I shuffle into school the next day, bruised neck and cradling a sprained wrist, tears in my eyes. A looks to me in alarm, rushing over to shield me from the view of the other kids.
"Oh god…You look terrible..." he murmurs worriedly.
"Thanks" I mutter weakly. A grimaces at my tone.
"What happened?" he asks, helping me to our spaces at the back of the room.
"My father…He killed our teacher…because he confronted him about me." A looks shell-shocked and dark surprise floods his face.
"No…he can't have…oh shit! It's my fault I told him!" A exclaims, burying his face in his hands. He slumps onto the desk. I see his lifespan decrease suddenly, and I shudder.
"No, Alejandro don't…It wasn't your fault you were just trying to help. Please don't..." I plead desperately. As A lifts his hands to run through his mousy hair, his sleeve falls down to reveal his wrists. Some of the damage I see is old, healed scars. But further down his arm I see fresh injuries. I don't know what to say to him, but I don't mention that I've seen them. Soon enough our headmaster enters the room with an elderly man by his side. The older man looks up at me and A, locking eye contact with me for a period of time whilst the headmaster addresses the class.
"Everyone. I must inform you all that a terrible incident occurred last night. Your teacher, Mr Holden was attacked, and he was found dead early this morning." A collection of surprised responses occur from the news. When the class eventually stop their loud, and scared conversation, the headmaster turns to the elderly man next to him.
"This is the detective who is trying to find who committed this despicable crime, and he'd like to talk to some of you." He nods at the man who stops looking in my direction briefly to regard the headmaster.
"Thank you. I am Watari. I'd like to talk to a couple of you only. The rest of you needn't worry yourselves. I believe that the culprit killed the victim without intention, so no one else is likely to be targeted. I need to speak with…" he takes out a small piece of paper and glances down at it.
"Beyond Birthday and Alejandro Jeevas. Please come with me." he waits as A and I slowly shift to the front of the room under the curious stare of the other kids. As im walking I swear I see my father leaning against a desk, sneering at me. I stand and stare for a moment before I feel A pull on my arm.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"N...nothing." I stutter, following A and Watari out of the room. I see A absently pull his sleeve down as we are lead to the headmaster's office. When we step inside, Watari instructs us to take a seat. When we do, his demeanour seems to change. His face takes on a less stern, kind expression.
"Im sorry to do this during school time A, I just think it's better than the whole of wammy's knowing, don't you think?" he asks, smiling sadly. A nods his head.
"I understand Watari." I look at him in surprise.
"You know him?" I ask A. A replies and nods his head again.
"Yes. Watari owns wammy's house, as well as being a detective. He's the one who took me and Matt."
"That's right. Beyond, as I understand it, you've been having some problems at home for quite a while now. Am I correct?" I lean back in my seat and cross my arms over my chest. Who does this guy think he is? Demanding personal information about my life.
"Why is it relevant to your case?" I answer with a cocky tone. Watari shrugs his shoulders and leans back in his chair too, lacing his fingers together.
"I believe your father murdered Mr Holden. If what I've heard about your lie is true, it would almost confirm that he is capable of something like this." He sighs. A glint in his eye tells me that he knows he's got me.
"Yes. He is a rather difficult person to be around." I reply conservatively. Watari seems unsatisfied with the answer.
"He hurts you a lot?" he prods. I think before I reply. If my father knew that I told watari about all this he would surely kill me or Alodia. On the other hand, if he is convicted and goes to prison, we'll be free.
"Yes. He does." I reply. Watari makes notes in a little notebook.
"Has your father said anything to you suggesting that he killed Mr Holden?" I shrug my shoulders. I cannot tell him that much information. He doesn't ask me anymore questions.
"Thank you Beyond. That will be all. I think we will meet again at some point soon. You may leave whilst I talk with A. meanwhile, go home to your sister. The headmaster wants you to be excused for the rest of the day so no one bombards you with questions." Watari holds the door open for me and closes it behind me when I leave. I slowly walk home with Kara beside me.
"Why didn't you just tell him that your father killed your teacher? You would be free." She asks, confusion in her masculine voice.
"He would kill me before the police got their hands on him." I sigh.
"Although he will probably be arrested for the abuse I told him about." As we near the house, Kara searches the rooms for my father, but oddly she can't find anybody. Not even Alodia.
"Somethings wrong." Kara states dejectedly. I take the uncomfortable grey contact lenses out of my eyes. I push open the door slowly and I instantly see signs of a struggle. Papers across the floor, glasses smashed. I see the door the basement stairs open. But that door is always locked. As I step forward, I hear someone coming up the basement stairs. I don't have time to go anywhere. My father stumbles out of the doorway, and locks eyes with me. He step quickly towards me and grabs the collar of my shirt before I can run away. He drags me towards the basement steps. As we are by the door, he brings his face close to mine and whispers sinisterly.
"You told. Now you and your demon sister will be left down there to die." I try to resist, but im thrown with brute force down the steps. My face hits the cold concrete floor and blood pours from my nose. I hear the door slam shut and lock. I run up the stairs to the door and fruitlessly batter it with my fists. After a short time I feel a gentle hand on my back, I turn to see Alodia's fearful face, and I soften my expression.
"Are you hurt Lo?" I ask soothingly, even using her nickname to make myself seem calmer. She shakes her head, black hair falling about her shoulders and framing her rosy cheeked face.
"Im okay…But your bleeding again..." she whimpers. I wipe the blood from my nose with my hand, then wipe in on my black shirt casually.
"It's fine, don't worry. We have to find a way out of this."