"I think we got all we need" said Den. "Time to vote and watch Harry Boy get shot to death with arrows or whatever."
"I can't... believe this!" cried Grace, who had tears running down her face.
"Listen to me!" shrieked Harry. "I didn't do it! I didn't kill Bradford!"
"Don't waste my time with your words" replied Zoe. "This is over."
Bethany clenched her fist and tried to say something, but couldn't come up with anything and lowered her head.
I quickly repeated what I had just realized in my mind a few times, so that I was prepared to speak in front of everyone and hopefully get them to understand where I was coming from. My anxiety started to kick in again.
"I... I can do this" I thought to myself.
"Bat Wing" started Zoe. "We're ready to vote now."
"Wait!" I cried. "Stop!"
"Annie?" asked a teary eyed Grace.
"Do you have something you want to say Annie?" asked Bethany.
"Don't waste my life with a bunch of bullshit" said Den. "Harry is the killer."
Harry looked like he was ready to explode on Den, so I acted quickly.
"No!" I cried. "I... I have something that you all need to see."
I quickly pulled the container holding the ashes I found in the courtyard out of my pocket and held it out for everyone to see.
"What is in there Annie?" asked Bethany.
"What is this nonsense?" asked Zoe.
"Ashes" I answered. "I found these ashes on some stones in the courtyard.
"So?" asked an annoyed Den.
"I... I truly believe this piece of evidence points to who the killer is."
"What?: asked Grace while she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Harry just stared at me in shock, not really knowing how to react.
"You truly are more stupid than I thought Annie" stated an annoyed Zoe. "I can't believe I was actually giving you some credit before since I thought you were smarter than these other idiots. But you're just as stupid."
"Hey! Let her talk!" cried Harry.
"There is no way a random pile of ashes have anything to do with this case."
"Yeah!" agreed Den. "You're still the killer Arrow Boy!"
"Let her explained!" yelled Harry.
"Cease this childish arguments and let Annie talk!" interfered Bethany.
Everyone calmed down for the most part and focused on me and my ashes, I grew more anxious, but managed to keep it together.
"If my thoughts are correct, these ashes might just be the damning evidence that points out the killer."
"Explain" ordered Zoe. "Now."
"The water in the hallway outside the pool area proves the killer got wet, wether that was from getting in the pool to drown Bradford or just being splashed by him, the killer definitely got wet. And due to the water in the hallway outside of the pool area only being small amounts, we can assume the killer started to dry off while still in the pool area."
I paused for a bit to see how everyone was taking it all in.
"But... but how do the ashes come into all this?" asked Grace.
"Arrow Freak is still guilty" added Den.
"Shut the fuck up Arsonist!" shouted Harry.
"The fuck did you just say!?"
"Enough!" yelled Bethany.
Things were starting to heat up, I knew I had to show everyone my conclusion quickly.
"What do you think the killer used to dry themselves off with?" I asked.
"Huh?" asked Grace.
"Used to dry themselves off with?" asked Bethany.
"Obviously it was a towel" answered Zoe.
"Correct" I confirmed. "Obviously the killer used a towel to dry themselves off with after drowning Bradford and they could of easily gotten it from the pool area."
"But what does the towel the killer used to dry themselves off with have to do with it pointing back to them?" asked Bethany.
"No one found the towel the killer used during the investigation."
"No" answered Harry. "No one found the towel."
"Harry probably hid it in a good spot" replied Den.
"Stop it!" I cried. "We didn't find the towel, but I did find these ashes in the courtyard."
"I fail to see anything you're saying having any meaning" replied Zoe.
"Annie..." began Grace. "What are you saying?"
"We didn't find the towel because the killer tried to get rid of it" I continued. "They may of just been in a panic to keep anything from pointing to them, so they decided to get rid of the towel they used to dry off."
"And how did they do that?" asked Den.
"The ashes I found" I continued. "I found them in the courtyard, why were ashes in the courtyard?"
