The Night Watch

Later that night, Kenshin lay awake in his bed. With his blindfold on, it was difficult for anyone to tell if he was asleep or not. He couldn't shake the unease that had settled over him since the murder. Every sound seemed amplified, every rustle of the wind a potential threat.

Suddenly, he heard faint footsteps. Someone was moving about the camp. Kenshin decided to investigate, but not alone this time. He gently shook Evelyn awake.

"Evelyn," he whispered, "someone's out there. I'm going to follow them."

Evelyn, still groggy but alert, nodded and got up quietly. Together, they followed the sounds, moving deeper into the forest. The footsteps led them to a plain filled with green flowers, a beautiful sight under the moonlight. In the middle of the plain stood the blonde boy, his arms full of the flowers.

"What are you doing here?" Evelyn asked, surprised.

The boy turned, equally startled to see them. "I... I was gathering these flowers for the deceased. I thought it would be nice to put them on his grave."

Kenshin, his senses tingling with caution, moved closer to the boy. He sniffed the flowers and felt a strange unease, but the boy's kind-hearted nature made it difficult to be suspicious of him.

Evelyn softened at his words. "That's very thoughtful of you," she said gently. "But it's dangerous to be out here alone."

The blonde boy nodded. "I know, but I wanted to do something nice for him."

Kenshin sighed, still wary but willing to give the boy the benefit of the doubt. "Alright, let's head back. We'll help you put the flowers on his grave."

Together, they returned to the camp. The blonde boy carefully laid the flowers on the grave, his expression solemn. Kenshin and Evelyn watched, their hearts heavy with the memory of their fallen comrade.

The rest of the night passed uneventfully, but the sense of unease lingered. Kenshin knew they needed to stay vigilant. The tournament was just around the corner, and they had to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. But for now, they could take a moment to honor the memory of their friend and find strength in their unity.

The first light of dawn was just breaking when a loud, reckless sound shattered the early morning calm. Kenshin bolted upright, his senses immediately on high alert. Outside the shelter, a cacophony of angry voices and the sounds of a struggle filled the air.

He hurried out to find a crowd of children gathered around the purple-haired boy, who was struggling against them. Another death had occurred during the night, and this time the dagger had been found outside, near where the purple-haired boy had been sleeping.

"You did this!" one of the children shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You weren't in the shelter, and the dagger was found near you!"

The purple-haired boy, his face a mask of fury and defiance, snarled back, "I didn't do it! Leave me alone!"

Khalid, axe in hand, glared at the purple-haired boy. "We can't let any more innocent people die. We need to take action now!" Ignoring any reasoning, Khalid and several others began tying the purple-haired boy with a rope, preparing to judge and execute him on the spot.

"Stop this madness!" Evelyn shouted, pushing her way through the crowd. "We can't just kill him without proof!"

The children hesitated but still eyed the purple-haired boy with suspicion. Kenshin, sensing the urgency of the situation, moved quickly. As the group prepared to throw their votes, he noticed something on a nearby tree: some moss that had a similar texture to the green goo found on the dagger.

Kenshin's mind raced as he compared the moss to the green substance. It felt similar but couldn't be it. Determined to find the truth, he moved to the grave where the previous victim had been buried. There, he found the green flowers that the blonde boy had gathered.

He combined the moss and the flowers, the scent instantly matching the smell on the dagger. His heart pounded with the realization—the killer was...

Back at the camp, the children were casting their votes, most of them in favor of executing the purple-haired boy. Evelyn was the only one standing in opposition, her voice shaking with desperation. "We can't do this! We don't have any proof!"

Khalid, his face set in grim determination, tightened the rope around the boy's neck. "It's the only way to stop the murders," he growled.

"Stop!" Kenshin's voice rang out, cutting through the tense silence. He stepped forward, holding the flowers and moss in his hands. "You're making a terrible mistake. The killer isn't him."

Everyone turned to look at Kenshin, confusion and anger etched on their faces. "What are you talking about?" one of the children demanded.

Kenshin took a deep breath, his gaze locking onto the blonde boy with green eyes. "The killer is him," he said, pointing directly at the boy. "He used the green flowers and moss to create the substance found on the dagger. The scent matches exactly."

The blonde boy's face twisted in shock and then into a cold, calculated smile. "You figured it out, huh?" he said, his voice suddenly devoid of the kindness he had shown before. "Clever."

The camp erupted into chaos, the children struggling to process the revelation. Evelyn, her eyes wide with horror, looked at the blonde boy. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The boy shrugged, his expression chillingly calm. "It was necessary. You wouldn't understand."

Kenshin stepped forward, his body tense with anger and determination. "You're going to pay for what you've done," he said, his voice steady.

With the truth revealed, the children moved to restrain the blonde boy, their trust in each other shattered but their resolve stronger than ever. The camp had survived another night, but the scars of betrayal would linger long after the sun had risen.