Sturdy tent walls surrounded him, yet the rising sun's rays managed to penetrate the fabric. Outside, the ebbing wind pressure rustled leaves and Sean's makeshift shelter rippled aggressively, constantly stretching taut.
Bleary eyed, Sean rubbed lightly. Leaning forward, he hugged his knees to his chest.
Although Sean didn't possess a mastery over a sense of direction, he'd boast that at the minimum, he was above average. Finding his tent and moving it here wasn't too much of an issue. Though, he would've appreciated Azhir's help carrying everything. However, Azhir's reluctance in remaining paired was clear.
Thank the Lord I'm not dead. As happy as I am, I can't help but wonder. Perhaps Azhir held no intention to crush my windpipe. Even holding my wrist, it made sure it hurt but refused to go any further. Sean caressed his wrist, a slight tinge of pain zinged through his arm.
If I were working with Zuri, would he keep me hostage because if he killed me, no doubt there'd be questions on why he's traveling alone. Essentially, his true intentions mean little because my disappearance would paint a target on his back.
Sean rested a chin on his knee. Branches creaked. Creaking?
Swiftly, Sean extracted himself from his sleeping bag and slipped through the tent flaps. Azhir's tent stood unbothered three or four yards away. The branches swayed - a little too much.
Quickening his pace, in two seconds, Sean's entrance allowed the atmosphere of the new day to rouse Azhir's senses somewhat.
Briefly, Sean heard him groan. His panting was quick as if he were running. Azhir's fingers nearly tore fabric; eyes squeezing as if they weren't already closed.
"Hey, get up!" Sean shouted as he jostled Azhir's form.
"You need to get up and move!"
An agitated grunt lingered as Azhir's eyes fluttered open. His irises revealed two seconds of a fierce crimson before they returned to the common brown. Am I imagining things? Before Sean realized he'd froze, Azhir gave a light shove causing him to crash on his back.
"Get out of my tent." Azhir commanded in a flat tone. The boys' ears perked up when another creak echoed. In seconds, the tent emptied and they raised their heads.
Miniature cracks echoed as the branch leaned down further and further until -
Snap!
The branch crushed the fabric and easily bent the tent pole structure. Lost in the moment, Sean's and Azhir's gaze fixated on the scene longer than intended. Not wanting to dwell on his loss, Azhir broke out of his daze and face palmed. As much as he wanted to chalk this up to a manufactured coincidence, Azhir found it hard to believe the murderer or a possible accomplice had the tools, ability, or prediction for this to happen.
Rather, the line of reasoning brought about even more frustration. Yeah, this is just rotten freaking luck. Azhir accepted the situation begrudgingly.
"That's brilliant." Azhir complained. He glanced at Sean, knowing he should express... something but he couldn't identify what exactly. I was already sleeping on the ground so it'll just be a bit more uncomfortable. Azhir sealed his own fate.
"You can sleep in my tent. I just don't have an extra sleeping bag." Reflexively, Sean offered as he forgot the uncertainty from yesterday for a moment.
Gritting his teeth, Sean braced for Azhir's retort.
Silence.
Confused, Sean subtly scanned Azhir and - his eyes were a little wider than usual. His blank expression suffered a fracture.That's new.
"You alright?" Sean asked.
Azhir willed himself from the daze. "I'm fine.
He stood and approached his ruined shelter. "I think I can still get my sleeping bag. Thank goodness my backpack wasn't in the way."
Azhir lifted the branch a few inches to reach for his sleeping bag. Sean stood there and watched.
As he shimmied the sleeping bag little by little, Sean caught Azhir's glances, holding for two or three seconds.
After the freeing the bag, Azhir stared at Sean. Mind contemplating. Finally, he opened his mouth.
"... thank you." Though Azhir spoke as if it were more a task, a hint of sincere gratitude bled through.
Then, Sean had an epiphany. Perhaps Azhir hadn't been offered many things in life.
~
Adjusting her shirt, Mallory glanced in Daniel's direction to ensure he wouldn't peep. True to his word, Daniel was leaning on a tree trunk, back toward her and hands in his pockets.
Removing a scrunchie from her wrist, Mallory divided the hair hanging in her face and pulled it back forming a ponytail. Daniel whistled at a couple of birds before they flew off.
"You doin' a little better?" Daniel asked, concern coloring his light tone.
"... I don't know." Mallory answered honestly. How could someone come to terms with losing a childhood friend in such an extreme manner?
Before yesterday, her and Jason spoke about future plans inside the agency, the career they sought together. Potential traveling around the world, different cultures, customs, even the mundane would've been bearable with him present. Given their choice of employment, they'd hardly ever be away from one another, and the risk of an affair would be low. Indeed, Mallory realized that the chance of either choosing someone else existed. Yet now that Jason passed, Mallory felt robbed.
