The Wilsons are hiding something
Long after, when Lillian opened her eyes,
she found herself back in her room.
Beside her, her butler Mikael sat in silence.
"Who brought me here?" she asked softly.
"The Sheriff, my lady," Mikael replied.
"Did he say anything?"
"No, my lady."
Her eyes gazed into the distance,
trying to recall what had happened in the woods.
Trying to remember the words the creature the Beast had spoken.
"Who's betting on my life?
And what does he know about Robert?"
Then her eyes landed on the book lying on her desk.
The Secret of the Beast.
Her fingers trembled as she picked it up.
"The description Robert gave... it was accurate.
Does he actually know about this thing?"
She stood up quickly.
"Mikael, I need to speak to the Sheriff. Now."
A Knock at the Sheriff's Door
It was Lillian.
"How's your head?" he asked.
Lillian stepped inside, closed the door behind her, and walked straight up to him.
"My head is not important right now, Sheriff.
You saw it. I saw it. Right?
What are they?"
Sheriff Cain reloaded his gun with a click, keeping his voice calm.
"I'm not sure what it is...
but we're facing something that's not human.
I don't know what it's capable of.
That's why I want you to keep this a secret. Understood?"
Lillian nodded. "Yes. But... Robert-."
The Sheriff stood up slowly.
"Well, I might believe him. But...
his name's not clear yet."
Lillian looked shocked. "You still suspect him? After everything we saw?"
"Yes. That poet knows too much."
Later that Night, In Front of the Fireplace
Everyone gathered in the hall,
warmed by the flickering fire.
Wesley stood tall in front of them.
"Alright, everyone, listen up,"
He announced.
"I don't know what we're up against.
I don't know the murderer's motive...
But I have a plan. I need
Dr. Edwin to take a blood sample from each of you."
A voice snapped from the side. Elrick.
"Why do you need our blood?
What are we dealing with some kind of disease?
Is that your best guess, Sheriff?"
From the corner, Nira observed quietly...
as if she knew something the others didn't.
She raised her voice softly,
"Very well. I support this. I think it's a great idea."
Sheriff Wesley nodded with a smirk.
"Anyone objecting might just be hiding the biggest secrets."
Lillian stepped forward. "I agree."
"Well then, Doctor?" the Sheriff turned to him.
Dr. Edwin Meson nodded once. "I agree."
But Elrick still didn't trust it.
"How do we even know we can trust the doctor?"
The Sheriff gave him a hard look.
"For now, Elrick, you'll need to trust at least someone if you want to survive this.
Stop making enemies... because your real enemy might be out there."
Elrick finally gave in but not fully.
"Fine. But I want to see every single chart and vial.
If we're going to make this fair... I want no tricks."
"Very well," Lillian said. "Let's begin."
One by one,
Dr. Meson took blood from each person.
He labeled each vial clearly, letting everyone see.
Names. Time. Color. Temperature.
"Results will come tomorrow," he announced.
"It's a safety measure. To make sure no one here...
is hiding something inside their skin."
They used one of the empty rooms as a clinic.
Simple. Quiet. Cold.
It became Dr. Edwin Meson's temporary lab.
Beside the window, Sheriff Wesley Cain leaned against the frame,
a cigarette between his lips, smoke curling into the air.
"Well..." the doctor finally asked while arranging vials and notes.
"Who do you suspect?"
Wesley took a long drag.
"For now... my best bet..."
He let the smoke out slowly.
"Someone related to Lillian."
The doctor raised an eyebrow. "Robert?"
Wesley shook his head.
"Once. And maybe... the person pulling strings might be Elrick.
He's too defensive. And don't forget—"
He turned to look at the doctor.
"The first murder happened in his house.
When only he and his wife were there."
The doctor frowned, thoughtful.
"Then maybe... Mr. Smith was just a setup. A diversion. Or something else..."
Wesley's eyes narrowed.
"...A beast."
Dr. Meson stiffened.
"Don't tell me you've lost your senses too," he muttered.
Wesley's voice rose suddenly, louder than he intended.
"Don't you think it's strange?
Why the Wilson family never installed lights on the paths,
but built a clocktower tall enough to be seen from every part of town?
And this house so secluded..."
The doctor turned slowly.
"Are you suggesting... the Wilsons are hiding something?"
In the Basement Library
Somewhere beneath the mansion, Lillian was searching.
The basement library smelled of wood and ash.
The fireplace crackled behind her, casting flickering shadows over the shelves.
Her fingers ran across dusty spines.
She was desperate for anything anything that mentioned monsters.
Or beasts. Footsteps.
Then a voice behind her.
Soft. Familiar.
"Lillian... what are you looking for?"
She turned quickly.
It was Nira.
"I just..." Lillian hesitated.
"I was trying to find something that could... keep me company."
Nira tilted her head.
"Well... I'd like to get to know you more."
They moved to the long sofa near the fire.
Smoke curled gently, drifting up the stone chimney.
Lillian sat with elegant posture, her hands resting in her lap.
Then Nira spoke again.
"Hm... Lillian. Can I ask you something?"
"Yes," Lillian answered gently. "You may."
Nira hesitated.
"...How did you fall in love with Robert? Were you two ever close?"
Lillian's lips curved into a smile.
"I know everyone suspects him... because he knows about the Beast more than we do."
Nira leaned in. "The Beast?"
"Yes. The Secret of the Beast.
It's strange how he knows more than he should."
Nira's tone grew quieter.
"...So you believe him?"
"I do."
Nira lowered her eyes.
"What if... Robert is one of them?"
Lillian froze.
Just then, the clock chimed ten times.
DONG. DONG. DONG...
Nira's voice grew hushed but intense.
"Lillian... as of now, you can trust me.
I'm not a murderer.
But if I know you're... associated with them..."
She paused. A breath.
"...Then I may not be able to protect you."
Lillian smiled.
"Protect me? I'll be counting on you."
Then. A step.
Someone was coming from upstairs.
Sheriff Wesley's voice echoed gently down the stairwell.
"My lady, can we have a word?"