Chapter 2

At last, the unsettling night came. Shadowing the town from the light. Once I realized everyone was asleep in their houses, I wore my cloak and placed the hood over my head. Then I had to set off to find where the mafia are.

I felt lucky I found them fast. I saw them formed in a circle, with the one I presumed as their leader, the Godfather, talking to them. I pulled out the paper I've been keeping for a long time, and I know this will serve as a useful will if ever my life ends tonight, everyone will then know many things. That is, if I am able to write in time. The people mostly executed or found dead usually have the ending words of their wills slanted or smudged. Some don't have anything at all.

"Master," I heard the probable, loyal Mafioso say, "Who say you will we get rid off tonight?"

"Hmm…" I heard the Godfather doze, "I almost got lynched one day ago thanks to Sara. Good thing everyone accused her of random accusations. I want that impatient woman dead before sunrise."

I heard the swing of a knife, then Mafioso said, "It will be carried out, master."

Footsteps followed soon. Even if people would find Sara dead by tomorrow, I wrote it down anyways.

N1- Mafia planned to kill Sara

Hearing the sound of the Godfather's footsteps, I checked to see if everything was clear. Knowing it was, I secretly went back to my home, hoping that things will be good tomorrow.

"AIIIE!" Victoria's screech echoed throughout the town, waking me up.

I went out of my house and saw what I expected: Sara sprawled on the ground.

"She's been killed!"

"Look at her will!" I spoke.

Someone went forward and took a crumpled but clean paper out of Sara's hands. Then he read it out loud,

"A person must think twice to decide on whom to commit the vice.

-Sara, the Jester"

Loud murmurs erupted from the rest, unlike yesterday.

"It seems the Mafia has made a wrong choice." Erin spoke, I somehow sensed a little fear in him.

"I hope the girl's soul teaches them a lesson!" Victoria declares.

"But for now, what we need to do is find out two suspects: The killers of the Medium and Sara." I said.

"Any leads, Ms. Enthusiastic?" Erin looked at me.

"Excuse me?" I scoffed.

"Ah, you've forgotten my nicknames to you when we were little." He chuckled.

"Good thing I did, Mr. I'm-so-proud-of-myself." I muttered.

"Hey, hey wait!" Joey squeaked. "I think I overheard the Mafia talking! One of them called the other Victoria!"

I mentally facepalmed after that. For all I know, Joey's been looking up on me as his "idol", and now I think he's pushed himself too much to "becoming like me". I never should've told him who I am.

"So you're a spy then?"

"Yup!" He beamed.

"Let's test you," Erin announced, "hear what I say to Victoria."

Even if I was a distance that you can't hear a whisper from them, my trainings in my old temple at the mountains helped me know what my "friend" said.

"I hate this boy."

"Now, what did I say?" He turned to Joey. The young boy's face turned reluctant, oh joy.

"Uh, c-can you repeat what you whispered to her again?"

Victoria raised an eyebrow at him, then she pointed, "Lynch that liar!"

"Lynch!" The remaining town members all chorused. I stayed silent, for I don't know what to do. I never knew how to condemn someone just by their acts.

They decided the verdict, and Joey was brought to the stand. The old man said his words again, and then Joey spoke his defense.

"Well, you see everyone," He started while rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "I-I just thought that maybe being a spy was cool? M-Miss Victoria here is always glaring at me every morning, that's why."

"Town, verdict?" Erin looked at us.

"Guilty!" Almost everyone (since I'm not saying, of course) raised their voices in unison. I just wanted to say the famous line our first Jailor said years back, "Stupid town."

Yes, still following the minds of their mindless forefathers, everyone just went with what others say.

"No, no please!" Joey looked in fear at the loop of the rope in front of him as it was prepared.

I soon heard whispers from most people.

"Insolent child."

"What's in his mind, I wonder?"

Joey was looking down on us from the scaffolding, the rope around his neck.

"Joey, any last words?"

"None." He spoke, looking down on… me.

"I'm sorry for being foolish." I heard him whisper to me. My eyes almost widened, wh-what?