"I'm done." Mallory informed yet Daniel maintained his posture and didn't turn.
"You think... Jason's murderer will receive justice?" Mallory's tone dipped drastically. Shifting her gaze to Daniel, she observed his brown hair, more disheveled than yesterday. Most likely from being sleepless. When he turned his head, Mallory met his comforting smile and his brown eyes, almost bordering on a grey hue.
"I like to remain optimistic. No doubt when the authorities get here, they'll know better than us how to catch a lie or trip up the murderer. If only we were professionals who've dealt with liars their whole lives. Maybe we'd have a better chance.
"Thankfully, we're still alive so we've got another day to figure this out. We should go ahead and meet up with the others. Hopefully, no one was killed last night." Daniel motioned for them to start walking.
Mallory nodded and followed Daniel, trailing him by a foot. For a few steps, they were silent.
"So, why'd you choose the Agency?" Mallory asked to make conversation.
"Wanted to get out of the neighborhood I grew up in. Didn't see my dad till I was around six. Then that deadbeat disappeared." Daniel scoffed.
"That's..." Mallory couldn't finish the sentence. What else could she say?
"Whether he's dead, in prison, or wrapped up with a trick... I don't give a damn. I'm just hoping to help the folks in my neighborhood." Daniel shrugged.
"You came with... Jason, right? Is he the reason?"
Mallory sighed. "I honestly saw it as a bonus. I did see potential in police work but... Jason told me that I was meant for more than boring patrols and babysitting drunkards."
Daniel acknowledged Mallory's motivation with a chuckle. "His reasoning makes sense, unfortunately. And the pay isn't all that great.
"Probably would've been safer than here." Daniel's smile failed to hide the fear at his attempt at levity.
"And maybe died with a bit more dignity." Mallory bit her tongue. An unexpected surge of anger simmered.
"... this isn't my first time... seeing a dead body but..." He trembled then exhaled to fight his response.
"I wouldn't know. I can't say the same thing about him though."
Mallory's reference was apparant. No doubt, he not only had seen dead bodies before, but he's most likely been the reason behind them.
They walked the rest of the way in silence.
Mallory spent this free time speculating on the likely suspects. Grief merely boosted her desire to punish the individual who stole her future. Her eyes cast down. Maybe... maybe I could deliver my own justice. No need to wait for the authorities to catch him or not then give him a comfy room for the rest of his life. Azhir is the first suspect. Zuri's plea... no... demand also doesn't sit right with me. And Oleg... is he trying to divert attention with fear?
Lifting her pupils - where's Daniel?
"Daniel." Mallory called out, scanning the plethora of trunks of various sizes.
"Oh shit!"
Mallory jumped. What's happening to Daniel? She searched south, then east, maintaining a constant motion as if she could monitor all sides.
"Mallory, run!"
Breath quickening, Mallory burst into a sprint. Soon, she heard leaves crunch. Footsteps fast approaching.
"Stay away from me you bastard!" Mallory heard Daniel bellow. Her lungs burned. Then a throaty, delicate laughter. A girl?
Sliding to a halt, Mallory's head swished back and forth.
"Daniel! Daniel... tell me...!"
Footsteps. Crunching leaves and twigs.
A palm smothered Mallory's parted lips.
It hurts. It hurts. Mallory winced. Only she could hear her scream.
~
Oleg exited his tent and stretched away restlessness.
Zuri sat there, eating an energy bar and drinking water - chewing mechanically. Noticing Oleg from the corner of her eye, Zuri flashed a small smile and wave.
"Morning." Oleg greeted, sticking to manners despite his aversion to her. Zuri sighed as she rocked back and forth.
"They're starting to lose their flavor. First thing I'm eating when we get off this island is a five stack of pancakes with some pecan syrup. A side of eggs would add some variety. Sweet tea to wash it all down." Zuri took her last bite.
"Definitely won't be eating these damn things for a while."
"I take it you weren't bitched at for sleeping in all day."
"Oh, I was a couple of times." Zuri giggled.
"But, I thought about life being too short to be in the bed all day."
Zuri snatched her backpack and started zipping it up. Before the zippers sealed the contents inside, Oleg saw wood. They appeared to have a single point like a pencil. A hobby? Heaving her backpack up, Zuri lifted her chin.
"Let's get going."
Despite Zuri's humming, the walk felt tense. Oleg had yet to mark any abnormalities to mention to a couple of trustworthy people. However, trust was not only a rare commodity now, but he also didn't do himself any favors with his behavior yesterday. Dumb ass. Even if Zuri were the murderer, restraining her and successfully getting her to divulge any useful information felt more impossible the more he pondered on it.
The strength she exuded, he dared not forget. Oleg sensed Zuri's display was only a fraction, enough to judge that she outclassed him in strength. She's nowhere near my size... and her arms and legs appear pretty average. Yet still...
