmaline how you got that box with your partner in crime here. She reconised the box and told me about it. And, before I left the house...." He pulls out a small, gold key from his coat pocket with some sort of crest on it and hands it to Erica. "I got this. Tell me, why do you want to open that box?"

"To prove Father's innocence. To prove he didn't kill Viktor."

"Interesting...Well, go ahead."

"Huh?"

"Open it."

Erica puts the key in the keyhole and turns the key. The lid cracks open and she lifts it up.

She lays the contents out onto her bedroom floor.

There were multiple photographs, keepsakes, a book, and the very last thing she took out of the box was a picture frame, with a family photo.

Erica looked longingly at the picture in the frame, and looked happy to lay eyes on it.

Blasius stands up and sits down on the floor with her.

"Oh, Tobias. You don't have to stand the whole bloody time. Come sit down!" She pats the floor with her hands and Tobias goes and sits where she indicated.

"In this photo," Blasius begins, "That is your grandmother on your father's side, Ariana, and your grandfather, Albert. Then, there is your father and I. And, the dog our parents got for us as kids, and we loved that Border Collie...we named her Athena. She passed on before we went to college. And, our parents passed on a year before you, Michael, and Emma were born."

Erica gazed at the photograph that contained her father's younger self. He looked, for once, happy. Not stern and demanding. Blasius was always very happy, and it showed in the photo. He had his arm wrapped around a girl's waist, which she was very pretty. Her eyes were soft, and kind. She also had a smile that would melt anyone's heart the moment they laid eyes on her.

"So, Cecilia was two?"

"Three. They died in a car crash on the 9th of July."

"Who is that?" Tobias suddenly asks, pointing to the girl by Blasius in the picture.

"That's Catronia. Her family was very close with ours. The person who took this photo....is none other than Anneka.

You might find a common theme in our family. My name came from my father's father. The list goes on. Adair's name came from mother's father. Your name came from mother's mother. But, since mother didn't have a daughter, Adair suggested it the day you were born. Michael comes from your great-grandfather on your mother's side and Cecilia comes your great-grandmother, on your mother's side, as well."

"Oh, I never knew! That's really cool! How long has it been like that?"

"Well, it goes back to your great-great-great-great grandparents."

"That's....a lot of great's."

"It is, isn't it? They named their children after their grandparents, and their children carried on the tradition."

"Ooo."

"Now, that book there is what I believe to be 17-year-old Adair's diary. He wrote about everything, starting from a mysterious murder of a girl of whom we had known from high school. Her name was Miranda, I think. He wrote things about odd occurences, murders, mysterious deaths, all of those things. He wanted to be a homicide detective at one point in his life, but he really became interested in teaching after a teacher who he trusted gave him the suggestion, because he thought Adair had a knack for it."

Erica notices something sticking out of the book and opens to it to find an entry, as well as a photograph.

She reads the entry aloud:

Today is Febuary 14th, 1995.

For once, I am not writing of horrifying discoveries or murderers, but a girl. She has known me for a long time, and I feel like I have neglected the opportunity to get to know her even further. But, my mischevious brother and his girlfriend have ridden me of this fact and they have set her up on a blind date with me and we will be accompanied by Catronia and Blasius. I do not know whether to be scared more for her, or myself, as she has been seen to quite violent when people make advances on her. Blasius says he's sure that she likes me, as Catronia has discussed her with him and so, he thinks it will be fine.

Although I like her, I am still quite unsure if she shares the same compassion. I do not know if this is Blasius' idea of a joke, or if he is being serious.

I just asked Catronia again. She alleviated my worries by simply telling me that he was, in fact, telling the truth. It is almost time for us to leave. The annual carnival recently made way to town, so I'm of the belief that that is where we are headed. (Blasius always did like carnivals, as a kid...) I shall take my leave, now. Perhaps I will write of this night when I return.

"That photograph is the four of us, when we were all seventeen, except Anneka. She is sixteen in this photo."

"How do you know that?"

"I read the back."

Erica then realizes that Blasius could perfectly read the back, by the way she was holding it.

"Cheater!"

"And, how is that cheating?"

"You're supposed recollect it from memory!"

"I'm old, Erica... how would I remember--?"

"YOU'RE NOT OLD!"

Tobias couldn't help but smile at Erica's bickering.

"I should go talk to Adair now....Oh, and Erica?"

"Yes."

"Find it's partner."

Blasius walks out before Erica could say anything and closes the door.

"Find it's partner?! What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Maybe there's another box like your father's and uncle's?"

"Hmm...That'll probably take ages to find, though."

"Erica?! Can I come in?" Said a feminine voice from outside the door.

"Come in!"

Emma swings the door open.

"Oh, wow! You got the box open!"

"Yeah, all thanks to Uncle."

"So, he gave you his key?"

"Wait--have you seen what's in his box?"

"I have! There's a copy of those two photographs, and a book, like that one. Mother has a box, too."

Erica flips the pages of her father's diary to the very first page.

It read:

January 29th, 1995

Today I have recieved a box for keepsakes from my mother as one of my birthday presents, as well as this empty book. I think this will be a nice place to collect my thoughts. Today was our seventeenth birthday. Som epeople came by. At least Catronia and Anneka came by. It was nice to see familiar faces among the vast number of adults.

But, what was odd is that it stopped right there. There was no final ending, like the entry he had made a few weeks later.

Emmaline laid her bag down by Erica's bed and went and sat with her and Tobias.

"It seems they both got their boxes on their seventeenth birthday. He only says 'our birthday', not 'Blasius' and I's birthday', unfortunatly."

"I'm sure you're right though. It seems that their bond was quite close..." Tobias says, hoping to make the defeted tone in Erica's voice dissapear.

