World Fail

Chapter 1: Everyone's a suspect

I can't believe they would think I'd do something like that! Connor was the one who saved me - why in Satan's name would I kill him? I paced the small tower angrily, suppressing the urge to break everything I could reach. "What is it Ellis always says...Don't make rash decisions..?" I took a deep breath, pushing my hair back out of my eyes. I knew Frida wasn't particularly fond of me, but they had no right to accuse me like that. I leaned back against the heavy wooden door, sliding down to the ground. I was so tired, so stressed these days..
  The loud clang of the door knocker woke me and I jumped up with a quiet yelp, fangs sliding out. I tried to reach up and peer through the peephole, but I was a little bit too short. Without being able to tell who it was, there was no way in the nine circles of Hell that I was opening that door. I cleared my throat and leaned against the door, calling out "Who's there?" A wavery voice replied, "Lil, it's just me." Skylar. I sighed, but opened the door a tiny bit to see her rocking back and forth on her heels, looking quite understandably distraught. "Can I come in?" I glanced around the staircase she stood on to make sure we were alone, then quickly pulled her in and shut the door again.
  Raising an eyebrow, I looked her up and down. "I'm surprised you're not with Frida, like usual." Skylar sat on one of the windowsills, trying to get some of the feeble sunlight coming through. "Usually, I would be...but the way they're acting, it would just start a fight." She sighed. "And you know how upset I get when I argue with them." I glanced over at her, already back to my pacing. "I know hon...actually, I'm kind of glad you came to me. I don't want you wandering around on your own - especially not right now." Skylar gave me a look, with the tiniest bit of contempt. "I'm not helpless you know, just because I'm indoors. I can defend myself if I want to." I paused in my rapid pacing for a split second, then resumed. The way she phrased that... 'I can defend myself if I want to.' Almost like she had considered letting someone hurt her on purpose. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the intrusive thoughts that were starting to form. Skylar was a smart girl, we all knew this. All the same...I need to keep an eye on her. I took a deep breath, rubbing at my eyes. It was only 10 in the morning and so far, we have a dead body and everyone is already at each other's throats.... Well...Frida is at mine. The other two have a little more tact. Skylar had been quiet for a concerning amount of time, simply watching me pace in deranged circles around the tower. "Skylar." She looked up, momentarily startled by the sound of my voice. "Yes?" The druid replied. "I need to go for a walk or something. I can't stay cooped up in here, or I'm going to go barking mad." As Skylar stood up, I saw a glint of silver as she dropped something into her pocket. Silver?? It was only by sheer focus that I kept from snarling at her - she should know better than to have silver around a werewolf! That shit could kill me. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm myself. A moment later, Skylar was tapping at my shoulder. "Are we going or not Lilith?" I flinched at the sudden closeness, automatically taking a step back. Seeing the hurt in the little druid's eyes, I regretted it immediately. "S-Sorry...you just - startled me a little bit." I explained. Skylar gave me a strange look, but shrugged and opened the tower door. Idiot! You should have heard her moving. You're part wolf, for Satan's sake! I chided myself, following close behind Skylar in the narrow staircase.
