Fruition// A Dark Academia Murder Mystery

The Deal and The Planing

A hand slapped over Genie's mouth. She thrashed in protest before turning to meet her captor.

"Stay quiet. Follow me." he remarked before practically dragging her across the room to a small window overtop of a chest. He hopped on top of the creased brown leather and stretched out a had to pull her up as well. Glaring, she took it.

They both climbed through the small window and emerged onto a slant in the dark grey roof between it's peak and a tower.

"What do you want Apollo. Actually, you know what, I frankly don't care. You completely ignored Thena the entire day. You know this has been hard on her! I know that you're grieving but she is too and I wont let you just blow her off"

Apollo was about to sob, but quickly swallowed it. He kept a perfectly maintained cool facade as he stated "I only want the same thing as all of us"

"And what is that, pray tell? I don't have all night" She snapped, arms crossed.

"I want to find out who did this, I want to get justice for Lil' "

"That I can get behind."

"Get Thena' and your friends and I'll get those in my dorm. We meet out here tomorrow at lunch break."

"Do I get a say in that time frame?" her brows raised.

'Not after what you said' he thought, but he knew better than to say it. This girl was obviously a fire-cracker and he wasn't about to get on her bad side over a petty little feud. So he simply said nothing as he flicked a long black curl behind his ear and slipped smoothly through the window.

Genie rolled her eyes before shuffling through the window herself and slumping back to dormitory.

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The next day everyone silently got themselves together, Athena more mediocrity than normal. Though the others were all quite introverted, it was obvious from first glance that she was a go-getter, and despite multiple protest from last night Genie, Mousey and Harmon knew that she was taking it hard.

Before the rag-tag group of half-put-together teens left the room Genie stopped them to let them in on their little lunch-time-randevouix . Everyone agreed to be there, Thena' merely nodded.

Classes passed by in a hazy blur and before Athena knew it her friends were leading her to the common room and through the window.

"Why are we here Pollo'?" she said, immediately grabbing his arm out of habit.

He was shocked that she even showed up, though his invitation was extended to her, he never though she would actually let Gene bring her here. He instantly wondered how G could not mention the topic of discussion.  It seemed reckless and irresponsible and did not at all the fiercely protective vibe that he had gotten from her the previous night.

He pulled her to face him and his eyes started to well up with tears; hers followed suit as she thought she knew what was coming.

"Darling, we're here too discuss Lilac, you're welcome to leave if you'd like." He then shot a glare at G from over her shoulder. Even if, nay, though she would be extremely unstable and uncomfortable staying in this place, she would consider staying a rude insult to Lilac's memory. She would think that she must stick it out, that it would be the least she could do, to honor her memory in whatever way he saw fit.

"I'll stay"

Mousey and Harmon looked vary warily at Apollo. They might not like him vary much, but they knew he would understand their concern for his sister sticking around to discuss the insistent so close to it's occurrence; they also were a bit worried about him, knowing the rumors of his history with Lil' and knowing that he would never talk about his feelings on the matter.

"Alright." He started, all business no emotion "Here's what we're going to do. We're going to find justice for Lilac. In order to actually take this seriously and make progress in an investigation we are going to have to play to our strengths. Mousey, you're on evidence collection. Harmon, you're on research. And me and Gene will be looking out for suspicious persons.

Just then Jake and Kenzie crawled through the window.

"Your late. To this, really?" Pollo' questioned in indignation.

"I'm so sorry, man. Kenzie got held up by Westbrook for sneaking out of the canteen; I was supposed to wait for her in the locker room.so we could come here together after class."

"Fine, whatever. Kenzie can also be on watch for suspicious people because she's easily accepted and Mr. All American here can getter intel through what ever team he's currently apart of."

"What about me?" Athena chirped innocently from h is side.

"Sweety, I really think you should just take it easy until your feeling more up-to-it."

"I'm sure she's perfectly capable" Gene responded.

"I don't remember asking you, who has known her less than a week whether or or you think she's capable. I have known her send the fr1cking womb, and you have the audacity-!

"Shut up" Harmon demanded softly. The boy didn't speak often, but when he did, everybody knew to listen. "I'm with Pollo', Thena' should at least take today off.'

Mousey cast a glance at Harmon before waying in, "I don't nesisarily dissagree with you, but isn't it up to Thena' herself whether or not she wants to participate."

"Thank you" Athena spoke shyly. "I'll go back to the dorm for today, but I expect to be very involved by our next meeting."

She had frankly expected defeat as she slumped back through the window. She felt like a despicable excuse for a friend. It was her duty, her responsibility to do something to get justice. To 'avenge' for lack of a nicer term Lilac. To make an important difference and to do what is obviously right even if it might make her a little unstable. But if she stays today everyone would be dancing around the important topics and giver her a simple, minor role in the investigation that they thought she could handle, and she could never live with herself if she accepted that. She would work hard and put all of her energy, all of her blood sweat and tears into this investigation even if it would be that last thing she did.

As her little orange flats disappeared through the window, the rest of the group looked on, before Mousey and Harmon excused themselves to follow.