The Murders at the Beilschmidt Manor

Chapter 11

How they'll dance

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What in blazes name are you doing?" She asked, confused. He was in the midst of pulling things out of the closet, looking for something, anything. His breathing was heavy, chest heaving to try and catch it. He looked to Francis and Maria. The sight of his wild eyes and the crimson liquid on his chest made them gasp and take a step back. Francis pulled Maria behind him in a slight protective manner.

"They're gone." Arthur finally said, defeated. He slumped against the wall, looking down at his feet. Maria and Francis exchanged a worried glance. They were beginning to fear for Arthur's sanity. Was he okay in a house full of death? Should they have paid closer attention to him? Francis walked over slowly and crouched down besides him. He rested a hand on the man's shoulder, causing him to tense up beneath his hand.

"Arthur," He had began. The man's large eyebrows furrowed and he covered his mouth. Francis became confused and tried to pull it away. Arthur shook his head, and with his free hand, he put a finger to his lips.

"Sh."

Footsteps were heard above them, light and unexpected. Maria hadn't heard them, opening her mouth to say something.

"Sh!"

They stopped right above Francis and Arthur. The three listened on in horror as they heard a heavy 'SHHH' sound, as if someone was dragging something heavy. Arthur looked towards the closet and he knew. Quickly, he ran to it. He ripped the coats off their hangers, revealing a silver ladder.

× - × - × - × - × - × - ×

"You've got some nerve, Alistair." The hooded figure said, tapping their long, red fingernails on the chair's wooden arm rest. The red haired man had been dragged in by Lili, her tiny frame heaving in the corner as she tried to catch her breath. He was watching the person's nails as they rhythmically bounced on the wood, echoing in his mind. "You dare try to betray me. You knew the plan. You knew we had to get rid of them." Their voice was soft, yet venomous. As if they had been wanting revenge all their life. The figure stood and walked over slowly.

"I never expected my brother to be one of them. You told me you wouldn't hurt my family." The harmless cook said, worry and fear interlaced in his voice as he watched them approach. The hooded figure pulled back their hood, staring him in the eyes. Her long brown hair cascaded down her pale shoulders like a waterfall, her hazel eyes were beautiful yet full of hatred and flame, and she wore a soft, sympathetic smirk. She stroked his cheek and put a cigarette between his lips. She knelt down, her judging hazel eyes meeting his green ones.

"People promise a lot of things. It shouldn't be a surprise when they break it. I mean, promises? They're so hard to keep." She pulled out a small match box with a rooster on them. She lit a match and held it to his cigarette. "I know what broken promises can do, which is why I always try to keep mine. This one, though. I cannot promise I can keep it."

"S-So... You lied?" He said, his eyes widening. She let out a hearty laugh and stood, her eyes full of anger and excitement. They burned like a fed wildfire. "Sometimes to get the pearls, you have to sacrifice a few clams. Too bad that you're one of them, huh?" She patronized, stepping back. Lili walked up behind him, pressing a gun to his head.

"Enjoy the show Lili put on?" She had asked as she watched the cigarette drop from his mouth. "I sure did and I'm going to enjoy this one. I'm sure it'll be a real blast."

"God bless your soul, Mei." He said, making her freeze. "For the devil has it in his grasp and he won't let go."

Mei scowled. "I don't believe in your God."

"It's a real shame. He would forgive you for all of the sins you've committed. Especially the ones you committed in Spain." He said, trying to stall the two from killing him. The red blossom in her eyes raged fiercely. She grabbed him by the collar, the ties on his wrists rubbing together causing him to wince.

"They were not my sins." She hissed. "They were his. Now he's burning in hell and you're going to join him!" Mei grabbed the gun from Lili and held it against his temple. "It's time for your judgment!"

She smirked widely, the wildfire in her eyes blazing brightly. "I declare you..."

She pulled the trigger.

"Guilty."

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Maria and Francis tried to catch their breath. They had been chasing after Arthur whom was hellbent on catching an imaginary runner. Maria tripped over a piece of board that jutted out from the floor. Francis tried to catch her, inevitably falling with her. If they hadn't had fallen, Maria wouldn't have noticed the piece of paper slipped between the floorboards. She grabbed it quickly and read it over.

Francis had been looking for Arthur when he noticed the Brit hunched over. He walked over cautiously and began to shake. "Arthur. Arthur, please. We need to go." He said. Arthur was sobbing into the chest of his dead brother. He was hugging him tightly, his sobs loud.

Maria looked at the two, worried. 'The note had been written by a dead girl,' Maria thought, looking it over. 'How else can it be possible for her to write this? Especially when it's addressed to me?'

She read it over again and again.

"Maria,

What a clever girl you are! You've made it this far, and are getting so close to solving this case. Don't give up just quite yet. I'd love to help. In fact, meet me in the courtyard at 3 am exactly.

Bring no one but yourself.

-Mei"

Her eyes flickered over the last sentence. She decided she'd go to meet her, even if it would end her.