Here's the next chapter. I didn't get to hear from you guys last time, but my story still got added to a number of favorites and alerts. So thanks! Anyway, I hope you enjoy Chapter 8…


Chapter 8

Ray stumbled into to the house and hastily shut the door behind him. Slipping down to the floor, he closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing. 'Why?! Why? Why? Why did I do it? Why?'

He clenched his teeth as tried to not to scream out. All his ambition, his beliefs, his training… were they all so useless? So pathetic? So unreal? "No!" He desperately tried to console himself. "It's not true! I don't believe it!" Suddenly a distant voice rang out from his memory.

'Ray! Ray, listen to me! It's a curse! Do you understand? A curse! It'll bring nothing but misery in your life. You cannot let your desires control you! Don't try to go against God's law… you won't succeed. One way or the other you will suffer! Trust me Ray; you don't want to face that ordeal…"

"But why?!!" Ray finally screamed out. "I didn't do anything! I'm innocent!"

'Are you now?' his own mocking voice spoke up in his head. 'Then how would you explain your actions this morning?'

Ray clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms.

'And what about that night? That very night when Mariah breathed her last?'

Ray's eyes widened in horror as remembered the look on Mariah's face when she saw the object in his hand… "NO!" he shook his head violently trying to block out the images of that fateful night. "It's not true! I'm innocent!"

'You really think so? Even after everything, you still believe that you're innocent? But if that's true… then who would believe you?'

"I…" Ray felt a shiver run down his spine as a deep voice filled his head, drowning everything else…

'I already know what I wanted to.'


"That's ridiculous!" Max shook his head angrily from the backseat. "What was she trying to imply? That Ray is going to attack Lee?"

"She doesn't know Ray as well as we do, Max," Hiro spoke up from his place next to him. "And after the Mariah incident, it's quite natural for her to be weary of Ray. Besides, Yan seems to have developed a strong belief that Ray's guilty."

"Exactly!" Tyson remarked from the driver's seat. "That's the point that seems rather odd here. I mean, it's clear that Lee and Mariah had been very close, in spite of the one-sided crush thing, and Lee's greatly upset over her loss… but what about Ray and Lee's relationship? From what I know, those two treated each other like brothers. They had been together from a very young age and practically shared their pasts together. So, why on Earth, did Lee suddenly turn against him like that? He accepted that Ray had committed the murder, without any question! And remember what he said to us? 'What's there to investigate? We already know who killed her, so why don't you just go and hang that son of a bitch!' It's almost like he wants Ray to be convicted!"

"You've got a point, Ty," Max spoke up thoughtfully. "Lee's ready to put two years of an unreturned crush over a lifelong friendship… It is rather suspicious. Before the murder everything seemed to be fine between the two… then suddenly it changes! Do you think that…" Max's eyes flickered over to the passenger's seat. "…that Lee didn't get over his feelings completely? He still loved Mariah?"

After a few minutes of pensive silence…

"Can I ask you a couple of questions, Kai?" Both Tyson and Max were mildly surprised at Hiro's unexpected move.

A quiet 'hn' beside Tyson gave the affirmation. But Hiro didn't start off right away. "Will you answer both of them?"

"Depends."

"Okay then. So, first—" Hiro sounded like some sort of quiz master getting ready to throw a really difficult question. "—Mariam asked you whether you thought Lee's in danger or not. What did you reply?"

"He's not."

Max opened his mouth to question but was stopped by Hiro.

"My second question," Hiro continued. "Why did you tell us what she had told you? Mariam Shane had confided her fears to you. I'm sure she didn't want the information to reach our ears, knowing we're friends of Ray."

All eyes were focused on the Phoenix, waiting for his answer. Kai wasn't the type share any sort of information with anyone, regardless of who it might be. He was known for his secrecy and solitariness. Yet he had told the others about Mariam's suspicion, on his own free will, breaking her trust in the process.

"So what made you… betray her trust?" Hiro persisted.

The reply was calm and unfazed— "The same thing that didn't make her trust me in the first place."


The rest of the journey passed in silence, as each of the four young men was immersed in his own thoughts. It was clear that Kai had no intention of sharing anything else with the others, and the conversation was thus declared closed. After half an hour of uneventful driving, Tyson finally cut the engine as they reached their second destination for the day—'The F-Dynasty Athletics Club.'

"According to my sources, the Fernandez twins have taken a temporary residence in this club," Hiro explained as they headed for the front door. "They felt unsafe staying near the scene on the crime. The owner of the club, Romero, being a good friend of the twins had no problem with letting them stay at such short notice."

As they reached the door, they heard a faint music coming from inside. Max rang the bell and waited.

