Ace Attorney Executions: Despair and Retribution

Turnabout Mistakes ~ Despairing Days - Investigation Middle, Part 1

—Ultimate Chef Joy Kater's POV—

Mattea passed out when we heard the bad news... Moments ago, she was worried; now I'M worried... She was pacing back and forth while waiting for the elevator to get fixed. She really wanted to see Pen...but now...

I kneeled down his body and put my hands on my chest.

"Who would even want you dead...?" I whispered to his empty shell. He was too innocent to this cruel world. Who would even hate him that much that they wanted his life...?

Meanwhile, Zero is...just standing, looking at the ground. The shadows of his hair covered his face... Clearly, he is suffering inside. He is probably not the type to show his feelings so much.

His mouth opened slightly, like he was saying something. This whisper got louder and louder until we could all here his shouting voice, saying: "WHO IN THE LIVING HELL KILLED HIM?!"

"Z-Zero..." I tried to calm him down, putting a hand on his shoulder. His head snapped back and looked at me with a death glare and a grin plastered on his face.

"Was it you...?" He whispered in a chilling voice, filled with happiness...insane kind of happiness.

By reflex, I backed away and decided to leave him for now.

"Guys?" I called out. "We should not talk to Zero for now, ja? Right now...he's...unstable..." They all nodded and continued on doing what they were doing...rather hesitantly.

Moments on, Serena, who took Mattea's unconscious body to the nearby bedroom and offered to nurse her, came back.

"She is doing fine," she confirmed with a smile. "The shock must've been too much for her to handle. But we may not be able to see her till later on. I will check on her regularly."

I nodded and said, "Thank you, Serena."

"You are very welcome," she replied. "Let us continue with our investigation."

Once again, I nodded and looked at Pen's body. That's a heavy blow his head received... The wound was actually at the back of his head.

"Hmm, strange..." I whispered.

"What is, Joy?" Caleb, who walked beside me, asked. "Something bothering you?"

"U-um, j-ja," I simply replied, trying not to be nervous. "There's something just...not right here..."

"Really?" Antonio, who was just watching from behind, suddenly asked. "Do you mind telling us?"

I shook my head. "I don't mind... The thing is...isn't it strange that the damage his head received is...less?"

—Pen's Head Injury Details saved in Memory—

"That is strange..." Caleb agreed, nodding. "With that big of a weapon, you'd expect more...and by that, I mean, like...a bashed skull..."

I shivered at the idea of a bashed skull. That is...too much. Pen with a bashed skull...? Oh gosh!!!! Okay okay! Stop thinking about it, Joy!

It appeared that Caleb noticed my fear. He cleared his throat and blurted, "S-sorry! Didn't mean to...give that picture..."