The Originals

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Orchid Gray

Shortly after the Originals left Detective Erin Hollison, they trekked up to Silverleaf's roof. Orchid felt sick to her stomach, Bailey had died so horribly in a car crash. She needed to discover who was the mastermind behind the murders and the gothic literature club. She sighed, gazing at the two other Originals.

Saira was looking blankly at the skies, blinking. There was so much death that plagued the academy, when would it stop? Never if we keep quiet, Orchid thought miserably. Stoll was lost in thought, his fingers tugging at his black curls, whispering under his breath, fast and quick words.

"Are you okay?" Orchid asked Saira.

"Fareeda's gone, she was m-murdered." There was an edge to Saira's voice before spinning around to face Orchid. Their eyes bore into each other's. "Do it, Gray. Hand all our evidence to the cops," she said quickly. "I'll gather all the photos, videos, recordings, and anything else we need to make a solid case. I just need Fareeda to get the justice she deserves," Saira begged, sounding desperate. Her demeanour had changed overnight; was she making a rash decision in the spur of Fareeda's death?

Orchid didn't know what to say, so Stoll said it to her. "Are you okay with that? I mean, there's a big chance the police officers are going to have to question us and our backgrounds. And not to mention the public and media once this breaks out..."

"I'll take the blame." The words tumbled out of Orchid's mouth as her voice wavered. Stoll and Saira stared at her as if she was crazy. Orchid forced a smile while she trembled. Navaeh, Navaeh, Navaeh. She wasn't ready to be back in the spotlight, but without sunlight, an orchid could never blossom. "I'll hand in all of the evidence and everything we did, I'll say I did myself. Your secrets are safe with me. Forever, I had a promise to you both."

Stoll was stunned. "Gray—"

"Stoll, I'm doing it either way. Look, I'm going to the gothic literature club one last time," Orchid continued, exhaling sharply. "Wait for me outside the Study Hall, if we end this, we end together."

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It was now the early evening and Orchid didn't know if she'd survive. The day shockingly passed by quickly, but she left stuck in time. Standing out of the Study Hall, waiting for Tommy Asterion. Looking around, she took out her notepad, glancing at the suspect list.

List of suspects:

Sam Finnegan

S. C. (Stanley Crawford)

Professor Yarwood

Headmaster Roux

Professor Asher

Silverleaf Gothic Literature Club (Professor Xing)

Ivory Kee

She crossed out Ivory Kee's name, she was dead, she couldn't have done it. Plus, she didn't have a motive or any connection to the gothic club, and her alibi was solid. Along with the other suspects that Orchid crossed out; Sam Finnegan, Professor Yarwood, and Professor Asher. All that was left was Stanley Crawford, Headmaster Roux, and Madeleine Xing. And I'm about to meet her right now, she gulped. But where was Stan? Someone called her name and Orchid quickly shoved her notepad back into her bag, spinning around. "Tommy!" she exclaimed, breathless.

"Excited to see me?" He was laughing and slightly eased Orchid's nerves.

"Nope, just excited to get the book club over and done with," she replied before realizing how harsh that sounded. "I mean, I am excited to see you too," she added hastily.

The doors swung open with a creak and Madeleine and Jones. Jones looked distracted, his eyes flitting across the room, wringing his hands. "Oh, good! Orchid and Tommy!" Madeleine smiled, motioning them to come inside.