CHAPTER FIVE : THE FOREST PARTY

Dad?

Oh, my little princess, I missed you so much. I am sorry, I woke you up but I wanted to see you.

(He hugs her)

Why are you here dad?

What? It is my home too, right?

Come on, just tell me the truth! Why are you here?

Your mother called and asked me to come.

What? I thought you guys don't need each other, you are divorced.

Ellyn, be nice says, Luna.

What nice mom? Are you for real, dad lied to us. You were angry with him too, why are you doing this?

I am sorry for what I did, honey. But I've changed a lot, says Albert. And I want to start again, I just need a chance.

Ah! Honestly, I don't think I can trust you Dad.

(Ellyn goes back to her room and shuts the door)

Don't worry, I'll take care of her, says Albert.

[Next day, Ellyn walking down for breakfast]

What do you want, dad? And please be honest, why are you here?

I told you because I missed you and I have changed a lot.

Oh, please. Maybe mom can believe that but I won't because I remember what you did to Marcus's brother, does he know about that? Oh, I remember how would he know, you did nice laundry.

Ellyn, in a loud voice. Your father had nothing to do with him.

Oh really? scoffs Ellyn. I can't believe this, yesterday you were about to sign those papers because you believed he did a bad thing, and now you are all on his side? I am really sick of this mom, I thought things will change after we come here. I don't know why are you believing him again.

Stop saying that, Ellyn.

No-no, let her say whatever she thinks.

[She looks at Albert with tears, I am going to school, mom]

[Ellyn and Jones in canteen]

So, your dad is back with your mom and he is back in the house too, right?

Hm-hm.

So, what are you upset about?

Well, this is all wrong. He is not a good man.

Please tell me, who is your dad, you never talk about him. You always say he is bad, what wrong has he done? Why are you upset with him? (holding her hand) Look, I know the truth is not pretty but you have to face it. I mean come on I don't even know your last name.

Albert Markle, says Ellyn with a long face.

Oh please don't turn this around again, tell me his real name.

Do you really think I am kidding right now?

Jones with wide-open eyes leans towards Ellyn, what? (loudly) you are the daughter of Albert Markle?

Yes.

[In shock Jones doesn't stop staring at Ellyn]

What? You said you won't react like this.

Well, Miss Markle, I don't sit with the richest businessman's daughter every day.

(Scoffs both)

What is the problem then? I still didn't get that.

Well, didn't you read newspapers or watch the news?

I do.

Did you saw the one with the headline "Alber Markle is under investigation of a murder"

Yes, I did but he won the case, I guess.

And how do you think that happened? Do you really think that Anderson was murdered by someone he barely knew?

So, you mean your dad did that?

Yes (with a sad face)

And that's why your parents got divorced?

(Exhales) Hm.

But what if he is not, I mean did you see him, looks around, says with slow voice) did you see him killing Anderson?

No, but I have all the proof against him. And I showed those things to mom and she believed me, I don't know why she has welcomed him back with a huge hug! I don't want to go back there.

Don't worry, I know you'll figure this out and hey, I know a tall, handsome, smart guy who lives next door to you. (they scoff together, Jones kisses her head) We'll see it.

Hey guys, how are you doing (Lucas sits with them and says in a slow voice) Did you guys figure that out?

What? asks Ellyn.

The tattoo, what do you mean what, everybody here is being investigated about Harry's murder, I think it's pretty much of us three who are left.

Well, you just need to lie in the investigation, you just have to say you were walking me back to my home from Teens's.

And what about tattoos?

I did figure them out. (smiles Jones)

What? When? You were with me last night.

Ohh! You were with her, last night. hmm (teases Jones)

Shh! I figured it out, according to my search I gathered four main tattoos, around 3 small ones and some writings on the fingers of the dead. But there was one tattoo that couldn't fit, I still have to figure that out.

What do those tattoos actually mean?

Well, for that I need a pencil and paper.

Take this.

Thank you, (he draws a circle and another in it, then draws a triangle inside and fills that triangle with fire, wind, water, and land symbols with a huge sword in the center)

What is it, geometry? says, Lucas.

And also according to the picture, there were snakes in the big circle with some letters I couldn't figure.

That doesn't answer, what does this mean?

It is a symbol from some Medieval European magic for the renaissance.

Woah-Woah, what? You mean like a rebirth?

Yes.

Well, I think he is right, the wind, fire, water, and land with sacrifice is rebirth. What was the other symbol you couldn't figure?

That I can show you in the picture only, it was some monster with horns, I don't know, holding a stone maybe.

(Exhales Ellyn) This is messed up.

Totally, says Lucas.

Hey everyone, says Geordie.

Hey.

So, I am throwing a party tonight, the forest party, like I do every year, you guys should come.

