The walk to the station was quiet for the most part, groups did speak but it seemed they were mainly doing so to distract themselves from the shock.

Everyone in Norfield University was boarded onto the same train, split amongst three carriages, with all the Mana-Script team in one. Alex entered the carriage after ten minutes, having come from the previous. “I do apologize to you all for the quick evacuation we wanted to ensure your safety, though there was a push from the top to have you finish the tournament. There is congratulations in order for that, however, as I’m sure you can appreciate there are more pressing matters at this time.

Last night two students of Leeds University, were murdered. The police have already launched an investigation into their deaths and when we get back to Norfield you’ll all be expected to give an account of the events of last night.

“If any of you feel unsafe or need someone to speak to I will be available in the carriage in front. My door is always open.” Mr. Mann finished his speech and walked into the doors at the end of the metal tube. His speech felt remorseful and yet cold, this most certainly was not the first time he had delivered a similar type of message.

A silence hung the cart. Suffocating and peaceful. Harsh but genuine.

It was eventually broken by a complete accident. No person had the desire not the courage to be the first to cut through the silence. Instead it came from Damian opening his phone and playing a video at full volume for a couple of seconds before scrambling to close it.

He was sat on a table opposite Jude and Jack, but next to Rin. “Damian, come on man.” Jude whispered.

“Sorry man, but I’m not just gonna sit here and wallow.” Damian said at a normal volume.

“I’m not wallowing. Someone’s dead and we have to talk to the police. What if we’re suspects?” Jude said, still whispering but raising his voice slightly. By now a few others in their carriage had begun to converse.

“Yeah right, we were all together the whole night.” Damian retorted.

“Damian’s right Jude. Since we all went out together for the night there’s no reason for us to be suspects “ Rin said, looking out of the window on his right.

“I guess you’re right.” Jude narrowed his eyes slightly, a thought popped into his head but he dismissed saying it, “Do you guys wanna get a Chinese tonight? I don’t think I can be bothered cooking tonight.”

“Jude” a voice from across the aisle. Amelia. “That offer open to the rest of us?” she said with a big cheesy grin.

“Yeah course. We’ll sort it out when we’re all back from the police station.”

“Cool!” she turned back to her group and carried on her conversation.

By now the carriage had broken through the barrier of silence and had managed to revive itself somewhat.

A couple of hours later the Norfield police station looked like a youth hostel. Not only was their cohort there but also everyone in their year who had gone on the trip.

There were multiple interrogation rooms being used for this. The police went in surname alphabetical order.

The station was only a fifteen minute walk away from their accommodation so unless their friends were close by alphabetically most left straight away. Surprisingly, Archie and his friends stayed until the end; even if they caused havoc and chaos to each other they still enjoyed hanging out.

Damian was the first to go from the group and the first to leave. He made it very clear he had to get home and start gobbling down ice cream. With him saying “Yeah, me and the police don’t get along too well so I’d want to go home and bury my face in a tub of choccy ice.”

Rin and Kuna went around the same time. Rin came out a lot quicker than Kuna. Rin picked up his bags and spoke to Jude and Jack. “See you both back the flat. I’ll start our order when Jack gets back.”

Kuna said nothing as he left just opened a portal and stepped through.

By the time Jack went in and walked out they had spent over an hour processing people’s statements. He gave Jude and nod and kept going.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Johnny and AJ were the last of Jude’s close friends to go and they were still k the first half of the alphabet.

Two hours had passed since the police had started their statement taking. In the time Jude had managed to read all the manga he was a week behind on, wear the battery of his wireless earphones out, and call his parents to let them know he was back safe and what the current situation was. He would be coming home in a few days but he had to calm his mother as she was very motherly.

It was just him and Nerissa left. Two surnames beginning with Zs. He went and sat next to her, sighing. “How are you doing?”

“Honestly? I am not doing great. I do not like the police, I do not like waiting either. Other than that, I am peachy.” A very disgruntled tone for someone who was ‘peachy’.

“I’m worried. I know I didn’t do anything but I always get scared when I see police you know? Like in London they have guns and I look suspicious because I try and not act suspicious.” Jude said.

“You didn’t do anything so do not worry. I am angry someone died and I could not stop it.” Nerissa said, anger creeping into her voice.

