A/N: Hey guys, so I know this was originally a Clew only story but it's more than that and i'm not labeling the couple right now. It is a Eclew story if that makes it any better. You'll get the best of both worlds. And maybe a little girl on girl loving. I just really love the idea and plot and I know a lot of you will enjoy how different this is. I have been dying to write this. It's a bit darker than my usual style and it is a bit of a horror fic. I really hope that my readers still read along for the story line, because it's going to be SUPER shocking and interesting. I hope you all enjoy this new twist. I present to you: Iconic Psychotic
Chapter 1: Building our funeral
It was but a mere mid-fall breeze that scurried over the hereditary gated community in which its official namesake derived from an Italian bloodline that migrated to the states in the late 1800's: Di Grassi. A curb just down the smoothly conglomerated street resided multiple provincial homes with state of the art alarm systems, deteriorating cut grass with scattered autumn leaves, and antiquely carved post-boxes that aligned coercively with every other one within the premises.
One home in particular that held the numbers 120 on a golden plate habitually on the side of the pale house, contained an unfathomably ironic discrepancy beyond the transparent windows.
Zoe Rivas, a vibrantly sheepish six-teen year old who was a student at Degrassi High, sat in her fuchsia and sandy painted abode. She had just received a good-night phone call from her short-term boyfriend, Drew Torres. They weren't in-love but, they shared an unquestionable endearment with each other enough to leave her stomach fluttering with waves of fond excitement. Her quarter-length vertically groomed hair was pulled back into a neat French Braid.
It was already one o'clock in the morning when she gently fell back into the deep cushions of her pillow and her recently shut eyes shot open at an eerily uncommon sound. She laid motionless in bed, awaiting for a replay to confirm her unsure suspicions that it was just her imagination affected by her exhaustion.
The sound erupted once more, just slightly much more audible than before. Zoe threw herself towards her bedroom door, pressing the drum of her ear against it.
"Zig, if you're plotting another prank on mom and dad again, you might want to keep it down." She whispered irritably.
When she waited for a response that never deemed itself, she nervously swung the door open and crept her bare feet over the well-polished wooden floor and dark hallway. She tilted her body to get a glimpse of the luxurious living room downstairs. The lights were dimmed as normal but movement ceased to exist, and only a minute breeze quivered the glass on the chandelier. She turned back around and quietly headed to her younger brothers bedroom.
When she attempted to enter the room, she was obstructed when she realized his door was locked. In that instant, she felt a well-organized line of ants clamber the back of her legs, arms, and back. Wearing only loose flowered slumber shorts and a strap tank, the odd senses of shaken weariness felt heightened at the rapid beat of her heart.
Zoe took a deep breath and rushed across the hall to her parents' bedroom, with intent to alert them that her brother was in some sort of trouble.
"Mom-"
Zoe paused not even mid-way of her sentence once she witnessed the gruesome spewing of deep crimson liquid coming from her father's neck. A knife held what was left of his neck in place, his body just dangling, ready to detach itself. Her mother's face was shielded by a pillow, letting Zoe know that she was suffocated, but the moist sheets indicated she was penetrated with a sharp object multiple times.
Zoe turned and slammed the door of her parents' bedroom shut and turned the lock to secure her in place. She ran to the house phone on the bed side table, dialing the emergency line.
"911 dispatch, what's your emergency?"
"My name is Zoe Rivas, I live at 120 Di Grassi lane and my parents were slaughtered in their own bedroom! Th-theres blood everywhere and I think the killer might be in my brother's room." Zoe enunciated rapidly in hyperventilation.
"Okay ma'm I've alerted the authorities and they're on their way now. How old are you?"
"I'm sixteen." She sobbed while sliding down the wall in the corner of the room away from the door.
"Okay, are you in a safe place?"
Zoe sniffled in fear. "Yes. I locked myself in my parent's room."
"Okay, sweetie I'm going to make sure you're safe. Is there a closet or somewhere you can conceal yourself from noise and sight?"
Zoe nodded her head vigorously, rushing up to the make her way towards the closet. "Yeah. I'll get in now. How much longer do I have to-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
"Zoe? Zoe? Are you still there?"
...
One week elapsed since the cessation of Zoe Rivas and her family. The unfortunate occurrence made national news, claiming that the ruthless butcher was a threat to the entire nation instilling a control of media fear.
In local news in the small community of Di Grassi and Degrassi High, speculation of the infamous Alexander Di Grassi's vengeful soul had defied aesthetics and religion and inaugurated itself into the physical world. Of course, that was only one of the many malicious rumors going around.