"Tobias is right, Erica! It's a pretty good guess!"

"I suppose so."

"Oh, Erica?"

"Yeah, Tobias?"

"Who is Viktor?"

"I thought that would come up. Viktor Murphy is Rina's older brother. He was tragically murdered one night in my Father's school days. My father, however, did not commit the crime, which Rina believes. Joseph, Rina's husband, thinks differently. And, that disbelief has carried on to Alexander and Irene."

"That's what you meant by proving your father's innocence?"

"Yes. That is correct."

The night went on with more conversation between the three of them, about the boxes an dthe keepsakes.

Soon enough, everyone was asleep.

Tobias dreamed of the grand carnival that Erica's parents had visited in their youth.

His dream eventually became clouded with thoughts of Rina's words that she addressed to him, the lost soul, Viktor, and if Erica really did mean that threat, despite Rina's doubts.

He soon saw Erica, who was holding a crystal vase. It was filled with yellow acacia and white dittany. She was just...standing there. Unmoving. It was, in a way, quite unsettling.

She just looked at the flowers with a smile.

Tobias couldn't tell if it was a trick of the mind, but Erica's hair seemed longer and she looked slightly taller, and she wasn't in her normal attire. She was in a long, white dress, similar to one he had seen Cecilia wear the day he first met her.

Suddenly, Erica moves, and Tobias can now see a table. She places them in the center of the table, which looked oddly familar.

After arranging the vase, she starts walking in the opposite direction.

"Where....Where are you going, Erica?"

She does not answer.

"Erica? Erica?!"

She vanishes. But, he can hear her voice.

"Tobias? Wake up! Wake up, Tobias."

He opens his eyes to a figure, sitting in the lamplight.

"Tobias. Wake up. You're talking in your sleep. Are you okay?"

He looks up and sees Erica, dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt and black flannel pants. Someone had picked up the box's contents and moved the box elsewhere.

Her normal clothes...

"W-Was I?" He asked, sleepily.

"You were. Anyways, you're tired. It's late. Why not go to bed?"

Emma walks in, holding a bottle of apple juice and a piece of candy.

"What time is it?" He asks.

Erica goes to her lamp table and looks at her phone.

"3:19 in the morning..."

"Here's your juice, Erica."

"Oh, thank you. I appreciate it."

She takes it from Emma and takes a sip.

"It's a shame we didn't get to say goodbye to Father."

"He probably left pretty late."

"You're most likely right."

Erica goes back to where she was and Emmaline sits beside her.

"Aren't you going to sleep?"

"The question is, are YOU going to sleep, Tobias, because if so, we'll be quiet, right Erica?"

She nods in agreement.

"Mind if I camp out here for a while longer?"

"Not at all!" They said, in unison.

Erica picked up a book that was beside her and began reading. It was titled Transcendental Magic, its Doctrine and Ritual. It looked quite old, and it was a tad rough.

Emmaline was writing something.

Tobias laid his head back down on the floor and looked up at the ceiling.

He could see Erica move from her spot once again, and came back after a bit of rustling came from one side of the room.

"Here. In case you fall back asleep."

Erica kneels down by his side with a pillow and a blanket.

"Oh, thank you."

She smiles and goes to continue reading.

Eventually, everything went dark.

He knew, that he was asleep once again.

As morning came, Tobias was the second one up. Emmaline was already downstairs, and Erica was still asleep.

Wondering what time it was, he felt around in his pockets and found his phone in his right pocket. It read 1:21PM.

Not knowing if Erica should be woken or not, he walks out of the room.

Wait! What the hell was he thinking?! It's Monday! Why didn't he wake up when he was supposed to?

He walks back in and nudges Erica.

"Erica! Wake up...we're late."

She moves her head a bit, but does not open her eyes. She groggily asks,"Hmmm....? L-Late? Late for what?"

"School."

"No...school...today."

"Why?"

"Murder....by the gates."

A murder by the gates? And how did Erica know this? How'd she hear about it?!

"When did you find this out?"

"Around 6:30 this morning. Father told me. Now, go back to bed, Tobias. I'm...sleepy..."

Without saying another word, she rolled over and went back to sleep.

Taking Erica's advise, he goes and lays back down, contemplating that poor person unfortunate enough to meet their fate so abruptly.

-Emmaline's POV-

All the talk of the poor, unlucky woman made her feel quite saddened for the woman's family.

Uncle Adair was getting a lot of calls this afternoon, and it really seemed to worry Aunt Anneka.

But, she simply didn't know what to do. At least Cecilia was able to take a bit of energy devoted to all the residents of the house, along with Adele. Cecilia was cooking something for lunch while Adele cleaned the plates from this morning. Emmaline was suprised that Erica was still asleep, despite them both waking up around 3. She had seen Tobias walk out for a moment, so perhaps he was waking her up.

Michael was talking to Garry, who had come to visit after last night's fiasco.

She really did feel sorry for Erica. They all know that the Rodanbaugh family has suffered quite enough over the past few years. On both sides of the family.

Soon, Cecilia called everyone over for lunch and she and Adele took some food to their parents, while she, Michael, and Garry ate.

Not too long after they ate, Erica came downstairs, followed by Tobias.

It seems not long after they came downstairs, they were talking. Who knows what they were discussing, but it was none of her buisness, and Erica might even tell her anyways, so what was the point of butting in?

There was a sudden knock at the door.

Cecilia was the first one to reach it.

Once the door was open, all talking was stopped.

"Is there an Adair Ashton Rodanbaugh at this residence?"

"Yes. He is my father. May I help you, sir?"

"I would like to ask him a few questions reguarding the murder of Cherry Viridi."

To be continued...

Character A/N has been updated.