"I... I don't know" answered Bethany.
"Just tell us Annie!" urged Harry.
"There shouldn't be any ashes in the courtyard" I answered. "Someone put them there... and... and... for this case... the only reason ashes were put there... was to hide evidence!"
"Hide evidence?" asked Grace.
"Wait" said Zoe. "Are you saying..."
"The ashes I found in the courtyard are all that remains of the towel the killer used to dry themselves off after drowning Bradford!" I interrupted. "The killer tried to dispose of the towel by burning it to ashes!"
"Oh my god!" cried Bethany.
"Then... if that is what happened..." Harry tried to say.
"Who... who would of burned the towel to hide it?" asked Grace.
"The only person that would do that..." I started with. "Is Den!"
Everyone turned their attention to Den, who just stared back at us with no emotion in his eyes.
"Interesting" reported Zoe. "You suspect Den to be the killer now."
"Den... Den Fire is the ultimate pyro" I confirmed. "His talent revolves around easily starting fires. It should be no hard task for him to simply burn a towel to ashes. Remember when Bat Wing kept this place at freezing temperatures? Den admitted he was never cold and it was..."
"All due to his talent" realized Bethany.
"Well Den?" asked Harry angrily.
Den just stared back at us for a bit before speaking up. "Is that all you have to say? You think because of some ashes, that I must be the killer?"
"No" I responded. "The ashes are just icing on the cake. But you Den... I know you're the one who killed Bradford."
"Then show me what you got bitch."
"Gladly! "I focused everything on Den. "As it was discussed before Den and Bethany are the strongest ones here in terms of physical strength. While everyone was capable of knocking Bradford out, you had a better chance than most of us at overpowering him in the pool before drowning him."
Den laughed. "You still can't be sure what went down! We don't know if the killer knocked him out or fought him before drowning him in the pool."
"We don't, you're right there. However, the ashes still point to you as the most suspcious. Also... we all know several times you threatened Harry and while you didn't kill him, you mentioned just killing quite a few times out of anger... I'm... I'm not surprised if you actually kept your promise."
Den stared at me again with no emotion in his eyes.
"Hold up here" cut in Zoe. "Harry was caught in a lie about arguing with Bradford yesterday. That should be enough to point to him as the killer."
"I..." Harry tried to say.
"I can explain it all" I replied. "It is true Harry has been acting strange with his behavior and keeping distance from his friends, but the truth is it is kind of my fault."
"Your fault?" questioned Grace.
"Annie..." Harry tried to say.
"Harry was concerned about if Bradford truly changed for the better as a person" I continued. "And due to him and I spending a lot of time with each other... Harry was concerned for me. However... I stupidly just told Harry he was jealous of Bradford... which was the last thing he needed to hear."
Harry looked away from me as everyone else focused on what I had to say.
"This is..." Bethany tried to say.
"Haha" laughed Den.
"After that is when Harry got really distant from the rest of us" I continued. "It was due to what I said to him and then just now... Zoe accusing him of being the killer... and everyone else seeming to agree... It isn't a surprise that Harry freaked out and lost it... That... is all."
"That isn't good enough for me" replied Zoe. "Harry is.."
"Innocent" cut in Den.
Everyone stared at Den in shock.
"What did you say?" asked Bethany in shock.
"Den?" I replied.
"You got it right there Annie" answered Den. "I did it. I drowned Bradford."
Den simply put his hands in his pockets as everyone continued to stare at him.
"Oh... oh wow" replied Grace.
"Then..." Harry tried to say.
"You... you killed Bradford?" Zoe asked in shock, which was a first for her.
"Do I have to fucking repeat myself?" Den asked in annoyance. "I fucking did it. I'm the killer. Start the votes already Bat Bitch."
"Rude!" shot back Bat Wing. "But I think you guys have had enough! Voting time!"