A few seconds later the door opened to reveal a tall and lanky middle-aged man, with curly golden hair that framed his narrow face. He inspected his visitors with curious eyes before offering them a lazy smile. "Well hellooo," he said in a singsong voice. "What can I do for you strong young men? You are, I suppose, here to join my humble little club?"

"Mr. Romero, I suppose?" Tyson asked.

"At your service," Romero gave them a melodramatic bow. He straightened up and flashed a pearly set of teeth. "Well do come in! I'm sure all of you will fit in my little family quite well. After all, you do seem to be having the right…" He eyed Kai's athletic body appreciatively. "…physique…"

"Actually, we're investigating the murder of Mariah Wong and we have a few questions for the Fernandez twins." Hiro replied professionally, effectively diverging Romero's attention from Kai's sculpted torso.

The golden-haired man's expression had a distinct transformation. "Oh…" he said rather nervously. "The cops…"


The group followed Romero through a brightly lit corridor. On either side, thick glass walls separated vacant gyms and fitness rooms. They were furnished with all sorts of exercise equipments including swimming pools.

"As you can see, we have all the latest and the most state-of-the-art facilities for our members," Romero commentated as they went. "By the way, we're closed for the week. That's why the gyms are empty today. On regular course, they'd be swarming with trainees."

Romero led them to his more or less neat office. The walls were coved with photos of different athletes and sportspersons. A glass case behind a fancy wooden desk displayed a set of medals and trophies that had been won in various physical competitions.

"Make yourselves at home, please," Romero gestured at the empty seat in front of the desk. "I'll go get Julia and Raul."

After Romero had left, Max turned towards the others. "Well? What do think of him?"

Tyson began counting on his fingers. "A bit weird, melodramatic, a womanizer if not mistaken; has a liking for our Vampire's 'physique' and… can be annoying at times."

The sharp tapping of approaching footsteps alerted the four. A few minutes later, Romero entered the room, accompanied by a rather irritated duel haired girl. The later was dressed in a gymnast's suit, and the beads of sweat rolling off her forehead clearly showed that she had been working out. She held a long ribbon in one hand and a shiny pink-purple spinning top in the other.

"Ahem," Romero began rather sheepishly. "Er… I'd like you men to meet—"

"Julia. Julia Fernandez," the female snapped in a dictatorial voice. "Can I help you?"

"Well Ms Fernandez, we're here to—" Tyson began.

"I believe I already know what you're here for." Julia began to grow more and more impatient. "So please get to the point."

"We need to speak to Raul Fernandez." Tyson replied with a hint of annoyance as well.

"Raul is my little brother. You can ask me whatever you wanted to ask him."

"I'm sorry, but it doesn't work that way. This is a police investigation, Ms Fernandez." Tyson retorted back.

Julia frowned and continued in her bossy tone. "Well he's not here."

"Excuse me?" Tyson asked surprised.

Romero looked surprised as well and opened his mouth to question, but a glare from Julia shut him up. "I said he's not here. He's out. I cannot tell when he'll return."

"But—" Max began.

"Search the building if you want to, but he's not here. So unless you gentlemen have anything useful to say, I suggest you leave."

With that the duel haired female turned on her heals and prepared to storm out. However, while doing so she accidentally dropped her top. She cursed softly, and bent to pick it up, but a pale gloved hand beat her to it. Surprised, she looked up to see the perfect face of Kai Hiwatari. "I…" She hesitated, a faint blush forming across her cheeks. It was the first time she had actually laid eyes on the enigma properly, unable of doing so beforehand, when she had been busy with Tyson. "Th-thank you." She replied finally and held out her hand.

Kai, however, made no move of giving the top back. Instead he asked coolly, "You permit I search the place?"

Everyone looked dumb folded, including Julia, who looked taken aback. "Uh… yeah… But—"

"Good."

Not waiting for her or anyone else's reaction Kai tightened his grip on the top. Then without looking back, he flung the object over his shoulder with a careless flick of his wrist. The top zoomed across the room, at lightning speed, and went straight out of the window. Almost immediately, a sharp crack followed by a loud yelp was heard right outside the said window. All the occupants of the room, except Kai, turned at the thump of a falling body.

"What the—?" Tyson and Max rushed towards the window and looked down. Their eyebrows rose up at what they saw. Sprawled ungracefully on the ground, at the base of a huge tree, was a young man. His duel shaded hair and a rather familiar set of eyes, had a striking resemblance to certain someone in the room. That certain someone, who was now gaping at him from behind Tyson, let out a startled cry—"Raul!" Her astonishment soon turned into fury. Shoving aside Tyson and Max with a surprising amount of strength, Julia leaned out of window and hollered. "RAUL! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME WERE YOU DOING OUT THERE, YOU MORON?! DIDN'T I TELL YOU NOT TO LEAVE YOUR ROON UNTIL I—"

She immediately covered her mouth when she realized what exactly she had let slip out. Slowly and cautiously she turned around to face the men.

