Game of Fates

Chapter XIV

Dinner time came 'round again.

"I'd like to announce a few things," declared Kiara right after we'd all finished eating. "First of all... For the time being, we'll be allowing Lillian and Pip in the guys' dorms."

"What? Bullshit!" screamed Jordan. "Hey, I wanna go to the ladies' dorms too!" This line by him... I didn't really know how to react.

"Jordan, shut up," demanded Amy. Her speaking up also reminded me to be more cautious of the Hawthornes.

Kiara sighed. "They'll be taking a closer look at Brett and Charlie's bodies, see..."

"Why not just ask a guy to do it?" asked Allister.

"Remember we were all listing down who wasn't wearing red this morning?" interrupted Amy. "If I recall correctly, it was Lillian, Angel, and Jonathan who all weren't wearing red."

"Your point being...?"

"Jonathan, your shoes."

Some of us immediately ducked under the table. His shoes, as expected, were red.

"Oh, shit-"

"The only two left, then, are Lillian and Angel," continued Amy.

"Wait, so why would you trust Pip with an autopsy...?" queried Jens. "She wears red 24/7, isn't that-"

Lillian chuckled. "Two things, Jens," she said. "One: Since I'm not wearing red, we know I'm not the next killer. With me partnering up with Pip, I can keep an eye on her if she does something shady. Number two, Pip's a very reliable person. She just needs a peek or two in one of Juliet's books, and... well, yeah. You just know she's capable of this kinda stuff! And, none of you would want to do it instead, right?"

"Yeah, Pip even volunteered!" I shouted. I realized later on that this would've brought even more suspicion upon Pip, though nobody really minded it in the end.

"Can't you just do it on your own?" asked Jens.

"No way, man... I'd mess up," replied Lillian.

Jared tapped his finger on the table. "What if you and Pip are accomplices? The e-mail said that the person in red would kill Edward, but there's no saying that there can't be an accomplice!"

"Huh?" gasped Lillian. "No way, I-"

"That's not possible!" refuted Ava in a loud, thundering roar. "A few nights ago, Angel heard a conversation between the Hawthornes! In essence, if Pip were to kill someone, only Amy can be the accomplice!" Oh my fucking God, Ava... That's what ran through my head. I looked at her in shock and disappointment.

"WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!" burst Lillian, head turned toward Ava.

"So that's what that was all about..." mumbled Amy. "Wow. You should've shared earlier, y'know? Don't worry, I'm not mad, just disappointed." Still mad.

"May I speak?" I requested before everyone quieted down. "Fine, it's out anyway, so I'll have to mention one thing: One of the twins - I don't know who - had an e-mail stating that only their sister was allowed to know about whatever thing they were asked to do on their e-mail - murder, I guess. But now that we all know..."

"Well, you knew," Jonathan pointed out. He was right.

"Nah," Amy disagreed. "You don't know which of us got that email, so as long as you don't look further into the matter, none of us will die." This statement of hers was pretty down-to-earth. It was clear she didn't want room for secrets between either of us anymore.

"What was your second announcement...?" asked David, looking at Kiara.

"Nevermind it," she replied. "I've changed my mind about it." I didn't know what she was about to say either, even if I was there

"Huh?" went Jonathan. "Alright, I guess."

"By the way, mind if I ask again...?" requested Scarlet. "What were the instructions on your e-mail again, Amy? I remember you mentioning it before-"

"Investigate all killers and reply to the email with my report, or at least what I've learned about them so far," answered Amy. "It's harmless."

"And Pip, what was yours again...?" asked Jens.

"Same as Ava's," replied Pip. "Carry on what she started... Things like that. It has nothing to do with this silly game." Well, I've heard that before, but this time it sounded like the most suspicious thing ever. Still, I couldn't be too sure.

Though, to the rest, there was another suspicious individual present on the table.

"May I ask you something, Jared?" interrogated Amy. "You seem... awfully calm. Ever since the whole ordeal started, in fact. Before, you also happened to be the quiet type. Is something up?"

Jared, for a few seconds, didn't reply. Then he said simply, "I'm the same as you guys."

"Huh?" replied David. "What do you mean?"

A droplet of water fell out of his left eye. "You guys are my friends. But I've always been seen as the nerd, which is why I was so withdrawn until now, honestly. This whole thing started though, and our lives are on the line. What else could I do? I..."

"Hey! Don't cry, Jared!" comforted Pip.

"I'll do... everything... to help everyone through this," Jared declared. Weirdly, we all sort of smiled after hearing Jared's statement. It wasn't the naughty type, nor was it the smirk made after hearing some joke. We all wore the most sincere smiles on our faces. I never knew why, but we just did.

"I see," said Amy. "That's great to hear."

"Well, I'm done eating," said Allister right after he yawned. "I'm off to bed, guys. I'll see you all next morning."

We left.

======================

Ava and I were resting in bed soon after. Well, at least I was.

She sat by our desk at the side of the room. Her gaze was fixated on her phone, and she kept scrolling through her messages. Indeed, it was FATE once again.

I watched her and leaned closer to the edge of my bed, trying to keep my balance.

"Stupid..." Ava grumbled as she slammed her phone on the desk (it didn't break, thankfully). "This is just... stupid!"

"Ava, you alright?" I asked.

"You think I'm alright?!" she howled. "The Hawthornes... They're lying, it's too obvious! But I... I don't want to believe it! Never...!"

I climbed down and sat on the floor next to her. "Ava... We'll all survive together, I'm sure of it! Don't let your emotions overwhelm you, though. We need to keep our cool! C'mon, what's frustrating you?"

"I mean... why the hell'd this all start? I know for sure it's not Juliet's fault, unlike what I've heard other people say, 'cuz it's not like her at all, but... but... GRAAAAAAAAAARGHH!" she cried. "It's like what Jared said! It's unfair that our lives are on the line for nothing!"

She was right, and nothing else.

Juliet... Like everyone, she was a victim.

Juliet... was our friend.

I just knew I could trust her.