Bat Wing flew up to his chair and eagerly watched us as we took our usual places at our assigned podiums. There truly were a lot of portraits of our fallen classmates now that one for Laurel and Bradford had been added.
"Twelve out of eighteen people have die" I anxiously thought to myself. "Two thirds of us have died, what have we done?"
"Alright people!" began Bat Wing. "I think by now, you should all know the drill."
"We gotta figure out who we think the killer is and vote for a final answer in the end" replied Den. "If we vote right, only the killer dies. If we vote wrong, everyone else dies and the killer finally gets to leave this shithole"
"Hey! You stole my thunder!"
"We heard it enough times, stop wasting our time, so we can finally start" ordered Zoe.
"You kids today and having no respect for your elders! Fine! Trial begin!"
"I can't believe this happened again!" cried Grace. "Why did someone kill Bradford?"
"It is... simply horrible" sighed Bethany.
"Don't you two be talking like that" snapped Den. "One of you could of killed him."
"Den!" yelled Grace. "When will you ever learn?! Accusing people right off the bat never gets us anywhere in these class trials!"
"Yeah" I agreed. "We need to work together to the best of our abilities for now and keep cool heads."
"One of us did ultimately kill Bradford in the end though" replied Harry. "And if the other five are gonna walk out of this courtroom alive, then that killer will have to be found out."
"Then stop wasting time already" demanded Zoe. "You people already wasted enough time already."
"Where to start?" wondered Bethany. "We should get the short and easy stuff cleared up first."
"Well according to the file..." I began anxiously. "The time of death for Bradford was around 2:30am last night."
"During nighttime" added Grace.
"Someone killed him while we were all asleep" continued Den.
"Which means unless you can provide an alibi during that timeframe, it is really looking like any of us could of killed Bradford" finished Harry.
"Correct" I agreed. "I spoke to Zoe during the investigation and she asked everyone to provide an alibi, which no one could."
"Nobody has an alibi" replied Zoe.
"Then all six of us truly all are equally suspicious of being the killer" sighed Bethany.
"I wouldn't say that, but more on that later. Now, what else should be obvious, even to you idiots?"
"What the fuck did you say bitch?!" growled Den.
"Stop it!" I cried. "We need to focus here!"
"The file also said that Bradford's cause of death was drowning, so obviously the killer drowned Bradford" stated Harry.
"Can we all agree it was the pool?" asked Grace. "We found his body in the pool, so we should be able to assume the killer drowned Bradford in the pool somehow?"
"That is a fair assumption" agreed Zoe. "I don't think any of us can think of any other places where the killer could of drowned Bradford and no evidence of another murder location was found during the investigation."
"Or proof of moving the body" agreed Bethany.
"Alright, looks like Bradford was drowned in the pool" said Harry. "But we're still a long way from discovering his killer."
"We should discuss how the killer was able to drown Bradford in the pool" I replied. "That should help us out a lot."
"Obviously the killer stuck his head under water and held him there until he died" snapped Den.
"She means how the killer was able to do that" growled Grace.
"Could the killer of simply knocked Bradford out and drowned him in his weakened state?" asked Bethany.
"Maybe they fought first and the killer got the upper hand?" suggested Harry.
"There weren't any signs of a struggle in the pool are" replied Grace. "Nothing was knocked over, no water splashed anywhere..."
"I do think it is fair to say the killer fought Bradford and they fought in the pool" I interjected.
"Explain yourself" ordered Zoe.
"Gladly, even with there being no sign of a struggle outside the pool, they definitely fought in the pool. I noticed some bruises on the back of Bradford's neck."
"But how does that proof they fought in the pool?" asked Den.
"I was getting to that, there were quite a few small puddles of water on the floor outside the entrancr to the pool area."
"That was most likely left be the killer" added Bethany.
"Alright, guess we can agree on Bradford and the killer fighting in the pool and the killer was able to put up a good enough fight, they were able to drown him."
"Very well" agreed Zoe. "But now on to something more important, what was Bradford doing at the pool during nighttime?"
"Same with the killer" added Grace.
"Why did two people go to the pool during nighttime?" asked Bethany.
