"And where were you between 9:50 and 10:30 PM? "

"At home, Sir. "

"Not that I don't believe you, but, is there anyone who can account to your statement?"

"Yes, Sir. My parents and my brother were with me."

"Very well then, that will be all, Ms Miller. "

I was about to get up from my place in front of Inspector Bryant when he stopped me.

"Wait, please. I still need to talk to your friends and you, together. If you could just sit down again?"

I nodded in understanding as Inspector Bryant sent someone to call my friends. I sat in the chair patiently. Well, as patiently as one can sit at a police station after receiving the news that the lady you had seen just last night, all healthy, elegant and alive, was dead.

We had all reached home before 9:40, at the latest. Today was Saturday, so, our school remain closed. But the news of the death at the 'Cursed house of Paradise' spread through the town like hellfire. No one knew the details of the death, but, everyone sure was curious to know it. The rumours that had already started flying around would suggest as much!

The whole affair was incredibly interesting, to say the least.

The sound of footsteps approaching Inspector Bryant's cabin made me turn backwards in my chair to see another Officer ushering or trying to usher all of my friends inside.

An old lady, who seemed to be crying her heart out about a fat, ginger cat that she had when she was 8 and how it had gone missing, never to be found; had latched onto Ethan's arm and did not look like she was going to move anytime soon. A giggle almost escaped me,  when I saw Ethan's face. He was patting the old lady's shoulder in hopes of consoling her, but, didn't know what else to do. His entire posture screamed awkward and he looked like he was about to start crying himself. The others weren't being particularly helpful, either. 

Owen, Mason and Rhea were standing quietly to the side, their eyes wide. Torryn, as usual, looked emotionless. Mae (who wasn't a fan of cats) was trying to stop the old lady from crying by the sheer power of her glares. Finally, Matt (bless him) put a comforting arm around the lady's shoulder, murmured a few consoling words and just like that, the officer was able to easily detach the old lady from Ethan's arm and maneuver her out of Inspector Bryant's cabin.

Ethan was sitting in the chair beside me in under a minute. He got there so fast, it was almost like he teleported there.

I raised an eyebrow at him, when he sank lower into his chair, sighing with relief. "Speed walk much? "

"Very much."

He glared at me as I snickered.

The big Inspector, who was at least six feet tall, cleared his throat to gain our attention, when everyone gathered around Ethan and me.

"So, I've talked to all of you. And the reason behind that, is that you all were the last to see Elektra Queen last night before her death. You see, we have to talk to everyone in such cases", he sent us a rueful smile.

"Of course, Sir, we understand. And we will be happy to help in any way we can." Ethan had apparently recovered from his awkward encounter with the old lady.

Inspector Bryant took in our eager and curious faces and gave us an apologetic smile. "Very well. Though, as of now, we are not allowed to disclose the details of this case" he watched as our expressions changed to disappointment and hastily continued, "but, we shall let you know if we require your help. Thank you very much, you are all free to go."

We left the police station after bidding everyone goodbye. Well, I bid everyone goodbye (since I had become good friends with all the officers at the police station), while my friends trudged ahead.

We all just stood outside the police station for a while, in silence. Everyone was lost in their own train of thoughts. Even in the broad daylight, there was a slight chill to the atmosphere. The kind of chill that you experienced, when there was death in the air.

"Guys, " Owen started, "Um, I am...err..going to the library on Monday.  For some research. Do you—"

"Want to join in on this mysterious research? Uh, yes, please! " I grinned, completing Owen's sentence for him. There were the traces of a smile on the others' faces, too.

Everyone nodded at Owen and he sighed in relief, "Oh, good. I thought I was the only one curious enough—"

He was once again interrupted by someone. "Really? Do you know us at all Owen?" Ethan raised an eyebrow at him.

Owen, in return, rolled his eyes at Ethan. "Oh, yes, yes. You are all daredevils. "

We had reached the parking lot by now.

"Yeah. Only, I'd rather be a daredevil after my chemistry project is complete or Becca will have my head. So, I'll head home for now. Mason, you coming?" Rhea asked from beside her car.

I liked how we all used the same nickname for our beloved chemistry teacher, Mr Bacca. There was unity in this world after all.

"Yup. Bye guys, see you all on Monday."

After we bid them goodbye, Mae came up to me. "Shit, I almost forgot. I have to get some things from the East End. Do you want to come with?"

On any other day, I would've readily said yes. But today was Saturday. I wanted to get home and catch up on my sleep as soon as possible.

Before I could reply, Matt spoke out, raising his eyebrows at Mae. "Are you sure you want to go there alone? I mean, the East End is pretty shady."

At this, Mae narrowed her eyes. "And? "

Fortunately for him, Matt knew what was the right thing to do, and raised his hands in surrender and shook his head as if to say 'nothing '.

Mae turned to me, her eyes not quite as narrowed as before. I shook my head.  "Well, then, you're gonna have to find a ride home."

Before I could even turn to ask the remaining four boys, a voice answered. A voice I was, for some reason, least expecting to. "I can take her home." Ethan, Owen and Matt stared at Torryn with their mouths almost hanging open.

I raised an eyebrow at them, but, grinned at Torryn, "Okay, great!"

I nodded at Mae, who nodded back at me and then the others.

"Text me, when you reach home, " I called at her retreating figure. She gave me thumbs up without turning back.

"Are you sure she'll be okay?" Owen asked.

I didn't really blame them. The East End of Paradise was pretty dangerous. It didn't matter if you were a boy or a girl. It didn't matter if it was day or night. So, I could see why they were concerned. Although, there was one thing I knew, that they didn't.

"Why would you assume Mae doesn't have nunchucks in her bag?"

I smiled at the four surprised faces in front of me. Well, almost surprised, I thought as I looked Torryn's emotionless face. But if you looked closely, you could see a flicker of surprise in his forest-green eyes.

"Text me, when you reach home, " Ethan smirked at Torryn while Owen and Matt snickered in the background.

I narrowed my eyes. Who was he mocking? Torryn or me?

Torryn gave Ethan a look, which said, that he wasn't going to text him in the next 12 hours. Or the next 12 years.

"Shall we?" I smiled impishly at Torryn, after we had bidden the three idiots goodbye.

He raised an eyebrow at my smile with suspicion but nodded anyway.

"We shall."

********************************

Phew! I almost managed to update on time (although I didn't, but let's not focus on that, aye?)

I kind of relate to Mae about cats. I mean, I don't hate them but I don't like them either. Unless it's Crookshanks. I love Crookshanks! Also, I LOVE DOGS!!<3 <3 <3
So, how many of you are cat person and how many are dog person?

Anyways, let me know what you think of this chapter!

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Torryn *grumbles*: Vote if you have irritating friends and love them anyway.