The Forest's Secrets

Chapter Five: Life and Death

"You meet the looks of one of the people the victim has described to us", Brooks replied in a calm manner, still trying to make out a change in Eli's body that would give away a secret.

The girl raised an eyebrow, her expression changing from coldness to surprise. "That's odd. How come?", she asked.

"Your hair, eyes, looks and height match the description Fate has given us", he stated.

Eli scoffed. "The things one would go to, to protect their friends", she harshly said, a bit of pain in her voice.

Jamie shook his head and replied:"The description was given yesterday. Now, please tell me what happened just now."

"They were bullying my little sister, because she's lesbian. They have been doing so for quite a while now, I think about two months. So, at lunch, I stepped in as the boy of the group was harassing her. After school I saw them circling her and the boy's face got dangerously close to hers, so I decided to step in again. I pulled him back by the shoulder, making three of the four friends circle me. And as they tried to hit me, I just acted to not get hurt", she rattled down in a cold voice.

The man looked somewhat surprised as he asked:" People have said that you looked like you were a professional fighter and had quite a few tricks. How come you know how to fight?"

"There's a few things I picked up during my life. Movement isn't too hard, and I have plenty of time to practise", she answered slowely, her voice sparking with a sudden happiness.

"What do you mean by that?", Brooks asked cautiously.

"I'm not really made for sun", Eli said as she gestured down her body," so I usually go out at night. I like the forest around here, it's quiet."

"That brings me to another question: Have you been in the woods often this last month?" The man's interest was piqued, he seemed as if he was sure that the girl was going to give herself away.

"All the time", she replied," Why are you asking?"

"Have you ever noticed anything weird there?"

"No. I try to stay away from noise, usually doesn't mean any good. I once heard screams from that funny looking little cabin, but then I tried to change my route so I wouldn't have to pass it anymore", she replied, sounding as if she was lost deep in her thoughts.

"Why didn't you call the police?"

"It sounded like a fight and was none of my business."

"Were you scared?", the man asked. A few moments of silence followed.

"Should I have been?", Eli replied, now suddenly quiet.

"Can you show me the area of the cabin?", he asked, ignoring the girls cocky reply.

"Not now", the girl replied.

The officer looked at her in distrust, as the girl sighed and pointed to her bare skin. The officer could see that it had turned a reddish shade of pink at some spots.

"I was in the open for like five minutes", Eli explained. She didn't seem sad over the fact that she couldn't go into the suns light, she even seemed to be a bit relieved.

Jamie stood up. "We'll be talking with the other students now, please stay calm and don't lash out", he explained as he lead her out into the hall again.

Eli shot him a small smile, the man couldn't tell if she was sad or angry.

A few moments later, they walked into something that looked like a breakroom. The group of friends was already sitting at one of the tables, two policemen stood close. Eli noticed the angry and scared looks immediately. No doubt that Fate had told her friends whom the girl reminded her of.

"Hello", Eli greeted the friends as she sat down on the last free chair. It stood a bit further away from the others.

A few moments went by without any of them replying. The quiet that filled the room with five teenagers and three cops caused uneasy glances from everyone, except Eli. Suddenly the girls face lit up in surprise and she turned around to face the door. Just a few moments later, the door opened.

A tall, heavy looking man stood in the frame. He was panting, as if he had run a long distance and his greasy black hair hung into sharp green eyes.

"What's going on here Elisa!", he growled. His voice was angry, and his eyes lit with fury.

Everyone in the room seemed to be taken back by his appearance and anger. Everyone, except Eli. Her expression didn't shift when he had thrown open the door, she didn't twitch as he walked over with heavy footsteps. She sat perfectly still on her chair, as if she was a doll.

"Hello", she said coldly as he came to a stand in front of her.

Suddenly, the girl started to look alive. Her cheeks turned rosy, her eyes lit up with a childish spark and she didn't look so stiff anymore. Fate felt, as if there was a completely different person in the room now.

"Look Dad", she said, her voice easy and childish," these are people from my school. Fate and Jaden are in my class, and Karin and Gabriel are in the other!"

Before the teenagers had time to wonder when Eli had learnt their names, the girl's father said:"That's nice Darling, but why are you and your friends here?"

"Oh those are not my friends", Eli replied carelessly," we fought. They were messing around with Sally and I wasn't having any of that."

"Did you hurt them?", the man growled. He seemed worried about the other kids more than his own daughter.

"Well no not really. Karin's elbows got hurt when she fell to the ground and Gabriel, how is your hand?", she quickly replied.

The teenage boy looked confused that Eli now addressed him and said:"It's fine."