"Perhaps Bradford was just going for a swim and whoever killed him just went for a nightly stroll and he passed by the pool?" suggested Den. "He sees Bradford and pulls a Gordon."
I stare at Den in shock and disbelief.
"Did you really have to say that?!" cried Grace.
"What?! You fucking idiots got a better idea on why two people were at the pool last night?" asked Den.
"You better watch yourself Den" growled Harry.
"Enough!" roared Bethany. "Cease this arguing at once and focus on the trial!"
"While I have no problem with someone repeating Gordon's murder methods" began Zoe. "Bradford has his causal clothes on when we found his body and why would he be wearing them if he wanted to go swimming?"
"Shit... Maybe the killer put his clothes on his body to confuse us... or maybe the killer came by after he was done and dried off?"
"I'm not so sure Den" I replied. "Mainly, I don't see Bradford choosing swimming as a nighttime activity."
"I see what you mean Annie" agreed Grace. "He was the ultimate track and field star, so you would think if he was up doing something in the middle of the night, it would be running instead of swimming."
"Well he was found in the pool, not the gym!" growled Den. "He came to the pool for some stupid, fucking reason!"
"I don't think talking about why Bradford went to the pool is gonna get us anywhere" stated Harry. "Mainly due to no one having an alibi, we should focus on who could of overpowered Bradford and drowned him."
"Who... could of done it?" I asked.
"Well obviously the strongest one here is Bethany, surely she is capable of overpowering Bradford" accused Zoe.
"Nonsense!" replied Bethany.
"Don't forget about Den" accused Harry. "He should also be strong enough to overpower Bradford."
"Fuck off Arrowhead!" yelled Den.
"Someone sounds guilty."
"I'm gonna kill your mother fucking!..."
"Stop it!" screamed Grace. "Why can't you people get it!? Fighting and accusing each other won't get us anywhere!"
"Grace is right" I agreed. "Plus, I don't think we can eliminate anyone as suspects just based on our physical strength."
"It has to be someone still" countered Harry. "No offense, but Annie and Grace are probably the least strong out of all of us, so I don't think they could of overpowered Bradford in the pool."
"While I'm happy to not be suspected for once" replied Grace. "Can we really base our accusations off of who could of taken him in a fight? I think I have to agree with Annie. Was Bradford really that strong?"
"Bradford was the ultimate track and field star" confirmed Zoe. "Not only was he fast, but he was strong as well. If he wasn't, he wouldn't of been able to succeed in field events such as hammer throw, javelin throw, shot put, and discus."
"I guess that does make sense" I agreed. "Bradford was strong and would have been hard to take on in a fight, especially if both of you were in a pool."
"Moving on, I would say that Zoe and I have decent physical strength, but nothing in the end that could compare to the physical strength of an ultimate student whose physical strength was important to their talent."
"That leaves us with Bethany and Den" stated Zoe.
"This all just speculation and theories" argued Bethany. "No actual proof that narrows it down to Den and I."
"You assholes keep trying to blame these murders on me!" yelled Den. "You're all full of shit!"
"Someone has to and is the killer" replied Zoe sternly. "And right now, it is looking like one of you two."
"Keep in mind Den, how many times you made a threat to kill someone" responded Harry angrily. "Nobody here or anyone really would be surprised if you turned out be a piece of shit murderer."
"Harry!" cried Grace.
"YOU'RE FUCKING DEAD ARROW FUCK!" roared Den. He jumped off his podium and got ready to run towards Harry, while Harry got ready to fight himself.
"Hey quit it!" yelled Bat Wing.
Den stopped what he was doing and looked up at Bat Wing.
"You got a trial going on Mr. Fire!" continued Bat Wing. "Get your pyro ass back onto your podium right now!"
Den flipped off Bat Wing and then Harry, before returning to his podium.
"Seriously!" began Grace. "Cut this shit out!"
"Den, Harry, everyone... Enough!" I replied.
"Our lives are on the line!" growled Bethany. "Yet, you continue to waste time out of pettiness!"
Harry turned his face away from everyone, while Den just glared angrily. Zoe showed no emotion in her eyes.
"Are you people finished yet?" asked Zoe.
"I.." I tried to say.
