Lily appreciated the light breeze. Chirping. The inconsistent squeaking. Nature always had a way to soothe the soul.
Her bangs floated as she rummaged through her backpack. Organized in it were some water bottles, energy bars, and MREs. At least five days worth, though the Agency only designated three.
With Jason's dead body still fresh in her mind, Lily couldn't bring herself to fill her stomach for the moment despite the empty feeling. Regardless of the heated discussion mere feet away, she held no tension.
"Why wouldn't it be that bitch?!"
The fierce intrusive shout caused Lily to flinch. She shifted her gaze toward Kaitlyn. The tightened fists at her sides led Lily to anticipate an escalation into an immature brawl. I'm already exhausted. In an aggravated huff, Lily walked over to offer her input for a sound resolution.
"Of course, she'd want us all thinned out so that she can pick us off!" Kaitlyn grinded her teeth.
Yesterday when Lily met Kaitlyn, the black jean shorts and black top combined with the night color of lipstick emitted a gloomy and aloof vibe. Yet, the discovery this morning clearly affected her more than she'd like to admit. Guess you can't act like you don't care when your life is on the line.
Inches in front of Kaitlyn, Tim stayed cool. Ruffling his black hair, Tim searched for a proper response. At first glance, his expression could be mistaken for indifference rather than unease.
"That's a leap. Is Zuri stronger than Jason, even on his worst day?" Tim rebuked.
Kaitlyn's gaze lowered in thought regarding Zuri's appearance.
"Unless she has an entourage of fans, Zuri couldn't do that to anyone."
Materializing the shocked faces from mere moments ago, Tim had solid confidence in Zuri's innocence. First off, Zuri's a girl and a simple girl like her wouldn't be capable of that kind of violence. Hardly any girl is. Tim rationalized.
"You don't think women can kill people?!" Kaitlyn barely raised her arms, contemplating on shoving Tim.
Tim raised his arms in mock surrender. "I never said they couldn't but let's be realistic.
"Physically, she's incapable. I'd be surprised if she could take a punch to the face from him. Second, what killer sets failsafes to get themselves caught?"
"Then she's helping some asshole!"
Since the theories were solidified, Lily spared Kaitlyn a glance and related to her frustrations. Indeed, Kaitlyn's claims shouldn't be dismissed, yet Lily naturally comprehended Tim's logic.
Wasn't this trip supposed to be a chance for everyone to bond? Does Azhir know what all this is about? Lily exhaled, her gaze lifting toward the direction the vast scape of thick trees and shaded soil.
"Do you trust Zuri?" Lily asked to invoke smoother debate. Though, Lily knew that if Tim held any concurrence with Zuri's strategy, he wouldn't have agreed to this coalition.
"Aren't killers often on their best behavior to avoid suspicion?"
"... true but..."
"No one should be above suspicion, regardless of capability or lack thereof. Write her off and she may get you killed." Lily finalized.
Reluctantly conceding, Tim gave one slow nod. Then Tim's eyes shifted toward the direction Azhir and Sean went in. "... what about that Azhir guy?" Tim shifted his gaze to Kaitlyn.
Clearly, Lily doubted the suspicion. I can't deny that. I've told him before to stop acting that way. If I had evidence to wholly debunk him as a suspect I would but... I know what he's capable of and what he's done. Lily wrestled inwardly.
"He's just..." Kaitlyn lost the words.
"Just what? Who'd look at a corpse like that? He's way more likely than Zuri. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy is a complete psychopath. We should be worrying about him." Tim crossed his arms.
"And he seems to like his privacy. His name doesn't give us any damn clue who he is."
"Sure... he may be... but if he were the culprit, don't you think he'd try to hide it?" Kaitlyn scoured a defense.
"He is strange... but he was indifferent about standing out. A killer would try to act out to avoid suspicion."
Lily turned to Tim.
"I thought we were trying to stay out of this completely?" She inquired.
Tim sighed. "Searching for the murderer in pairs is likely to get us killed but there's nothing wrong with narrowing down a reasonable suspect."
"Are you intending to warn Sean?" Lily pressed.
"And hint that we're onto him? No. He said he'd volunteer to put his life on the line so he can put his money where his mouth is."
Lily gritted her teeth. Unfortunately, Tim wasn't inaccurate this time either.
Kaitlyn who remained silent parted her black lips. " He does seem weird but... he seemed to want to find the murderer as much as anyone."
"Then shouldn't he have been more cooperative?" Lily retorted.
That wasn't concern on his face. Inwardly, Lily corrected Kaitlyn. She believed most likely, Azhir desired some chaos or unpredictability.
"Zuri and Azhir seemed to be at odds as well, and the whole reason this is a thing is because of her." Lily offered her counter to balance the claims. Though that still presents the question why it looked like he was going to fight over Sean.
"I expected bonding and stories, not this bull." Tim complained.
