A Game Of Secrets

Season 7 - Ep SIX

Months later...

"I tried my best!" Nolan argued with the hooded figure. "Maybe your best is not enough". He snapped. "Can you see my body?!" She yelled more, "I am just recovery from the wounds. I know what I stand to lose so why would I want to fail?" "That question is of your concern", he replied harshly, "you have only five days to find it. That is the day of the ritual. Your failure marks the end of your life". The figure vanished with a black mist.

Nolan sat on the soil. She couldn't afford to fail again. The consequences were too much. All her years of hard work would wash down the drain if she didn't succeed. She couldn't let that happen.

"Can you believe this is our last week?!" Lin squealed, "Senior year, here I come!" "I never thought I'd see the day when Lin Shin Ye would be excited for more school work". Jo chuckled.  Lin pouted as she realized it. "Whatever", Angie quipped, "I am so done with this year". "You can say that again". Mitchell nodded.

"Hello ladies". Jason greeted with a flirty smile. "Your boyfriend is literally beside you, dumbass". Angie smiled. "We agreed to see other people". Jason shrugged. Grayson quirked his eyebrows. "You know I'm joking, babe". Jason smirked and pecked his lips. "Ewww! Not in our hallway". Lin rolled her eyes.

"Am I the only one feeling super nervous about today?" Grayson asked. All their expressions dropped. "The memorial service", Jo shook her head, "I don't think I'm ready to go through it again". "I kinda understand why they wanted to have one before the break", Lin shrugged, "they lost a lost of students that night".

The memories still hunted them. Grayson was the most emotional after that day. He had lost his Dad and was forced to be the Alpha. The youngest in history as they know it. Veronica was also very sad but she and Grayson  got closer. They still acted like cat and mouse from time to time. Jason and Grayson's bond grew stronger. An Alpha and his mate. Turns out, Candice was never Rex's mate. Mates were rare to come by.

Some good things happened after the horrible day. Levi became the second in command which meant his abilities were improved. Ellen was worried about Jason so they spoke. He refused to move back in but there was no grudge. Lin was also hanging out with Levi more though she said they were just friends. Angie equally spent most of her time with Daniel. They were catching up on things. It wasn't what she hoped for but it was something.

The bell rang and they all had to go to the hall. The other students were strolling in too. One would have guessed that parents would withdraw their kids after the incident but they didn't and more students transferred. It was financial wise to have your kids attend Bresten High while living in Bresten.

The orchestra started playing. The projector was turned on and a slideshow began. It was the same one from the first service but it hurt nevertheless. Angie was uncomfortable in her seat. She couldn't handle the torture. To her surprise, it was Jason who stood up first. "I can't take this", he said, "anyone is free to join me".

Angie stood up next then Lin and soon enough, the whole gang had snuck out. "We can go to that new Ice cream parlor". Lin suggested once they were in the parking lot. "Yes yes", Jason agreed, "that is my new favorite place". "Favorite dessert place", Jo corrected, "we still have Tom's Tanks". They all nodded. Tom's Tanks was a second home to all.

"Flavor Chime", Jo read the name of the ice cream parlor, "nice name". Soft music was playing and the whole place smelled sweet. It looked like an outburst of rainbow on the inside. The chairs had three different colors like scoops. There was a bowl of chocolate on every table and they had a karaoke bar at a corner.

Angie was impressed though she didn't show it. "Welcome to Flavor Chime", a muscular Latino who should be around their age greeted, "I am Xander. I'll be taking your orders". "You can take more than that honey". Lin purred and winked. Xander gave a polite smile but his attention later fixed to someone else. "If it isn't my favorite customer". Xander was talking to Jason. "Hey Xander, how are you?"

"Good. Wondering when next you'd show up".

"Well, I'm here now and I'm in one of those moods".

"Oh. I heard about the memorial stuff. How're you holding up?" "Still coming to terms with it". Jason shrugged. Grayson made the loudest awkward cough. "We  have places to be after this so we'll order now", he held Jason's arm, "what do you want babe?" Xander's eyes grew wide for a moment but he covered it up.

"Why do all the hot ones have to be gay?" Lin whined as they went to a table. "He never said he was gay". Jo rolled her eyes. "I wasn't the only one who saw the flirting". She said in a high pitched voice. "She's right", Grayson shot, "what was that?" "Come on", Jason rolled his eyes, "Xander is a friend".

"A friend?"

"Yes, a friend".

"And you didn't think it was important I know him especially since all he does is flirt with you?" "Are you being serious?" Jason frowned. Grayson just looked away. "I don't think it's a big deal", Mitchell shrugged, "he didn't make a move on Jason or something". "Exactly", Angie supported, "besides, we have bigger things to worry about".

Their ice creams arrived. "Thanks". They all said. Xander nodded and winked at Jason. "Still think it's no big deal?" Grayson snapped at Mitchell and Angie. "Whatever" Mitchell rolled her eyes.

"Okay", Jo changed the subject, "it's been months. I think we can resume the mystery solving". "Weren't you happy that we didn't have death reports? Why jump back in?" Lin complained. "There were death reports. We just didn't care to find out". Jo announced. They all stared at her. "And you didn't think to share?" Angie questioned. "I wanted to be sure of the source". Jo defended herself.

"It wasn't Nolan", she continued, "I don't think she has recovered. Besides, the deaths were random". "Random?" Grayson asked. "Yeah. There was no connection between all the victims. I think they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time". Jo shrugged. "Any news on Mr Dhawnren?" Angie asked. He was still missing and for all they knew, he could be dead.

"Nothing", Jo shook her head, "I bet he's still alive though. You said they needed him for something. They've been chasing him for years. If there was a replacement, they would have already found  the person". "Not encouraging though". Lin added. "At least, Angie found the meaning of those words", Mitchell said, "we could start from there".

Grayson's phone chirped. It was a text from Levi. "Jason and I have to go", he said after reading it, "Levi think they have a lead". "Speaking of the search", Lin said, "how is Blood Hound?" "Still in a coma". Was his plain answer. "I thought werewolves have super healing". "I thought so too".

"I'll pay and meet you outside". Jason kissed Grayson's cheek and stood up. "Leaving so soon?" Xander smriked. "Something came up". Jason said. "I hope I didn't cause anything between you and your boyfriend". "You didn't. He's cool". Jason was surprised at how easily the lies rolled off his tongue. "Good. That means we can hang out sometime", he said but quickly added, "totally as friends". "Sure". Jason nodded and walked away.

"Back to our mystery", Lin crossed her arms, "the Or of Light". "We already broke it down", Mitchell quipped, "Or is French for 'gold'". "The gold of light makes no sense". Lin said. Angie noticed that Jo was doing some  sort of calculation in her head. "Earth to Jo?" Angie called out to her.

Jo bit her lower lip slightly. "It doesn't make sense", she said, "the gold of light should be a gem but if it was an object, they would have found it by now". "Maybe it has protection spells". Lin shrugged. Angie understood the look on Jo's face and said Jo's thoughts, "maybe it's a person".