Chapter 18

6th Day

"Why did you kill your twin?!" Ram grabbed his collar and punched him. We screamed because we didn’t expect it to him. Matthew immediately stopped Ram from what he was doing while me, I went to Michael's side to stop him from revenging.

"I told you that I don’t have any idea about it!" He yelled. He is trembling. And the pain in his eyes are showing.

"Ash, I can't do that. You believe in me, right?" He asked, still quivering.

I gulped and just bowed down my head. I don't know what to react. He was the one I saw last night, but I can't accuse him since I don't have any physical evidence. It is not enough that I saw him, I should have real evidence on my hand.

"So, who do you think will do this to him when you were the only one who had a grudge on him?! You almost fight, right? If we didn’t stop you, then probably you will kill each other!" Ram tried to attack him again but Matthew grasped him back.

"Is that true, Michael? Please. Admit it, why did you kill him?" Maureen cried again.

"Michael, tell us the truth." Matthew spoke in a cold tone.

Michael took his hand out of me and and he knelt and cried so loud. He looked like a kid who were chased by some bad guys, and seeing him like this— I can't stop my tears from falling, as well. I feel pity on him but there’s in me that I should not. I clearly saw him last night with my two damn eyes! He was the only one who entered the restroom, and definitely— he was also the one who exited.

"Did you use the restroom, yesterday night?" I asked accidentally. Everyone looked at me, including him.

Shocks. Did I ask right? Will they catch me? Argh! Of course, Ashley! You are so dumb! Whoever the killer is, probably he is doubting me now. Ugh! Why are you so careless? Sighed. Nevermind. I’m gonna deal with it!

"Why? I don't know. But I feel like I went downstairs, but I couldn’t remembered what happened. I just woke up lying in my bed. So, I don’t know if that was real or not.” Then he looked at me again, directly into my eyes. “Why? Why are you asking that? Are awake for the whole night?" And I stiffened.

Argh! This is what I am saying. I’m so stupid. I don’t have answers to their questions because I don’t really know what’s happening. I’m so dumb for bringing this topic out! Stupid, Ashley! You are asking stupid questions!!!! You are putting your life at risk, bitch!

I forced myself to shook my head. "N-no. Nothing. Just came up in my mind so I asked. And, uhm, I was sleeping peacefully last night," I denied.

I wanna explode! Now, how can they take their eyes off of me?! I hate their stares!

"You are son of a bitch, Michael! Who’s your next target?!" Ram pushed him so we immediately stopped him from attacking Michael.

"I suggest we should lock him in his room 'til the game is over," Cristina suggested.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I was not the one who killed my brother! Yeah, maybe I can kill for the sake of my life— to save myself! But, I can't kill my own fucking twin!"

"Shoot! It already came out from your mouth that you can kill! So, what's next? Who’s next, Michael?! Us?! You were just the same, Ashley! Both of you are useless and killers!" Maureen shouted and glared at me. I let a small yelp because she just accused me,

"I told you that I didn’t kill anyone of you here!" I didn’t stop my raising my voice, I shouted. Fuck, it is so hurt that they don’t trust me, and they see me as their enemy, where in fact I am doing the best I can to save them here. If I am the one who kills then I should not worry about getting out alive, right?!

"Enough, guys. Yeah, maybe we should lock Michael in his room for now. So that we can see if there will be a new one who will get killed,” Matthew cut us off and came to Michael. He helped him to stand up, Michael tried to escape from his arm but he was futile enough to fight for Matthew.

"Relax bro, just for today, just for tonight. Prove us that you're not really the one," he whispered, so Michael glared at Ram and he nodded at Matthew. I came together with them upstairs and couldn’t held my tears from falling. It hurts seeing my friends suffer from tremendously situation.

I badly wanted to ask why he need to be tied up but I didn’t complained anymore because even I— also want to know if someone is going to die today. "Before you leave me here, get my perfume first."

He demanded and pointed the perfume on his table using his mouth. I took it and gave it to him. He shrugged and genuinely smiled at me, "Smell it," he said directly.

To my surprise, I slowly lifted its scent and put it to my nose. It smells so strong with vannila scent. And yes, it really smells like Michael. I knew it was his scent because every time he approached me I could smell it, I just didn’t mention it.

I was about to spray on my hand but Matthew repulsed the perfume so it fell on Matthew’s bed. "Don't make her smell that thing bro, we didn’t know what you put in that thing that can make her lose her consciousness," Matthew said in a very possessive voice.

Michael ignored him and chose to just face me. As usual, he gave me the most satisfying smile and said, "If you need me, just shout my name. I wouldn't hesitate to ruin this shit and come over." I hesitantly smiled. "T-Thank you."

Matthew took my hand so I looked at him in surprise. He didn't turn to me but I could clearly see the tension in his jaw.

Oh, did he make him mad? "Thanks, but I can protect her, bro. She won't need you because I will always be at her side from now on," she said so seriously, which made my heart beat faster.

Michael laughed. "Don't be so possessive, dude. She's not yet yours," he chuckled.

"And she won't be yours too."

Woah! Wait, the conversation is heating up. I mediated between the two of them.

"Wait, that's enough. Please, it's just me."

For the first time, I felt safe and secure.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

We turned around to where the applause came from. I saw Maureen with her sarcastic laugh. "Wow you have a long beautiful hair, is your drama over so that we can now lock him in this room?" She formed a fake smile. "Or maybe you want to be left here, Ash, alone with the murderer? Feel free to say it. We won't stop you because you both have bad intentions—"

“Maureen, enough." Matthew grabbed my hand.

"Excuse us," he spoke and we left Maureen hanging.

Maureen’s face was about to explode. I’m so sorry Maureen. I tried to smile at her but she just rolled my eyes at me.

We went down and I saw Cristina was just chilling while eating some chips. When she saw us, she smiled. "You want?" She offered the food.

She was just sitting calmly as if there was nothing dead in front of her. What kind of person she is? I didn’t even see sadness in her eyes.

Matthew shook his head. This time, I was the one who dragged Matthew to the garden area. When I was sure that we were the only one in the place, I took a deep breath and courage to finally say thi to him.

"I feel like Cristina is the person behind all of this." He stopped walking and looked at me.

“How?"

“Because ... because /he's weird. Didn't she have a secret? It was said on the TV after our fight. Maybe she had a secret so he killed Don so that our friend couldn't speak?" Matthew nodded.

“We'll find it out later."

“The two of us?" I whispered.

"Why? You don't want to help me? I've been suspecting her since then." My smile widened. Finally! I have now someone that I can trust about this.

"Thank you!" With so much happiness I felt, I hugged him. I suddenly felt his hand on my back. I just closed my eyes.

He hugged me back and...

and it feels so great.

I feel like I'm safe when his arms are around me.