BITE THE DUST

DAVIEN'S POINT OF VIEW

"The color black has always been synonymous with death. It is the color of hatred. Thus, many people consider black roses to symbolize bereavement and loss. When sent to a person, it often signifies no hope and final farewell."

I read the texts displayed through the screen of my computer. I heave a deep sigh and scan the paper containing all the details of the case I'm investigating, including the information of the victims. I read this file for countless times already that I can almost memorize every words, yet it still leads me to bunch of questions.

Aside from the fact that they all came from the same school, a black rose was also found alongside with their corpses in the crime scene. But these little pieces of information will not lead me to the culprit of the crime. All these faltering figures are incomplete, I need to work harder to pull myself out of this maze.

I rub my temples and lean against the swivel chair.

"I need to know the history of their class. There must be something behind this, a very important reason that leads to all these mess and predicaments," I uttered to myself while tapping the pen against the table. My gaze settled on another folder. I grab it and continue my perusal.

I have a hunch that what happened years ago is connected to all the current chaos. The Sullivan's case, could it be the biggest hint that I have been searching for?

"But if my hunch is true, then that would lead me to a bigger and more complicated problem. Fuck it," I cursed underneath my breath.

Years ago, I was one of the people who investigated the Sullivan's case. I can still remember the excitement that I felt that time because that was the first case that I handled.

The news spreads like a wild fire and made a huge ruckus on our town. Every TV stations and journal articles featured that case. But what confused me up until now is, after a week of being the talk of the town, the dispatch suddenly died down. All the articles containing the news were shut off, as if some powerful people pulled some strings to impede the news from unfurling.

Even our investigation came to a halt. I asked my superior before with the immediate ceased of our investigation. But I did not get an answer. That is probably one of the reason why I'm too engrossed with the current Ridley University killing incidents, I want to solve the forgotten case of that high school student. I want to give her the justice she rightfully deserves.

Now that I have more power and control over this matter, I will fulfill my oath to that person who honed my wings and bring me to where I'm standing.

I mentally slap my face while shaking my head. "Now is not the right to get emotional, damn it. Work now or you'll get caught up in this mess," I chastised myself while chuckling.

AMBER'S POINT OF VIEW

It's seven in the morning. I'm sitting while scrolling through my newsfeed. The humming of the birds and soft rustle of the wind  drifted in. Lucas, Summer, Josiah, Ethan, and I are the only students inside the room yet.

"How are you, Amber? It's been a long time since we had a nice talk."

I averted my gaze from my phone and look at Summer who's smiling sweetly at me. I made an abrupt glance on her.

She looks entirely different.

Summer is competitive and fierce even before, but anyone can still feel the benevolent aura surrounding her. However, all I can see right now is a gusty and vicious woman hiding behind an amiable semblance. From the way she dresses and talks, the old and current Summer are poles apart.

Despite the uneasiness I'm feeling, I look at her and smile subtly. "I-I'm doing good. Thanks for asking, by the way."

She sat on the arm chair and lowered her head. "Despite all the mess that's happening right now, you're fine?"

My fingers twitched in irritation. She's obviously trying to provoke me.

She seemed to noticed my reaction because she pulled her face away and laugh softly. "Of course, Amber will always be Amber." She stood up and walk behind me.

I flinched a bit when she inched her face closer to my ears. "You're still the apathetic person I know who simply doesn't care about other people's welfare. For as long as you're safe and sound, you won't bat an eye with other's mishap. That's how sickening and shameful your whole personality is," she whispered.

I clenched my fist in agitation. She chuckled out of the blue and walk in front of me.

"Hey, I'm just kidding, please don't take that personally. I know you genuinely care for our beloved classmates, aren't you?" she asked in the most sarcastic way that ticks me off.

One more contemptuous ridicule from this bitch's mouth and I won't hesitate to wipe the smug look on her face.

I sighed and look at her sternly. "I care for them."

Her eyes gleamed. "Good to know," she said before turning her back.

My forehead creased. Wow, she really went here just to spit those balderdash? The effort.

"Why did you come back?" I asked nonchalantly. The others are already looking at us, confused.

I shook my head. "Uh, don't mind my question. You can go now."

She turned around and looks at me. "Why? Are you bothered by sudden return?"

I frowned. "I-I'm not, why would I?"

Her lips curled into a sneer. "I don't know. Maybe because you're aware that you have some debt on me."

Tension between us starts to stirs up.

"I still remember everything Amber. None of those things escaped my mind. I wonder if you still remember those things too-" She halted her words and smiled sweetly at me. "best friend."

I tried to open my mouth, but no words came out of my lips. I'm lost for words so I just stared at her.

The heavy atmosphere only faded when Aeron opens the door, Lincoln is trailing behind him.

Summer smiled sweetly at me- but I know better than that. "I hope we can hang out anytime soon, Amber. Just like the old times."

The class starts, but my mind is still immersed with my conversation with Summer.

What are you up to, Summer? What are you planning to do with your sudden return?

•••••

SAMANTHA'S POINT OF VIEW

"Do you think Claire is doing fine?"

