Runaway 🌑 (A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction)

Chapter 12 | How This City Screams Your Name

Four Days Later

"College Françoise Dupont student and accused murderer Marinette Dupain-Cheng has been on the run for almost four weeks now. Authorities are not closer to catching her, but believe she could be connected to the recent break-ins across the city. Officer Roger believes the suspect may have fled Paris, but will continue their search for her in the meantime. Mayor Bourgeois also encourages Parisians to come forward with any information they may have about Dupain-Cheng, and advises for everyone to stay clear if they may encounter her. She is believed to be armed and dangerous. You can call in any information at the number located at the bottom of the screen. This is Nadja—"

Adrien turned off the TV and glared at his reflection. Marinette, armed and dangerous? Please. He threw the remote aside and leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.

Every magazine, news station, and gossip blogs in Paris were all reporting this scandal between Marinette and Lila. People couldn't get enough of it. Think pieces and theories were posted every day, a few taking Marinette's side and calling her innocent and wrongfully accused.

Though, anyone who showed pity and support for Marinette were instantly shamed and shunned by their community. A lot of people lost their jobs, then their homes, and that was a risk respectable reporters weren't willing to take.

Lila's death video went viral, being shared from blog to blog, school to school, and it was all anyone wanted to talk about. Lila's murder and how her life was cut short and how she was taken too soon and how she'd never grow up to change the world, which was supposedly a life-long dream of hers.

A public funeral would be held for her next week hosted by Chloe Bourgeois at her father's hotel. All are welcome to come and mourn a beautiful life lost. All except her killer, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. There'd be extra security to make sure the young girl didn't show up.

Adrien didn't plan on attending this pretend funeral, as he didn't believe Lila was dead at all, but his father had warned him how that'd look for his reputation and image. The model didn't care about that at all. All he cared about was clearing Marinette's name and getting her home safe.

He'd make an appearance, though, per his father's request, but he had an ulterior motive in mind.

Lila Rossi craved attention, in life and in death. There'd be no way she wouldn't show up to her own funeral if she wasn't still alive.

Which she was. Because Adrien believed so.

The model crossed his arms across his chest. How did Lila made that video? That's been bugging me since this whole thing started. How did she find someone who looked exactly like Marinette?

Plagg appeared in his holder's eyesight, upside down, and his big, green eyes widened. "You know what you should do today?" He asked.

Adrien shrugged and mumbled, "Get some new friends. Dye my hair. Go to therapy?"

"Tell Ladybug that Shadowmoth knows your secret identity," His kwami said. "You've been holding onto that fun fact for the past four days now."

The model rolled on his side and buried his face into the couch cushion. "If I tell Ladybug, she'll take away my miraculous."

"You don't know that."

"Of course I do!" He yelled. "I know exactly what Ladybug would do in this situation. She'd make the smart choice."

"Oh, you know her so well?" His kwami teased.

"The smart thing to do would be to replace the black cat holder, that way my family isn't in danger anymore."