Um, no actually we have to, says Lucas.

Yes, we'll come for sure, count us in, says Jones.

Okay, see you at the party.

What? Why? says Lucas.

Think about it, everyone will be there and that forest is near Streetwear Lane. The guy who killed Harry would be there too.

How are you so sure?

Because the killer is from the school only, Harry saw somebody in the music room.

Maybe he was hallucinating.

Well, my instinct says the killer is part of this school only.

What's your plan? asks Ellyn.

You'll see.

[At the party]

So, what are we going to do?

Well, that day we broke into Menetta's room?

Hm.

I noticed something weird.

What?

Lily! She was awake, she didn't take long to open the door and when Menetta arrived he said that the door was locked from the inside today.

So what? He probably forgot the keys.

No, that means Lily was waiting for somebody to come.

What? I think you are overthinking.

Yes, me too.

Well, but I really think that it was weird, also the day she came to my place, she usually doesn't.

Oh! she was there to be with you.

I think she was lying because the other day she told me she loved Geordie. Also, Geordie is throwing this huge party, if he was really depressed why would he do this?

Well, I think Jones is right. Look at them says Lucas showing Geordie and Lily talking.

But they could be talking about something else too, says Ellyn.

I have a plan to confirm this. Ellyn, you'll go to Geordie and ask him to dance with you and some questions about Lily but don't make him doubt you, okay? (kisses Ellyn's forehead)

Okay.

I'll go talk to Lily and Lucas, keep an eye on everyone around you.

Okay.

Hey, Geordie this all is beautiful.

Thank you, Ellyn, you're looking gorgeous.

(smiles Ellyn) Would you like to dance with me?

(smiles Geordie) Yeah, I'd love to.

So, tell me something.

What do you want to know about me?

Anything.

Okay, so I am basically a rich popular kid with no good grades dancing with the most beautiful girl at this fucked up party. (scoffs)

Well, what about your girlfriend? I heard you and Lily were together.

We were, but we broke up.

Oh! why? She is pretty.

Yes, she is. But we had a fight.

May I ask why?

She started to ignore my messages and I don't know, she didn't want to be with me anymore. But, that's her loss.

(laughs Ellyn)

What about you?

I am single too.

Now, that can't be a coincidence (smilingly says Geordie) Would you like a drink?

Yeah.

(Take this, offering the drink)

Ellyn notices a tattoo on his wrist. Wow, I want to get a tattoo too, where did you get this from?

Umm, this, I got this from Tat & Toes.

What does this mean though?

Uh, it's nothing. no meaning, just a picture. (scoffs weirdly) Well, I have to go, catch you up later?

Yeah, sure.

(She keeps the drink back on the table and keeps an eye on Geordie)

Geordie shakes hands with somebody with the same tattoo.The guy smiles and goes inside the forest. Ellyn follows him.

[Jones and Lily]

Hey, I wanted to say I am sorry for what happened.

It's okay Jones (sips alcohol) do you want some?

Yeah, that'll be good.

(Holds the drink) So, how's everything?

It's good, how's your girlfriend?

Girlfriend? no-no, she's not my girlfriend.

Oh! but you said you like her.

Yes, I do but I don't want a relationship, I am looking for something else.

Like what?

Have you heard of eternal life?

(scoffs Lily) What? yeah, in movies.

Well, I am looking for one.

Shut up (laughs)

No, no. Really, don't tell this to anyone. I have found something.

What?

Have you ever heard your dad telling you about some old story of his school time, where some students were into such stuff of reincarnation and all?

(fake laughs) No.

Come on, he must have told you. It was one of the cases he could never solve because it was witchy but real and I have found a way to be like that.

(Lily puts her glass forcefully) Can you stop, you're acting freaky. These things don't exist, you better stay away from all such things, do you get that?

Woah! You're freaking as if you are one of such students who followed him.

I don't know what you are talking about, okay?

Hey, I was just kidding. I am sorry.

I have to go.

What? I said I am sorry.

No, it's not that. I just have to go. I am sorry.

(She goes to Geordie and talks to him, Geordie holds her tightly and says something in her ears, she throws his hands away says something, and goes towards the forest)

Jones follows Lily. Meanwhile, Lucas watches Geordie.

[Ellyn behind the bushes watching the guy drawing something on the sand]

The guy draws a circle, takes out a lighter from his pocket, and holds his wrist over the lighter on his tattoo.

(In slow voice) What the hell is he doing, says Ellyn. Ouch! (in a slightly high voice, her leg scratches from a branch.)

The guy looks behind him. Ellyn hides behind the tree holding her mouth.

(The guy looking around him) Who is here? Is it you Geordie? He comes near the tree where Ellyn is hiding, removes leaves with bare hands.