Like with every class trial, the screens came down for us to select who we thought the killer was. Very slowly, one by one everyone voted still in shock, with the exception of Den of course. I had figured that Den was the killer, but I didn't expect him to admit it when everything came out, I thought he would of put up quite a fight.
"Alright students!" exclaimed Bat Wing. "You have voted and..." Bat Wing paused on purpose to just get to us.
"Just say it!" cried Grace.
"Fine Miss Ruins Parties, even though she's the ultimate event planner... You got it right! The one who killed Bradford Evans was Den Fire!"
Everyone stared at Den in shock, even Zoe. It was so weird for her to have any kind of emotion in her face. I guess she was set on Harry being the killer and it shocked her to the core, when she realized she was so close to voting for the wrong person.
"Den... It really was you?" asked Bethany.
"For the sake of fuck" replied Den. "Didn't you just hear that stupid bat?"
"Hey!" cried Bat Wing.
"Oh... Oh wow!" I muttered.
"I can't believe it" stated Zoe. "I was... so close to voting for Harry."
Harry hadn't moved until Zoe spoke those words, suddenly he was pissed off again as he got off his podium.
"You piece of shit!" he cried. "You fucking bastard!"
"Harry don't!" yelled Bethany.
She quickly reached her hands out to keep Harry back, but she was too slow. Harry ran towards Den, who he wasn't far from in the circle of our podiums. As Harry grew real near Den, Den simply smiled and quickly moved to the side at last minute, causing Harry to trip and fell to the floor and slide a bit.
"Harry!" cried Grace as she and Bethany ran over to him.
"Too slow there Arrow Boy" commented Den.
As Grace and Bethany helped Harry up, he grew angry again and tried to lunge, but Bethany put both hands on his shoulders to keep him back.
"Calm down Harry!" urged Bethany. "This is over!"
Harry was still quite pissed, but slowly calmed down.
"This isn't over yet!" growled Harry. "We need to know why he killed Bradford and why he was fine with saying it was me, but now is all cool with accepting what he has done."
"This... does require a full explanation" agreed Zoe.
"Please start talking Den" asked Bethany.
"Tell us why someone who bashed on Laurel for not admitting right away, let the trial go on for this long before admitting themselves" demanded Harry.
Everyone turned to Den, who looked like he had no cares in the world.
"I mean, I don't owe you people shit. Also some of you, even now have always annoyed the living fuck out of me. But... I guess I don't really have any time left, so it will give a little more time of being alive and... I do need to get some stuff off my chest, so yeah. I'll tell you everything you wanna know."
"Story time!" chimed in Bat Wing.
Everyone kept their focus on Den as he began to explain everything.
"Believe it or not... I didn't plan to kill Bradford. It was actually his idea."
"What!?" gasped Grace.
"His... idea?" I asked.
"Hang on there ladies, I got more, way much more" smiled Den. "Yesterday Bradford approached me with this idea of his. He and I were gonna fight, with the winner becoming the next killer, and the loser becoming the next victim.
"Just what do you mean here?" demanded Zoe.
"You're full of shit Den!" accused Harry.
Den laughed. "I really don't give a shit who believes what, unlike Bradford... I didn't agree to this just for you guys."
"What did Bradford say to you Den?" I asked. "What did he propose?"
"Please enlighten us?" asked Bethany.
Den laughed again. "Only because you asked so nicely. Where was I? Here is what he told me about. Bradford knew the motive was really affecting all of us and we were on the verge of dying from dehydration. He didn't want anyone to die, so he came to me with this plan of his. He and I would fight in the pool until one of us was dead, when the loser's body would be discovered...everyone else would get water and be safe... for now."
"Interesting" noted Zoe.
"Is... is that what happened?" asked Grace.
"Bradford... proposed that?" I asked as well.
"Damn right he did" answered Den.
"But why you?" asked Bethany. "Why did he feel the need to do this? And why did he ask you to join him?"
"Right!" I cried to myself. "Just why?!"
"Before, I really didn't give a shit about anything he had to say" continued Den. "Until he mentioned it would be a way of redemption."
