In the bus, I sat next to my last name mate, the person closest to me in alphabetical order. I wasn’t particularly close to her or anything, but I only sit next to her nowadays. I pushed away all my friends when I learned of my mother’s death, and I kind of regret doing so.

One time she sat next to me, I tried to initiate conversation with her. I could only talk about the book I had in hand. She loved books, but she did not love my book enough. If only she just read it, she would learn to appreciate it like I do. But well, that’s just how it goes in this world. Not everyone appreciates the finer stories like I did.

This time, I just sat in silence, reading my book. My heart calmed after what transpired with that one girl.

Ah! What a sad scene! I love you Eris! Reading how she could comfort the main character despite her way of acting really shows how much she cared. I couldn’t help but squeal as I read through the scene. Seriously, what a lovable character. My heart squeezed and all my worries blasted away.

Next to me, my last name mate recoiled. She made multiple glances my way, as if a magnet being forced against an equal side. Watching her force herself not to stare, I felt myself melt back into the color of my uniform again. So much for calming myself down.

Right after our embarrassing scene, the teacher called out to all the students, “Students! We have arrived. Please exit the bus in an orderly fashion.”

Like the obedient teens the class was, we exited the bus in a chaotic fashion. Everyone stood up at once and frequently stopped the rest of the line of students walking. The teachers were not pleased, but we at least got out of the bus.

Immediately after stepping out of the bus, I started thinking about my partner for the trip. After a bit of wondering, I realized I hadn’t gotten her name, despite reading the partner sheet she gave me. I’d have a hard time finding her, not knowing her name, so I decided to ask Mr. Yellow.

As I walked over to Mr. Yellow, I heard some students talking to him. I didn’t mind, I could just ask him my question after them. Then I got into range to hear their conversation.

“The next target has been selected then,” I hid behind the wall as I heard the teacher give a slight chuckle, “’class’ dismissed.

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Once they finished their meeting, they dispersed and headed towards my direction. I hid out as they left. For some reason, I felt as if I might have died if I stayed in place, like something massive was approaching me. So, with that feeling, I jumped behind some dumpster.

As the students walked past where I had just been, I caught a glimpse of their faces. I immediately recognized them: Gerald Rysinger, Leila Popleress, Larry Vysen, and Ronald Byquir. My father identified all four of them as the ones that killed my mother.

“To think that we’re going to get Harry Ballman,” Gerald let out a nervous laugh.

“Yeah, getting someone as popular as him would surely get us in the spotlight!” Leila went along with Gerald with her own hysterics. “He was a member of the Investigations Club with Mydee, right?”

“You two are too loose-lipped,” Ronald let out some of his concerns, “someone might overhear you.”

“That’s right,” Larry agreed with Ronald, “and don’t forget that we’ll need to take a break after this or the school might go and shut down again.”

“Aww, like that one time we got rid of that investigator hag?” Leila spat out those last words with revulsion, “It would suck if we had to sit out again.”

I realized she was speaking about my mother. Her words didn’t sit well with me.

“Hey, come on, the others are gathering. What are you four lingering here for?” Mr. Yellow said as he walked back to the other students gathering by the buses.

“Ah, yeah, we were just on our way, Mr. Yellow,” Gerald replied to him, “and we’ll be right on our way to complete that task.”

“Oh! By the way, Mr. Yellow,” Leila interrupted any response he may have had for Gerald, “will you accompany us this time?”

“No, not this time, why don’t you go with our other groupmates?” Mr. Yellow looked around, “Speaking of groupmates, where has she been?”

“Hmm, you’re right, she didn’t come to our meeting,” Leila also did some surveying, “oh well, I’ll just tell her what she missed!”

“Good, you do that,” Mr. Yellow started walking back to the busses, “now come, and let’s get to our field trip.”

The group returned to the other students, while I was left alone behind the dumpster. I also returned, taking a slightly modified route, since I did not want to be found out for eavesdropping.

My stomach had stones settled at the bottom, or at least, it felt like it did. Mr. Yellow was the fifth member of the group of murderers. That much was clear to me, after going through that scene. I only needed to find the sixth now.