“How come? Yeah I’m sad they died but we didn’t know them and we don’t even know where it was. So don’t feel angry. Plus I assumed you loved violence.” Jude finished speaking and Nerissa shot a look of utter disgust his way.

“I enjoy fighting Jude. Murder is a horrible act. My father was killed by someone shortly after I was born. I have no memory of him all because of murderers. You just assumed that because I liked fighting I would enjoy a family not having a parent, child, or sibling? I am... Angry with you now. Next time think before you speak to me like that.”

“Sorry Ris. You’re right... I don’t think before I speak and I probably think too much before I act. I didn’t mean to upset you and I’m sorry to hear about your dad. Truly I am. It’s not an excuse but we’ve been here hours and the day’s been long I was trying to joke around to lift my own spirit. Sorry.”

“Yes you should be. Also it sounded like an excuse. Just don’t do it again.” Nerissa demanded. It was quite and soft, a demand nonetheless.

“I promise. Friends again?” Jude asked, giving his best puppy dog eyes but coming off as someone who didn’t like their eyes being in the sockets.

“Yes. Stop that. Sure. Please whatever words you wish to hear to stop doing that eye thing. I think I just got what the Amelia calls the ‘ick’.” Nerissa shuddered.

That’s when the police came out into the main room. “Final two, Mr. Jude Zairos please follow me. Miss Nerissa Zilla please follow my colleague.”

They both got up and went to their respective police officers. Jude passed the interrogation rooms and to a target practice room. He was surprised that a British station had one as guns were only used in dire situations, but then again he reasoned that since they use them less than other countries they need more practice.

“Excuse me. Why are we here?” Jude asked.

The police officer who lead him had gone replaced with a pair of detectives. The first one was a man in his forties; black hair that had started to lose its lustre and become grey, a straggly beard, deep set eyes that had more bags than Gucci, and a white shirt desperately trying hard to shield the world from the fact he hadn’t had time to watch his diet in the last month. The second was a slightly younger middle eastern woman, very professional in a suit and a neat bob cut, she gave off a feeling of trustworthiness.

“Hello Mr. Zairos. I am Detective Inspector Anjli Faress, this is my colleague Inspector Daniel Knight. Before we question you we just need to ask you to show us one of your abilities. Don’t worry this room has a bubble just like your university does. We mainly have it in case of a misfire but it means you don’t have to worry about destroying anything.”

“Okay...”Jude said.

“Now Mr. Zairos. I do not particularly like watching these contests of powers that have become so common, especially since it teachers children to kill. However, I was impressed with your strategies and adaptability. However, there is something we would like you to demonstrate. That ability you used to win your first match where your arm went white, do you have a name for that?”

“Yes... I call it White Dwarf.” Jude blushed slightly.

“Okay well Mr. Zairos. Could you please try and use this White Dwarf, and if possible could you form it into a ball for us?” Anjli had done all of the talking, Daniel just watched on.

“I can try...” Jude paused for a moment. He was trying to think about how to go about that request. “Okay I can try.”

He switched into fire. “You might want to step back. It’s going to get really hot.” The two detective’s left the room and went behind one way glass.

Jude’s left arm spewed fire. The flames danced and turned in the air. Flowing into his right arm. The fire condensed and burned around his arm. Blue flames, green in the centre and then so hot they lost colour and turned into a white sheen that had the shape of his arm but no detail. Heat emanated from his arm, the lines obscuring the background behind him.

White flames outstretched and he held his arm parallel to the floor. Palm open to the ceiling. He focused on the image of a sphere, trying to peel the fire off of him.

The fire had turned from a plasma, into a liquid like substance. The goo slowly detached itself from his arm in globs of heat. They coalesced above his palm.

It was taking a lot of concentration to do so. He was sweat not due to heat but exhaustion. It might have seemed like an easy task. But it was like doing a jigsaw puzzle based on the memory of the final piece, whilst also holding down all the pieces you’ve not used yet.

His brow furrowed. His eyes narrowed. His nose scrunched. But after about two minutes of intense concentration he had done it. A ball of energy.

He was shaking and he turned round to the window and put a thumbs up to the glass.

Daniel and Anjli stood behind the glass and Daniel spoke. “Well, at least we have our prime suspect.”