The Murders at the Beilschmidt Manor

Chapter 10

Something is amiss

The ring of the gunshot echoed throughout the manor, alarming everyone this time. A crowd formed no sooner than the bullet was fired, Maria down the stairs in a flash. When she laid her eyes upon the bloodied man, she couldn't describe what she was feeling. She felt different, as if she wasn't a detective but a wife. It was odd to her, foreign even. She ran to his side and felt her tears begin to roll. These tears had been stinging her eyes ever since she saw the first body of the night, and now they were no longer threatening to spill out, they did it automatically.

"Ivan? Ivan, are you alive? Oh god, please be alive," She cried out, caressing his pale cheek. "Ivan, please!"

"Ma... Maria?" He choked out, his eyes opening slowly. Ivan seemed strained, as if he was barely holding on.

"Ivan! Please, don't give up! Don't leave me!" She said, grabbing his hand and squeezing it tightly. "Francis! I need your help!"

Francis, as if on queue, was there in a split second. He applied pressure to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "Mademoiselle Maria," He said, looking at the woman whom was staring at Ivan and whispering words of comfort. "I need bandages that I have in my compartment. Would you be so kind as to apply pressure to his wound? S'il vous plait?"

Maria nodded and quickly took Francis's position, black-gloved hands on Ivan's wound. She continued to whisper words of comfort to him, trying not to appear weak. Francis returned and informed everyone that they had to give the three space, and it was best if they returned to their rooms. They did as was told, except for Lord Beilschimidt that is.

"Maria," The lord said, looking towards her. "Do you have any idea who did this?"

"N... No, sir," She said, hesitant. "We're getting close though!"

"Get on it, Hernandez," He growled, turning on his heel and walking out. She watched him leave then looked at Francis. He was finished with Ivan and was staring at her.

"Don't mind him," The Frenchman said, smiling reassuringly. "He's... He's just troubled." Maria nodded once before looking around.

"Something's missing..." She noted. Francis raised an eyebrow at her. They both gasped simultaneously.

"Where's Arthur?!"

~

Arthur's blood ran cold as he heard the door open and a pistol being cocked. He was sitting on the floor, his eyes casted downwards.

"Look at me," The person with the pistol commanded. The door shut quietly. Arthur slowly looked up. He stared at them with a dry mouth and a stern look. Even in the face of death, he was hard-headed. He couldn't see the face of the person in the pitch-black room, and he couldn't figure out what the person's accent was.

"What do you want from me?" Arthur asked, staring into the darkness.

"To give you a warning," The person warned. "The closer you get to solving the murder, the harder it will be to understand. You two are pieces in my sick game, and I hope you know, your chance of winning is bleak."

"Who are you?!" He hissed, trying to adjust to the darkness.

"I am your judge," The person said. "I decided your fate, and I decided if you're worth keeping alive."

Someone began to bang on the door.

"Arthur! Arthur, are you there?! Arthur!" Two people called, banging on the door. The person muttered something and ran. They opened a closet door and hid. Arthur stood and opened the door.

"Maria? Francis?" They hugged him tightly.

"You're alive! Thank god!" They repeated. Arthur pushed them away.

"Of course I am. I-" He stopped and ran to the closet. He flung it open only to find, it was empty.

✿

Well we still have no idea who the murderer is, but we do know that both Arthur & Ivan are safe!
I told you I'd update something
So I updated this.
Amazing, right?
Until the next chapter, my dearies!

-M