I stopped n washing my face and turned off the faucet.

I heaved a deep sigh and turned to Alexandria. "I don't know. I called the police last night and asked if they have already have a lead regarding Claire's disappearance. Unfortunately, the investigation has no progress yet."

I wipe my damp face and stares at the mirror. Dark circles can be seen in my eyes already. "This is frustrating the fuck out of me."

"What if s-she was already d-dead?"

I glared at her. "No, I know Claire's still alive. We will find her," I said with full of conviction.

However, I know deep inside me that what Alex said could be true. With all the terrible things happening right now, what she said is not impossible at all. Still, I'm holding on to that chance that Claire is still alive.

She heave a deep sigh and pats my shoulder. "Fine. But let's prepare for the worst case scenario," she said. I nod my head reluctantly.

"Damn it, I almost forgot that we still have a meeting. Sam, I'll get going now!" she said and dashed out of the comfort room. Alex is a part of journalism club.

The phone inside my open bag rings all of a sudden, someone is calling me. I was about to decline the call because it's an unknown number but it rang again.

I rolled my eyes before answering the call. "Whoever this motherfucker is, please stop disturbing me, okay? I'm not in the mood to play your stupid game," I exclaimed.

There's a long pause from the other line. I was about to end it when someone speaks.

"S-Sam."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Hello? Who's this? Why do you know my name?" I asked.

"S-Sam, this is Claire. P-Please save me."

Tears immediately fall from my eyes. My legs are literally shaking so I lean against the sink.

"C-Claire? What the fuck? Where the hell are you? We've been looking for you for ages now," I said while sobbing. "I-I need to tell this to the class."

"N-No! No, don't tell them that I called you!"

"W-What?"

She paused for seconds. "P-Please don't tell them. The k-killers might know that you're here if all of you will come. I'm begging you, please save me," she pleaded. My heart broke while I listen to her painful cries.

I nod my head continuously though she can't see me right now. "I-I will, Claire. Please tell me where you are."

"I'm here at Woodlawn Avenue."

I frowned more. That's where Carter's dead body was found. Damn it, the fear growing inside me is getting worse.

"Where exactly?" I asked while fixing myself.

"I don't know where exactly I am."

I sighed in frustration. "Just keep your GPS open."

"A-Alright. I need to hang up now, they are coming. Please hurry up, Sam."

"Who are they, Sam?"

But she already ended the call. I gritted my teeth and run towards the University gate, ignoring all the people that I bumped into. All I wanted to do now is save Claire.

I'm waiting for a taxi while looking at my phone when someone held my arms.

"Sam? What are you doing here? Our class was about to start."

I turned around and saw Josiah's frowning face. I pulled my arms away.

"Stop meddling with my business and leave me alone, Josiah. We're not even friends."

"The hell is wrong with you? I'm just concern, there's no need to be a bitch," he said with annoyance.

I felt guilty. "I-I'm sorry, okay? There's just a lot of things in my plate right now. So please, I need to go now and save Claire."

His eyes widened. I mentally slap my face. Damn it, Sam.

"Y-You already know where she is?"

I shake my head. "N-No, just ignore what I said. I need to go now," I said and walk away from him.

"I'm going with you, Claire is also my friend."

I glared at him but he just stands still. Seeing that this hard-headed bastard will not back down, I just acquiesce in his decision.

"Hurry up, I don't want to bring a burden with me," I said scornfully. It's just in time when a taxi stops in front of us.

Wait for us, Claire. I'm going to save you.

•••••

"Everything here is just so- unnervingly quiet," Josiah said as we walked passed the abandoned park. The dead trees around make the place more spine-chilling.

"This is probably the house Claire told me," I said as we stand in front of a red tarnished gate.

Josiah looks at me reluctantly. "Are you sure? The entire place looks so deserted."

I nod my head and proceed on opening the huge gate, its creaking sound echoing in my ears.

We walked passed  through the long passage before abruptly stopping in a wide double door. Even from the outside, the mansion seems creepy.

Josiah slowly opened it, and we're greeted by the darkness.

"I don't know why, but this place gives me creeps," Josiah whispered. "I feel like we're being watched," he continued while hugging himself.

I rolled my eyes. "Sissy weakling," I uttered scornfully that earned a chuckle from him.

We continue walking through the spacious house. The furniture are veiled with dusty white sheets, cobwebs can be seen on every cranny and nooks of the place. I flinched on my spot when the chandelier with broken strings of crystals made a sound.

"Claire?" My voice echoed. "I'm already here, where are you?"

But no one answered.

I look at Josiah who's busy casting a wary glance around. "I think we should separate so we can find her easily. I'll go there," I said while pointing on the deserted hallway leading to a stair.

He frowned. "Are you crazy? What if something bad happens to you? It's better if we stick together."

I hissed. "Can you stop being stubborn and just listen to m? I can handle myself so you don't need to worry."

He stared at me for a couple of minutes before nodding. "Fine," he said hesitantly.