"Shut up" ordered Zoe. "Getting back to the actual discussion, Bethany and Den are our prime suspects based on the fact that they are the only two that could of defeated Bradford in the pool, before finishing him off by drowning him."
"This is wrong" I thought to myself. "This just isn't right!"
"It wasn't me you bastards!" yelled Den.
"Without evidence, we can't arrive at this conclusion" stated Bethany.
"Doesn't appear that we really have anything else to go off of" replied Zoe.
"Wait!" I cried. "Hold on!"
"What is it Annie?" asked Grace.
"We can't narrow it down to just Bethany and Den based on our physical strength, it still could have been anyone!"
"How so?" asked Harry.
"Well before, we decided that both the killer and Bradford were in the pool when they fought and when the killer killed Bradford due to Bradford's bruises, the water in the hallway outside the pool area, and no sign of a struggle in the pool area."
"So?" asked Zoe.
"And we also decided that there was no chance the killer simply knocked Bradford out and dragged him to the pool and stuck his head in to finish the job off?"
"Get to the fucking point" demanded Den.
"I... I believe the killer could of simply knocked him out and drowned him in the pool without have to get in themselves. There wouldn't need to be any struggle and it would explain the bruises, just a simple knock out and drag over to the pool to drown him."
"And why would Bradford come to the pool and still be in his causal clothes?" asked Harry.
"Like I said you fucking dumbass, they could of struck after he finished swimming" replied Den.
"I suppose you're right so far Annie" responded Zoe. "And I suppose the killer could of disposed of Bradford's swimsuit since no such thing was found during the investigation. However, the water in the hallway outside of the pool area proves the killer got wet, so how would that of happened if the killer never got in the pool?"
"I can explain that as well" I replied. "At anytime Bradford was in the pool area in his casual clothes, the killer could of got the drop on him and knocked him out. They then dragged him over to the pool to drown him. However, before they could get his head under water or even during the whole ordeal... Bradford regained consciousness and tried to fight back. "However, he was wasn't at full strength from whatever strike knocked him out and wasn't able to escape. The killer did have to put up a bit of a struggle to get Bradford's head underwater, but they were able to do it since Bradford was in a weakened stated. Also the only thing Bradford was probably only able to do was splash around in the water, which most likely got on the killer. After they finished the job and left Bradford's body in the pool, they were wet enough to leave water in the hallway outside of the pool area."
"And you're saying this is how it went down?" asked Harry.
"I didn't say that, just that is was a possiblity and a possiblity that could have been done by any of us."
"And if that is the case" added Bethany. "We can't narrow down the suspect list just based off of our physical strength."
"Anyone is still up for being the killer if that is the case" finished Den.
"Makes sense to me" replied Grace.
"Very well" shrugged Zoe. "But we're still at square one then and we appear to be out of things to talk about."
"Is there... nothing left to discuss?" asked Bethany.
"There has to be!" urged Harry. "We just gotta think!"
"No!" I cried to myself. "We can't be out of options yet! We still have no idea who the killer could be!"
"What else... do we have to talk about?" asked Grace.
"We could go back to why Bradford and the killer went to the pool area during nighttime" suggested Den.
"No one had anything to suggest then and I doubt anyone has anything to add to that now" replied Zoe. "We can't waste time on questions we can't come up with any answers to."
"Perhaps the killer... was desperate because of the motive and was just looking to kill someone" suggested Grace.
"As in they didn't target Bradford? They were just looking to kill someone?" asked Harry.
"We were all quite thirsty when we finally got water today" stated Bethany. "The motive definitely affected all of us physically, so I wouldn't be surprised if dehydration really got to someone mentally and made them just want to kill the first person they could."
"The killer could have been observing the hallway of our rooms from their very room" continued Grace. "Dehydration could of caused them to lose it, but they still had the sense to stay back and wait for a chance to kill. They saw Bradford leave his room and head to the pool where they killed him."
"By drowning" I added.
"That does... appear possible" agreed Bethany.
"But it doesn't narrow down the suspect list!" responded Den.
"Anyone could of done that" said Harry. "We are all still possible killers."
"Oh no!" I cried to myself. "What are we gonna do?"
