The Ivy Secret Files

Chapter 11: Preps And Cons

June 7, Friday
Defense Quarters, Classroom
10:30 AM

"... this is my first day as a defense!" I can hear Apollo squeal in excitement. "Oohh man, this is gonna be a nut job for the whimps."

I couldn't take my eyes off on my notebook. I tried to connect the dots on the simpliest way for a conclusion, and retreating back to the fuzzy and empty conclusion. There was no way that Mia is a forger, and I stand by that... but still, who's behind this framing?

I was always familiar with that word.

Back in the Elementary days, I was also accused... by stealing the lunch money that I didn't even commit. And in the end of the day, I was cleared of any suspicions. All because of someone that I used to know.

But now, he wasn't here anymore. He left me and my other friend here in our stead. He was also overseas now, so he was clearly not here for staying. Oh how fast the time fly...

"You know, Mr. Wright..." Apollo peeked at my shoulder. "... I was quite of actually nervous."

"Nervous? Why do you have to be nervous?"

He fidgeted with his fingers. "Because I don't know how it turns out when the master librarian hears this. See, he will watch every single trials, wheter it may be common mistakes or some plague-like gossip on the entire university."

"That is tough. Your mentor's going to watch you below? I feel the same."

"But hey, we're going to win yeah?" Apollo was asking me again for the twenty-fifth time of this day. "We're going a straight line, and everything is fine as it would get."

I peered a bit out of my notebook. "Heh. That would've been a cheer if you're not nervous enough."

Apollo shrugged at me nonchalantly. "I don't care about the one who framed Ms. Fey. I am only seeing it as fame status needs or something."

"I have to agree with you there, Apollo." I smiled as I turned back on my notebook. "They simply need media attention to go with the flow of the university."

Still, that didn't helped me. Mia was still on the noose, and I can't think properly because all Apollo and I had drawn so far is a fair square of blank. This isn't going nowhere than good.

... but then, Apollo was still on his positive upbeat. He was very eager to help me through.

"You know, I'll just go and find some useful tips I could dig up. Maybe those informations could help us. Even just a little makes sense."

I simply nodded as he walked out of the library, leaving me alone in the library's silence.

'I am counting on you, Apollo. I hope you find something that could change this whole case on its head...'

---

Apollo's P.O.V

I have to go to find some answers. That didn't need some questioning, and I am from the ones who are good at keeping secrets, unless when needed. I never practiced deceit, but sometimes, I should use it for the sake of truth I've always wanted to see to shine through the very end of the day.

I began on the hallways. I have to find that person who framed our client, which is in this case, was Ms. Fey. Surely it won't be a bit hard, since its probably plaguing the university's boroughs by spouting false information about the said "forgery".

And just as I thought, it wasn't that hard.

It was telling a fabricated lie again towards the other girls. Urgh, the gossip, it seems.

"... yeah. I witnessed it all." It spoke. "That one case you see she had solved using that knife she presented as evidence? It was all forged. There was no blood on it, and the poison was just a prop for making it plausible."

This is nuts. Honestly, I don't think that evidence was fabricated. If I could only snap that chatterbox, I would feel better right now.

"So now... that guy was actually innocent of the guilty charge?" One girl just asked.

"Yes. He is." The framer nodded.

I see now why it has all gone to this "charms and hopes". This lady-with-no-manners-whatsover is really getting the attention because of how she goes with it. This is quite tough, especially now that she made some charms for the parades to see.

We have to keep our distance somehow.

"Go on, Dahlia. Give that false woman a proper way of treatment. You have my support."

"Yeah, I hope she rots in hell."

"I could always count on you. Thanks."

So this little framer of ours is called Dahlia. What a freak. She could handle all of those lying sessions like... really?! The hell is wrong with this girl?

I really, really need some answers before forming and taking questions again. Ow man, my head hurts.

She waved goodbye to her friends, and so to my next move. To where the hell she is going.

I swear I have to march to keep up with her pace somehow.

---

June 7, Friday
Detention Center
11:43 AM

Now here's the tough oldcracker I have been saying all day.

The police department, the parking, the cars on it, some police officers and detectives alike all over the place... this was some sort of high-end guarding station. Wardens were like the most authoritative members of the family, and one slip up could send you to jail. This is very haunting, but I guess I have no choice.

Now that she's waiting on the inside, I have to figure out on how to get that piece of info that she has to expose. But on what way? I have no knowledge to get that straight up.

The doors give them enough cover and it would be useless if I will peek through it or listen to it because it was made of pure, thick, soundproof stainless steel.

There are no windows accessible in my part. The only window present in that room is the one above their heads, which would blow my cover.

This is very difficult, indeed. If only someone could help me up...

"Maybe I can help you, boy."

There is someone who caught my distress. I turned to him to see the man who just said those earlier.