Chapter 31: A Message to Cipher

N A O M I

My classes have ended, and I'm on my way to the headquarters. Walking down the sidewalk, the tall trees cover me from the sun's warmth, and the warm wind brushes against my skin. Every student passing by greeted me and a nod is all I replied.

I'm sporting a black oversized hoodie paired with black leggings and sneakers. I let my hair down into beautiful waves, and like always, no makeup. I fixed my bangs that was covering my round glasses, because of the strong wind.

Turning right, the stairs to the main building greeted me. Climbing up to the giant doors, the door opened itself. Only students that are in the top rankings and faculties, can enter. There is a face recognition installed on the big doors, and it will open once it recognized the person.

The familiar white walls covered with paintings and the scent of jasmine greeted me. Walking down the middle corridor, everything was turning darker. From white, to gray to black. From paintings to black roses, and jasmine to the scent of roses.

Putting my hand over the hand scanner, a clicking sound was heard as the door opened. Thea, Alexa, Apollo, and Chase was sitting on the couch, each has a laptop in front, busy typing. While Julia, Nike, Elijah, and Kyousuke are reviewing some papers on the floor.

"Where is Ares?" Was the first thing I asked. The only one who noticed my presence was Nike, while the others are still preoccupied. She is wearing a white shirt under her jumper, that has a cute bear print.

"Oh, he still has classes, you're not aware?" Nike answered, going back to her papers.

Sighing, I went to my desk and sat on the swivel chair. Opening some envelopes and skimming across them, my mind got occupied by the different theories forming in my mind. It could be someone from the island's government or someone who hates me in this school. All I know is, this can be attempted murder or just a distraction.

If it was a distraction, then what was it that the mastermind was distracting us from? Gosh, this is giving me a headache. Closing my eyes and leaning back on my swivel chair, I massaged my temples gently, until the pain disappears.

Opening my eyes, I scanned my friends and watched them intently. Putting my elbows on the table, then resting my chin on my hands, as I observe their every move. Alexa was sitting on the right couch, beside Thea. She is wearing a white blouse and pants, on top of it was a red blazer. Her straight hair falls behind her. She was typing rapidly, a frown on her face.

While Thea was reading quietly with a calm expression. Sporting her white polo blouse that is tucked in her blue pants, paired with black sandals. In front of her is a stressed Chase, while Apollo is calmly typing in high-speed, beside him. Apollo is wearing a cream sweater, and Chase wore a blue shirt under his varsity jacket.

Shifting my gaze to the ones on the floor, their position wants me to scold them, but knowing their efforts, I should let them be. Nike and Julia were lying down while reading the documents, while the other two became a pillow.

Julia is wearing a yellow shirt, paired with jeans and gray sneakers. Elijah zipped up his varsity jacket, paired with jeans and blue sneakers. While Kyousuke is wearing his polo shirt that fits on his beautifully shaped body.

"Let's take a break, shall we?" I asked after observing how stressed and tired their expressions are. They all looked up from their work and looked at me in shock, even Nike. It seems like they didn't notice my arrival earlier.

"When-" Chase was about to ask when I raised my hand as a symbol of silence.

"I was here for quite a while now. Already finished reading the reports, and observing all of you. Everyone is stressed and tired. Shall we get something to eat?" I said slowly, watching closely how their expressions changed from confused, embarrassed, to enthusiastic.

"Should we go out, or order?" Alexa asked, Thea, got her phone out, ready to order. We all agreed to order since they were all exhausted to even walk to their cars. They all lied down on the sofa, leaning on each other or the sofa.

"So, what did you guys get?" I asked, giving them each a bottle of water from the vending machine.

"Adonis bought a bunch of firearms yesterday, but his exact whereabout is unknown. Even his mafia is missing from their base," Apollo reported, giving me a folder regarding the transaction details.

"Here is the list of possible masterminds behind the fire. All of them did an illegal operation during the given time. All of them are from the island's government. Everyone is well-aware that they are not that fond of you, because they feel threatened with you alive. They may or may not found out yet, but there is a higher chance that they considered you being Lady Death. Your hair gives your identity off," Thea disclosed, handing me another folder.

Opening them, I skimmed through the list of firearms and places where the transaction was held, and the list of names of politicians. The places the transactions was held is out of the island boundaries, I assume he doesn't live on this island. While the names were all familiar to me, some haters, some supporters, but they secretly want me dead. Sighing I put the folders down on the table, closing my eyes to calm my temper.

After some minutes of silence, we heard several knocks. I entered the passcode then the door opened, revealing a scholar student. She is wearing a plaid top, paired with pants and sneakers. "There was a delivery addressed to this room. I'm the student assigned to distribute deliveries today," she said, then handed us the bags then immediately left.

Distributing the food from burger king, each has a whopper burger, fries, onion rings, and iced coffee. Settling down, we all started eating with a little chattering and bickering. The moment we finished eating, we heard the clicking sound and the door opened.

Ares entered, holding two tablets. He is wearing a gray polo shirt under a brown coat, paired with ripped jeans and sneakers. Handing me the tablets, he said, "The mastermind finds out about our investigation. He sent us a message to decipher."