[https://i.imgur.com/omM3gBS.jpg]
----------------------------------------
As Annie, Deshya and Tessa talk, the female police doctor talks about what's on her mind. She doesn't know if it's the right thing to do, but she's doing it anyway. The bombs on the train are too much for them, especially if it's just to kill certain targets one by one. Admittedly, they know it's to ensure he can commit the crimes undisturbed, which is why one of the two carriage doors is closed, but activatable bombs still seem a bit much. Annie discusses this with the two 'detectives', but as she nears the end of her explanation, they understand. What Annie means is…
- Y-You don't mean...?!
Deshya can't believe it, but unfortunately, the woman doesn't deny it.
- Yes.
Both girls' hearts miss a beat and Deshya clenches both fists. She runs down the long corridor, telling Tessa to stay in that car. She jumps over Nikolas' corpse and makes her way to the second carriage, gnashing her teeth. If Annie's right, then no matter what happens, the train will never stop. They'll never reach their destination, and they'll never see their families: the bombs will go off when the culprit realizes he can't escape. In short, there's only one solution.
- We've got to find out who did it!
Deshya thinks about this as she stares at the second carriage, where a certain person stands up to see Deshya returning.
- D-Deshyshy!
The girl with the long pink hair wants to run to her best friend, but it's no use: Deshya rushes past her and stops beside her. She notices that Frie is still there, but she seems to be doing better than before. Amora grabs one of Deshya's hands.
- A-Are you all right?!" asks Amora with a worried expression.
- …
Deshya doesn't respond instantly. Annie has dared to talk about her doubts with Tessa and Deshya, but can she do the same with her two friends? Is there any point in admitting that if she doesn't find out who did it, they'll all blow up with this train...? Deshya smiled inwardly: of course not. Why frighten Amora and Frie, who are already worried enough? Deshya can't tell them the truth to their faces, especially as it would serve no other purpose than to worry them even more. She has to keep the truth from them and simply make sure that they don't end up dead along with the other passengers on the train.
Or rather, Deshya must catch the culprit before the fatal hour. Save everyone in this unstoppable vehicle.
- …
- H-Hey, reply—
- All is well, but we still don't know who committed the murder.
Deshya puts a hand in her sweater and smiles at them. Frie stands up in turn.
- D-Deshya...?" she asked.
- As soon as we find the murderer, we'll come back to you and Tessa. I think I've got a lead, but I can't go off half-cocked.
- A-Ah really?
Deshya nods. Amora is still holding her hand, but Deshya pushes her gently and forces her to sit down, albeit kindly. Deshya puts her other hand in her sweater and looks at her two friends.
- Hopefully, the train will stop soon. We need to find the culprit before it does," explains Deshya.
Amora and Frie look at each other for a moment before returning their attention to Deshya. The latter observes them with a friendly smile, but one that is weaker than normal. Amora being her best friend, she notices that something seems to be bothering her, but she surely doesn't want to talk about it; otherwise, she would have already told what was wrong. Amora isn't as smart as Deshya, so trying to find out what's wrong without being at the scene of the crime won't be possible. She can sometimes understand Deshya's heart, but here…
- Is Tessa okay too?" asks Amora.
Deshya nods and sits down next to Frie. The latter pushes herself a little towards the window to make room for her, and the girl in the fox sweater rests both elbows on the table.
- I just need you to look something up for me, Amora.
CHAPTER 11
⎾The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 6⏌
- Something...?" asks Amora, surprised.
Deshya nods.
- I forgot to charge my phone and I don't want to bother Tessa while she's doing her research. I also wanted to see how you were doing, so I came to ask if you could do an internet search for me.
- A search...? Which one?
Amora takes out her phone and unlocks it. She presses the button that gives her 4G and goes online to type in the search for Deshya.
- You can look up the name 'Nikolas Aidalro' for me ?
Meanwhile, Annie is still in the other car, where two crimes have been committed. Tessa is also there, watching the passengers carefully.
- Given the angle of the bullet in the wall and the one that killed Simon in the front, the criminal is clearly someone in this column. Who could have killed him without being noticed, though...?
