Cypress Alley

Chapter 25

It didn't take very long to figure out how to get to the top of the tree. Eliza and I had spent our childhood days climbing every tree in the neighbourhood. Fortunately for me, the tree was conveniently placed and still covered with leaves - one of those evergreen trees - meaning that I could hide whilst also being able to see clearly into the room.

The day was dreary but the lights were bright in Jane's house. A creamy, mellow light spilled into the bedroom and leaked in slivers through the wide-open windows. Pink curtains tied back, the orange interior walls of the home boasted their colours against the muted landscape around me. Inside, the girls sat. On the bed, on the floor, against the walls, everywhere. All in all, there were six of them: Eliza and Jane, of course, and four other girls whose faces I couldn't quite catch. As one of them turned to grab a blanket, I realised it was a girl named Cindy.

They appeared to be extremely warm in there. They'd take off their jumpers and were in their summer clothes. I honestly didn't understand their fashion choices. Here I was, with over five layers on, and I still couldn't warm up. As I spotted a black object hanging off the back wall, my pulse began to rise. Bingo! It was the black jacket - the very one Jane had been wearing yesterday in the Alley. Though my excitement was immediately replaced with a gnawing fear. It appeared the Jane had been in a fight with Eliza only a few weeks ago - actually, they had definitely been in a fight. I wasn't sure if Jane was the grudging type, but considering her actions, she probably was. And Eliza had walked straight into her lair. Though there may be comfort in numbers, you couldn't ever be safe sitting right next to a murderer.

As Jane put her arm around Eliza's shoulder's, I winced, almost expecting a knife to appear through the centre of her throat. It didn't. Jane was waiting. Still waiting for the right moment.

As my pulse began to rise still, one of the girls got up. It appeared that she was leaving... Phoebe, I think it was. The girls all stood up at the same time and began to rummage around the room. She had lost something? Typical of Phoebe. It'd probably turn up at her house.

Eliza turned around and spotted the black jacket. She shot up as if realising something for the first time. Did she recognise the jacket from my descriptions? With pride, she picked it up and held it in her arms. Would she confront Jane now? Would Jane... react? Or would she deny it?

But Eliza didn't even look at Jane. She strode across the room and placed the jacket around Phoebe's shoulders. Phoebe hugged Eliza thankfully and headed out the door.

I was distraught. It was Phoebe's jacket? So then, how come Jane was wearing it? Did Jane have a similar jacket? Or had I mistaken Phoebe for Jane in my fear...?

But I'd been sure it was Jane. Thinking back on it, her hair was covering half her face... as was her hood. There was a chance that I had mistaken her...

No, it was Jane. How could Phoebe, who fainted at the sight of a dead bug, commit murder. Hadn't she been the one to faint at North's feet when she discovered it?

But perhaps it was all a guise... to put us off her track. I shuffled back in my place, no longer able to sit still. This was it. I'd found her. I had to tell someone.

Hastily, I began to climb down the tree. But one wrong step sent me toppling down onto the mulch, landing clumsily on my back. I shouted in pain, but quickly muted myself. What if Eliza had heard? Or worse... Jane?

Picking myself up, I brushed the dirt off myself and leaned against the tree. I'd landed on my arm, and it was really letting me know that it didn't appreciate that. It seared and I placed it tenderly onto my lap, praying that I hadn't broken it. If Ms Hartley came to know, she'd break the rest of my limbs too.

Footsteps approached me from behind. Jane, I thought. It's her. She's coming for me. My brain began to rapidly form excuses. I was coming to pick up Eliza... I was looking for her - she left without telling me... I found Eliza's phone so I wanted to return it... No, she has my phone and I wanted it back... I was going for a walk and I fell - why here? Oh, y'know, the scenery... I broke my arm please spare me I wasn't after you I swear don't kill me...

But it wasn't Jane. It was a woman.

"Goodness me! What's happened here?" she asked.

"I... nothing," I mumbled pathetically.

"Oh dear, oh dear... did you fall?"

"Yes."

She sighed. "Come inside, I'll take a look. I'm a nurse, so don't worry."

"No, it's fine. I'm going home."

She grabbed me by the shoulder. I winced. "How far is it?"

"Not far."

She squinted. "You're that Elizabeth's brother, aren't you?"

Her brother? I guess, technically I was... but not by blood. Either way, how did she know?

I stared vacantly.

"No? Elijah?"

"Yes? How-"

"Ohh I've heard about you. She's been speaking about you upstairs."

"What?!"

"Oh, nothing bad. Just the usual stuff?"

Usual stuff? What on Earth...

"Pardon me?"

"Come on inside, I'll patch you up."

"Oh god no. I don't think Eliza'll be glad to see me. I'd rather stay our here, thanks very much. Please, no, it's ok."

But she kept insisting.

"I don't want to see her!" I whisper-shouted.

But she dragged me into the lion's den. Jane was upstairs, so was Eliza. I was downstairs. And who knew where Phoebe was now.

She'd find me. She'd find me for sure.