Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Oh my god, what do we do?! There's a dead body in front of us; someone we know and oh my god, the blood is all over my hands! My stomach rolled and I turned away; dry heaves wrecking my body. Oh God, there was blood all over my hands, shit. I was leaving traces of it all over my dress and I was bent forward, trying to calm down and stop heaving. Bonnie wasn't faring much better and the boys tried to run away within the first 10 seconds of seeing Tanner's nearly decapitated head. Two of the bouncers who heard the screams came fast and were blocking the exit; leaving everyone trapped inside. My dry heaves came to a rolling stop and I forced myself to walk over to grab a still shrieking Bonnie and aimed her away from Tanner, patting her head in an attempt to calm her. She gripped onto me tightly, skewing my wings slightly but honestly, who cared about aesthetics right now?
It started to feel too claustrophobic in this small room; people starting to peek in to see what was going on. To see the dead man on the alter. The bouncers did their best but everyone heard the screams. A tall girl clad in a black witch's costume made their way to us, and quickly enveloped their arms behind Bonnie, trying to comfort her more. I looked at Meredith with wide eyes and swallowed, shaking my head helplessly. I don't know what to do, there were no contingency plans for anything like this. Meredith nodded and stood straight, still cradling Bonnie as I let go, trying to take a few deep breaths.
"Get the lights on!" I yelled as loud as I could. Everything would be better if we weren't in the damn darkness. There was some confusion but the lights were soon turned on after a small game of telephone; people yelling it backward till someone was in the position to do so. Elena pushed her way through the crowd, assessing the situation. Her face paled at the sight of Tanner but she took a deep breath and returned to being the leader. Thank god.
"Meredith, quick call an ambulance. There's a phone in the gym; call the ambulance, call the police. Get some adults here!" She ordered. Meredith nodded, slowly prying Bonnie off of her before sprinting to the gym. I resumed my previous duty of holding the pale druid. Looking around, I saw Elena was right. There were no adults crowding this room, just a bunch of scared kids and teenagers dressed in costumes. I swallowed the lump in my throat. The only adult here was dead. That didn't bode well at all. Looking at Mikey who was in tears, just wanting to go home made me take a deep breath.
"Let's get all the kids out of here! Staff stays but the kids have to get out of here." I yelled, trying to be overheard over the panic ramblings. A boy with a werewolf mask disagreed with me.
"No! Shut the doors! Don't let anyone out until the cops are here." The werewolf yelled with authority, walking forward and took off his mask. I frowned when I recognized the unpleasant face with red hair. Tyler Smallwood. But my logical side couldn't disagree with his words although my empathetic side had no problem. The kids are traumatized enough but the police will need their statements. I stayed silent as I watched him take charge, a small dash of pleasure when I saw the mixture of bruises that were still on his face. People started nodding and the bouncers went to close the door with a firm bang. Another bang followed as I recognized it coming from the front entrance of the gym. A boy in a pirate costume looked nervously at Tyler, bouncing on his legs as panic filled his eyes.
"You mean... you think someone in here did it?" Tyler whirled around at the pirate's words, excitement lighting his face. I gripped Bonnie tighter, not liking where this is going.
"Someone in here did it alright. " He gestured wildly to Tanner. "That's still liquid so it couldn't have happened too long ago. And look at how his throat is cut! The killer must have done it with that!" He pointed dramatically at the sacrificial knife sitting innocuously on the stone altar.
"Someone has been watching too many crime shows," I muttered in Bonnie's curls. She gave a watery chuckle but otherwise remained quiet. Elena looked uneasily and shifted closer to us. I grabbed her wrist and she grabbed my hand with her other and gave a reassuring squeeze.
"Then the killer might be here right now." April in a kimono whispered, holding onto her friends, fear sketched in her face. Tyler nodded ferociously.
"And it's not too hard to guess who. Somebody who hated Tanner; who was always arguing with him. Somebody who was arguing with him earlier. I saw it." Slowly I saw eyes swing towards me and my jaw dropped. Seriously?
"Why are you all looking at me? I couldn't kill anyone! I'd faint before I even take a shot! Plus I had an alibi, jerks! I was troubleshooting the whole time!" I glared fiercely at everyone, stepping away from Bonnie to put my hands on my hips. Most of the gazes turned away sheepishly but a few remained on me, still suspicious. Assholes. Tyler laughed, rolling his eyes.
"Not her." Thanks, jerk. "Someone who has a history of violence. Someone who we all know could be a psychopath who came to Fell's Church just to kill." My glare intensified on Tyler. He better not be implying who I think he's implying.
"Tyler, what are you on about? You're crazy." Elena snapped, finally coming out of her daze. The prick just waved her off.
"So says his girlfriend. Maybe she is just a little prejudiced."
"You're prejudiced Tyler. All because you got your ass handed to you. What, your fragile ego can't take a hit so you try and blame a murder on Stefan?" I snarled. He scowled at me but didn't take the bait.
"Oh yeah? Well, why don't you tell us what you know about Salvatore, hmm? Where is his family? Where did all his money come from?" He rapid fired at us and faced the crowd, raising his arms up. "Who knows anything about him?" He crowed. Silence was all that echoed in the gym, a soft pounding coming from the rooftop. The rain has finally come down.
