Disclaimer: I do not own gundam seed…and do I really have to do this every chapter? I'm running out of interesting stuff to say…
Note: well…Nicol's case comes to an end in this chapter…and I have decided who shall be the game master…and slowly work towards revealing who this person is…I said slowly…so this story might be rather long. Bear with me…thanks! Other than that…another decision I have come to is that people have to die, or this wouldn't be a proper mystery. So I'm sorry…to all the characters that are going to die. I really am…this was a painful choice, but I'll make sure I'll make your deaths worth it. On a lighter note…really really appreciate all the reviews I've been getting…they've given me a lot more confidence and much encouragement to keep on writing to the best of my ability…and it's the first time any of my fics have had more than 20 reviews. So really thank you!
Tsuryu214: Haha…math…it's not the best of subjects I agree…I happen to be rather horrid at it. Anyway…thanks for you review and here's the next chapter.
SworDieXeQtion: thanks…I'll keep on writing…and you must too…gave you a few suggestions…hope you're not offended. Well…this chapter may not be as long…but hopefully it'll be better than the last.
Dark's Assasin: yeah a new reviewer. Thanks so much for reading…confusing? How so? Tell me…I'll try not to make it so confusing…and yes…have updated again…hope you like it!
Ailiricxxz: dun worry…I will be prolonging Miriallia's case in this chapter…and at long last Nicol has been found…it's the next chapter…and it's here…hope you enjoy reading it!
White Silk Ribbon: fast…fast…fast…Haha…and now you'll know if Nicol is alright. Hope you wun kill me after what I did to Nicol…
Farhancharizard: a new reader…sorry had to put your review here. Well hope you've liked what you've read so far…and hope you'll like this chapter too. Thanks for you review!
Tennisprincess15: thank you, thank you, thank you! Haha…but I'll have to think of more, sooner or later…tough…real tough. Nicol…is alive…and somewhere as you'll find out soon enough. Happy reading.
Chapter 08 – bruised and battered
"The stairs!" Alyssa shouted.
"Huh?" cagalli asked, not really understanding as she rushed into the house.
"Nicol. Stairs." Alyssa said.
"Slow down and explain yourself." Yzak suggested.
She took a deep breath in and exhaled as everyone waited in anticipation.
"I figured out the clue. Nicol is some where in the stairs."
"Stairs? I know the cupboard under the stairs. There's one on every level." Lacus announced.
The group split into three and checked the 3 cupboards. Nicol was found on the 2nd level cupboard.
Unconscious and badly bruised, his face was pale and he breathed heavily.
Alyssa gave a gasp and winced as Athrun and Yzak carried him to his room.
Laying him on the bed, Lacus took one look and called for the first aid kit and a cup of water. She also told the rest not to crowd around him, she and his sister would take care of him for the time being.
She felt his forehead. He was running a fever. Quickly she asked Athrun to get a basin of water and some towels. Alyssa managed to keep her head and gently sponged her brother. Lacus also sent Azrael to get medication.
The rest of the group gathered in the living room with drawn faces, worried and also wondering what would happen to Miriallia.
By nightfall, Nicol had awoken twice, but fell back into unconsciousness a few minutes after that. Athrun and Yzak had managed to change his clothes and clean him up. Food was brought up to the 2 impromptu nurses, but neither could eat much, seeing Nicol in so much pain, and realizing the extent of his injuries. He had been beaten up, beaten up bad. Bruises peppered his body, and it hurt his friends just to see him in this state. Imagine what he had had to endure.
The medication came as soon as possible, and thankfully it was effective. Just before midnight, his fever broke and relief flooded the house. It would be okay now.
In the morning, Nicol woke up groggy, but knew his bearings. He hugged his sister tightly. She had not slept a wink during the night, and the huge eye bags were proof to her vigilance. He thanked her and Lacus for all they had done. He took his medicine and breakfast before relating what he had suffered.
Apparently, the game master hadn't kept his word, and in a fit of anger over who knew what started hitting Nicol. Halfway through Nicol had fainted and when he awoke he was already in bed. No light could be shed on the identity of this mysterious game master. The rest of the day he was made to stay in bed to recuperate, also the 2 nurses needed some time to rest.
Meanwhile, the game master had another envelope waiting for them regarding Miriallia's case. They were now expected to find the murderer.
How were they supposed to do that? They didn't even have any suspects, but they didn't have much choice in the matter.
They went back to the pier, where they had left the body. It was still there, and after making a quick search they found in the body's clenched fist a piece of cloth, probably torn off the murderer's clothing. It was only a small piece, white in colour, and other than that they couldn't find anything.
Also, they realized the Miriallia had not drown to death as they had first assumed, she had been strangled, and the handprints were still around her neck.
It so happened that the murder wore a ring on his or her right index finger. Now all they had to do was find such a person.
That shouldn't be too difficult.
However it was.
Note: well…I think the next chapter should be interesting. I've got some ideas on what's going to happen so stay tuned…and in the mean times please review. Thanks!