"Redemption?" I repeated.
"Bradford... was seeking redemption?" asked Harry.
"Fuck yeah" responded Den. "He felt bad for the way he acted before, and thought if he could save everyone from dying of dehydration, it would help him with atonement and all that shit... And he said it would be the same for me..."
"Is that why you agreed to his plan?" asked Bethany.
Den looked away for a bit. "Shit... He was right I needed my own redemption, thought he probably thought it was due to how I been this whole time I been stuck in this shithole... but no, it wasn't that."
"What are you getting?" at demanded Harry.
"Den..." Grace started to say.
Den looked at the floor before turning his eyes back to us. "I killed people before... due to my talent."
Everyone except Zoe gasped in shock.
"You... you killed people before?" asked Grace.
Den nodded. "A family... Parents and two little girls... I was just... fucking around in the woods... and playing with fire...I...I didn't know just how much of a pyro I was... or that they were in the woods at the time."
Den looked down at the floor again, his face full of shame and regret. My heart ached seeing him like this.
"Just how long ago was this?" I asked myself. "How long has Den truly been like this? And was his current personality a way just to suppress the guilt he had been carrying all this time?"
"Is that what you thought of when you agreed to fight Bradford?" asked Zoe.
Den nodded. "I didn't tell him that, just that I agreed to his plan and it could work for some kind of redemption, but that was it. Bradford and I fought in the pool during nighttime, with both of us trying to kill the other, so the motive would end."
It was all starting to make sense, but it was too much for me as I grew anxious and tears started to fall down my face.
"Why'd you wait this long though?" asked Harry. "Why didn't you just confess and spare us from doing the trial or even the investigation?"
Den laughed. "Bradford mentioned that too, well only that if he ended up killing me in the end, that he would confess the next morning and spare everyone from all that as he wasn't looking for a chance to escape here, only to save everyone from dying."
"Bradford" I sadly thought to myself as the tears continued to pour. "Why? Why did you really have to do this? You didn't need redemption. You already changed for the best. We... most of us had accepted that better version of yourself... Bradford!"
"He... He really did that to save us?" asked Grace.
"Either way it could of happened... Bradford sacrificed himself for us." replied Bethany.
"Bradford..." I sobbed quietly as the tears continued to fall down my face.
Grace noticed and came over to hug me. I buried my face in her chest I quietly sobbed.
"Anything else you wanna tell us Den?" asked Zoe.
"What about you Den?" asked an annoyed Harry. "You really weren't thinking about us in the end, just seeing ,if you could actually escape here by deceiving us."
"Enough Harry!" demanded Bethany.
"Whatever man" shrugged Den. "You guys can think what you want, and I don't give a shit in the end. But this whole time, I been freaking out inside about if I should tell you guys I killed Bradford. You guys were annoying and pissed me off a lot, but I don't think I would of let you guys die while I walked out of here."
"Even when I was about to be voted as the killer?" asked Harry.
Den glared at Harry. "Hey Arrow Fuck, you pissed me off the most this whole time and we won't ever know, since Annie over there exposed me first."
I thought about that. Was Den really about to let us vote for the wrong person? Was he struggling with his inner demons? Was he really gonna reveal the truth? I couldn't be sure, but I think I now have some faith in Den.
Den looked over at everyone. "I think that about covers it."
"And I think you're still full of shit!" barked Harry.
"Enough!" growled Bethany.
"Please Harry, you need to calm down!" begged Grace.
"No!" snapped Harry. "This guy has been nothing, but a bastard, the whole time we been here! But now all of a sudden, he is some redeemed hero?! How do we know he is even telling the truth? He could of just simply Bradford in the..!"
"No!" I interrupted as I broke out of Grace's arms. "I remember what else Bradford said to me!"
"What did Bradford say to you?" asked Zoe.