Tessa is frustrated, confused and worried. The train will eventually have to stop and they still have no definite leads. Although they have three main suspects, and Ketty seems to be behaving in a peculiar way, after Annie's search, nothing has been found. It's highly likely that Ketty's umbrella is the weapon of both crimes, but if they verify this and the criminal takes this time to commit their third crime…
- I’m thinking ‘bout shit things! Even if we do nothing and stay on our guard, the culprit can shoot whenever he wants... We're useless now!
She knows it. Even if one of the three of them starts looking for Ketty or another suspect, it won't stop the culprit from shooting; just like the other way around. They can wait and hope to see where the shot came from, but it won't make any difference. If they don't start looking right away, another murder will be committed…
And then they're all going to die. All the passengers on this unstoppable train.
Tessa looks at the left-hand row, currently on the right for her. Where the three main suspects are sitting, the two nerds at the back and even Ketty, the man with the umbrella, who has moved again. Tessa also wonders who might be the next victim. From what Deshya has learned with Annie, both deaths came from the same trip. The woman sitting next to the corpse of Simon, the second victim, is also a member of this trip. Deshya has told her that there are two other members of this trip in this car, but she hasn't yet pronounced their first names. Is the culprit planning to kill them all one by one, or would one of the three remaining members be the culprit? Or rather, one of them: after all, the woman next to Simon couldn't have done it. However, if Deshya hasn't spoken to Tessa about it, then she assumes it won't help the investigation. Annie is observing the carriage from her seat, her back against the wall of the car, while chatting to the two muscular men. Tessa frowns with annoyance at the many passengers in the left-hand row.
- Who... who could do such a thing?! And how... ?!!
Tessa wants to start searching everyone, expressing her rage. The only real lead they have is that the culprit is in the left-hand row, has to face the two victims and has a gun that he manages to hide well. So Trisha is probably not the culprit, leaving Megure, Dera and Ketty as suspects. However, Megure and Dera don't seem to have any weapons, since Annie has already searched them. So Ketty is the only—
- Thank you.
Tessa turns and looks at Annie. The woman sighs.
- What's wrong?" asks Tessa
- I asked one of the two men to check Ketty's umbrella right after the second shot, but there didn't seem to be any strange mechanism or anything that would prove it was a weapon," admits Annie. Even if a search is in order, it doesn't look like anyone owns a gun.
Tessa stared at her with her mouth gaping, her eyes wide open. Just when she thought she was the prime suspect because of her umbrella... Just when she thought it was her only lead, thin as it was... Just when she thought they had a chance of finding the culprit behind these two murders…
- T-Then…
Who? How? It seems impossible. Did no one actually see the culprit shoot? How could he aim at his target without being observed by anyone? The first time, Tessa can understand, since no one can suspect that a crime is about to be committed, but the second time? Even with people in a more relaxed state, it doesn't change the fact that everyone was on edge. Tessa ponders everything that's been said and found so far, but she can't see anything that might give her the slightest lead. Should they be much more focused and wait for the next murder to hopefully find the culprit? Tessa can't accept such a thing. Let someone else dying because of her inability to find the culprit is more than unacceptable to her. She'd rather be the next victim. Tessa wonders what Deshya is doing in the other carriage. Has she gone to reassure Frie and Amora...? She doesn't see her going to tell them that they're all going to die on this train if they don't find the culprit in time. Frightening them and making them cry like that is not Deshya's style, even for a laugh…
- Or is there something else?
Deshya rises from her seat. After Amora has done the research she wanted, she thanks her with a smile and starts running into the carriage. She passes through the automatic door that leads to the first carriage and continues on her way, unperturbed by the many eyes on her.
- I don't know if what Amora found on the Internet has anything to do with Nikolas' murder, but…
Deshya couldn't find what she was looking for, but at least she learned something about Nikolas Aidalro. He was the man talking on the phone when they got on the train, and one of the women behind him was Trisha. However, she was unable to make any connection with the victim and other passengers. She hasn't done any research on Simon Baybook, as Annie was quick to tell them about him, but she feels she could have. Nevertheless, there's something she wants to check out first. She knocks on the door in front of her and waits for someone to open. Two seconds later, a man opens the door, a beaming look of hope on his face, although the sweat of worry continues to drip from it.
- K-Kiddo!" said the driver.
- Forgive me, I just wanted to check if everything was okay," Deshya explained.