"Great job, Kai," Tyson said like a proud father congratulating his son for winning the school sports. Then he turned towards Julia and spoke rather victoriously, "I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, Ms Fernandez."

Julia gave a sigh, and looked slightly embarrassed. "Look, I'm sorry I lied, okay? But you must understand! Raul is my little brother. He's still too young for all this…this stuff. I know he was the first one to discover the corpse, but it was just a mare coincidence. I can assure you he left the house as soon as he saw it! He didn't touch anything. Everything was as it was when the police arrived!"

"Can you guarantee that no one entered the house after your brother ran out? I'm sure he did not have the sentiment to close the door as he left."

"I… But…"

"Ms Fernandez, we understand your feelings. But it is essential that we interview your brother. He might be able to give us some valuable clues. Please, an innocent man's life depends on it."

"But your people have already questioned him so many times! Forced him to recall those horrible images! He was so terrified… They gave him nightmares! He's still immature—"

"Who're you calling immature?!" The door banged open to admit Raul, who was rubbing his back. "Stop mothering me around, would ya?"

"Raul!" Julia cried out, all sisterly concern forgotten. "For your information, you're the reason we got into this mess. I told you to stay—"

"Told me? Hah!" The young man retorted furiously. "You locked me in! If it wasn't for you I would not have to climb down that tree to listen!"

"Well it's not my fault that you fell, sloppy!"

"Fell? Excuse me! But if it wasn't your stupid beyblade I wouldn't have fallen!" He thrust out the purple blade angrily. "This thing sliced off the branch I was sitting on and…" Suddenly his eyes widened and he stared at the top in his hand. "B-but how could it? It's made of plastic! Jul! How did you…"

"I didn't…" Julia's eyes widened with realization as well. She turned her head towards the tall figure leaning beside the window. "He…"

"MARVELLOUS!" Romero exclaimed excitedly out of the blue. "I knew you had it in you! It was a perfect throw; a perfect aim and a perfect hit! Amazing, young man! You—"

"Ahem," Hiro interrupted finally. "I believe we have other things to discus."


"… I knocked on the door but didn't get any response. So I decided to try out the handle. Surprisingly, it was not locked! Thinking that Mariah had probably forgotten to lock it, I went inside calling out her name. When I entered the living room I couldn't see anyone. The armchair was turned away from me. I decided to keep the book on the table next to it, and leave. But when I got there…" Raul paused for a bit, shuddering. Then he once again steadied his nerves. "I saw her. I can't remember anything clearly now. There was… just blood…"

"And that's when you ran out and raised the alarm?"

"Correct."

"You don't recall anyone else near the house."

"I'm sorry, but I was in too much of a shock."

"I understand. You heard some sort of commotion from Wong's apartment the previous night?"

"Yeah, we did… Sounded like an argument, but I'm not sure."

"Any voice?"

"I think Mariah was shouting… and someone else was there as well… a man."

"I see." Tyson looked up at the others. They exchanged looks and decided that the interview was over. "Well, thanks a lot, Mr. Fernandez. You've been a good help."

"No problem! I'm glad to be of service." Raul threw a glare at his brooding sister. "Shall I escort you out?"

"It's alright. I'm sure we can find our way back." Tyson got up to leave.

"Oh! You'll be joining of course?" Romero looked hopefully at Kai.

"Er… Not today… Maybe later. Thanks, anyway." Max waved over his shoulder.


"Well, our 'little brother' did not seem all that immature and terrified, if you'd ask me." Max said as they made their way towards the car.

"You've got a point. Seems like an honest chap though. At least to me he does." Tyson glanced at Kai as he said the last part. He then took out the car keys from his pocket, and unlocked the door. "So next stop—The Crime Scene."

As they got in, Hiro's cell rang up. "Hello? Michael? Yes? What?!" Hiro's eyes narrowed as he listened. After a while he responded sternly, "I see. Stay where you are, we'll be right there."

"What happened?" Tyson asked his brother.

"We have to go to the hospital," Hiro said gravely. "There's been another attack."


I thought of doing the crime scene at first, but I guess I'll save it for later. For now, let's just concentrate on the latest attack. So, who's the victim this time? Any guesses? Send me your answers through your reviews! (Don't forget! I'm looking foreword to it…The reviews keep me going!)

Yours truly,

KPR.