Flicker AE: Shadows Of Leronzo

Chapter 5 | Dawn, Grave Of The Fireflies

As they were about to leave, the group's collective breath caught in their throats when Veronica's voice echoed through the auditorium once more.

"Please, everyone, stay for just another moment," she announced, her tone authoritative and cold; the group turned back, the dread, confusion, and apprehension still etched on their faces.

"I have an important announcement," Veronica continued, her eyes sweeping over the uneasy participants.

"We have a latecomer joining the game."

The tension in the room heightened as the doors at the side of the stage slowly opened.

A girl stepped into the light, her presence instantly commanding attention. She had beautiful long black hair that cascaded down her back, corresponding strikingly with her brown skin. Her sparkling blue eyes seemed to pierce through the dim lighting, adding an air of mystique to her already captivating appearance.

Her movements were fluid and graceful, each step deliberate as if she were gliding across the stage. Despite her delicate appearance, there was an unmistakable aura of threat about her, an elegance that hinted at something dangerous lurking beneath the surface.

She stopped at the center of the stage, her gaze sweeping over the group. With a calm, almost chilling demeanor, she addressed them. "Hello, everyone. I am Arielle. It is a pleasure to finally meet you all."

Her voice was smooth and composed, yet carried a subtle undercurrent of menace - the way she spoke, the way she carried herself, all suggested a person who was in complete control and not to be underestimated.

The introduction hung in the air, the implications of a new player dawning on the already strained group.

The group's collective silence was soon broken by a wave of frantic whispers as they huddled together, their eyes darting between Arielle and each other. The atmosphere was thick with suspicion and unease.

"Who... is she?" Reza muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he observed Arielle. "Why is she joining now?"

"She must've been hiding," Qasim said, his voice laced with his usual pessimism. "It's too convenient. She just appears right after we vote out Lukey. She could be the one who killed Elizabeth."

"She's definitely suspicious," Haneen agreed, glancing at the others for their reactions. "We need to be careful around her."

Evelyn, her usual cowardice overshadowed by the intensity of the situation, spoke up. "Do you think she... do you think she had something to do with Lukey being the clown? Maybe she knew."

Sabrina shivered, hugging herself. "It has nothing to do with Arielle. We should've seen the signs. The clues were there, and we ignored them."

The group fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their mistake once again hanging over them like a dark cloud. The true realization that they had voted out the wrong person - an act that had resulted in Lukey's untimely death - only added to the dread and paranoia that had taken hold of them.

Arielle cleared her throat, the soft sound slicing through the tense whispers. Her commanding presence demanded attention, and the group fell silent, eyes fixed on her.

"I apologize for my late arrival," she began, her voice smooth and melodic, yet carrying an underlying edge that set everyone on edge. "I was on the other side of the city when this... game started. It took me a while to get here, especially with my weak leg."

Her explanation was met with a mix of suspicion and disbelief. Aren's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her. "How do we know you're telling the truth?"

Reza crossed his arms, his skepticism clear. "Yeah, it's awfully convenient that you show up now, right after we've lost two of our own."