The driver lets her pass, but she doesn't get into the cab. This surprises the man, but he doesn't notice and wipes some of the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
- E-Everything's fine, but I feel... bad..." he admits.
- Nothing wrong with the train?
- Nothing, but he's not going to be able to keep going much longer, especially at this speed. D-Did you find out who did it?
The hope in his eyes makes Deshya ache. It's not because it's embarrassing, but rather because she doesn't want to tell him the truth. However, lying would be pointless and she can't really hide from him the fact that they have no conclusive leads. She shakes her head sadly, which brings a heartbreaking expression to the man's face.
- N-Not again?!" he shouts.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
- Sorry.
She really means it. Not finding the criminal when he committed a murder while she was in the same car with her... Shooting a man while they were in the middle of a search... Deshya is ashamed of herself.
- Has the station still not heard from this person?” Deshya asks.
The driver looks at the large window in front of him before returning his attention to the girl. His face is torn with stress and he's sweating more and more. He shakes his head, lowering it weakly.
- Nothing... Nothing at all... They told me to keep going and that they'd try to find a solution before the train stopped on its own…
- I see…
Deshya already suspected: no message was sent. So they’re not going to allow this train to stop... or maybe it's just because they are not finished with their murders. Either way, what Annie said before makes sense. They are not getting off this train without getting caught, so they’re probably planning to blow the whole thing up at the end; or part of it, anyway. If so, they're all in danger. Finding the culprit is more than necessary. Given what she's learned on the Internet, she may suspect the reason for Nikolas, but who could be connected to this case...? She hasn't been able to find a single first or last name that could lead her to a conclusive lead. She scratches her brow as she watches the driver unable to stay put. The situation's getting worse and worse... They know which row the culprit is in, but is it enough? Megure and Dera are the two most likely suspects, given that Trisha would be hard-pressed to shoot without being able to face the second victim, but Ketty is also a rather suspicious man. Which of these three could well be the criminal...? Deshya is about to leave when the driver asks her to wait. She turns towards him.
- What?" asks Deshya.
- F-Find the criminal, please…
- …
- I don't want to die on this train…
He collapses to the floor, tears streaming from his eyes. Deshya stares at him for a long time, her mouth unable to close. This man is begging a little girl like her for her life…
- Save... everyone…
But also that of all the passengers on board this train. Deshya doesn't know what she's feeling right now, but it's an emotion that makes her heart beat faster than usual. She both hates and loves it at the same time... What is it? This burning feeling... ? She finally moves her head and blinks... before leaving without saying a word. The door closes behind the tearful driver and Deshya walks down the long corridor of the first carriage. Passengers talk to her and look at her, but she takes no notice. Staring ahead with eyes that are anything but happy, she ponders. Who could the criminal be? What weapon does he use? She doesn't know much about guns, so she can't even use that knowledge to find the slightest clue. Should she just frisk the suspects, hoping to stumble across their weapons? Does she have to find the culprit by chance? Is that even possible?
- Think, think, think...!
Deshya continues down the wagon corridor, ignoring all calls and glances. Putting everything into her head, she thinks, feeling frustrated. She doesn't know how much time she has left before the criminal chooses his next target and shoots him. She's got to find... She's got to find them now!
- Megure, Trisha, Dera, Ketty... Which of them? Who?! Who?!!!
She grits her teeth as she passes through the automatic door. She quickly reaches the second carriage, her head still bowed. The bullet in the wall is what's still bothering her. Why shoot twice in a row...? What forced the criminal to make such a mistake? Deshya had thought that he would have tried to kill two targets at the same time, but given the height of the bullet, this seems unlikely…
- Then why... why…
She wants to scream her frustration out by hitting the ground beneath her. She reaches Amora and Frie, who are calling her name. Deshya stops and looks at them. Her best friend looks saddened.
- The train isn't going to stop again, is it...?" she asks.
The expression she shows is one Deshya doesn't want to see on Amora's face... or that of anyone she loves. Deshya grits his teeth, unable to tell her the truth.
Unable to tell her she has no leads.
Unable to tell her that she doesn't understand what's going on in the other car.
Unable to admit that the train will explode if they don't find anything.
Unable to admit her weaknesses to her.