"I heard a rumor-" April started before Tyler nodded and gestured to her.
"That's all anyone ever hears! Rumors! No one knows a thing about him. But there is one thing I do know. The attacks in Fell's Church started the first week if school- the week that Stefan Salvatore came here." I pushed my way to Tyler then, fed up. I pushed at him but he didn't respond other than a cocky smirk.
"That's all bullshit and you know it, Smallwood! No one knows anything about Stefan because no one has made the effort to get to know him! You all talk about him but no one has tried to make friends with him. And where his money comes from? Why would anyone talk to strangers about that?!" I turned to face the crowd then and glared at anyone who met my eyes. "You want to know about Stefan? Fine, I'll tell you since you all ganged up on him since he didn't spill his life story the first time you all met. He's from Florence, Italy. He grew up there all his life. He's an orphan who came from a wealthy family. He moved to the state a year after his father's death and just passed through Fell's Church before falling in love with it. Might I add, he moved weeks before the attacks happened. He was already living here; check with Mrs. Flowers! He's nineteen, he has an estranged brother and he hates lemons!" I yelled, chest heaving from my monologue. Everyone looked at me with varying expressions; most of which were uncertain. I took a deep breath to try and calm myself down. "I know Stefan. I trust him. Are you really going to listen to an attempted rapist and a known bully to hurt an innocent boy who can't stand the sight of blood just over a few coincidences and a wrongful impression?" I demanded. I saw quite a few faces turn away in shame at that, April included. Tyler didn't like the way the tides turned in my favor and pushed me out of the way.
"He was also in the cemetery the night Vickie Bennett was attacked!" He accused. Oh my god, my eyes rolled so far to the back of my skull. Half the school was at the cemetery idiot.
"Sure he was in the cemetery- he was rearranging your face." Matt scoffed. Oh, my precious boy Matt; I just fell a little more in love with him, even if he lacked his usual confidence in his words.
"Yes and he almost killed me!" He snarled, pointing his finger at Matt. I growled and shoved him back.
"You were trying to rape Elena! Anyone would've done it and the town would be better for it!" I screamed. He rolled his eyes and ignored me and the glares my statement brought. I'm about to throw hands with this boy, I swear to God.
"Tonight someone did kill Tanner. And I think he is the one!" There was a swell of murmurs over the crowd. I looked back helplessly at Elena but she just stood there, confused and overwhelmed. I swallowed hard at the hardened eyes of the crowd. I managed to sway a few but they were far outnumbered by those riled up by the dumb jock.
"Everyone, think for a fucking moment about what you're about to do!" I demanded. "Stefan is innocent and you're just looking for an easy blame. Tyler doesn't know anything and needs to shut his big fat mouth!"
"Oh, shut up Anastasia. For all we know, you could be helping him." Tyler scoffed. That got him a swift kick to the shin. Multiple kicks before Matt grabbed me to restrain me.
"This is madness. Stefan didn't do anything!" Elena finally spoke up but no one seemed to be listening anymore. The crowd started to feel angrier and riled up as someone yelled, asking where Stefan was. Tyler made a show of looking around before standing on a chair.
"If he did it, and I'm pretty sure he did, he must still be here. Let's find him!" He yelled, pumping up the crowd.
"Son of a bitch. Let go of me, Matthew!" I muttered, fighting against his hold. Tyler started demanding where Stefan was out of Elena but she just glared at him, saying she didn't know. Good girl. Matt was forced to let go of me as we were being jostled by the crowd. I rushed away from Matt and swallowed hard when I took a look at the crowd. Instead of familiar faces that I saw every day, angry and scared faces reflected back. Faces that started to look bloodthirsty. Faces that were putting the blame on someone and desired vengeance. These were the faces of a mob. These faces terrified me.
"He ha to be here somewhere! Find him!" Jonathan yelled and suddenly everyone was pushing, fanning out. Trying to find one of my best friends so they could enact their version of justice. Matt looked away from where he was staring at Elena and met my eyes. I stared at him pleadingly.
'Please Matt. Save him.' I mouthed, tears pricking my eyes. The confused look erased from his face and he nodded once at me. He started to move to the back of the room and I sighed in relief. I'm putting all my money on hope the bromance finds a way. Elena made her way to me and grabbed my hand, ignoring the dried blood on me. We watched in stunned astonishment as everyone ferociously looked for Stefan. They only calmed when the police came along with all the adults. I sighed in relief and collapsed on the chair that Tyler was using to stand on; Elena bringing up a stool to sit next to me. Bonnie cried and left, tossing an apologetic look to us but I waved it off. She needed to get out of here asap. I know that finding Tanner like this was going to leave a stain on her brain for months to come. Meredith followed her, ever the silent backbone of strength for her. Me and my twin sat in silence, trying to comprehend all that happened today. How it all turned into a disaster just over an hour ago. The officers finally came to us after 20 minutes when a few of the first statements were given and the students pointed us out. We answered their questions as truthfully as we could and it was over in minutes as they finally turned their attention to the body. I glanced away and saw Matt towards the back of the group and nudged Elena. He saw our looks and gave a single nod and I nearly collapsed in relief. He found Stefan. Stefan escaped!
It's literally been over a year... Oops?
1.2.2020