The Stars

Leads

I had my phone in my hand. Like with everything I do in my life, I wasn't sure if I should do it. I hesitantly entered the number. But I couldn't get myself to touch the button. Maybe everything would be solved when I click on it. But... that weird feeling of "betrayal" just wouldn't leave me.

I put my phone down. It was kind of cold, so I reached for my pockets. I felt something in it. Strange. There wasn't anything when I had left. Was it from Arthur's mom? I didn't know. I was scared. But I took the thing out. It was a small paper. There was a phone number on it. I immediately recognized it. Adeline. No, it can't be.

I put my phone in my pocket and started running. I didn't have a destination. I just ran around aimlessly. But eventually, I had to sit down. The emotions rushed to my heart when I sat. I started crying. I was already on the edge of a mental breakdown. The last few days were... stressing, to say the least.

I had to talk with Adeline. I needed to learn what happened.

Suddenly, I remembered the bracelet I had found near Arthur. Andrew must've been scared at that moment, because he couldn't find it. It wasn't even hidden. I didn't tell him about it. What if the bracelet belongs to Adeline?

I decided to message Adeline, asking if it's her bracelet. Not even 5 minutes later, she replied. Yes, was her answer. There was no doubt anymore. Everything led to her.

But... something wasn't right. The puzzle wasn't even near finishing. Who had left the note for me? Why did Adeline kill Arthur? How did she even forgot her bracelet? And why was Arthur meeting with her? But I think the biggest question of them all is, how did she manage to choke him? There was no blood, so I'm almost certain that Arthur was choked. No way in hell could Adeline choke Arthur.

I decided to meet with Zeynep, Irina and Elise. The police still couldn't find Arthur's body, but soon, they would learn about his death. They have to hear it from me.

I arranged a meeting. It would be at 9 pm and in my house. I couldn't bring myself to do it in a public place, I was still scared after Arthur's death.

They showed up on my door together that night. Irina is Russian girl, and she was pretty tall, so I couldn't see her face. I saw Zeynep with her pink hijab, her favourite. Elise was wearing a black dress, and it was obvious that she had went to a hairdresser today. I opened the door.

They were horrified when they learnt about Arthur's death. Zeynep started crying. We each needed a minute or two. But after not even half a minute, a thought came to Zeynep's innocent mind.

"If Arthur died yesterday, what were you doing with Andrew in our house?" she asked.

Shit.

I made up a lie.

"Andrew is the only other witness. We had to talk about what we were going to do."

"Why didn't you call the police?" asked Irina.

"Andrew had already touched the corpse before I could call them. I was scared, I didn't know what to do. Please, I'm begging for your help."

Elise was silent. I could see that she had many thoughts crossing her mind. She just said one word.

"Adeline"

Great minds think alike, I guess.

"Why?" we asked nearly at the same time.

"She was the one that introduced Arthur to Andrew. Also, she knew about Arthur's... thing."

I wasn't satisfied with that evidence. Elise was acting suspiciously. A great idea came to my mind. What if I bluffed her? Maybe I should bluff everyone.

"Elise, can you come for a second?"

She nodded, and we entered the kitchen. She took a seat, and I took the seat opposite of hers.

"Elise. Stop lying. I found your bracelet at the crime scene."

"What?!" she screamed. She had gotten up. At first, I thought that was even more suspicious; but honestly, everyone would give that reaction.

"I don't even wear a bracelet!" she said, trying to defend herself. I don't know why, but I felt like I needed to push her. I had her cornered.

"If you stop lying, we can find a middle way. Otherwise, the police will be interrogating you instead of me."

I could see her fear. Suddenly, I heard a bullet pass right next to my ear. I don't how or when, but she had a gun in her hand, and she was running away.

No, it can't be. Was Elise really Arthur's murderer? But why?

The girls had already hidden under the table. Elise violently opened the front door, fired the gun aimlessly towards the living room, and escaped.

I knew that she couldn't run away much more. Now we knew that she was the murderer.

I opened my Snapchat to see where she was headed towards. At first, I thought that she was going to the taxi station. It was when she took a right turn that I had realized. She was going to Arthur's house.

Oh no, oh no, oh no no no no no!

I called Andrew. It was so stressing to hear the phone ring without him answering. Finally, at the fourth ring, he accepted my call.

"Andrew, Elise is the murderer. She is headed towards Arthur's house! Please do something!"

I heard his phone falling down as he let it go in fear. I couldn't waste more time. Thankfully, Zeynep had called the police. Now I just need to call Arthur's mom.

Oh no.

Fuck.

I don't have her number. And she can't open Arthur's phone. But I had no other alternative. I called Arthur, while chanting "please don't die please don't die" quietly.