The Stolen Stone

Chapter 5

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I removed the mask of the person and was shocked to see... Ashlene.

"Ashlene you stole the stone?" I asked shocked.

"Ashlene.. I can't believe that you did this. Why? Why did you do?" Aaron asked crying as he couldn't believe what his sister did. Aaron was having an expression which was a mixture of disbelief, shock and sadness.

Even John was shocked because he likes Ashlene. She didn't even speak for once. She was just.. crying.

"Ashlene.. just say me that it's a lie. Say to everyone that you didn't steal the stone. Please." Aaron said not able to control his feelings for his sister.

"Aaron.. I did it. I stole the stone. Please don't ask me anything else." Ash said sobbing. It was like she is forced to do this. She was crying a lot. And I could see that she was feeling guilty.

"Miss. Ashlene you are arrested." John said with a pain.

"The stone is inside my bag." Ash said pointing her index finger towards the bag that she brought with her.

And then Ash was taken by the female officer. And she was gone. Aaron was not able to control himself. I was feeling really sad for him. George was consoling him.

We went back to our rooms after Aaron had slept. It was difficult for him to sleep. But after crying a lot, he slept. George was worried about Aaron.

"Don't worry George. Everything will be alright." Bess said. Then Bess and I gave a tight hug to George.

"Now both of you please rest for sometime. We will see what to do tomorow." I said in a low voice.

After George and Bess went to bed, I went to my study table. I still had a lot of questions in my mind.

What was that message about which I read in Marie's phone? Why was she scared? She was acting so weird.. and I thought she was the thief.
But I was wrong.

I still couldn't believe that the stone was stolen by Ashlene. Yah I know , she was rude and arrogant at first but at the time when she was agreeing about the stone, I could see in her eyes that it was not her will. I felt like someone forced her to say all those things.

My head was spinning due to all these. So I went to my bed for some rest. And the first thing that I have to do after getting up , is to talk to Marie.

At 9:00 am...

I was feeling good now. Bess and George were already out, maybe they were with Aaron. I got up as soon as possible, took a warm bath and went out to search Marie. I went out of the room running but was caught by Bess and George.

"Hey girl easy... where are you going?" Bess asked.

"I have to go to Marie."

"But why? The thief is caught now, the stone is in its own place and its safe. Why do you want to go to Marie?" George said.

"Ya.. but I want to know, why she was scared and looked tensed all the time. If you want , you can join me." I said.

"Yup ok." And then we three went to talk to Marie.

She was there in the canteen alone cleaning the table. We went towards her and she was scared again.

"I'm really sorry. I did it for my brothers and sister. Please don't put me in the prison." Marie said before even we could speak to her.

"What are you talking about?" Bess asked.

"I thought you came to me, so that you can hand over me to police." She said surprised.