AN: I'm in a nice mood and realised last chapter was shorter than the usual length so I thought I'd throw in this one as well - double chapters yay! :)

Hoe you enjoy! Leave a review if you're enjoying or have any questions :)

Rythian refused to talk to the others about anything else, mentioning he might tell them once he was fully convinced he could trust them as they made their way back, walking ahead with Teep whilst listening to Echo and Kim as they seemingly talked to each other, yet were subtly filling Rythian in on what the others believed; he had already made them swear to secrecy, which they had all naturally agreed to but had convinced him to at least allow them to keep him up to date on his former friends.

"... Hannah might be convinced otherwise but I think she'd agree with Lewis unless there was substantial evidence. Simon too." Kim was saying as they walked back into the building, Echo nodding.

"Ross seems like he might believe you're innocent too, but it's 1:2 against Hat Films, so we didn't include him in the innocent club" Echo said jokingly as Kim looked away with a slight pout. Teep nudged Rythian and subtly signed something, looking knowingly at Kim and smirking. Rythian raised an eyebrow.

"Should I be worried?" Teep paused before dismissively waving his hand, smiling wickedly. Rythian gave a slight chuckle before Teep signed something else, motioning towards his scarf. Rythian stopped walking suddenly, just before the door to the classroom, causing Echo and Kim to bump into him, complaining. Rythian signed something relatively quickly to Teep who shortly nodded, opening the door. Teep walked in first, Rythian motioning for Echo and Kim to walk in next. He had almost let the door swung shut before entering, hoodie up over his head. Minty looked relieved when she saw him.

"Oh good, I was just about to send someone to fetch you all!" Minty smiled as Rythian handed her the answers, walking past and ignoring the whispers of the class as he walked to the back and sat next to Echo, who had written something already.

So you are being blackmailed by someone, who is also managing to remain unknown, therefore misleading people subtly, such as teachers and students and preventing you from saying the truth, which you may or may not know.

Take it as you will.

You were talking to Teep before about the Art room, yeah? What was that about? You know, when Kim and I did all the work :)

Next time we'll write the answers. And I was asking about Zoey actually. Teep usually takes her side, so I was questioning why he didn't agree with her. It's not like him to leave Zoey for Kim's opinion, so I was a bit suspicious. He explained though, and I trust him.

Aren't you, her and Teep like a family or something? That's what Kim said anyway. :)

Were. Teep said that Duncan has been looking after her... As long as that is happening, Zoey will side with Dunc, who is definitely against me.

Duncan mentioned something about that. He said that he tried to provoke you into admitting you were innocent but it all turned out badly.

Yep. He's my top suspect... I mean, he did divide all my former friends against me.

Echo widened her eyes at Rythian as he refused to look at her. She frowned, writing thoughtfully to the extent where her writing was almost as elegant as Rythian's.

Wasn't he your best friend though? Do you really think he would be involved with whatever happened?

I don't know. I don't know anymore. I don't even know if I should be thankful Zoey is being looked after, or worried she is being poisoned against me. You can see it both ways.

The bell rang suddenly as Minty looked up, laughing.

"Sorry class! Lost track of time, you're dismissed, go home and relax over the weekend!" Minty smiled as Echo looked at Kim shocked as Kim turned towards her.

"I thought we were in school over the weekend too? And you told me we finished in another two hours!" Echo frowned as Teeps face crinkled up as he held his sides whilst Kim giggled.

"The others told you, remember? I'm not an angel at school." Kim laughed as Echo shook her head, face palming.

"I can't believe I believed you..." Echo muttered as Rythian passed behind them, not even looking at them as he walked out of the room. Echo glanced behind her, picking up her books before noticing Rythian had added something else.

I might set up a group chat / get Teep to help for us four online at some point over the weekend. I'll add Teep, who will add you and Kim... Might save you from collecting pieces of paper.

Beaming, Echo turned around to show Kim and Teep, who looked satisfied.

"Right, that's settled then. We wait for Rythian." Teep nodded, adding something quickly to the bottom of the page.

This all stays between us. Rythian being able to sign, the group chat, his suspicions, what we know... If anyone asks us anything, we should say Rythian refused to talk to us and we haven't heard anything from Echo. If anyone asks you anything, Echo, just say he ignored you so you didn't mention anything to us. Clear?

Kim and Echo nodded and Teep smiled.

"Until school or chat?" Kim laughed as Teep rolled his eyes, walking off whilst waving. Kim turned to Echo who looked excited.

"I always wanted to be a detective!" She said happily as Kim rolled her eyes, marching her out of the classroom. The weekend would be long but maybe they could invite Teep over... Or some of the others, so as not to look suspicious. Echos head whirled... Her new life was already so much more exiting than her older one.