"He's my primary suspect at the least. You two can think whatever you want but don't think about inviting him or anyone else into our group.
"If Azhir does show up, run." Tim sat on a log and began drinking bottled water.
As if her mind processing experienced a sluggish force, Kaitlyn massaged her temples.
"I can't put everything on him." Lily breathed.
Kaitlyn's eyes widened, detecting a positive transition.
"However, we can't trust strangers wholly." Lily's conclusion shattered Kaitlyn's optimism.
"We should keep our distance for now at least."
Lily's rational yet soft tone seemed to placate the small blaze of theories.
"I... I need to lay down..." Kaitlyn sounded as if she struggled with basic syllables.
Clearly lacking, she retreated to her tent, still needing time to absorb the whole predicament. Lily stared at a cloud, shaped like a shoe. She laughed.
"Bet you're regretting signing up." Lily attempted. Tim shrugged.
"That's a heavy word. But I do regret that we won't be able to talk with each other without everything being subtle and shit."
He shifted on the log as he let out a self deprecating laugh.
"Why come here? Why not go to college or something?"
Tim finished the water. "I'm not aspiring to work for the government or be some specialist. But I do need to do something to live. Getting paid for helping people doesn't sound bad.
"You have a deeper passion?" Leaning back, Tim searched for the cloud Lily stared at.
"... that's part of it." Lily said solemnly.
~
Sean kicked and clawed at Azhir's wrists. I can't die! I can't die! I have to live! I have to fucking live! Each attempt to free himself deprived Sean of oxygen.
Azhir's grip merely tightened and Sean's breathes shortened.
Soon, his preservation instinct kicked in and he ceased struggling.
Azhir smirked and loosened the pressure. Enough to remain a threat and enough to communicate his intentions if compliance wasn't met. Detecting no strangers, he focused on Sean.
"You done?" Azhir mocked.
"Why?" Sean managed to ask. Azhir tilted his head.
"Any sudden moves, any screams... any attempt to touch me and I'll kill you." Azhir's smirk raised a notch before disappearing. I don't have a choice here, do I? Sean raised his hands in surrender.
"Good." The temperature in Azhir's tone dropped as he released Sean. He collapsed to the ground, inhaling hoarsely and massaging his throat. Azhir let out a sigh then placed a hand on his hip, fixing Sean with a glare.
"Who recruited you?" Azhir asked directly. One second passed. Two. Azhir's face twisted bit by bit. Sean couldn't help but swallow the risk.
"A... a lady... last name, Glass." Sean answered reflexively. I should've turned that woman down, so I wouldn't be on this God forsaken island. In Sean's mind, he recalled when he met Ms. Glass, dressed in a grey skirt suit, displaying a disarming smile two months before graduation.
Given that he didn't have many options, and college seemed to be an inadequate advancement for his life, her promises were all the sweeter.
"Of course. That woman." Azhir scoffed lightly.
"Did she recruit you too?" Sean asked innocently.
Menacingly, Azhir ran his fingers through Sean's hair and tightened his grip, pulling his head up to meet brown irises.
"Shut up." Azhir's expression radiated a cold authority. Sean nodded. Satisfied, Azhir shoved Sean's head back. Perhaps if Azhir hadn't possessed such otherworldly strength and swiftness, this interaction wouldn't be completely one sided.
"Where were you last night, exactly?" Azhir resumed.
"Sleeping." Sean's voice steadied.
"By yourself?"
"Of course. You think I'll let a stranger in my tent?"
"You and Zuri acquainting yourselves?" Azhir questioned with a flat tone, almost like he was bored.
Sean shook his head vehemently. "I've never met her in my life! Yesterday the bus ride drained me so I couldn't meet anyone!"
He could just be a pawn that she wants to convert into a knight. Azhir didn't betray his thoughts.
"How do you know Lily?"
Sean was speechless. I've never seen this guy in my life. "I didn't know she was here until today. She's just a classmate I recognized from high school. If I didn't set up the tent when I did, I'd probably be sleeping on the bare ground before sunset."
Though Sean flashed a small nervous smile, he failed to laugh at his predicament yesterday. At the least, he hoped his explanation would make his answer more believable.
Lifting an eyebrow, Azhir's forefinger tapped his jeans.
"I... I met a girl named Sadie but... she's with another group so she isn't on the island." Sean explained further.
Azhir examined Sean's tone and his facial muscles. Assuming that Sean's too gullible and authentic to collaborate with anyone, Azhir still growled. He needed confirmation. "That so?" He shot a foot into Sean's chest then planted it near his neck. Sean's voice pitched.
"I'm not lying! I don't know anything about Zuri!"
Azhir's glare heated. Sean thought to look away but, he squinted his eyes, glaring back. Sean really isn't a Khata... nor any apparent relationship with Zuri. The tension I'm feeling from him... After rolling his eyes, Azhir freed Sean, observing him once more before walking away.