"Do... do we just guess and hope for the best?" asked Grace
"We can't!" argued Bethany. "One out of six guessing isn't good odds!"
"Fuck!" shouted Den.
"Settle down you idiots" replied Zoe. "This isn't over yet."
"What do you mean?" asked Grace.
"Do you have something else we can go on Zoe?" I asked.
"Indeed" replied Zoe. She then paused for a moment.
"Well fucking spit it out already!" demanded Den.
"Don't keep us in the dark!" urged Harry.
"What do you have for us Zoe?" asked Bethany.
"The killer..." began Zoe. "The killer is Harry."
"Harry!?" I cried in surprise.
"What the hell?!" asked Harry in shock.
"What the!..." replied Grace.
"Where is your evidence to support your claim that Harry killed Bradford?" asked Bethany.
"Are you people seriously that stupid?" asked Zoe. "Are you just not observant or are you just that dumb?"
"Watch it bitch!" growled Den.
"You need evidence Zoe!" I stated. "You can't just accuse Harry without any evidence!"
"Shut your mouth and let me finish" ordered Zoe.
"How about you shut up!" yelled Harry. "You don't got shit on me!"
"Harry! Please calm down!" begged Grace.
"You people truly don't know how to act" muttered Zoe. "But allow me to explain why I believe Harry is our killer, surely you have been noticing his recent behavior."
"What kind of behavior?" asked Bethany.
"I'm not following" I replied.
"You of all people not knowing Annie?" asked Zoe. "I'm disappointed, but allow me to explain if I have to." Zoe gave a somewhat sinister smile. "Ever since the death of Gordon, Harry has had special feelings for Annie and they may of already been developing while she was still with Gordon."
"What?!" replied Harry.
"That is too far Zoe!" growled Bethany.
"Hey shut the fuck up!" yelled Den. "If this shit can pinpoint the killer, then let it happen!"
"As I was saying" replied an annoyed Zoe. "Harry wanted to be with Annie, but what guy did she spend alone time with?"
"Bradford!" gasped Grace.
"You're seriously full of shit Zoe!" barked Harry.
"Just what are you implying Zoe?!" asked Bethany.
"Harry was jealous of Bradford" continued Zoe. "Add the motive and the effects of dehydration into all of this, as well as the fact that Bradford was the victim, Harry being the killer sounds like our best guess at this point."
"Bullshit!" shouted Harry. "This is all fucking bullshit! You got no proof you stupid, fucking cunt!"
"Harry!" gasped Grace.
"Quite the vocabulary you have there" shrugged Zoe.
"I can get behind Arrow Fuck being the killer" agreed Den. "I can see him being jealous of Bradford since Annie was sleeping with him."
"Enough of this talk at once!" shouted Bethany.
"You're both fucking wrong and full of shit!" yelled Harry.
"We need to calm down!" exclaimed Grace.
I started to get anxious and felt tears fall down my face, this was all too much.
"Let's vote for the fucking arrowface and wrap up" said Den.
"We have not decided on a killer yet" growled Bethany.
"You got no fucking proof!" shouted Harry.
"Explain your behavior then Harry" ordered Zoe. "Explain why you been so distant from your friends and why you never seemed to fully accept Bradford?"
"I..." began Grace. "I have to agree Harry, you have been acting a bit strange and distant for awhile now."
"I will not say you're the killer until I have proof" replied Bethany. "But you really should explain yourself."
"No!" shouted Harry. "This is all..."
"Got nothing to say there killer?" asked Den.
"Stop it Den!" cried Grace.
Harry looked extremely pissed off and uncomfortable due to being put on the spot like that.
"Annie" Zoe began. "Wouldn't you agree that Harry's behavior recently has been strange?"
"How does she even know all of this?!" I asked myself. "Does she spy on us or is she just really that observant?"
"I'm sorry Harry" I apologized. "But you haven't been yourself recently."
Harry balled his fists in frustration. "That still isn't proof I'm the killer!"
"Do we have anything else besides Harry's behavior?" asked Grace. "Maybe someone saw Bradford yesterday before he died?"
"Harry definitely saw him right before he died" replied Den. "Considering he is the one who drowned him."
