AN:

AJeff: I was too lazy to directly reply :D...Yes, poor boq is gone...and yes Galinda is just thinking about her own well being (she doesn't quite believe anything yet!) I promise Fiyero will make more than just an appearance later on...

James Birdsong: Thank you for your kind words, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!

LifelongLeahstar: Good luck finding the killer! ;P

Thank you guys for the reviews and for reading!

A few moments had passed since he said the words. She still wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly but that didn't stop the chills running down her spine.

"What…what do you mean he is dead?" She asked when she had found her voice.

Avaric's face scrunched up in a scowl as his hands trembled at his sides.

"He's dead." He hissed through his teeth. "What else could it possibly mean?"

Elphaba blinked unable to comprehend how this could have happened. "How?"

"You don't want to know that."

"How?" She repeated.

"His throat was slit in his sleep." Avaric choked out covering his face.

Elphaba's mouth fell open as she fell into the seat beside Avaric. Her hand went up to cover her mouth suppressing the sob attempting to break through from the news.

"I found him," Avaric said faintly, he pressed his lips together and silently shook before he opened his mouth to continue. "We had planned to meet out here but he didn't show up so I went up…All I saw was a broken window and all the blood - whoever did it seemed to have cut themselves at the window because their was more blood there, and Boq.. he was already cold…so cold." Avaric stammered grabbing a fist of hair in his hand. "I called for help and Morrible showed up and told me to go, that she'd take care of it…that stupid witch had him killed, she had known… I'm sure she'll want to speak to me soon but I don't plan on being here."

Elphaba was still trying to process the news. "He can't be dead."

"He is," Avaric said with no emotion. "That witch is going to pay for this. I'm not letting Boq die in vain."

"I can't stay here either, " It occurred to her suddenly. "I can't stay here if you leave, they'll question me since I'm your supposed girlfriend, but I have to get my sister away from here and get her home where she is safe; I have to tell Galinda to be careful."

"I'm not waiting…I'm not standing still and watching as they kill someone else, I'm going to the Emerald City and I'm finding any sort of resistance that might be there and doing something about this before it gets too far."

Elphaba nodded and Avaric turned to her, his angry eyes softening.

"I have no right to ask, but, please make sure Galinda is safe." He whispered.

"I will."

Avaric smiled slightly not saying another word as he walked away. She watched as his figure blurred into the horizon before she went to action.

She'd have to tell her sister, that is if she didn't already find out. They wouldn't have time to mourn him, there was too much to do.

They had to leave and they had to have permission from Morrible to leave, something that would be easy to get, but she'd have to pretend not to know a thing about Avaric if she was asked.

Her legs carried her straight to her sister's room, pausing momentarily when she saw Sanevan wandering about.

His arms were crossed and he seemed deep in thought. She needed to tell him what she was going to do, and she needed to talk to him before she was unable to do so.

So with a reluctant sigh she stomped over to him calling out his name. He didn't turn, his eyebrows burrowed as he paced back and forth.

"Sanevan." She called out louder, but still he didn't hear. Elphaba marched straight to him grabbing on his arm which he immediately pulled it away with a yelp.

"Ow!" He cried out cradling his arm in his hand. Her heart began to beat faster when she saw the pain in his face.

"You're hurt." She said in panic, immediately pulling at his sleeve to see the white bandage with growing red spots wrapped around his arm before he pulled his hand sharply away covering the white with his sleeve.

"Why did you do that?" He gritted his teeth, his nose flaring in anger at her.

"How did that happen?" She asked quietly, watching him pull at his sleeve.

"I ," Sanevan glanced at her momentarily before going back to adjusting his sleeve. "I hurt myself going back to the room last night."

All I saw was a broken window and all the blood, whoever did it seemed to have cut themselves at the window because their was more blood there. The words Avaric told her minutes prior replaying in her mind.

No, this could not be.

"Sanevan?" She spoke his name questionably but he did not turn towards her.

That had told her everything.

How could he…

Elphaba's jaw fell, taking a step back before she started in a sprint to look for her sister.

"Elphaba?!" He called out but she did not turn back.

She felt her eyes start to water but she forced them away.