   Once we were downstairs, I let out a soft sigh. I absolutely hated heights, but that tower was the only place most of them wouldn't follow me. Because what fool wants to be in close quarters with a werewolf? I might shift and attack them...  I dug my sharp nails into my wrist, punishing myself for thinking something like that. Although no one else here was a shifter, they're my friends. At least...they're supposed to be. So distracted by my inner thoughts, I walked right into Skylar, and we both went sprawling. I was on my feet first - with terrible timing as usual. Skylar was still on the ground when Frida rounded the corner, quickly assessing the suitation. A moment later, the fae was helping Skylar up, glaring with unmasked venom at me. "Are you that stupid?? Trying to kill her in the middle of a main hall!" I growled, narrowing my eyes at them. "For the love of all the unholy, I'm not trying to kill anyone!" Skylar once again had that funny look on her face, for once not going to sooth her friend. I was sick and tired of this! Now Skylar wasn't even defending me - and she was usually the first to do so. "Woah - guys what's going on?" I glanced over at the new voice. Ellis had come into the hallway at some point..yet I didn't hear her. What is wrong with my senses? Normally I would have picked up on her scent long before she got anywhere near. And if not that, I should have heard her footsteps approaching. I started to explain, but was cut off by Frida. "I came into the hall and found Lilith standing over Skylar!" They spat out. A angry snarl grew in my throat, but I manged to swallow it. The scene was still for a few moments - Frida and I glaring at each other, Ellis staring at us in confusion, and Skylar somehow looking singularly uninterested. Hidden by my sleeves, I dug my nails into my palms to keep from disassociating. Finally, Skylar spoke. "Frida..it was just an accident. She bumped into me coming down the staircase, and I didn't catch my balance in time." The honey was back in her voice, the tone she always took when trying to comfort someone. The fae raised an eyebrow, the sigils tattooed around them distorted. "Mhm..of course you would say that." Ellis and I shared a glance - Frida wasn't exactly the friendliest of creatures, but they had never been this sarcastic towards the druid. "Frida-" This time it was the witch who spoke, her voice catching a little bit. "Let's not..make hasty accusations, okay? We can have a meeting and do this logically." Skylar and I nodded in agreement, but Frida only grudgingly agreed.
                           ~
   We all sat down in one of the kitchens, with Frida taking the head seat. "So. How are we supposed to do this 'logically'?" Ellis pulled a few notepads and pencils out of her satchel, passing them out to us. "Alright, now just make a list for each person. Use only facts. Personal emotions stay out of this..for now." For the next hour or so, all that could be heard was the scratch of pencils and the occasional quiet snarl. I finally pushed my notepad away from me, the pencil I had been using now a mere nub. The others did the same, although their writing utensils had faired better than mine. "Alright, who wants to go first?" Ellis remarked. Frida rolled their eyes, looking at Skylar. The druid sighed, pulling her cloak tightly around her shoulders. "I'll do it."
Lilith:
*only one with claws
*first one to find Connor
*motives??
  Frida:
*suggested Lilith find Connor
*quick to accuse
*very angry about everything
*motives - humans are a threat to their kind
   Ellis:
The part of the paper under Ellis' name was blank - oddly enough. I would have thought Skylar would have something to put down for her. I raised an eyebrow, scanning the first list. It was strange for her to blame Frida for..well anything really. They were about as close as people could get. Ellis just shook her head when I asked to see her list. When I glanced at it, the page was mostly blank. "Well Frida? Your turn." The fae shot me a look, but handed over their notepad.
  Lilith:
  *only one with claws
  *found Connor
  *was holding the body
   *had blood on her
   *doesn't seem wholely concerned
  *full moon was a few days ago
  *argumentative
   *closed off
That was the complete list. It only accused me, with an outrageous amount of points.  It's not my fault that I'm a werewolf! For all they know, Ellis could have cast a spell to make it look like claw marks. Anyone of them could have really - besides Connor, I was the only one without proper magic. The only list left was mine, but reading it aloud would just tick Frida off more. Instead, I slid it over to Skylar. As she looked down to read it, the tiniest of smiles played on her lips. I must be seeing things...why would Skylar be smiling right now? It didn't make any sense. She had gone from sobbing when she saw what happened to Connor all the way to..this. It was unsettling. After she finished reading over my list, she passed it back. "Well. It's not that late, but I feel like we could all use some space." Ellis nodded in agreement, adding on to the remark. "We can discuss this more in the morning - don't forget to lock your doors." We all stood, taking our notepads with us, and set off in four different directions. I avoiding my own room, instead opting to sleep in Connor's forge. The smoky air made it a bit hard to breath, but the scent was welcoming and familiar. Despite the ground being made of cold stone, I slept on it. The way I was laying, it kept the door jammed shut. If someone tried to get in, they would have to physically push me out of the way - and I was counting on the fact that the movement would wake me up.
  As the sun set, activity died down within the Cairn. I finally managed to fall asleep, my notebook sliding from my grasp.