The Zodiac Trials

Chapter 4

Jemima tugged at the collar of her sweater. The tension in the room was so thick you could slice through it with a knife and it was beginning to make her sweat.

"Exactly!" she cried. "I would never kill anyone for my own benefit!"

Slowly, Orion turned on it's chain to face her. "You don't think I have already thought of that?"

Jemima's heart dropped to the floor. She wanted to believe that nobody in the room would kill someone, but to be truthful, she wasn't so sure. She knew of someone who might, given the right reasons.

"I have been brainstorming extra extra hard for this part! Before I reveal a surprise to you, I want you all to look in your pockets."

The whole group began rifling through their clothes, looking for something. One by one, everybody pulled a piece of paper out of their clothing. Jemima began to unfold hers.

Walking over to the nearest table, she spread out her massive sheet of paper. It appeared to be an A3 piece, and every inch of it was covered with either writing or drawings. Surveying the page, could tell that a section of it was a map. This must be the mansion, Jemima thought to herself as she traced over the map with her right index finger. Every single room was labelled, along with the bathrooms and staircases. Jemima let her keen eyes roam over to the writing. One section appeared to be a list of rules.

"What kind of bullshit is this?!"

Jemima looked up as Quentin tore his sheet in half. "You can't make me stay here! You can't make me die in your stupid fucking game!"

Orion chuckled. "Well, Mr Potty Mouth, I assure you that I can."

"No! I won't stand for this! I won't! I have a fucking life! I'm not a pawn in your massive game of Checkers!"

Jemima ignored the fact that pawns were, in fact, in Chess. She was mesmerised by the instant colour shift in Quentin's face. I gotta get a look at those capillaries, she noted. Any abnormality in the human body was fascinating to her, as an apprentice nurse.

Jemima watched as Quentin stood up on the giant dining table and took a few swings at the star.

"Now now, Quentin, you don't want to do something you'll regret!"

"I just want to get the fuck out of this place," Quentin screamed, taking another swipe at Orion. Clenching his fists, he took a leap at the hanging star. Although Orion was quite far from the table, Quentin had an impressive jump and, within moments, he had a firm hold on the star. As his weight swung outwards, Quentin ripped the chain out of the roof. Jemima winced as he crashed to the ground, the star clutched in his fingers.

She immediately ran towards him, ready to tend to any injuries he might have attained while falling.

"Stop!"

Jemima stopped in her tracks as Leo yelled his command. She looked over to see that the star was flashing on and off, casting a yellow glow over Quentin's triumphant face every flash.

"Get rid of it!" Leo screamed.

Quentin raised an eyebrow. "Why should I?"

"Hurry! Throw it!"

Quentin snarled as he threw the star with all his might at Leo's head, who caught it deftly, before looking at Quentin in surprise. Orion began to flash more frequently and Leo had a sense of urgency written on his face. As quickly as possible and with surprising dexterity, he threw the star.

***

Samael watched as the golden star flew through the air. What the hell is he doing to Orion?! The star sailed straight towards him and, being that one kid who couldn't catch anything to save his life, he stepped out of the way. A it grew closer, he was ready to watch it fall to the ground until he remembered what would happen.