The Originals

Chapter Sixteen: Orchid Gray

Orchid Gray was speeding through The Loose Noose, glancing up at the clock every few minutes. She had to return the book back to Professor Yarwood by tomorrow. "You look stressed," Bailey commented, tying up her thick blond hair into a ponytail.

"I just need to finish this book," she murmured. "Don't worry about me."

"All these suicides in Silverleaf... It's all tragic."

She paused, thinking of Professor Green. "Yeah, it is pretty tragic."

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Orchid was heading over to the Staff's Quarters. It wasn't like the Cleaners' Quarters or the Finnegan House, it was roped off from the rest of the school and the professors and headmaster stayed there.

She went to Professor Yarwood's apartment door, knocking on it. After five minutes of silence, Yarwood came to the door in a rubber-ducky bathrobe, looking surprised. "Miss Gray, it is nearly midnight and past the curfew of 11: 00 PM, on a school night—"

"I finished The Loose Noose." Orchid thrust the book into Professor Yarwood's hands. By the end of the story, it confirmed her and Saira's theory. In the book, there was a man named Zusak whose life was in shambles; his wife and children had left him. He went on to his day, saying goodbye to people he barely cared about to avoid his loved ones.

Then, Zusak killed himself, slitting his wrists and hanging himself in his bedroom. But Zusak's attempt failed—the noose was loose and allowed him to live. Except, the kicker that shocked Orchid was that the man hung himself yet again and actually died that time.

He had a chance to live, she thought. And didn't take it—why?

However, there was no doubt that Zusak's death and Green's were the same. Even the dried puddles of blood were the exact same. And right now, Orchid could have been staring right at Professor Green's murderer.

Could Professor Yarwood have murdered Green?

"Ah, I see, Orchid. Well, I would say that Bill Johnston is an excellent gothic literature author," Yarwood tutted, puffing up his chest with pride. Orchid nodded meekly. "Did you enjoy the book?"

Considering how violent and depressing it was, no, Orchid wanted to say. Instead, she said, "Yes, I enjoyed a lot, Professor Yarwood. I find the irony in the book's title lining up with Zusak's death. I'm starting to enjoy gothic literature." Orchid's voice was flat.

"Well, if you truly like gothic literature, you should join the Silverleaf Gothic Literature Club, it's like a book club or mere bookish discussions," Professor Yarwood suggested happily.

Wait, Silverleaf Gothic Literature Club? In Professor Green's update log, it mentioned S. C. and Green's hatred for a club. A literacy club perhaps. Orchid's heart rate quickened as her heart pounded. "A club?"

"Yes, I think registration ends February 29th, so in three days," he replied, leaning against the doorframe. "However, I did not organize it, so I can not personally confirm. Their readings and my assignments sometimes line up—with the Azure Eyes of Blood or The Loose Noose—but they are not the same."

Did the Silverleaf Gothic Literature Club have anything to do with Professor Green's and Scarlett Mako's killings? Orchid could barely breathe, she needed to tell Saira and Stoll. "Thank you, Professor Yarwood. I have another question, who actually leads the club?"

Yarwood cocked his head, thinking. "I believe it's Professor Asher."

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List of suspects: