Contained by Love

Chapter 24 - Realization

Who the hell could it be? My teeth grind against each other, as if that would give me the answer. The one question I actually needed to know.

I already knew why I was taken, where I was, who to choose from, who was a traitor and who was just misunderstood. But the one goddamn question. The one that I was legitimately willing to rip out my hair for was a complete mystery!

If I didn’t find out whom Madame’s killer was soon enough, I was going to lose my mind. The Guy in Black was practically mocking me anyway. He probably just showed up just to confuse me. And since there was no way it was John, I was completely clueless. After all, he was my top guess. I was too out of it to notice who else was in the room or not when all hell broke loose.

I sigh deeply, closing my eyes and leaning against the wall. My mind frantically starts narrowing down the suspects.

I knew it wasn’t a Fisherman, they were way too big for the size of the person I saw. It was definitely a boy, because let’s face it, no girl has time to wrap up her chest to make it look flat and sprout bulging arm muscles. It clearly wasn’t John, since he can’t be in two places at once. And it wasn’t Eli, because he was passed out half the time.

Wait a minute…John couldn’t be in two places at once…unless he was working with someone. I snap up, ignoring the flash of pain in my head and sprang to my feet. That had to be the answer! John probably got another boy here that has a similar body shape to confuse me and lead me to believe he wasn’t the killer!

I sprint back to the cafeteria, automatically scanning my eyes for Aimee as a precaution. My eyes land on her in the same place as when I left. I didn’t even realize that it had only been a few minutes. It felt like hours.

I made my way over to where Eli was being tended to. I suck in a sharp breath when he raises his shirt and his entire back is covered in slashes and bruises. His ears perk up and he turns around, hastily bringing his shirt back down to hide the monstrous damages. I bite my lip to keep from saying something and sit down beside him, trying to ignore the tears that threatened to well up in my eyes from his abuse.

“I think I know who Madame’s killer is.” I blurt out bluntly, watching his eyebrows raise in surprise, as if he wasn’t expecting my outburst.

“Who?” He asks, dumbfounded.

“It’s John. You were passed out so you don’t know, but he was gone most of the fight…and then reappeared once Madame was dead.  Her killer was wearing all black and had a mask on but he saw me and gestured for me to be quiet before he snuck up behind her and…well, you know.” I hammered on, desperate to get it off my chest.

“But, Vi, it could have been anyone…” Eli tried to reason.

“I know it was him.” I say, my voice hard. Eli drops the subject, lowering his eyes to the ground and obviously avoiding the question he wanted to ask.

“I talked to John in the hallway a few minutes ago.” I say, my voice sounding foreign to me. Eli raises his head, still not looking at me.

“And what did you say?” He inquires quietly.

I lean over and put my hand on his cheek, turning his face around and planting my lips on his, not caring if anyone saw. Eli was so taken by surprise that it took him a while to register what this kiss meant. That I had chosen him. He was the one. He responds instantly, pulling me in closer as if he can’t get enough of me. I trail my fingers down his neck lightly, as our tongues intertwine and continue to deepen the kiss.

“Ahem.” A voice interrupts us and we both draw back quickly. Gwen was standing there with her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face.

“Hope I wasn’t interrupting. Can I steal Vivienne for a minute?” She asks sweetly. Eli was still a bit dazed, so I get up and leave the table, giggling a little at his state.

“What do you want, Gwen?” I murmur, the feeling of Eli’s lips still on mine.

“Well, now that we know we have to leave before the DIO catches us, everyone was kind of hoping you would give another speech?” Gwen states awkwardly.

“Me?” I ask in surprise. “Why me?”

“Everyone kind of views you as some kind of god. Without you or your plan, none of us would be free. And since you found out our parents gave up, most of us have nowhere to go…” Gwen trails off. I nod in understanding.

“Fine. Gather everyone around. I’ll…try my best.” I say, sounding much more sure than I felt. Gwen smiles broadly and runs off to get everyone, leaving me standing there without a clue as to what I would say. 

 As I was gathering my composure, my brain jumps back to The Guy in Black. He was going to be here, right? He would be standing there, listening on with everyone else and I wouldn't even know it was him. Gah! This was so excruciatingly frustrating!

 I walked over to the middle of the cafeteria and sat on top of one of the tables, watching as people started sitting around me. I tried to find any telltale signs of Madame's killer, but no one was wearing all black with a mask covering half their face. I might as well give up.    

Gwen took a seat closest to me and nodded encouragingly, thinking I was nervous about talking front of everyone. Ha. If only she knew I was nervous because someone in this room murdered Madame and was now teasing me.    

I noticed that everyone was staring at me and waiting for me to speak, so I open my mouth, the words spilling out like a waterfall.  

"How many of you have parents?" I start, watching half the people raise their hands. I nod.  

"How many of you don't?" I continue, watching the other half raise their hands.  

"Well, as far you are concerned, none of us have parents. They sold us out to Madame, and if we go back home they'll just call the DIO and have us sent to a foreign country. Now I don't know about you, but there is no way in hell I'm letting that happen." I cross my legs and clear my throat.  

"At first I thought about going to my cousins, but how do I know they aren't involved? How do I know my freshman teachers or that kid that sat in front of me in history class isn't involved?" I ask them, seeing the truth dawn over their faces as they realized I was right. They were all probably questioning their entire lives.  

"So I think it would be best to get far away from our old homes and start new lives. We'll team up if we are going in the same direction. Get jobs, change our names. Forget our old lives and start living better ones. We'll have each other, so it won't be so bad." I finish, waiting for someone to break the heavy silence.    

Turning my head over to Gwen, I saw her face falling with disappointment. In fact, most of their faces weren't happy.    

"Hey, I know this isn't what you want to hear, but let's face it; we can't trust our own families. It can't get much worse than that. I don't know about you, but I consider some of you my family now, and I don't need anyone else." I get up, and leave the cafeteria, not wanting to witness any more sadness.  

My legs break into a run as fast as they could to the nearest bathroom and I lock myself in there, sobbing. I would never see my mother again. Or my dog. Or Anna, Bea...and Ryan. My old life was over. I knew that in time I would accept that, but in the moment I had to mourn for the life I'll never get to live.  

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A/N: So sorry for the long wait! I'm writing as much as I can! Anyways, just saying, there will be one more chapter and an epilogue and than the story will be done!   So who do you think killed Madame? ;)