One frequently suggested was that Zig Novak Rivas and Drew Torres were the masterminds. Both Zig and Drew were questioned as possible suspects. Drew had a plausible alibi. Records proved that Zoe contacted the authorities twenty minutes after speaking to Drew whose call was traced out of town at his grandparents home, where Drew had gone last weekend. The weekend Zoe was killed. Zig was found at the scene, hidden under his bed in his room. No evidence had led to Zigs guilt, in which he returned to being a victim of the crime as well. He hadn't spoken much since then.
"In other Degrassi news, I'd like to thank the entire student body and faculty for coming out to the mourning of Zoe Rivas and her family. This recent tragedy has affected us all and we can only keep her in our memory. And in respect to the Rivas family finding justice, let's hope that the heartless monster behind this is found and put away for the rest of his life. Have a happy Friday and until then, lock your doors and stay safe. That's all for Degrassi news."
"That was great Imogen." Clare Edwards, Vice President of Degrassi stood behind camera man Adam Torres, as she watched anchor-woman, Imogen Moreno conclude her on-air speech.
"Thanks, Claresters." Imogen responded with an approving smile.
"Have you spoken to Drew?" Imogen directed her curiosity towards Adam, who was Drew's step-brother.
Adam nodded his head. "Yeah. He's fine, I guess. I think he's just overwhelmed with the bloody details."
"I mean, who wouldn't. It's one thing that he was dating Zoe, and it's another thing that the killer himself recorded and posted the video all over the internet." Clare addressed logically.
Imogen placed her hands over her eyes. "Noooooooo! I couldn't even get through ten seconds of that video."
"I didn't even bother." Clare added. "I wouldn't be able to handle It. Just hearing about it was enough for me."
"Clare." A tall, well-dressed man by the name of Principal Simpson appeared. "Can I have a word?"
Adam and Imogen both looked at Clare, who returned the eye contact before following the principal to his office.
"I'm going to be a little more lenient with the duties for Drew as president and I'm hoping you can pick up after until he's ready to dive back into the responsibilities of council."
"Of course, sir. I have no problem with that."h
"Thank you, Clare. I knew I could count on you."
Clare nodded her head in respect and pushed herself up from the chair to leave.
"Oh, and Clare."
The blue eyed venus swirled around in correspondence.
"I know Drew's your friend and he's refused to see at least see a counselor. I was wondering if maybe you could talk to him. Just make sure he's well." He appeared to be truly concerned for his student.
Clare assured him he'd take on that duty as well, but in reality Clare hadn't spoken to Drew at all since the incident. It's not that she didn't want to. She knew him well enough and when he was ready to talk, he'd come to her. He always did.
Clare had been best friends with Drew since freshman year when she was assigned to tutor him in geometry. Through him, she'd met Adam and the Torres family and since then had become a well acquainted guest in the Torres household and vice-versa. They were justifiably inseparable. No one ever questioned their friendship for a romance because it appeared solid and solely platonic
Elijah Goldsworthy, better known as Eli, transferred to Degrassi High his junior year. Clare was a sophomore then and they had been introduced through a mutual friendship with Adam. Eli was instantly infatuated with her intelligence and her wisecrack humor. They eventually fell in love and lived out an epically romanticized relationship all through-out high school.
Drew never settled the way Clare did. His captivation with a girl was always short-lived, much like his relationships with them. He never found himself truly satisfied with a girl. Clare was supportive of every relationship Drew got into, but Drew on the other hand was only civil with Eli for the sake of his best friend. He always found his ill-behaved influence on Clare in causing mischief corrupting. There was one instance where Clare and Drew got into a scandalous dispute which almost cost them their friendship.
Clare never again spoke to Drew about her relationship with Eli. She confided in her best girlfriend, Imogen Moreno in that sense. That was until recently this year when Eli had traveled to New York City for College. His first week in residential housing, he hooked up with two girls. Clare found out two weeks later and was devastated.
Drew wanted to kill Eli. He had seen Clare at her best and worst, but he'd never witnessed someone in such a dispiriting state. Two months have passed since the break-up and Clare seemed better.
Hey, meet me in council room during lunch?
-Drew
Clare had received a text just as she left Principal Simpsons office.
I'll be there.
-Clare
...
The council room withheld two long couches for lounging, a mini kitchen area on the other side of the sub-divided room, some chairs and a long meeting table. Drew sat on the colored couches, his head resting on the plush of the furniture, his eyes dropped shut.