How could he betray her like that? How could he have been capable of committing a murder so easily?

She knew he had been having trouble with himself but to do this…

Her breaths came quicker and her head seemed to spin.

"Oof." She hadn't been watching where she was running off to so she didn't see who she had bumped into until she was about to fall back, his arms holding her firmly up.

"Ow." He groaned and her heart sped up as Fiyero smiled down at her, face bruised and looking like he was in terrible pain - and looking terrible as well, but still he smiled at her and still her heart beat madly.

"What are you doing out here?" She asked him feebly when she found her voice, her mind going back to what she had done the last time she was near him.

"I used my princely charm to get out of the hospital." He said, his voice slightly off from the splint on his nose.

"Oh." Her face was starting to feel warm at his smile. "That was very stupid, you look like you're in pain." Well, no duh Elphaba. How could her brain turn to mush now?

"That may be so, but I couldn't stand that room anymore there was no one to talk to. Or you know, no one to not be able to get a word in with." He smirked playfully and Elphaba smiled sheepishly.

Fiyero continued smiling at her and lifted a hand to wipe at her eye. It was at that time that she realized that she was still being held upright in his arms.

She cleared her throat loudly looking at his arm still at her waist and it took him a few seconds but he seemed to get the hint because he released her shortly after.

"So, what were you running away from that you didn't notice me walking?" He chuckled his eyes taking their time looking over her face. Elphaba could have sworn his face got a little closer to hers and she shook her head.

Focus on what you need to do.

"I was just in a hurry, and I have to go." She said rapidly, leaving Fiyero standing there and heading to find her sister.

Why did she stop to talk to him? What was wrong with her forgetting herself for that minute when she had more important things to do. She had to make sure her sister was safe.

Elphaba passed by the men's dorm's again chills running through her body as she saw her sister sitting nearby her chair turned away from the group of students all gawking at the building, her face in a state of shock.

She knew...

Elphaba's eyes started to water once more seeing the state her sister was in and she composed herself as she made her way towards her.

"Nessa?" She said her name tenderly and Nessa's head rose slowly, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Elphaba... Boq's dead." Her words came out as a whimper as her hands came to cover her face, the tears spilling from Nessa's eyes and Elphaba went to comfort her sister kneeling down and wrapping her arms around her as she shook into her shoulder.

"I know Nessa, but right now we have to go." She told her, pulling away from Nessa's arms and standing to push her chair.

Through all this Nessa did not speak a word. She was far too busy cradling her face in her head, quietly sobbing in her seat.

They passed a few students chattering away about what had happened, almost excited at the fact that someone had died. It took all of her will power not to go after them and hex them, mainly because Nessa was starting to shake in her chair.

"Do you hear them Elphaba?" Her sister sniffled, her muffled voice faintly passing through her hands.

"Don't pay attention to what they say." She told her offering her a comforting pat on the shoulder.

"They are enjoying this." Nessa shuddered turning her head to the direction of the laughing students and glaring at them.

"They are idiots with nothing else going on in their lives." She said pushing her further away from them.

Elphaba had honestly wanted to steer clear of the men's dorms, but having her sister in a wheelchair made it difficult to maneuver in the grass. She regretfully led her sister by the building hearing the loud commotion as a voice boomed over them. She recognized it as Morrible's so she went closer with her sister to find out what she was saying. Seeing a familiar blonde Elphaba led her sister straight to her, Galinda looked at her momentarily, her hands covering her mouth as she turned back to hear the words Morrible said.

"It is with deep regret, that I inform you that a fellow student has decided to take his own life."

A few gasps were heard and Elphaba frowned as they talked almost merrily.

"He was found and pronounced at the scene. I kindly suggest you all go back to your daily routines, heading to classes as normal. The rest of the students and faculty will be notified as appropriate. Please allow the coroners to do their job. If I find any of you trying to enter the students room I will not fail to punish you accordingly. Thank you, now please run along."

Morrible didn't say a name but when the students began to leave, they all started to chatter to one another the different ways Boq may have ended his life, and the reasons he may have had to go through with it.

Elphaba grew angry at their words but took hold of Nessa's chair and made to her room.