I shuddered as I remembered what else Bradford has told me yesterday. "He told me that I didn't need to worry and that everything was going to be alright. Sort of like how Gordon told me that the two of us would be alive after the third class trial... Bradford knew regardless of the outcome, that we would come out on top."
"But how did he know Den would even agree to his plan?" asked Harry. "We don't know if he talked to Den before or after me... And still, he had no way to be sure that Den would confess had he won the fight. We could of gotten the killer wrong and we all would have been dead, except for Den. The fact that Den didn't kind of proves it!"
"No" I disagreed. "Bradford was determined to save us. It may be something we don't want to think about, but Bradford literally would of gave his life for us."
"He..." Bethany began to say.
"Would of killed himself if Den didn't go along with his plan?" asked Grace.
I shuddered again. "Yes. Time was ticking and Bradford had to act fast, I firmly believe that he had a backup plan, if Den didn't agree with his plan."
"How can you be so sure though?" asked Harry.
I frowned at him. "You need to have more faith Harry. Bradford had faith in himself and in Den."
"What makes you say that?" asked Zoe.
"Why do you think Bradford kept his clothes on, when he fought Den in the pool?"
"I wondered about that myself" added Den. "I knew I had a good chance at winning, so I changed into some trunks."
"Oh my God!" exclaimed Bethany. "Are you suggesting that Bradford didn't change... because he knew Den would of killed him?"
"I... I think that Bradford knew that Den would most likely be the winner, but he still went for it. He would of done what he had to do, but he was scared to simply end his own life, he wanted a chance to live a little bit longer... But he knew it was gonna up to Den in the end."
"He put up a good fight, but in the end... I won" stated Den, who face was now fully full of remorse.
"I don't think I fully understand Den in the end" I thought to myself. "But I know I understand in better now, and that he was trying to get his heart in the right place."
"You saved us" stated Grace. "Both you and Bradford."
"I think you are worthy of your redemption" smiled Bethany.
Zoe looked away from everyone, probably still trying to figure everything out. Harry walked over to Den and stared at him, while Den returned the action. Harry held out his hand.
"I got a lot of thinking and redemption searching to do myself... But thank you Den."
Den stared at Harry a bit longer, before shaking his hand. "Don't mention it Arrow Freak, you better work hard to get these girls out of here, it will just be you guys now."
My heart stopped as I knew what he meant. "No Den! You can't leave us!"
"Oh yes he will!" exclaimed Bat Wing. "I was nice and let you all clear everything up with each other, but I'm so damn bored! And the only thing that will cure my boredom, is Den Fire's execution!"
"No!" cried Grace. "No! No! No!"
"I won't allow this!" growled Bethany.
"Back off Bat!" screamed Harry.
"You can't kill him! Please don't kill Den!" I begged.
"Easy guys!" cut in Den. "Relax will you! This is on me. I killed Bradford and I gotta take what this bat bitch is gonna throw at me."
I started to cry again. "Don't go Den! We need you here with us! Please!"
Den put his hands in his pockets as he smiled. "You'll be fine Annie. You guys made it this far and you can go even further. I believe it."
"Enough heart talk!" yelled Bat Wing. "Time to die Mr. Fire!"
Bat Wing flew up to the ceiling and we all knew what was next. The wall opened up and the chain came out and caught Den's neck. He gave us one last smile as he was pulled into the wall right before it closed. I continued to cry as Bethany and Grace came to comfort me, who were also crying.
"It will be okay Annie" comforted Bethany.
"You don't have to watch hun" said Grace.
"No... I have to" I replied.
The giant monitor came down for us as always, as we prepared ourselves to watch Den's execution. Den appeared to be walking through a dark room. He didn't look scared, only determined. But then out of nowhere, the whole room burst into flames. Den started to sweat, as he quickly and carefully tried to get out of the flames. His clothes got several small burns, but he managed to eventually get out of the fire and came across a door. Den opened it and ran through. Den walked through another dark room, when Bat Wing came out of nowhere and pushed him. Den fell to the ground and ended up sliding into a fireplace.
