Shortly after the Originals left Detective Erin Hollison, they trekked up to Silverleaf's roof. Orchid felt sick to her stomach, Bailey had died so horribly in a car crash. She needed to discover who was the mastermind behind the murders and the gothic literature club. She sighed, gazing at the two other Originals.

Saira was looking blankly at the skies, blinking. There was so much death that plagued the academy, when would it stop? Never if we keep quiet, Orchid thought miserably. Stoll was lost in thought, his fingers tugging at his black curls, whispering under his breath, fast and quick words.

"Are you okay?" Orchid asked Saira.

"Fareeda's gone, she was m-murdered." There was an edge to Saira's voice before spinning around to face Orchid. Their eyes bore into each other's. "Do it, Gray. Hand all our evidence to the cops," she said quickly. "I'll gather all the photos, videos, recordings, and anything else we need to make a solid case. I just need Fareeda to get the justice she deserves," Saira begged, sounding desperate. Her demeanour had changed overnight; was she making a rash decision in the spur of Fareeda's death?

Orchid didn't know what to say, so Stoll said it to her. "Are you okay with that? I mean, there's a big chance the police officers are going to have to question us and our backgrounds. And not to mention the public and media once this breaks out..."

"I'll take the blame." The words tumbled out of Orchid's mouth as her voice wavered. Stoll and Saira stared at her as if she was crazy. Orchid forced a smile while she trembled. Navaeh, Navaeh, Navaeh. She wasn't ready to be back in the spotlight, but without sunlight, an orchid could never blossom. "I'll hand in all of the evidence and everything we did, I'll say I did myself. Your secrets are safe with me. Forever, I had a promise to you both."

Stoll was stunned. "Gray—"

"Stoll, I'm doing it either way. Look, I'm going to the gothic literature club one last time," Orchid continued, exhaling sharply. "Wait for me outside the Study Hall, if we end this, we end together."

┉┈◈◉◈┈┉

It was now the early evening and Orchid didn't know if she'd survive. The day shockingly passed by quickly, but she left stuck in time. Standing out of the Study Hall, waiting for Tommy Asterion. Looking around, she took out her notepad, glancing at the suspect list.

List of suspects:

Sam Finnegan

S. C. (Stanley Crawford)

Professor Yarwood

Headmaster Roux

Professor Asher

Silverleaf Gothic Literature Club (Professor Xing)

Ivory Kee

She crossed out Ivory Kee's name, she was dead, she couldn't have done it. Plus, she didn't have a motive or any connection to the gothic club, and her alibi was solid. Along with the other suspects that Orchid crossed out; Sam Finnegan, Professor Yarwood, and Professor Asher. All that was left was Stanley Crawford, Headmaster Roux, and Madeleine Xing. And I'm about to meet her right now, she gulped. But where was Stan? Someone called her name and Orchid quickly shoved her notepad back into her bag, spinning around. "Tommy!" she exclaimed, breathless.

"Excited to see me?" He was laughing and slightly eased Orchid's nerves.

"Nope, just excited to get the book club over and done with," she replied before realizing how harsh that sounded. "I mean, I am excited to see you too," she added hastily.

The doors swung open with a creak and Madeleine and Jones. Jones looked distracted, his eyes flitting across the room, wringing his hands. "Oh, good! Orchid and Tommy!" Madeleine smiled, motioning them to come inside.

Step One: Pick a fight with the said killer. "I'm surprised that the club hasn't accepted more members," Orchid said, averting her gaze from Jones to Madeleine. Madeleine didn't flinch, but her upper lip twitched.

She replied, "Well, I guess gothic lit isn't so popular." They were walking past the library's many shelves of books and textbooks. It seemed like some sort of Hogwarts fantasy library if you asked Orchid. Although, it was empty, void of anyone else. The fact that it was only them worried her. Step Two: Be snarky towards said killer.

"Stoll and Saira liked it." Orchid grabbed onto the railings as they went up the stairs. Madeleine didn't look behind her, but Orchid knew she struck a nerve when the professor didn't reply. Good, things were according to plan.

"Did you all finish your assigned readings?" Jones asked, changing the subject. Damn you, Jones, she cursed in her head.

"I did," Tommy said as they reached the second floor. Tommy nudged Orchid, waking her up from her thoughts, and she quickly nodded too.

"Still was thrilling," she added. "Amazing storyline too."

Jones held out the door as they filed into a room. There were chairs and bean bags, against shelves with some lit vanilla-scented candles. Orchid's palms became sweaty as Tommy settled into one of the beanbags, sinking in. Tommy. He didn't know, did he?

Madeleine clapped her hands, the corners of her lips tugging upwards. "Well, let's get our readings started, huh?" Looking at Madeleine, Orchid suddenly realized why Stoll didn't want to believe Professor Xing was behind it. She was so genuine. But Orchid thought of all the victims.

Professor Henry Green. Scarlett Mako. Robert Reuters. Ivory Kee. Lizzy Connors. Fareeda Patel. Bailey Preston.

No matter who they were, good or bad, did they deserve to die without facing justice? Orchid clenched her teeth, staring at Madeleine straight in the eye. Step Three: Get dirty. "I would like to know the books we're reading in advance," she spoke loudly. "You know, I'm getting quite busy attending all these meetings, so I'd like to know the stories."