Galinda stood walking beside her, a pair of books clutched to her chest, her eyebrows furrowing in a hurt expression.

"I just don't understand why Boq would do that?" She breathed through her lips.

Elphaba looked around making sure it was only the three of them before she stopped pushing Nessa and stood in front of them.

"Boq did not kill himself. " She revealed causing the two of them to gawk at her.

"What?" Galinda was the one to speak.

"Boq knew about her plans."

Nessa looked up slightly through clouded eyes. "They had him murdered?" She whispered.

"Yes, Avaric said—

"Avaric?" Galinda glowered at her, but Elphaba dismissed her, putting aside her hatred for him for the moment; needing to tell her what she was to do.

"Yes, he was the one to find him. I'm not going to repeat how Boq was murdered but —

"Elphaba," Galinda interrupted again, a pale hand running through her gentle curls. "You really need to stop believing everything he says. Knowing what he is capable of he could have done it himself."

"He is a sleazy asshole, but I don't think he is a murderer."

Galinda did not seem to buy that. "You don't know, I thought I knew him once but look what he turned out to be; a creep, and a arrogant lowlife jerk." The blonde spat the words harshly.

"And you know the reason he is that way." Elphaba reasoned with her but Galinda scoffed slightly. There really wasn't a way to defend him after what he'd done to Galinda, but they had to focus on the present rather than the past.

"I still don't know if I should believe that at all."

Elphaba ignored her kneeling beside her sister, laying a hand on top of hers. "Nessie, you remember what I said happened to Sanevan right? His mind was played with, well, the same thing happened to Avaric."

Nessa shook her head, the tears falling as she did so. "This is so horrible, but why did they have to have Boq killed?"

"He knew things he shouldn't have but we are going to leave Shiz, we are telling Morrible that you need some time off and we are heading home." Elphaba explained to her softly, taking her hands and rubbing her thumbs.

"You can't do that!" Galinda squealed rather loudly and Elphaba was quick to shush her, making sure that no one was around to hear.

"I am doing this."

"Elphaba how did they kill him?" Her sister asked faintly, the words barely audible.

When Nessa repeated herself a little more louder Elphaba blinked not knowing if it was a good idea to tell her."Nessa…"

"How?" Her sister's words came out as an order.

"They…" She paused trying to think of how to make it sound less horrible than what it really was but she could not think of anything at that moment. "His throat..they..."

She didn't need to finish as Galinda inhaled sharply her eyes watering immediately and her sister seemed to go into shock, her eyes rolling back into her head as she slumped in her chair.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she made sure her sister was breathing properly. Once she was sure her sister was okay she turned back to Galinda.

"Galinda, that's not all, Avaric found the window broken with more blood that didn't appear to be Boq's…I think—I'm sure Sanevan did it."

Galinda's mouth open and closed her mouth mumbling incoherent words as she tried to process her words. "Are you saying this because I'm interested in him?"

"Really Galinda? No, that's not why I'm saying this...you are a friend to me and I don't want him to hurt you, Galinda—his arm was wrapped in bandages with blood seeping out—He didn't even look me in the eye when he told me what happened, please…" She almost begged. "I'm not planning to come back at all and I want to know you are safe."

Galinda's head shook slightly."This is insane, Elphaba!"

"It may just be," She admitted."But someone has to stop this. They killed Boq, Galinda…I'm not letting that become my sister, or you, or Fiyero or anyone else, even Avaric…I don't want to live in a world where I'm not going to even be allowed in. I'm green and get enough crap as it is."

"But leaving —

"Is better than staying here with that horrid fish and being scared to speak my mind…." Elphaba sighed running a hand through her hair. "Listen, watch my sister for a few minutes I need to get a few of our things."

"But—

"I'll be back really quickly." She said before running off.

Elphaba had gone into her room and packed the most essential things. Which was mainly a pair of clean clothes. After which she snuck into Nessa's room, packing a few more things than necessary;her shoes giving to her by her father and some of Nessa's favorite dresses along with a few of her brushes, making sure to pack everything tightly in a small suitcase before carrying it out and returning to Nessa.