"Hey, I left class a little early to stop by The Dot and picked you up a box of your favorite mini-donuts." Clare walked in, clad in a black long sophisticated winter coat. She held a white coffee cup that read 'The Dot', and a rectangular prism box that contained the desserts she just referred to.
"You're pink." He chuckled, noticing the faint shade of crimson that surrounded her pale cheeks and nose.
"Well, it is November and about say, twenty-nine degrees out." Clare remarked, putting down the coffee cup and box to unbutton her coat. "So," Clare plunked herself down onto the couch next to Drew. "Let's talk." She offered him a donut, and he reached into the box.
"You know my weakness." He smiled thankfully. "You're the best Clare." He added gloomily, looking down at the frosted treat.
"I know." She lifted her eyebrow, taking a cautious sip from her steaming hot coffee. "Do you miss her?"
"You know, you're the first person to ask me that. Everyone's always 'Are you okay? have you spoken to anyone? do you know the killer?'"
Clare giggled incredulously. "Okay, the last one's a bit ridiculous."
"Tell that to the world." He responded pessimistically. "And to answer your question, yes. She was a cool girl. I'm not like, depressed or whatever, it's not like I loved her. I just can't put together why anyone would do such a thing, especially to Zoe."
"I don't know why anyone would do such a thing to anyone. The person who did it is sick and doesn't deserve to be out there right now. But, there's not much we can really do. It's an open investigation and knowing how strong the Police Department is here, they'll find him."
"You're right." Drew's voice cracked, his deep voice suddenly trembling in melancholy. "I know you probably didn't see the video, but I found myself replaying it over and over again."
Clare's face contorted into many mixed emotions, the overbearing emotion border lining between grief and condolence.
"And I couldn't help but hear something. Something that told me there are others involved."
"As in plural killers?" Clare asked bewildered. "W-wait, what exactly gave you that idea?"
Drew sighed. "I don't know if anyone really noticed, but right before the video ends, someone picks it up and turns it off while the killer is still assaulting Zoe."
Clare's astonishment with this ideology compels her to tilt her head while she really lets Drew's revelation sink in.
"So…these people…must've had a motive?"
"Exactly."
"That's strange. Zoe was so harmless. I don't think she's even ever said an immoral word in her mind."
"It's so strange, yet I don't think I'll ever get any answers."
Clare set the coffee cup on the table and brought Drew into a warm embrace. "Oh, Drew. I'm so, so sorry. I really wish this wasn't happening." She massaged his back tenderly, drawing a weak smile from him. He simply sighed, finding some sort of relief and peace in Clare's arms.
"I haven't been able to sleep." Drew broke the comfortable silence as he pulled back. "Do you think we can have a sleep over?"
"We haven't had one of those in forever." Clare recalled.
"Yeah, well last I remember it was because Eli didn't 'approve'." Drew mocked.
When Clare and Eli first started, Clare was frequently staying at the Torres residence. Mainly because Clare's father was never home after her mom left and she was scared being home all alone. Audra Torres, Drew and Adam each loved Clare to pieces and welcomed her to stay whenever deemed necessary. Eli blew it completely out of proportion and threatened to leave Clare. One of the many threats Drew came to discover later on. He was never life threatening, just very manipulative.
"Yeah…" Clare feigned laughter. "Eli and I had our own sleep-overs…"
"I figured." Drew responded, feeling guilty for bringing him up.
"You know, he facetimed me last night?"
"Clare, c'mon don't tell me after all the progress you've made you're going to take that two-timing pig back."
Clare shook her head annoyed. "No. I'm not. He was just apologizing for everything…and he heard about Zoe. He asked about you and wanted to make sure you were okay."
"That idiot never gave a rat's ass about me. He's just finding an excuse to talk to you again." He countered obviously bothered.
"He may have hurt me but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. Besides, Adams his best friend.
"I don't care." He retorted agile. "Just…can you stay over? I really need this."
Clare stared at her friend sympathetically. The look on his face made it impossible for her to refuse. She missed their bonding experience and their late night binging adventures, where Audra would catch them and yell at them for eating all of the calorie filled foods.
"We're going to have the best sleepover, girl-friend."
...
"Mom! I'm home and Clare's here! She's staying over." Drew hollered, walking in with Clare. After school, Clare and Drew had traveled over to Shop Rite over in another town that was about ten minutes away. Roaming around the large food establishment, they picked a variety of different flavored potato chips, mini boxes of dessert cakes, overly large bags of candy, and three jugs of Arizona Tea.
"We brought groceries!" Clare shouted.