Jones responded first, crossing his arms. "I'm afraid that isn't possible." With the hood over his head, Orchid couldn't see his face or emotions. She found that some people had awful poker faces or even the slightest tension could be seen throughout their eyes.

"Why not?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"Orchid?" Tommy's voice was uncertain. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Soon, all of this would be over. "Just asking a favour."

Jones' jaw was clenched, twitching ever so slightly. His hands trembled, so Jones involuntarily slapped them away himself. Strange. Has Orchid finally struck a nerve?

Madeleine Xing smiled warmly, but it was almost fake. "I have to get something," she said abruptly, turning to the door. "Jones, keep an eye on the two, please." Her words left a bitter taste in Orchid's tongue. As she left briskly, her heels clicking on the floor, she locked the door shut. Where is Professor Xing going? Orchid's eyes flickered to Jones.

Jones. He was the assistant for the gothic literature, but Orchid never considered why she hadn't seen him around the academy. His head was always buried under that hoodie, so maybe that's why she never noticed him.

Orchid went to Tommy, arms crossed and agitated. Step Three: Pluck out the innocent witness like a weed. "You're a gothic lit nerd like me, right?" He nodded as she glared back at Jones, who was twitching now. "What story has a girl's head bashed into the wall?"

Tommy looked surprised but answered. "Human Anatomy written by Chris Grace." He paused. "Wait, is this about Ivory Kee's death?" Orchid ignored his question, plowing through with more questions.

"And where a girl commits suicide by drugs?"

"There's lots of them, but an example is Flesh by Charlotte Kee."

Jones' head snapped around to them. "Asterion, stop." He looked livid by then, but Orchid couldn't stop when she was so close to prying answers from Tommy's mouth. Step Four: Escalate the situation.

"Tell me, dammit!" Orchid yelled, her eyes bulging with false anger. It was an easy thing to mask, really.

Tommy flinched, his eyes slightly unfocused. Orchid yanked his wrist, eyes blazing with determination. "And a story about someone having their flesh skinned, surrounded by plants?! Tragic, is it not?" she asked, jutting out her chin.

"I-I—Perhaps Charlotte Kee's Rose Vendetta?"

"Tommy!" Jones roared, walking over. Shit, shit, shit, Orchid's time was running out. Was she risking her life? Was she risking Tommy's life? No, she'd have to do this to get answers. All of a sudden, Jones tore Orchid away from Tommy, grasping her wrists. "Stop this—"

"Stop what?" she asked innocently, acting mousy and shy. She struggled against his grip, eyes going wide when realizing it wasn't a game anymore. It was life or death. She could guess which choice would not work out in her favour.

"Stop this shy girl act!" Jones yelled and under his hoodie, Orchid saw his darkening eyes. Alive with fear, anger, and anxiety. Step Five: Take away any of your opponent's remaining power. She suddenly knocked down the hood to reveal his face, freeing herself from Jones' grasp as he stumbled back.

Orchid's blood ran cold as she finally saw Jones' face. "Stan?" she asked in a small voice, gasping. Dark complexion and dark eyes, Stanley Crawford stood before him. His jaw twitched as he rushed to cover his features with his hands, eyes peeking through his fingers like a terrified child. No. That was the reason why he wasn't in the secret room in the Cleaners' Quarters, he was under the false identity of Jones that Professor Green had given him to register in the club. "You're Stanley Crawford?" She was wide-eyed. "You're not J-Jones."

Tommy stood up in disbelief. "I can't even..."

Stanley looked around in a haze, confused. He has an undiagnosed mental disorder, Orchid remembered from his student file. Maybe she could coax him like a kitty cat. "Stan," she said gently, approaching him, slightly afraid. She forced herself to keep the trembling out of her voice. "You're okay."

Stanley suddenly slammed his body against her, making Orchid fly back. She landed on the floor hard, shrieking. She cried out in pain as Tommy backed away. "Stanley, don't!" she yelled as the boy clenched his fists. Pain blossomed in her shoulder as Orchid winced. Was Stanley preparing to fight?

Two figures entered the room, one of them was Madeleine Xing. She looked between Stanley and Orchid, assessing the situation like a clever lioness. Orchid felt numb, but then her eyes caught on the second person Madeleine brought.

Sam Finnegan. She almost mistook him for Stoll, but the older Finnegan brother was almost different now. His eyes were void of any emotion, any love he had for Stoll.

"Hello, Orchid Gray." His voice was searingly painful.

The mere sight of Orchid Gray did not scare him, Sam was everything and nothing at the same time. No compassion was in his eyes, he had the eyes of a killer. She realized to her horror after the shock had worn off that he was the killer.

As Orchid's eyes widened, Stanley dove forward, charging at Orchid. They collided as she shouted, diving to the side. Stanley's hand hit the shelves, sending the rows of candles flying to the floor.

Sparks caught on the rows of flammable books, and flames were created almost instantly. She sat up, gasping. "Oh fuc—" She was suddenly hit in the head by a heavy book, sending her once more to the floor. Pain swelled on the side of her head as her vision blurred, drowsy. Before she blacked out, she saw Tommy Asterion holding a copy of The Loose Noose.

Traitor, she thought before her eyes closed and the heat exhausted her.