She stopped in her tracks seeing Morrible talking to Galinda, pointing at her sister obviously wondering what had happened. Elphaba carefully swung the bags in her hands over her shoulder, going over to them. Morrible eyed her curiously as she stepped beside Galinda.

"Oh Miss Thropp," The old fish began sweetly."I was just asking Miss Upland what had happened to your sister?"

"She fainted madame, she liked Boq and—

Morrible nodded in understanding."Of course, do you or either of you have an idea of why Boq may have done what he did?" Morrible gestured towards them.

"No, madame." Galinda answered quickly but Morrible wasn't staring at her, she had her eyes set on Elphaba. Examining her as she quickly lied to her face.

"Boq and I were not particularly close madame, but even then, none of us had any idea he was having these thoughts, I just don't know how he could have thought this was his only solution."

"Right." Morrible nodded, clearly not believing her.

"Madame, I actually came to tell your that our father called for us, or Nessa to be more precise."

"What happened?" Morrible asked in worry.

She was good at pretending.

"Our father has fallen ill and wishes to see Nessarose-"

"May I see the letter? "

"In my haste to heed his wishes I left it in my room….Madame if I may, I find that it is important for us to leave as quickly as we can, I doubt our father would want us to linger any more than we already have. We would have made out earlier but with what happened... " She trailed off eyeing her sister.

"I completely understand, you may go. I will update your professors of this short notice so they may find someone to gather notes for you two. How long do you think you will be gone? "

"A week at most madame, " She lied. "Depending on our fathers situation. "

"Yes, of course."

"Thank you madame." Madame Morrible eyed her oddly before she nodded turning away to leave. Once she was far away Elphaba settled the bags on the handle of Nessa's chair, throughout this Galinda's stare did not waver.

"Galinda, stay close to Fiyero, or always stay in a group, never stay alone with Sanevan…" She warned her and Galinda shook her head.

"You can't just leave like this."

"I am, and I would appreciate it if you cooperated and maybe sent a few of my items home." Elphaba said pushing her sister, leaving Galinda standing there with her mouth open.

The last thing she heard as she walked out of campus was the sound of whirling gears.

She held her sister close to her as the carriage started going. The horse's galloping and shaking them both, but her sister did not wake.

It wasn't until they were well away from Shiz that her sister's eyes opened.

Nessa was unusually quiet when she explained what she was doing. How she was going to the city and finding a way to stop the plans they had. Her sister had listened and turned away ignoring her.

As the carriage got further from Shiz, Elphaba tried to speak to her again.

"Nessa. "

"Don't Elphaba. " Her sister said hoarsely, sniffling as she sat up straighter in her spot.

"Nessa, you have to listen to me. " Elphaba pleaded putting her hand on her sister's. Nessa sharply pulled her hand away, turning towards her angrily, tears running down her face. "Why? You're going to go and leave me alone. "

"You won't be alone you'll be at home with father." She tried to console her sister who shook her head.

"And father won't understand me. He won't understand what Boq meant to me. " Nessa said choking on his name.

"You guys weren't together long enough —

"Long enough to what?" Nessa screeched. "To know I felt something for him? To cry for him after you said he was killed?"

"Nessa…"

"No, just shut up Elphaba." Elphaba did, if only because nothing she said would be enough for her. Nothing she said would console the sister she was about to leave behind.

Elphaba sighed standing from her spot and knocking at the front of the carriage to get the attention of the driver.

"Stop the carriage!" She shouted at him and he said something that she didn't hear over the sound of the horse's but he stopped.

Elphaba grabbed her bag and her sister looked at her wide eyed.

"What are you doing?" Her sister cried out reaching to take back the bag she had taken.

"I have to go Nessa." She said pulling it out of her reach.

"No, Fabala, don't do this, " Her sister begged fidgeting in her spot. "I thought you were going home with me first!"

"I'm not, I'm sorry Nessa." She apologized opening the door of the carriage.

"You can't leave me like this!" Her sister sobbed reaching for her.

Elphaba felt her eyes begin to water.

"I have to go, I'm sorry." She said again shutting the door behind her.

Her sister's hysterical cries could be heard as she told the driver to go.

Even as she hid into the trees as the carriage sped off she could hear her sister calling for her.

Begging to come back.