When we parted ways, I continue walking. There are lot of passages inside this house. I cringed at each creak on the old warped stairs, but it didn’t sway my determination to make it to the bedroom on the second floor.

When I finally reached the floor, ripped curtains and flickering lights greeted my eyes. The tree branches outside are scraping the window shutters that made a rattling sound. I ignored the fear slowly coursing through my body and continue walking.

"Claire?" I asked while slowly opening the door of a room. Again, all I found is darkness. Leaving the door open, I entered the room.

"You're safe now, Claire. Please come out now and let's get out of this place together."

Silence.

Suddenly, a shadow flickered at the corner of my vision. I froze on my spot and caught a familiar scent of someone lingering in the air.

I immediately turn around only to be greeted by the moving door, as if someone just entered the room. I roam my eyes around warily. A shiver curled through the hairs on the back of my neck then cascaded down my backbone.

"C-Claire, is that you? Stop playing with me, it's not funny anymore."

I instinctively turn around when I heard a tinkling sound from behind, only to be greeted with a harsh hit on my head.

"Argh! Damn it!" I shrieked in pain as my knees fell down on the floor. My eyes immediately became blurry, my vision is literally spinning like mad. I heard foot steps coming for me. With my bleary eyes, I look at the person standing in front of me. The darkness behind her makes her face inconspicuous.

I bit my lips as tears flow down my cheeks. "W-Who are you? Where is Claire?"

The person steps out of the shadow and smirks at me. My mouth went agape. I look at her, speechless. The obvious contempt in her face makes me stone cold.

"N-No," I said underneath my breath. Her mere presence is giving me warning bells.

I'm just dreaming, right? Later on I will wake up inside my room. This is just an illusion. She can't be real because she's supposed to be dead.

She crouched and wipe my tears. "Did I hit you too bad, Sam? My bad," she taunted.

I gulped the lump on my throat. "W-Who are you?" I asked, stuttering.

She stared at me for a moment. My blood ran cold when a strange smile creeped between her lips. "Who I am?" She inched her face closer to me and whispered, "I am your biggest nightmare, Sam."

Without any preamble, she grabs my hair and slam it on the cold floor. My face reddened and blood came out of my nose.

"I hope you still remember how you tormented her, because I will hurt you the same way you made her suffer," she muttered furiously while tightly holding my jaw.

"Ahhhh!" My shouts disrupted the silence of the night when she suddenly pierced the knife on my cheeks and made a painful gash.

"Aw, the little bitch is crying now. Does it hurt, hmmm?" Her laugh is hurting my ears.

My face are now soaked in tears. I look at her pleadingly. "I-I'm sorry. Please stop this, I'll do everything, just stop."

Her eyes gleamed. "I won't stop, Sam. We will not stop until all of you are gasping for breath."

My eyes widened. I shake my head furiously. "Y-You're of the people who killed Airen and the others?"

She chuckled. "Yes."

I fly off the handle and stare at her angrily. "You're a monster."

Her lips curved into a grin. "I know, and you will experience the wrath of this monster."

I screamed when she swiftly puncture the knife on my left eye. I pushed her away, but she kicked my abdomen.

"I didn't know that seeing blood covering your face would be this ecstatic," she whispered and stab my right eye.

"Argh! Stop!"

I pleaded, but she didn't listen. She constantly stab me until I can't move even a finger. My body is aching all over.

All I could see right now is darkness with tints of red that is certainly my blood.

Silence hovered between the two of us. We just sit there with darkness around us and the rustle of tress and sound of crickets serving as the music of the night.

"Goodbye, Sam."

The last words I heard before she slits my throat. My entire body quivered, and slowly, my body fell on the cold floor with a loud thud.

JOSIAH'S POINT OF VIEW

The cold breeze seeping through the open windows fondle against my skin, sending a slight shiver down my spine.

"Fuck shit!" I jolted when the clattering of fallen silver platter resurfaced around the deserted hallway.

I heave a deep sigh and continue walking. But I stop when I heard a loud thud coming from the other side of the place.

"Sam," I uttered nervously and dashed towards the direction of the sound. I slowly stop on my track when I notice blood splattered on the wall. The apprehension inside me intensified when I saw a body lying on the floor.

My knees wobbled when I finally realized who is it. "S-Sam," I whispered, but there's no response.

I squat down, and my stomach churns with the horrible sight in front of me. Both of her eyes are gouged out, her cheeks are severely bruised and there's a long cut on her neck. I grimaced when blood oozed out from it.

"W-What the hell?" I was about to touch her body when I heard a rustle from behind. I clenched my fist and was about to do a mad attack but a bullet on my legs stop me. I winced and glared at the bastard who's pointing a gun at me.

"You're not supposed to die tonight, but since you're here already, I guess we don't need to prolong your misery anymore."

With that, he pulled the trigger and shoot me.

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

She stood in front of her cold and lifeless body. Her eyes are cold and dreary.

"Please don't tell me that you've gone soft for that bitch?"

She looks at the person beside her and shakes her head. "I'm not. She deserves it for ruining my life," she uttered while staring at the dead body lying on the ground.

The woman smirks. "Good."