16 Chapter 15
"Detective?" Caroline called her out from her dazed trance. The police had taken Drea Burgess and Victoria Collins for questioning and now they are all gathered in the main hall.
Caroline had heard the news about Lucifer and about Marcel, who, thankfully, didn't kill anyone and had just gotten back from some questioning at the precinct, about Scarlett's encounter with Crystal, Kaiden and Angelique's problem, the other dead body, only now they know who killed Jackie Clevona, and Ronin Atkins, their latest victim.
"Yes, Ms. Arrington?" She answered.
"Um, we're all shaken up, and since the investigation is over, aren't you supposed to be going back?" Caroline answered, watching her words so that they don't come off as rude.
"Well, I could. But my partner just informed me that, after questioning Avery Cole, Alexandra Collins' killer has not yet been found. Mr. Cole had only confessed to murdering Jackie and Ronin, after finding the opportunity to blame whoever killed Alexandra," Bassi explained.
Caroline processed the words in her head, then nodding once she understands. "Thank you, detective."
She left the detective behind and sat beside Scarlett, trying to comfort her as she was worried for Lucifer and about Crystal.
"Hey, you okay?" She asked, pulling Scarlett closer.
"I'm fine," Scarlett whispered.
"Okay," Caroline said, hugging Scarlett tighter. And soon enough, she felt warm tears dripping her shoulder.
"I'm scared, Care," Scarlett admitted.
Caroline laughed bitterly in response, "It would be odd if you're not."
After Scarlett had calmed down, they pulled away and Caroline started to talk again.
"They're still looking for Alexandra's killer," She said simply.
"Oh."
"We'll be alright, Scar," Caroline assured.
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Isaac sighed, leaning back on his chair but keeping his hand on Lucifer's. He looked around, to the ceiling, to the door, and back to Lucifer's face.
"Lucifer," He whispered to the pale body lying on the bed.
He sighed once more after noticing that he's not going to respond.
An idea came up in his head and a bright smile crosses his face.
"Jack!" He said loudly before taking out his phone and calling his number.
"This number is disconnected."
"What the fuck?" He tried once more, getting the same response.
Sighing, he considered trying again tomorrow morning so he turned on the television.
"A car crash had taken place on kilometer 97, no survivors. Victims identified are Jack Crawford, his driver, and Mateo Ruiz."
Isaac's heart thumped hearing the news.
'Jack?' he thought.
Suddenly, his phone rang, Jack's name popped on his screen. Clicking the green button, he hoped to hear Jack's voice, but some things were too good to be true.
"Hello?" Isaac said through the phone.
"Hi, is this Isaac Calloway?" The man answered.
"Yes. Where's Jack?"
"I'm sorry to inform you that Mr. Crawford has passed away," He hung up. Isaac's worried face morphed into a blank one, as if he's trying to hold in the rushing emotions until he wasn't showing any at all.
Isaac glanced at Lucifer, after seeing that he's still unconscious, he left.
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"Angelique? You wanted to talk to me?" Detective Bassi asked Angelique.
"Yes, detective, please," She said, motioning for them to sit down.
The detective gave her a nod, encouraging her to start talking.
Angelique cleared her throat, "I heard that you still haven't found Alexandra's killer, and I think I can help. Would you like that?" She asked. The evil thoughts in her mind consumed her, and what she's about to do would be the downfall of everyone in this school; staff and students.
"I would, yes. But are you sure you want to expose whoever you've been protecting this whole time?" Bassi taunted, almost making her second guess. Almost.
"Yes, I am," She answered confidently.
Bassi nodded, letting her start.
"Kaiden killed her," She said simply.
"Kaiden?" The detective asked, a look on disbelief on her face.
"Yes. What you don't believe me? Ask Dominique, he'll tell you," Angelique said, using her brother's secret, that he had told her minutes ago, to her advantage.
"How about you tell me why you think it's Kaiden instead," Bassi demanded.
"Think about it. That reporting company has been following him ever since he was born, watching his every single move, for 18 years. And he knew Alexandra," She stated.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Ms. Yang."
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"Care? We should talk," Zach said, walking into her room.
"Yeah, we should," Caroline agreed, patting the seat on her bed for him to sit.
Zach sat and sighed, looking at everywhere but her eyes.
"You know I like you, right?" He started.
"I do and I like you too. But, Zach, before we start, I want you to know that we're never going to happen," Caroline said, holding his hand for comfort and putting everything into her kindest words.
Zach's brows furrowed, "Why not, Care?" He said, laughing nervously.
"We can't," She whispered.
"Yes, we can, xiaohua. We can do anything, remember?" He tried.
Caroline smiled sadly, "Zach, I'm about to be crowned queen. My family, they would expect me to marry a prince or a king. Sure, amazing CEOs are acceptable, but I know that you want to make your parents proud, and I don't want to hold you back from that."
"You know I wouldn't mind. Being king and CEO, it would be a great honor, wouldn't it?" He reasoned.
"But it would also be great pressure and work. And I've made up my mind."
"Caroline, we could try, at least until graduation," Zach said, still trying.
"No," She shook her head, "I don't want to make time for me to fall for you and then not being able to be with you. Even liking you has gone far enough."
Zach's mouth was agape, as if he wanted to say something, yet couldn't.
Caroline sighed, "I'm sorry. Please leave."
He stood up slowly, accepting his defeat, "You've got one thing wrong, by the way. My parents, they expect me to give my all. But you know what? I don't want to have to live up to anyone's expectations."
"Did you just quote The Vampire Diaries?" Caroline asked.
"Yes, I did," He left.
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Kaiden sat on one of the couches in the main hall, playing his guitar softly while looking around and noticing everyone who's here and everyone who's not. He then noticed Marcel, sitting beside the fire, with his head in his hands and looking pained.
He watched him as he sighed, and sighed again, running his fingers through his hair, obviously feeling stressed. So Kaiden went into action.
"You alright, Marcel?" He asked, holing his guitar by its neck with one hand and his other, on Marcel's shoulder.
"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine," Marcel shrugged away his hand.
"No, you're stressed," He said, taking a seat on the chair beside him.
Marcel sighed, leaning back on his chair. "It's nothing. I'm just worried about Lucifer, I guess."
"It's alright, Marcel. All of us are," He tried to comfort. Tried.
"No! It's not alright, Kaiden! He could've died if that bullet didn't miss! And I almost killed someone, just because of that fear!" Marcel shouted.
Kaiden looked around, knowing that whoever is in the main hall have heard their conversation.
"Marcel, calm down," He whispered to him.
"I can't," Marcel's breathing quickened and Kaiden jumped out of his chair to help him.
"Hey, Marcel, try to control it, alright? Hey? I'm right here, don't worry. It's alright," Kaiden assured.
Marcel's breathing slowed, as he sat down on the floor and tried to catch some air.
"I'm alright, you're here," He said, and repeated until he calms down and Kaiden joins him on the floor.
"Tell me what's going on in your head," Kaiden said softly, wanting to hear someone else's problems to keep him from thinking about his.
"People quake with fear at the mention of my name. Did I ask for that? No. I don't want to be feared."
"I don't fear you," Kaiden whispered, making Marcel's eyes soften and a soft smile form on his lips.
And Marcel realized something that night talking to Kaiden, that he is more than just a person, more than just a classmate, more than just a friend to Marcel.
'I like you,' he thought.
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