𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄'𝐒 𝐌𝐘 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐗? | 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐅 - HIATUS

chapter 10

The lights flickered out as Tam pulled the lamp's switch. Sophie had fallen asleep hours ago, and was resting on his pillow.

Elwin was currently changing the bandage on her arm and applying new elixirs. "How was she acting when she woke up?" He asked, tying the bandage.

"A little extra flustered.. Normal though. It was kind of cute, actually.." He said, his voice trailing off when he realized what he said.

Elwin raised one eyebrow at the Shade. "Cute?" He said, with a knowing smirk.

Tam shook his head, and fast too. He usually wasn't the type to get flustered, but this time, for whatever reason, it was different.

"No- no- no- not like that.." He said, pulling his shirt up to cover his face.

"Then what did you mean?" Elwin asked, putting the elixirs back onto the shelves.

Tam responded by gathering the shadows and hiding himself with them, before muttering a "I hate you sometimes."

Elwin laughed. "I'm teasing you. But seriously, if you like Sophie, go for it! She won't judge you. Besides, you're close with Linh, no? You can ask her for what Sophie likes." He said.

What the-?! Suddenly, he's anything good with romance? Doesn't strike me as that type.. Tam thought, surprised.

"Y-yeah. Thanks." He said, hiding his face although Elwin couldn't see him anymore.

He heard footsteps, the closing of a cabinet, and then the lights switching out in Elwin's room as well. The lock of a door was heard, so Tam let down his shadows and walked back to his bed.

He opened the simplistic white curtains and gazed at the night sky above him. The stars flickered in the deep turquoise sky. The moon shone.

The night went on as Tam kept circling his thoughts.

Love was in the air.

----- (time skip, the next day) ----

i realized i never included moments of the rest of the elves. so i figured i'd make a chapter focused purely on them having fun.

"Morning, Tam!" multiple voices sounded from the door, and Tam looked over.

His friends had come to visit, several of them bearing gifts.

Biana handed Sophie a tray of mallowmelt. "Mom made this. She said it was a get well gift." She said.

Fitz walked up to Tam, his gaze fixed on the slightly shorter boy. "She also said to give you this." He said, handing him a box of Prattles.

Dex ran into the room. "It took me forever to convince Mom to watch the triplets, sorry! I made you something though. If i can find it.."

Keefe grinned. "If you two are up for it, why don't we play a game?" He asked. "To pass the time. Since you two aren't allowed out of Foxfire yet."

Linh smiled happily. "I think that sounds fun! What about you two?"

Sophie shrugged. "Sure, if Tam's up for it." She said, looking at him.

"Um.. yeah. Sure." He said, walking over to the floor and sitting down next to Biana and Sophie.

Marella settled herself down next to Fitz. "What game?" She asked.

Dex thought for a second. "What about Mafia?"

"Sounds good with me," Sophie said.

Keefe frowned. "How do you play?" He asked, and several murmurs of agreement were heard.

"It's not that hard, actually," Dex answered. "Someone's the narrator. Everyone closes their eyes. The narrator taps two people - he taps one person once, and one person twice. The person who was tapped once is the Angel. The person who was tapped twice is the Mafia. The Mafia kills someone at night, and the Angel can save someone. The Angel can't bring anyone back to life, though. The narrator comes up with a story on how someone was killed or saved. Then you vote on who you think the Mafia is. If you get it right, you win the game."

"So who's the narrator?" Tam asked.

Keefe raised his hand. "I volunteer!" He shouted.

Marella sighed. "Any other options? I'm pretty sure Keefe would make up a story like, 'Sophie bashed her head against the wall and a lamp fell on her. But Linh took the hit instead and broke her neck.' or something."

Keefe laughed. "That does sound like something I'd do. That's horribly specific, though." He said. "You can make people laugh without being frustrated!" He added.

"How about I'm the narrator?" Dex asked.

Everyone seemed to be fine with that, so he started the round. "Close your eyes."

Tam obliged, and he felt two taps on his shoulder.

Hm.. interesting.

"Roles have been chosen," Dex said. "Mafia, make your move."

I should probably kill someone that people wouldn't expect me to. If I kill Keefe, they'll know it's me. So what I should do is either kill Linh or Sophie. Because I'm closer to Linh, I'll kill her.

He tapped Linh on the shoulder, and Dex said, "Villagers, awaken."

"Someone's been killed," He said when everyone opened their eyes. "Linh and Marella were hanging out and going to a pastry store in Atlantis. Marella ordered mallowmelt and Linh ordered some umber leaves. Someone snuck poison into their food. While Marella was able to survive the treatment, Linh was killed." He said. "Who do you think is the murderer?"

LOL SO THAT'S NOT REALLY A CLIFFHANGER I'M JUST BEING LAZY AND NOT CONTINUING THE CHAPTER- MY DEAREST APOLOGIES READERS