THE SEVEN

pt.3

Xena and Gabrielle casually walked around the spa grounds. Taking in the the scenery around them. It was calm and peaceful.

GABRIELLE
It's really beautiful here isn't it xena?

XENA
Sure.

They continued walking until they came to a small bench and decided to sit. Xena idlely looked out at the garden.

GABRIELLE
So what do you wanna do today?

Xena shrugged.

XENA
I figured we could just do whatever you wanted. Since this was your idea anyway.

GABRIELLE
This trip isn't just for me you know. I want you to enjoy yourself too.

XENA
I am.

Xena smiled at Gabrielle. Reassuring her. They sat in the garden for a while. Then they headed back inside. As Xena and Gabrielle were entering the building, they heard a loud cash and a screaming coming from the spa entrance.

GABRIELLE
Was that someone screaming?

XENA
Come on.

Xena and Gabrielle ran inside and through the building, until they reached the front door. There was another scream. Xena flung the doors open. As they raced inside, they saw a group of people standing in front of the stairs to the second floor.

XENA
What's going on?

The crowd was too distracted by what they were looking at. Everyone in the group seemed visibly upset by what whatever it was. Xena pushed through the crowd to see what was going on. Once she made her way to the front of everyone, she was met with an awful sight. Because there on the floor was a woman. And she was undoubtedly dead. Gabrielle made it to the front of the group and saw the deceased woman.

GABRIELLE
Gods. What happened?

XENA
That what I would like to know.

Xena crouched down and carefully examined the body. Afterwards she turned to the crowd.

XENA
What happened here?

The crowd people in the crowd looked at each other. But no one answered.

XENA
Well? Surely at least one of you saw something?

Again nobody came forward. Gabrielle crouched next to Xena.

GABRIELLE
Do you know what happened to her?

XENA
Not exactly sure yet. But from what I can tell, her neck is broken.

Xena stood up and looked around the room. She was quick to notice that the railing on the second floor looked to be leaning outward. Xena walked up the stairs and to the railing. She gently jiggled the railing just to check how lose it was. It didn't move much. She called down to the owner of the spa. Asking if the owner knew if railing had been lose. The owner told her that to his knowledge it wasn't. Xena was about to come back down when she saw scuff marks on the floor next to the railing. Seeing this confirmed her suspicions. Xena walked back down stairs. She quietly pulled Gabrielle aside.

XENA
Well I don't think we're gonna be able to enjoy the relaxing stay here you had planned.

GABRIELLE
Well with not someone dying. Obviously.

XENA
Not just dying. This woman was murdered.

GABRIELLE
Are you sure?

XENA
Yes. There are signs of a struggle near the railing up stairs. Someone pushed her.

GABRIELLE
Any idea who might have done this?

XENA
Not yet. But one things for certain it was not an accident. And I...

Xena paused as she heard a faint laugh.

GABRIELLE
What's wrong?

XENA
Did you hear that?

GABRIELLE
Hear what?

XENA
I could swear I just heard someone laugh.

GABRIELLE
I don't see anyone around here laughing.

XENA
Exactly.

Xena quickly walked out of the building. Gabrielle followed. As they got outside they both heard the laughter again. Then they heard someone someone speaking.

?
Oh it's been ages since I've had so much fun. Ah humans are such easy creatures to manipulate. I had almost forgotten how good it feels to do my thing. It's always fascinating to watch how you so easily devolve into madness.

Xena drew her sword as she looked around for whoever was speaking.

XENA
Alright who are you. Show yourself.

Xena and Gabrielle heard the unknown voice laugh again.

?
Oh very well. I suppose revealing myself won't hurt. After all it's not like you can do anything to stop us anyway.

XENA
Us? Who are you and what are you doing?

As Xena finished speaking there was a small flash. And then there was someone standing before Xena and Gabrielle. Neither of them had any idea who this was. But from what they could tell, whoever had just appeared was certainly not a god.

XENA
Okay now just who are you?

GABRIELLE
I think a better question might be what are you?

The mysterious being smirked as he crossed his arms.

?
I guess it has been an extremely long time since you humans have seen any of us. So I'm not too surprised that you wouldn't know who I am by looking at me. Or any of us for that matter.

Xena scowled as she pointed her sword at the mysterious being.

XENA
I highly suggest that the next thing out of your mouth is the answer to my question. Or else.

?
(Condescending tone) Ooo aren't you scary with your little sword.

The being got a closer look at Xena's weapon.

?
Actually now that I got a better look, that sword is quite Impressive. I must admit I'm jealous.

The being chuckled a bit.

?
Or I guess you could say that I'm green with...

XENA
Envy.

The being did a showoffish bow as it smirked at Xena.

ENVY
At your service. That's right I am the demon Envy. And now that me and my associates are finally free, let's just say when it comes to you humans things are going to get real exciting.

TO BE CONTINUED...