DUCHAS (The Drive Within, Book 2 in Baile series)

Chapter 9 Criminal Minds

Isla

I exited the doors of the reptilian and amphibian pavilion, entering a room filled with taxidermy animals displayed in glass cases or suspended from the ceiling. I paused by an empty wrought iron cage; a slip of paper was nestled within, the words 'Cursed Child' was written in blood red ink on it. I eyed the latch before I went to lift it. The metal seared against my skin as if it were a hot poker. I withdrew my hand, a blister left in the iron's wake.

I woke early, releasing a loud breath. I rolled over to see April already awake and with a book nestled in her lap.

"Do you think it's a coincide that Eleanor suggested you audition for the role of the Faerie Queen in the play?" She asked rather spontaneously.

"I'm guessing you don't." I propped myself up with my elbow.

"Read this." April tossed me a notepad from across the room.

"What's this?" I questioned as I read out a list of names.

"People who could want you dead."

I read the names of Constance Connolly, Eleanor and Olivia Taylor, Alice, Mason and the lunch lady.

"You can't be serious?"

"It was a great idea of yours to keep a journal, I have put my own to good use." April stood, fishing out a journal from between her huge pile of romance novels. It was bulging with newspaper clippings, photos and red string.

"This isn't Criminal Minds April, this is real life." I couldn't believe how far she was going with this.

"Where do you think they get their ideas from? Bad things happen all the time and people try to solve murders all the time and possible psychopaths."

"Your kind of crazy is hardly justifiable." I closed the notepad.

April titled her head, her arms folded. "You don't have to agree with me-"

-Don't I?" I joked loudly.

"I think we should work together to figure out who the murderer is and who might be after you."

I admitted it took a lot of guts for April to admit she needed help.

"Why can't we just trust the police?"

"You know why." Because April thought Constance and her cop father were in cahoots.

"Fine, but I'm only helping because I'm sick of fighting with you all the time." I gave in, buckling my shoes.

April smiled, satisfied with my response for a change. "Spectacular." She looped her arm with mine as we left for breakfast. "Now we can truly focus on the important things, crushing Alice in choir and convicting an Irish girl of homicide." She declared casually.

"Can't argue there." We slowed to a stop along the hallway towards the dining hall. Eliza was walking towards us; a mane of stark white hair shrouding her face while students opening gawked.

"White looks good on you." April complemented.

"Thanks." Eliza toyed with her hair shyly.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "You look beautiful, you have no reason to hide it." We exchanged a sisterly smile before heading in to eat.

Alick

I applied the oil paint thick, blending with precision and skill as I painted from memory. Miss Smith wasn't too happy I'd decided to carry on my painting of April when she couldn't make it to class today, but I insisted. I could never forget a face like April's. I proved this as I used deep fiery oranges to pool her hair over her shoulder. I washed out my brush before working on her piercing sapphire eyes. I concentrated hard, adding lighter blue flecks and violet towards the pupil. I had been tempted to paint her eyes red to stay true to her real self, but I knew it wouldn't sit well with trying to keep the supernatural world on the down low. My thoughts drifted to a portrait I had started almost a month ago.