I'm alive. I'm freaking alive. Sean exhaled, almost laughing nervously. I still can't clear him. Why did he let me live? Where is he going? If he were caught alone, he'd already be guaranteed to be a prime suspect. If I died, there'd be no doubt. Should I go and try to find someone? Warn them about Azhir? What if I run into the murderer?
"What the...! Wait!" Sean scurried to his feet and ran. Arriving beside Azhir, he pivoted in front of him and held out his arms.
"Do I need to break something?" Azhir stared past Sean. He knows something about Zuri. There's a reason why he asked about her. I have to keep him around. Even if we encountered the murderer, I doubt Azhir would die easily.
"Where are you going?" Sean demanded.
Azhir barged past Sean, walking aimlessly. Patting his shoulder a couple of times, Sean fell into step beside him.
"The last thing you need to do is split off from me." Sean said.
"Are you a masochist?" Azhir seized Sean's wrist but his expression remained blank.
"All I want is to know who the murderer is." Despite the pressure, Sean gritted his teeth, never breaking eye contact.
"I have a few in mind."
A hint of amusement flashed across Azhir's face as he let go of Sean. "Might want to call up Mallory or Lily though. If we end up fighting the murderer... I'd have to drop some weight."
Did you just suggest I'm the weakest guy here you son of a...? Sean cleared his throat. "She did bring the strategy to catch this guy to everyone's attention. And you just assumed that we were working together for some reason." Whether Zuri actually killed Jason or not wasn't his main question but from her and Oleg's verbal confrontation, Sean perceived an abnormality.
"Regardless of the role, you seem to believe that Zuri is involved."
Azhir wasn't walking anymore. "What's your point?"
"Clearly you're more familiar with Zuri than I am." Sean probed. Azhir flicked his eyes away from Sean.
"... Kind of."
He continued walking. Sean followed.
~
Outside Zuri's tent, Oleg sat contemplating. Passively, he rolled a pebble in his palm and between his fingers to map out the texture and shape. Originally, Oleg wasn't afraid to spy on Zuri whenever necessary, but he never anticipated the only legitimate excuse.
Bathroom my ass.
Flimsy or not, Oleg wouldn't risk it. Sure, he'd dictate boundaries and determine if they'd need to bend or break but... I should've asked one of the girls to help me keep an eye on her. But if she snuck around and monitored, she'd be in danger of running into the murderer. Worse, she'd be caught and suffer embarrassment.
Oleg breathed out, cursing his obligation to uphold modesty. His consciousness redirected his focus toward the main issue.
Although Oleg's method for solving this problem probably wouldn't have been accepted, Zuri's proposal and expectations along with her delivery felt odd to him. The easiest way to uncover clues and to expose Zuri if the time ever came unfortunately was to be her partner. Maybe Azhir telling Zuri to fuck off was a boon in disguise.
From the wooded area nearby, Zuri emerged breathing out relief with a stretch. She kept her arms extended a few seconds longer than any normal individual.
"See anyone while I was gone?" Zuri asked. Oleg shook his head. Zuri snatched her backpack and sat beside him. She hummed as she took out a black ring with a skinny gem blue center.
"That's good. I was worried I'd have to yank my pants up and come help you." Zuri smiled but, Oleg didn't sense any warmth. He chuckled dryly.
"You should be worried about being caught with your pants down."
He pointed at the ring. "I can see how that's easy to sneak in. Was it a prom gift or something?"
"No, a purity ring." Zuri laughed.
"I don't wear it much but... it's a nice little thing I got from my parents. Of course, I think the concept of purity is ridiculous but... I can't seem to leave without it."
Not expecting such a reveal, Oleg leaned back.
"Is that why you wanted to pair with Sean?"
Zuri scoffed. "I have other reasons. Both practical and entertaining."
To Oleg, it sounded like the line was rehearsed. The absence of a blush or intention placed him on alert.
Feeling Oleg's disinterest and detection, Zuri changed the subject. "Azhir... he seemed... off to you... right? I'm not the only one."
"Is that a rhetorical question?" Oleg asked, annoyed.
"Honestly, I kind of wished I told Azhir no and pulled Sean away from him. There's no telling if he'll be alive tomorrow or not."
She waved at Oleg, apologetically.
"No hard feelings."
"None taken." Oleg rolled his eyes. Azhir's behavior roused questions yet... if Azhir were the murderer... seems like he knows something about Zuri. Does he know something about everyone? From what Oleg recalled, no one recognized that bastard.
"You think Sean will be alright by tomorrow?"
"I can only hope. The guy may have extreme luck too. He'll need it."
"Do you... know Azhir?" Oleg asked pointedly.
Zuri's pupils expanded and for a split second, she froze. Her mouth twisted into a single point. Slowly, she turned her head to the sky. "I've never met the guy in my life."