"I hope groceries don't mean junk food." Audra appeared, climbing down the stairs. "Hi Clare." She approached the young girl, giving her a huge tight hug. "It's so good to see you. Should I call your father to let him know you're here?"
"Hey Mrs.T." Clare laughed. "I'd really appreciate it. I didn't get the chance to call at all."
"No worries, sweetheart. I'll give him a call."
"Race you upstairs?" Drew challenged, Clare wondering where his sudden excitement came from.
"Uhm sur-"
Drew pounced up ahead of her, lightly shoving his mother. Clare raced behind him, protesting the unfairness of his deceit.
Drew beat her to the room and jumped on his bed in spirit.
"Guess that means you have to paint my toes, girlfriend." Drew mocked flamboyantly, earning himself a very agitated Clare.
"Hey, you know that I know what your least favorite color is. Expect those caveman toes to be pretty in pink." She folded her arms confidently.
Drew let his eyes roll, finding amusement in Clare's common persona to always get the last remark. Clare complained that Drew's room was messy, and offered to help him clean up. She ordered him to pick up his dirty laundry and dump it in the washer while she made his bed and organized his desk. Once the room was fit to be seen, they both dumped their groceries on the floor. They both loved the feeling of rich gluttony from seeing so much food. Adam had barged in at one point, intruding their feast.
"Oh great, here comes the vaccum." Drew commented.
Adam chucked a piece of candy at Drew and proceeded to pick what he wanted. Adam decided he wanted to play a private match of Call of Duty against Drew, and Clare just sat there taunting them both to make an error during the game and when one did make an error, they shouted manically at Clare who simply felt like she was watching a sitcom with two modernized stone aged men. Eventually, Adam grew bored and went off into his room to either sleep or surf the internet on his laptop.
Drew had switched from the game to the Netflix application on the Xbox dashboard and looked for something to watch.
"Remember when we spent two whole weeks watching misfits?" Clare recalled, sinking her teeth into a brownie.
"Oh yeah," Drew chuckled, holding the remote in his hand. "We were crazy obsessed. I wonder if we can find another show."
"Ouuuuuu! I heard Breaking Bad was good."
"Breaking Bad it is." Drew spotted the show and clicked on it. "This better be worth it." He sat down on the bed next to Clare. They were able to complete six full episodes together, until Clare drifted off to sleep. Drew contemplated playing a prank on her, but was captivated by her undoubted delicacy to want to destruct.
He set his thick blanket over her body and pushed himself under as well, gently scooting closer towards her. He grabbed her hand and held it in his. Clare's presence would always make him feel content. He'd always feel alone without her, even misunderstood. He genuinely valued her friendship and never worried about being left alone because she had proven that just like Adam, she would always be there for him.
He was able to dissent his filled thoughts of Zoe and the video, and fill them with Clare's aura, enough to allow him to finally drift to sleep.
TEN HOURS LATER
2:00 A.M
Drew awoke suddenly, his heart pounding in his chest which appeared for no apparent reason. He was able to identify his position in the form he was sleeping, with Clare beneath him and his arms tucked around her. It was never anything unusual for them to sleep in the same bed and be as close as they were. Clare felt as if they were both just at a very complacent place with each other and Drew did as well. That is however, only what they claim to each other and anyone else who asks, which has only been Adam.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Guys, turn on the news!" Adam barged in after drumming wildly on the door. "Mom! Get in here!"
Drew and Clare both shot up stunned and bothered at the same time. Drew changed the televisions input and flipped over to the late news. Audra walked in tying her lavender robe around her waist.
"What's going on?"
"Yet another murder here in the Di Grassi gated community. As of 2:10 this morning, four are pronounced dead. Victims have not yet been identified, but investigation is on-going…"
Clare clung onto Drew's shoulder for dear life as they all came to shocking realization of the house in the background. Adam scurried over to Drew's window and swung open his curtains.
In plain sight were the compound fusions of red and blue luminescent flashes in every corner. Neighbors in sleep attire from around the entire community piled around the scene where they could, before the long yellow caution tape prohibited further travel. Ambulance officials rolled out concealed bodies and stored them in the back of the ambulance truck.
Exactly four houses down from where they were, lived the Matlin family.
I hope that caught your interest! If not, I promise there will be more twists to come! Keep in mind that I DO attend college and have a lot to do but I will also make time for writing! This won't be TOO long, as I will pack the chapters with a LOT more than this. I'd aim for no more than ten chapters. Expect a little steam. Reviews = motivation = faster update! Thank you so much for reading. Much love -xoxo