Frie avoids Deshya's gaze and observes the landscape as it continues to unfold. They've been on this train for 1 hour and 50 minutes and their stop is long past. There's a murderer in the other carriage, and she realizes that it all seems too complicated for her. Even if Deshya is seen as a genius and Tessa is seen as such in turn, they're just teenagers going to school like everyone else. A real murder is different from the ones you see in books. Reality is far from being like fiction: it's much crueler. It doesn't allow everyone to succeed. It doesn't offer any gifts, and there's no author to save or protect a person or a group of people. That's not how this reality works, and Frie knows it better than anyone. If this train doesn't stop, it's not because there's a technical problem, but surely something darker behind it: Frie understands this from Deshya's worried face.
- Say, Deshya…
The girl in the fox sweater turns to Frie. The latter is still staring out of the window. She doesn't dare face her new friend.
- Do you believe in God?
- …
Deshya doesn't answer at the moment, not having expected such a question. Amora blinks.
- F-Frie?
She gives a faint smile.
- Nothing, sorry.
She shakes her head and looks at Deshya, flashing her a smile; one that worries the red-haired teenager.
- Maybe I should pray to Him, now.
Deshya feels her heart skip a beat and she takes a step back, eyes wide open. Frie's words... her expression... her smile... Deshya begins to tremble and ends up running, as if fleeing. Amora tries to catch her, but Deshya is too quick. She passes through the two automatic doors and returns to the third carriage, leaving her two friends behind. Frie rests her head on the table in front of her and closes her eyes. Amora asks her if she's all right, feeling the tears welling up.
- D-Deshya?!
Tessa notices Deshya running back into the car. Annie stops resting against the wall and observes the teenager. Tessa runs to her and asks if she's all right, but Deshya yells at her.
- Did you find the culprit?! Any leads?!
- A-Ah?
She doesn't care if everyone hears her. Her heart is beating too fast. It's going to explode if this keeps up. The passengers turn to the two teenagers and Annie runs to them. Deshya grabs Tessa, her eyes showing an emotion she doesn't fully understand.
- P-Please find it!!
- D-Deshya…
Deshya shakes her head violently.
- I don't want it to be—
- Deshya!
Annie forces the teenager to be quiet and separates them. Tessa stares at Deshya with incomprehension, noticing that she seems to be greatly bothered. Deshya starts running down the corridor and looks at everyone, gnashing her teeth. Tessa follows her slowly, wondering what's gotten into her. Has she learned something disturbing...? Has a message been sent to the station, but one announcing that they're all going to die? Tessa holds her head, starting to feel sick in turn…
- I was sooooo scared!
Then she hears someone talking. Tessa blinks and turns towards the person. Her eyes can't see the woman from here, but she can see a bit of the man laughing.
- Don't stress, ahah!
Mista continues to laugh and pulls Minerva closer to him. His selfie stick in his hands, he starts taking pictures of the two of them. Tessa doesn't understand how he can take selfies in such a situation... Don't they understand how dangerous this wagon is?! Tessa hears the camera flash and Deshya returns to her side, clenching her fists.
- Who... who…
Tessa wants to comfort her, but she hears Minerva laughing again. A new flash sounds and Tessa sighs—
- ... !!
But here—
- !!!!!
At this very moment—
- !!!!!!!!
Tessa opens her eyes wide, as well as her mouth. She turns around suddenly and her heart stops in her chest. She's staring wide-eyed at this thing and her terrified expression worries Deshya. She's going to shake her by
asking what happens when she gets pushed by Tessa. Annie holds out her hand.
- T-Tessa?!" shouts the woman.
A new flash noise. Tessa suddenly stops in front of someone and jumps.
- WE'RE TOO STUPID !!!!
She exclaims this as she jumps on this person and takes her in her arms. Deshya and Annie stare at her with big eyes, totally bewildered—
Then a shot rang out.
The passengers all start to get excited and some hold their heads in fright. Deshya can't even scream when she sees Tessa—
— take the shot in her body.
- Argh!
Tessa grits her teeth and hits the glass as she falls, the person in her arms. Deshya suddenly turns around and Tessa opens her mouth wide.
- DESHYA !!!
Screaming with all her might, she opens one eye.
- CATCH HIM!!!!
Some of the passengers start screaming in fear or crying, and Deshya observes the culprit. She understands who it is. They've been completely stupid. The culprit is—
- STOP THIS PERSON RIGHT NOW!!!!