Everyone stood in shock as they looked at Angela's body. Blood started to form around her dead sillloutte. Mr. Anderson was the first to snap out of his shock by receiving an order from his mysterious employer.

"My dear guests, please go into the parlor." He said shakily.

Iridessa clutched onto Lilith as they quickly walked into the room.

"Oh my god." Lilith whispered "I can't believe someone we know is actually dead."

"I know." Iridessa murmured. How in the world could that have happened?"

Mr. Anderson returned to the parlor "my dear guests, I have a note from our mysterious owner."

"Dear guests,
I am sure it wasn't pleasant seeing your friend Angela die. However, while we prepare for the next phase in our little game, I do have some chores for you all."

"Ugh chores?" Anastasia groaned "I don't do chores."

"You might want to, or you could end up dead." The butler remarked.

"On each tablet, I have programmed several tasks for each of you. Once you have done so, you will receive a digital puzzle piece. If you complete all tasks, you are safe for another round. If not, you will attempt to complete the next puzzle. Ash, your immunity is removed since there is a new murder."

All of the tablets beeped, and everyone scattered.

Alison quickly went to the library, and her first task pulled up.

Welcome to the room of knowledge.
Surely, you can solve for you are in college.
Look for the object that's unique,
It surely could be antique.
Place it on the desk when you are done,
Hopefully, you will have won.

Alison panicked, there were many items on the floor. She tried to remember what she saw.

"Think, what did we see? We saw Angela dead from a Chandelier. We don't know how it fell-" Alison stopped as she saw a jewel from the chandelier. Immediately, she placed it on the desk and received a digital puzzle symbol. Alison's excitement dimmed when she saw the clue.

M

———————————————————

In a different room, Jayden stood in a weaponry. He would never admit it to his brother, but he was terrified to move a certain way that could cause him to be brutally murdered. His tablet beeped, and his horror grew.

Welcome to my weaponry. It holds many tools. Tools to murder, and tools to save. What do you think our murderer did? You may get murdered! Just joking I kid.  Feel free to wander around the room and find a clue to Angela's doom.

A clue? Jayden thought. He could have killed her with anything! He quickly grabbed a weapon, and was prompted to try again. His palms became more sweaty, and he began to think.

———————————————————

Ash stood in a office, and nothing was out of ordinary. He glanced at his tablet and saw the writing appear.

Welcome to the office that I use.
You can find the clue should you choose.
Here's to you for finding my book,
Be wise, and not like that "Fool of a Took."

What? Ash thought. He knew that it was a Lord of the Rings reference, but what book could be close to the killer's heart?

Ash scanned the bookshelf. He noticed that most of the books were newer. He saw the old dusty letters "era" on a book spine and reached for it. What could the word era mean?

He opened it, and immediately felt his palms sweat. Inside, was a picture of a mask. It was red, and black, and only covered the right eye area.

Ash heard his tablet beep and he received the following letter:

H

———————————————————-

Lilith stood in a music room. Her heart pounded as she knew she didn't have much time. Competition was big, and she couldn't afford to lose.

Use the key that within this room,
To unlock the truth of Angela's doom.

Lilith began to think. There was a chandelier, she had already found the rope in the weaponry, and the others like the mask, and the camera. It suddenly clicked. The killer was truly one for dramatics.... such as the Phantom of the Opera.

Excitedly, she rushed towards the piano, and hit the keys gently. Moments passed before she moved onto other instruments such as the violin, and the cello.

"What would Christine do?" Lilith murmured. To the left, was a fireplace and a cabinet that hung a mirror.

"Angel of music, guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory!" Lilith sang quietly. Her eyes stayed closed in nervousness. However, relief flooded her body, when she saw that she had all 5 pieces to the puzzle.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She said as tears flowed from her eyes.

Her screen flickered and red words began to appear.

Watch carefully for it will only show once.

Angela appeared on her screen as the camera focused on her terrified eyes. Lilith gasped as she saw the black hooded figure computerize the mechanism with the rope and the doors. Lilith's hands trembled as she saw Angela die.

The footage disappeared and the typewriter writing appeared once more.

Because you have uncovered the truth you are sworn to secrecy, until after the murder is revealed to everyone.

When Lilith appeared outside, everyone waited for her to tell them something.

"I'm sword to secrecy." Lilith said quietly.

"Now that that is out of the way, it is time for the rest of you to solve another puzzle." Mr Anderson said while holding another piece of parchment.

"All of you failed but one,
And so it is time for you to run.
Run for the most dramatic place of all,
It is there where you will see the curtain fall.
The two winners who solve my case will surely make it to the next phase.
For the reward they will see,
Is Where the killer dwells, times three. "

Anastasia and Alison shoved everyone out of the way as they sprinted to their destination, Jayden stopped to think about the riddle.

"Where all the curtains fall." He murmured in thought. His mind scrambled to think if he saw any unique curtains. He remembered a set of deep red curtains in the movie theater, maybe he could start there?

Quickly, Jayden ran down the stairs to the basement level. There were several hallways. Following his instinct, he went left.

To his luck, he saw a set of deep red curtains, and empty audience.

"Ew creepy much?" He muttered before going on the stage. Jayden stood for a moment, trying to figure out why nothing was happening. Then he noticed the gold tassel. Gently, Jayden pulled it and a note fluttered to the floor.

Jayden. Congratulations on solving the puzzle. You are spared until the next phase. Please retrieve Lilith before viewing the presentation.
I do hope it is a showstopper.
Your killers.

"LILITH COME DOWN WITH ME AND WATCH THE SHOW!" Jayden yelled at the bottom of the stairs. Lilith quickly ran down the stairs and clutched on to his arm. She never likes the dark, or basements in general. Now that she was in a murder mystery, she was terrified more than ever.

The projector began by showing the same clips that Lilith saw. Then, the screen flickered to a dark room. There were three desks, and a detective poster board with every individual. Each picture, tied to one another.

"Oh I hate it!" Lilith whines while holding on to Jayden's arm. The two continued to survey the wooden room.  There were papers, weapons, and cameras everywhere.

"There's no way we can escape right?"
Lilith asked.

"I don't think so." Jayden murmured. "Let's get out of here."

When the two arose from the basement, the butler was waiting for them.

"My dear guests, it is time for you to testify your case to the killers."

"Here we go." Phoenix muttered

Each individual was nervous about their fate, for they had no idea what the killers had in store.

That is it for this chapter! I hope you have liked it! Just a few little announcements;  I have 2 people signed up for LOTR Chatroom 4! If you wanna join, do so! I have so many fun things planned!

Also, go ahead and follow me on Instagram! I made one for this account! It's the same username as Wattpad but it's all lowercase. It even has the same profile pic!

Finally,  go check out Cynarr new narnian FanFiction called Courage Dear Heart. The first 2 chapters are up!

Anyways! Have a lovely week!
Emily