The Buried Truth......

'There are no secrets in life, just hidden truths that lie beneath the surface. And three things can never be hidden -- The Sun, The Noon and The Truth.'

'The truth is rarely pure and never simple.'

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Just as planned the gang gathered up at the decided location in the evening.

" So, now can we state what exactly are the measures we need to take before meeting Xavier.?"

Emmie questioned Zephyr in a vexed tone while crossing her arms to hear him out.

"Well...umm.. it's just."

Zephyr was not quite sure what to say.

"Come on, just shoot it out. We are all ears."

Flora rushed him.

Zephyr looked at Arnel to avoid those piercing gazes of both of them. Then widened his eyes as if asking Arnel to help him out.

" What he meant was that Zephyr is the main suspect behind Yena's case. So, we need to be cautious. Who knows if he might hurt us as well?" Arnel successfully rescued Zephyr from that awkward situation.

" Don't tell me that you are carrying a weapon or something for your defence."

Flora pulled his leg.

"Oh... just stop it... I just brought a recorder along." Zephyr groaned.

"If you guys are done with your so-called preparation, then let's go. It's about time."

Emmie said.

"Yes, he might be waiting for us in the city park. Hurry up!"

Arnel exclaimed.

They rushed towards the city park.

It was quite easy to spot him sitting on a small bench in a distant corner as the park was almost deserted by this time.

He stood up and greeted them with his radiant smile as he saw them approaching.

"What did you guys want to talk to me about."

He enquired.

"Umm..well...we.." Arnel quivered.

Emmie knew he was hesitant so she took over.

"We are a bit confused. Can you please explain this deal." She said while showing him those photos.

"Huh.. You guys are really something. At last, you did find so much in such a short period of time. You lived up to my expectations." Xavier smiled again.

But, his words and behaviour gave everything chills. Everyone seemed more perplexed than before.

"Since, it has come to this, I don't think there is a need for me to hide it from you any longer." he went on.

"What do you mean? What in the world are you hiding from us? Wait... Does it mean that the mysterious message was correct?" Flora panicked.

"What message?" Xavier was puzzled.

Emmie projected her phone in front of his face. Then she put forward all their doubts, that they were seeking answers for.

"Ya, it's true, I was the person she last met with. Also, it's really me in the photos."

They all got goosebumps on hearing it.

"Wha..what??" Zephyr's face was growing pale.

"But, the way you connected me to the incident and jumped over to fictitious conclusions is certainly wrong." he said.

"Then what were you doing there, at the scene?" Arnel was curious to know.

"I wasn't pushing her as the pics show rather I was actually trying to grab her hand so that I could save her." he explained.

"So, did she actually jump off on her own or slipped accidentally?? Emmie was anxious.

"Well, you might not like hearing it, but, she did jump on her own, and it's the truth." he sighed.

"No...no way. It's impossible! And how are you going to explain the fight you had, when you last met her?" Emmie could not take the truth.

"Well... it's quite complicated and inappropriate for me right now to tell you the exact details. All I can tell you is that she was the reason I took a week off." He fluttered.

Then resistantly he went on

"In fact, we promised to keep it untold, but now as the situation is, I will have to tell you.

As a matter of fact, we are siblings."

"What..! You mean you are the biological elder brother of Yena...!" This shock was more than what they all could handle.

But, thankfully the complicated puzzle was now appearing easy to solve.

"But, why didn't you tell us earlier about this all" Zephyr was still doubtful.

"It's because I was hoping to find the reason behind her abnormal behaviour. I guessed that you guys could find any clue.

She was quite disturbed for some time. And when I tried to ask her the reason. She got mad and we had a fight."

"Now that the truth is here, that means Emmie will be spared by the principal." Flora exclaimed happily.

"I don't get it, if you both were on leave, then why did you suddenly appear at school?"

Zephyr wasn't yet done with his doubts.

"That's what I find bizzare too. That day she suddenly rushed to school and entered in secretly by jumping over the fence of the back door. I found it odd, so i followed her. But, by the time I encountered her she was already depressed and crying. I tried to coax her but she threatened me to jump off. And as for what happened next you are already aware of it." Xavier summed up the flashback.

"There is only one explanation to it all that she was being threatened or bullied for sure."Zephyr responded.

"But then who locked up Emmie in the washroom." Flora reminded everyone of the case which was yet to be solved.

No one had the answer to it. No matter how much thought they put in or time they invested they could think of a certain possibility.

"It's getting late, I guess we should head home first. How about we discuss it tomorrow?" Arnel suggested.

"You are right, anyway this case is solved. So, now we needn't worry about the time limit. We have a plenty of time to uncover the other mysteries." Emmie sided with him.

Everyone bid farewell for the time being.

But there were still mysteries to uncover and truths to unfold.

No one knew what the future was carrying in its safe for them.

They were completely unaware of the dangers surrounding them.

Was it just the beginning??

Was it their first step towards the hidden truth that was leading them to a great peril...??