Zuri glanced at Oleg and smiled. No teeth.
"What's on your mind?" Zuri probed, clasping her hands behind her back. Oleg cursed himself for being easy to read.
"I'm not thinking about a damn thing." Oleg scoffed and focused his attention forward. In all honesty, he hoped that the killer struck again last night or perhaps early this morning. That's fucked up. The premature loss of life would aid in the progress of pinning an accurate suspect.
But the investigation would be stalled if the murderer chose now to practice discipline.
Without clues, his cohort could only wait in tense agonizing anticipation, unsure if they'd escape by the skin of their teeth or die. Closer and closer, Zuri and Oleg began to detect murmurs. The murmurs transformed to talking.
They arrived to the group of candidates staring at Daniel. The brown-haired boy was bent over, gasping for air.
"Where's Mallory?" Tim crouched and rested a hand on Daniel's back. Daniel furiously shook his head, eyes blown wide.
"She's... I don't know! I only remember... red eyes... penetrating... we... I couldn't see her. Somehow, we...!" Daniel held his head, conviction creeping in. Tim twitched then removed his hand from Daniel's back as his voice dropped a beat.
"You... you left her?" Tim accused.
Daniel trembled as he collapsed to his hands and knees. Oleg raised his head slightly to see Azhir and Sean coming into clear view.
"Fucking pathetic..." A girl snapped silently.
"Mabel, that's uncalled for." Zuri reprimanded.
Glares multiplied the gravity Daniel already felt. Zuri walked over and knelt beside Daniel, comforting and placing a gentle hand on his face, directing it to her face. She gave a sympathetic smile. Tim's eyes squinted, full of fury.
"None of us can really say we wouldn't do the same." Zuri said.
"I can!" Tim shouted. "Aren't you a man with some fucking balls?! You should've searched for her! Not run around like a damn coward!"
Kaitlyn reached for Tim but he shoved her hand away. Oleg cast his gaze toward Daniel.
Lily couldn't refute Tim's reprimands, but she doubted any of them had the capabilities to fight the perpetrator. Despite Zuri rubbing her the wrong way, she had a point.
"I'd say leave his ass out to dry. You should be able to travel by yourself." Oleg stated.
"What?! No! I barely had time to react... I...!" Daniel desperately defended himself.
Nevertheless, Oleg fixed him with scrutinizing eyes. Zuri sighed.
"Daniel... did you get anything else... more of a physical description?" Zuri's tone cut off any more verbal lashing.
"Is the suspect here?"
Slowly, Daniel lifted his head and observed everyone's appearance. Their continued judgement however, prevented him from assessing long enough to make a definitive conclusion.
"No, I... the only thing I remember was... red eyes. Staring... focused..."
Once Sean's eyes widened, several took note. Though he had an inclination to turn toward Azhir, he resisted it. Azhir displayed surprise as well.
Tim nearly screamed. The shock on Azhir's face was genuine. Yet... Was that... did I just see... crimson?
"Let me see." Sean didn't break eye contact.
"She might not be dead... just injured." That's wishful thinking. Sean felt that the murderer wouldn't leave a witness as some type of warning.
"But... I don't know where..." Daniel trembled at the idea of reviewing his failure.
"Well find her." Sean said, determined.
"I'm coming along." Azhir stated. Luckily, Sean's partner was the closest thing to an actual forensic pathologist on this island. Sean didn't object. Zuri glanced at Daniel. He exhaled and slowly lifted his head, seeking redemption.
"...Okay..." Daniel concurred.
"I'll follow." Stepping up, Oleg scanned Sean and Azhir carefully. "I doubt three on one will be easy if the murderer shows up again." Oleg motioned for Daniel to lead the way. In the meantime, I can keep an eye on those guys and keep Daniel safe.
~
The monitor's brightness barely lit the room. Delicate fingers shifted it a little, revealing 'Coolest Auntie' written in red bold letters on a black background.
Slowly, the mug was brought to lips that were an alluring shade of red. An elbow rested on the counter as a hand supported a head.
Glass' vacant eyes never left a red dot that blinked before vanishing. Didn't expect that to be honest. Glass took another sip.
Heels clacked against the floor and stopped beside Glass. This individual sat on the counter and turned her head toward the screen.
"Something out of the ordinary, Marie?" Glass spoke to the point.
After a nonverbal denial, Marie offered. "Need anything?"
Glass shook her head. "I'll wait another couple hours."
Heaving a sigh, Glass leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. Once Marie left, she sat upright and her fingers flew across keys.
Three pictures came up and her eyes traced each line. She scoffed upon reading a particular line. Well that gives a lot more context.
Glancing at Sean's picture, Glass smirked. Wouldn't be the first time I made a good investment.