Silent Strangers

TWENTY FIVE

Chapter Twenty Five: 

Tobias

The fire crackled in the corner, casting flickering shadows across the room. The game of Cluedo lay sprawled out on the table, pieces carefully arranged, but the atmosphere was anything but calm. It felt like we were all on the edge of something—something about to tip over, ready to shift.

Grace had been dominating the game from the start. I could see it in the way she moved her pieces, the glint in her eyes as she made each decision with the precision of a chess player. But then, there was Kai—smirking, tossing playful jabs at everyone, acting like he didn't care about 

the game at all. But I knew better.

Kai always cared, especially when there was a chance to mess with someone.

"I'm telling you, Grace, you're thinking too hard," Kai said, leaning back in his chair, folding his arms. "Cluedo is all about gut instinct. You should be playing on that."

Grace barely glanced at him, her focus never wavering. "If I wanted gut instincts, I would've played a guessing game, Kai."

He grinned, uncaring of her jab, but I could tell his eyes were flickering between her and the game, gauging every move she made. I didn't know whether he was trying to get under her skin or if he was genuinely interested in the outcome. He had a way of making everything feel like a challenge, like there was always some deeper play happening behind the scenes.

Kai was the kind of guy who thrived on unpredictability. He'd done it to me enough times. Disrupting the rhythm, making me second-guess everything. That's when I realized—he was doing it to Grace now.

I watched her reaction. She hesitated for a second, just a fraction of a moment, before making her next move. It was small, but I knew it. She'd been thrown off.

Kai noticed, too, and a sly smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Gotcha," he muttered under his breath.

I didn't like it.

Grace might have played it off, but I could see the tension building in her shoulders. She wasn't used to being distracted. But tonight, it seemed like both of them were playing their games, and I was caught in the middle.

"Grace," I said, my voice calm, trying to bring her back to the moment. "Focus. You're good at this."She glanced at me, a flicker of a smile in her eyes. "Thanks, Tobias, but I'm more worried about 

him right now." She pointed at Kai.

Kai gave a dramatic sigh, leaning in with that trademark smirk of his. "Me? I'm just giving my 

expert opinion."

I could see it, though—Kai was deliberately pushing her buttons, trying to distract her. It was like he was savoring the power of disrupting the moment. But Grace wasn't someone to be easily 

swayed, and I knew she'd eventually find her way back.

As the game progressed, Grace kept playing cautiously. She was methodical, but there was something about the air that was shifting. Every time she made a move, Kai would throw in a comment, just enough to make her doubt herself. It wasn't much, but I could see the effects."I think I have it," Grace said suddenly, a confident edge to her voice.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Really? You've solved the mystery already?" He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with that competitive gleam. "Well, go on then. Tell us your brilliant conclusion."

I could sense it—the suspense building in the room. Grace's eyes flickered to her cards, then to the game board. "I think it was Colonel Mustard," she said slowly. "In the library. With the candlestick."

For a split second, I thought I saw her falter. But then, she stood firm, her voice unwavering.

Kai gave a mocking slow clap. "Impressive, Grace. But you know, I'd be careful with that guess. It sounds too perfect." He leaned back, crossing his arms. "Are you sure you're not overlooking 

something?"

I could see Grace's mind working. Her eyes darted back to the cards in her hand. That's when I knew—it was happening. Kai had done exactly what he was trying to do. He had thrown her off balance. And it wasn't just his words; it was the way he said them, the challenge in his voice that made her question everything she'd worked for.

But that was Kai. A master of throwing everything into chaos.

I couldn't help but feel a thrill, the tension between the three of us thickening. Who would crack first? Grace? Kai? Or me, if I was foolish enough to let them get into my head, too?

Grace shook her head, as if clearing away the doubt Kai had planted. "I'm sticking with my guess. It's Colonel Mustard, in the library, with the candlestick."

I leaned forward, deciding it was time to intervene. "Alright, Grace. Go ahead. Make your accusation."

She looked at me for a moment, then nodded, her face determined. "I'll stick with it."She made her move. I glanced at Kai, who was watching the whole thing with that signature mixture of confidence and uncertainty. Kai wasn't one to admit when he was wrong, but I could 

tell he was on edge.

Grace made her declaration, and the room fell silent as I revealed the final card.

And just like that, her guess was wrong.

Grace blinked, disbelief flickering across her face as she looked from the board to me. "What?" she asked, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

I couldn't help the grin that tugged at my lips. "You were close, but no cigar."

Kai, who had been sitting silently, leaned forward now, his usual cocky grin replaced by a look of genuine surprise. "Wait, you won?"

I nodded, my gaze flicking to Grace. "I did. It was Professor Plum, in the study, with the rope."

There was a long pause before Grace burst out laughing. "I can't believe I got distracted by him." She shot a playful glare at Kai. "You're never getting away with this."

Kai just shrugged, unapologetic as ever. "It's all part of the game. Better luck next time, Grace."

It was a lighthearted end to what had been a tense round, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. Not just from winning, but from the way we'd all challenged each other in our own 

ways.

It was more than just a game—it was a reminder that sometimes, the real mystery wasn't in the cards or the game board. It was in the way we played each other, the way we interacted, and the way the smallest things could change the course of everything.

I smiled, leaning back in my chair. "So, who's up for round three?"