The Forgotten

Conspiracy Or No Conspiracy That Is The Question

Within five minutes the police were called. Another ten and they were here, their blue lights casting an eerie glow on the driveway. There was also an ambulance. It's not needed; I don't know why it's here.

People in black clothes put Jess' body on a gurney. They also put a black tarp-like thing over it before wheeling it into the ambulance. I guess the EMS removes bodies too. I'm not sure how else to explain everything.

My eyes travel to the roof of the house. Did Jess jump? Or was he pushed? If he was pushed, who could have done it?

York and Janessa. They knew I ran to him after their attempt at kidnapping me. And they must know I told him everything, or at least, they think that. They also have probably figured out he knows they were once Forgotten. What would they be willing to do to make sure their secrets remain so?

I can't help but think how weird this all is. If Raven did only die earlier this week, than Jess and Raven died unusually close to one another. And Cardinal's kidnapping. It would be one thing if everyone knew Raven was dead. It would imply Jess committed suicide.

But he didn't. Because he thought Raven was me, and I'm alive. Someone had to push him. I think it's the same person who kidnapped Cardinal....which means whoever did it was at this party.

I shiver.

"You cold?" Will's voice asks. I don't look at him. If we hadn't been on the roof, Jess wouldn't have come after us. Then he might not be dead.

Will continues without an answer, "What am I saying? Of course you're cold after all of this crap." I still don't speak. Ignoring Will can be part of my damnation, my penance for what happened to Jess.

Will takes off his nice coat and drapes it around my shoulders. I have to say something.

"That is terribly cliché," I tell him. He grins.

"For a minute I thought your ability to speak had died with..." He doesn't say it. Thank the literal God he doesn't say it.

"Jersey's giving a statement," I tell him. I don't know why, but I am.

Will nods.

"That must've been horrible. They were close, you know?"

"Oh I know." More than you think.

I find myself wishing he knew. Not just about my stupid conspiracy theories, but knew I'm not as upset as I should be. Knew I'm not Raven.

But I can't tell him. Not now, not ever.

I feel a hand grip my arm. I allow the person to steer me back into the house. I realize how strong they are. I look up.

Crap!

It's Lieutenant Brace.

"What do you want?" I hiss when we stop walking. He glances around furtively.

"What do you know about Jess Banks?" I cross my arms.

"You're really questioning me?" I ask. "Jersey Hampshire found the body." Brace shakes his head.

"Um, she did find the body," I remind him.

"No," he says, "I meant I'm not questioning you in a suspect manner. I want to know if he had any enemies."

"I've only known him for two days, remember?" I snap. I never did like Brace. He was a bit full of  himself. And secretive. I hate anyone whose secrets I don't already know. Except Will, but he wears his secrets well.

"Eris, I know you, remember. I know that you never give up all your cards. But this is a murder."

"I know that," I reply. "I just saw a body, for the first time ever."

"So did a lot of people out there." He juts a finger at the hoard of people crowding around Jess' parents. His mother is weeping hysterically. I guess snobs do have emotion.

I huff, but relent.

"Fine. I think there's a conspiracy going on. Something is happening. Raven died this week. Cardinal is missing. And now Jess is..." I take a deep breath. "He's gone too. Someone is offing rich kids. Not that I necessarily blame them, if they are anything like some of the Forgotten I've met..." I trail off. I don't want to get anyone in trouble.

The Robin Hood lover, the one who told me about freedom and the water, he had this theory. He said that if all of the rich kids died, their parents would replace them with us.

Now I seriously  want to know who he was.

A thought occurs to me. York changed his name to York after he left the Compound. It's possible he was the Robin Hood fan. If so, he  might actually be attempting to ruin the system. Or work it more likely.

"Who did you think is behind this conspiracy?" Brace asks. He puts sarcastic emphasis on "conspiracy" I'm surprised I didn't see finger air quotes.

"York Hampshire, Janessa Cromwell, and the Forgotten that got adopted."

"Like you?" I scowl.

"No, I mean earlier than me, and officially adopted."

"You were legally adopted," Brace tells me. I roll my eyes.

"You know what I mean. Adopted because they were wanted more than the other Forgotten, not to replace some dead sibling."

"Keep your voice down," he whispers.

"Fine," I agree. "But I think Cardinal's already dead." He raises an eyebrow.

"What makes you so sure?" I take a deep breath. Not to brace myself, but to prevent myself from strangling him.

"Two other rich people have died the same week, one of them her sister. It sounds like a serial killer."

"Make a choice, serial killer or conspiracy?"

I cross my arms.

"It can be both, can't it?" On that, I turn and walk away as quickly and forcefully as possible. I want him to know he's not in my good books.

A/N: this is Jersey at the party.