"Den!" I cried.
Instantly, the fireplace lit up in full flames. Den struggled and screamed in agony as his entire head was covered in flames. He quickly managed to get up out of the fireplace, but his head was still in flames. Den tried to stop, drop, and roll, but Bat Wing appeared again with a giant hose. He blasted water at Den, that shot him across the room. He ended up in some giant, metal thing, but the flames were all gone from his head. Den quickly got up, a bit dazed. He tired to run, but whatever he was in closed on him, trapping him inside. And what was on the wall that came down made me scream.
"Incinerator!" I cried.
"Shit!" screamed Harry.
We heard Den banging on the wall, but it was no use. Bat Wing walked up to the incinerator and snapped his fingers. The whole thing burst into flames, both inside and out. It was agony to hear Den's screams. Bethany and Grace hugged me tight as we listened to Den's screams until they were no more. The fire died on the incinerator and the wall opened up. There inside, was the burnt up body of Den Fire, dead.
As the monitor went away, I continued to cry. Both Bethany and Grace had stopped crying, but struggled to keep it from happening again. Harry punched the wall in anger, while Zoe simply kept to herself, but she still showed signs of emotion. Bat Wing flew back down to us.
"That was hot!" he exclaimed.
"Fuck off Bat Wing!" roared Harry. "Just fuck off!"
"Go away!" cried Grace. "Just leave us alone!"
"Rude as always" sighed Bat Wing. "But no matter, this has been awesome! We are now down to just five students! Keep up the good work my darlings! You still got a lot more coming your way!"
"And just what else is coming our way?"asked Zoe.
"You'll see eventually, but for now...Better stay on your toes!" Bat Wing flew up to the ceiling, leaving us alone finally.
"Are you alright Annie?" Bethany asked as her and Grace released me from their hugs.
I was still crying a little, but not as much. "I... I will be."
"Den... Den really was something in the end" stated Grace.
"I agree" agreed Bethany.
Harry then walked over to us, and he had tears in his eyes.
"I'm sorry everyone, I'm so sorry."
"Harry?" questioned Grace.
"Everyone was right back during the trial, I been jealous of Bradford for petty shit... And I let it turn me into such a piece of shit. I'm sorry Grace. I'm sorry Bethany. I'm sorry Annie." Harry wiped the tears in his eyes away.
"Harry" I thought to myself. "Is he finally back to his old self?"
Harry turned away from us. "And I'm sorry Bradford, I'm sorry Den. I can't believe... I let myself act like that."
I quickly walked over to Harry and gave him a big hug, which he was surprised at.
"I'm sorry too, Harry" I apologized. "I know what I said before wasn't the right thing at the time, and I should of known that."
I kept a firm hug on Harry, which he slowly returned. Bethany and Grace came over, and joined the hug, making it a group hug.
"There is only five of us left now" stated Grace. "We can't let their be any wedges between us."
"We'll all work hard and together to escape here" added Bethany. "Most of our friends may be gone, but we are still here. There is still hope."
"I guess I can't afford to waste time moping about how I acted" said Harry. "I just gotta change for the better and do all I can to get us out of here."
"We'll all do what he can" I smiled. "No one else is gonna die."
The four of us kept up our group hug up a bit longer, before disbursing. Zoe finally turned her attention back to us, after getting out of her deep thought.
"You idiots, when will you learn?" She brushed her hair off her shoulders, before turning to leave the courtroom. As she reached the door, she quickly turned back to us. "Although, I do believe the end of this killing game is coming up." She then left the courtroom.
Everyone looked a bit confused at what Zoe had jus said.
"I hope that doesn't mean that she'll be the next one to kill" hoped Grace.
"We won't let that happened" added Harry.
"I don't think that will be necessary" replied Bethany. "I sense that Zoe will also be giving her all, so that we can all escape."
"We have to hope" I commented.
With everything come and gone, the four of us left the courtroom with hope in our hearts.