The Scarlett Story: How it all started

Chapter 12

Mathias
8/4
There is a school assembly today. Apparently someone finally found the body of Koresh. Somewhere two kilometres north of the village outside of Evermore. Now Headmaster Derderos is talking to everyone about this tragedy. Headmaster Derderos looks around the assembly, which is a large courtyard that surrounds the main school. There are hundreds of people here, most of them students. Headmaster Derderos speaks into his wand, his voice amplified so the entire courtyard can hear him.

"I regret to inform you that the search for Koresh has yielded tragic results. Her body has been found, just two kilometres from the village of Evermore." ninety percent of us found that part earlier today. Some girls towards the back start crying. Headmaster Derderos continues, his voice now lower and more sombre. "It is now certain that Koresh's death was not an accident, but rather a cold-blooded murder. The police have already launched an investigation into the matter and I encourage all students to cooperate with the authorities to help them bring the culprit to justice." More girls in the crowd begin to cry, some of the boys start whispering to each other. I look around at the people nearby. Nevaeh and Eain are listening. I can see tears in Nevaeh's eyes. A lot of people are crying, especially Hordad students. Headmaster Derderos stops talking and waits for people to stop crying. Once it is silent enough, he speaks again. "As we are all aware, Koresh's death is the latest in a string of tragic events that have occurred in recent months. Many students have experienced a great deal of grief and trauma as a result of these incidents. I want everyone to know that the school counsellors and teachers are here to provide support for anyone who needs it." After Headmaster Derderos finishes talking, some students continue to murmur among themselves. Some of the girls are still crying, and some of the boys are exchanging concerned looks. Headmaster Derderos takes a deep breath and then speaks again. "I know that many of you still have questions about what happened to Koresh, and it is natural to want to know more. However, the police have requested that we avoid speculating or spreading rumours regarding the investigation. They want to protect the integrity of the case, and they will continue to provide updates to the school as needed." When we are finally released from the courtyard, I go off outside. Nevaeh and Eain follow behind me. Nevaeh looks at me, her eyes still puffy from crying.

"Did you hear all that? Someone really did kill Koresh." She wipes away some tears, her voice shaking a little bit.

"Well, she did disappear two months ago. I hate to sound insensitive, but I think everyone already assumed." I say and Nevaeh nods, wiping away more tears.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just… I kind of hoped that, somehow, she was still alive. And that maybe she'd just run away or something. But now I know what really happened, and it's just… it's just so sad."

"Yeah, It really is. Imagine if it was one of your siblings." I say to Eain, who I think was already having the same thought. Eain nods, his face solemn.

"Yeah, I can't even imagine.. I mean, Koresh was a nice girl, from what I remember. But she was kind of quiet, kept to herself a lot. It's hard to believe that someone would want to hurt her." Eain says while kicking a rock around.

"For some reason it is always the nice kids that something bad happens to." I say, Nevaeh nods and wipes away another tear.

"Yeah, I guess that's true. Now that I think about it, I wonder if the person who killed her knew her well. Otherwise, how would they have found her out there way outside of the village?"

"That would be even worse."  I say then Eain chimes in.

"Yeah, Imagine being killed by someone you know very well." Nevaeh nods again.

"It's so messed up. I just don't get why someone would do that, you know? It's just so cruel and pointless. And now, that killer is out there, walking around amongst us, and we don't even know who it is." I say.