"Enough Den!" shouted Bethany.
"Your poor sense of humor has no place in the courtroom" replied Zoe.
Harry was getting more angry with each accusation against him and everything said by Den.
I grew more anxious, but I knew what I had to do. "I... I have to take this trial in the right direction to get to the bottom of Bradford's murder!" I thought to myself.
"I know who saw Bradford not too long before he died" I stated.
"Who?" asked Grace eagerly.
"Please enlighten us" replied Zoe.
"Yesterday evening I came across Bradford and Harry talking in the hallway of the courtyard" I answered.
"Gotcha arrow freak!" yelled Den.
"No!..." began Harry.
"Continue Annie" interrupted Zoe.
"It was only for a bit" I continued. "But they appeared to be arguing when I first got a glance.
"We weren't arguing!" denied Harry.
"Harry" cut in Bethany. "It may not seem like it, but it would be in your best interest to let Annie finish before responding."
"At first, I didn't get what they were talking about" I continued. "But Harry appeared to not want to listen to what Bradford had to say, so Harry just walked away from Bradford. After that, I went back inside to talk to Bradford about what happened."
"What did Bradford tell you?" asked Grace.
"Pretty much..." I tried to say. "Pretty much that Bradford wanted to make sure he and Harry were alright, as Bradford believed Harry has never trusted or even liked him."
"Noted" stated Zoe.
"Looking pretty guilty here Arrow Boy" snarked Den.
"Fuck off!" shouted Harry.
"Anything else Annie?" asked Zoe.
"No" I replied. "That was all Bradford said to me and that was the last time I saw him."
"Arguing and being angry with the victim sure doesn't help out Arrow Fuck" stated Den.
"Fuck you!" growled Harry. "And what Annie said is all bullshit! Bullshit! Bradford and I never argued! Annie is fucking lying!"
"Wha... what?!" I replied shocked.
"What are you saying Harry?" asked Grace.
"What Annie has just said is all lies!" replied Harry. "Bradford never tried to talk to me about us! Annie made it all up!"
"But why would she do that?" asked Bethany.
"Because!... Maybe she was the one to kill him!"
I nearly fell off my podium due to this accusation.
"Wha... wha..." I couldn't even find the words to respond.
"Explain now Harry" ordered Zoe.
"Annie could of killed Bradford!" replied Harry. "I mean... she was always hanging around Bradford... so she probably had plenty of chances to kill him! And just now... she came up with those lies to throw me under the bus when Zoe accused me! But it is all lies! Bradford never talked to me!"
"Harry!" I cried to myself. "Just... just what are you doing?!"
"Pathetic" added Zoe.
"What with the who now?" asked Den.
"Harry claims Annie is lying about him arguing with Bradford, but Harry is the one lying."
"Nobody can prove shit!" countered Harry.
"My god you are absolutely pathetic and worthless... Did you honestly forget what you said before? You said you weren't arguing with Bradford when Annie stated she saw you two talking in the hallway from the courtyard."
"You did say that Harry" gasped a shocked Grace.
"We weren't arguing were your exact words" added Bethany.
"Which means you acknowledged you two were discussing something" finished Zoe. "Which also means you just lied."
"I... I... I..." Harry tried to think of a response.
"I think we're finally done here, Harry is our best choice of the killer due to his obvious strange behavior and being caught in a lie finishes it all."
"Harry... say it isn't true!" cried Grace.
"At least you'll meet up with your dead trivia nerd friend" laughed Den.
"Den!" yelled Bethany. "One more comment like that and you'll be answering to me!" She then turend to Harry. "Harry... is it true? Did you drown Bradford?"
"No... No! It was't me!" responded Harry.
My anxiety started to go up higher as everyone responded to the possibility that Harry was the final decision on who the killer is. I didn't want this though. I didn't want it to be Harry. I needed to take the trial in the right direction, any right direction. But was Harry the answer all along? Did he drown Bradford in the pool?
I started to think fast about everything, before my classmates were ready to vote Harry as the killer, I needed to be sure before we voted. I thought back to every small detail, anything that could be a clue in the slightest.
"Wait!" I thought to myself. "This... this might just be it!"