Your family hiding a secret
The present morning...
As the doctor worked in his lab, Sheriff Wesley stepped in.
"Morning, Doctor," he greeted, chewing on something.
"Any good news so far? How were the blood samples? We'll need to present them soon."
Dr. Edwin greeted him back, voice casual.
"Well, all was normal. The last one was Lillian's."
He looked down, eyes focused under the microscope.
Then he froze.
"What is it, Doctor?" Wesley's voice sharpened.
"What's going on?"
Edwin stepped back, pale.
"I... I don't know how to explain..."
He looked up, eyes wide.
"Her blood... it's alive."
"What?"
Wesley pulled him aside and looked for himself.
Lillian's blood moved like red smoke.
Twisting. Curling slowly. Living.
Wesley narrowed his eyes.
"No way... what is this?"
Dr. Edwin whispered, voice dry,
"So... she's one of them? I want you to analyze it and give me the results."
Wesley straightened.
"Let's keep it a secret from the others. Label it as normal."
He calmly took his cap and walked out.
Later that morning, in Lillian's room
A knock sounded. Mikael entered.
"Good morning, my lady," he said, folding the curtains aside.
Lillian sat on her bed, hair messy, fingers slowly combing through it.
"Well," she said calmly,
"I suppose today's going to be another day."
Mikael gave a slight bow.
"We've prepared your meal downstairs, along with the other guests.
Please join them soon."
By the time Lillian arrived at the dining room,
everyone was already seated except Nira.
"Good morning grandpapa and good morning all," she greeted softly.
Sheriff Wesley stood near the fireplace,
munching on a cookie while staring at the old Wilson family portraits.
Grandfather Ambrose sat in his wheelchair nodded, then sipping coffee on the side.
Elrick sat stiffly, hands clenched, elbows on the table.
His eyes lost in memories of Nira's eyes from the night before.
Dr. Edwin sat beside him, watching him carefully, attempting small talk.
Elrick didn't reply.
Lillian pulled out a chair and sat gracefully.
Then she asked,
"Did Nira oversleep?"
Everyone exchanged awkward glances.
Elrick's stomach churned.
"Can someone check on her?" he said, his voice cracking with worry.
Dr. Edwin snapped to attention.
Sheriff Wesley stood abruptly.
"Don't tell me she—"
They all rushed down the hallway toward her room.
It was unlocked.
Wesley knocked once.
Paused.
Then pushed the door open.
"Nira!"
The stench of blood poured into the hallway like pool.
Nira was standing
atop her vanity.
Back pressed against the shattered mirror.
Glass shards littered the floor, all coated in blood.
And in her chest...
a golden needle pierced straight through.
Terrified. Frozen.
A final scream caught in her eyes.
"NIRA!" Elrick roared and lunged forward—
But Wesley pulled him back.
Dr. Edwin quickly stepped inside and locked the door behind him.
"No! Control yourself!"
Elrick thrashed wildly.
With his strength,
he punched Wesley to the side,
knocking him off balance.
Wesley hit the wall hard.
Lillian rushed to him, grabbing his arm, helping him steady himself.
Then Elrick quickly crawled to the door, pounding on it.
"NIRA! NIRA! Let me see her!"
He begged. Screamed. Sobbed.
Wesley quickly drew his gun, pointing it at him.
"If you dare move another step, I'll shoot!"
Elrick froze his hands trembling.
"Go to your room. Or do I have to cuff you there?"
Wesley's voice was tight.
His jaw clenched. His fist curled.
Elrick cussed under his breath.
"Fine...
At least let me see her face one last time..."
Wesley paused, then nodded once.
Just then, Edwin opened the door.
"Sheriff... this is not a suicide," he said.
Wesley look inside murmured.
"The blood on the floor... even at the door.
The handprint on the knob it looks like she tried to run away from something,"
He observing everything carefully.
Lillian stood quietly in the doorway, watching.
A napkin covered her mouth, both hands trembling as she held it in place.
Besides her.
Elrick
He watch. The love of his life.
His hand clutching.
"I'll kill you. Who ever you are."
Soon after everyone when to settle down.
Wesley and Edwin stood off to the side, whispering.
"Well..." Edwin murmured,
"Only three remain."
Wesley narrowed his eyes.
"Well the biggest suspect now... is Lillian."
He turned to Lillian, adjusting his cuff, and walked toward her.
"Can i have a word?" She nodded.
They when aside. Then Wesley spoke.
"Well, my lady, what do you remember about your family?"
Lillian's eyes met his.
"I don't remember much. All I know is my mother and father died...
on a ship. When I was young."
She lowered her gaze.
"And... they said it was the storm.
Black clouds. Thunder. But no rain.
And somehow the ship sank.
They kept the record like that. No survivors."
Wesley spoke firmly.
"Miss Lillian... I suspect your family is hiding a secret."
Lillian's eyes widened.
"No way. What are you trying to say?"
Her lips trembled.
Wesley leaned closer.
"The first murder Reana's baby was not killed by her mother.
Reana is innocent.
And then, Mr. Smith died the day before he was hung.
All of us were in our homes."
"Now Nira. She died in your house.
The murderer is among us clearly not her."
"Doctor saw someone when to her room last night."
Wesley's eyes sharpened.
"And you, Lillian...
You're the biggest suspect right now."
Lillian stepped back.
"No! I didn't do anything."
Wesley pressed forward.
"Do you hate Nira because she liked your man?"
"No!" Her voice rose slightly.
"I wouldn't do such a thing! I never wished for any of this!"
Wesley adjusted his cap, voice calm but cutting.
"Then riddle me this, Miss Lillian.
The baby died maybe you were envious.
Mr. Smith he was close to Robert.
And Nira the girl who loved your boyfriend."
"And the blood we tested from you?
It was alive it move like shadow. Are you one of them Lillian?"
Lillian's mouth fell open.
Shocked. She turned speechless.
"I... it wasn't me no. I did..."
Her whole body shook.
Her heartbeat raced. She stop breathing.
She took a stepped back then blacked out.
Mikael caught her in time.
He look at Wesley.
"Bring her to her room"
Mikael carried her gently to her room.
Dr. Edwin looked at Wesley.
"Now what?"
Wesley lit his cigarette.
"I don't know.
I thought she'd react differently.
But she looked innocent."
"If she were the Beast...
She could've wiped both of us out just now."
He turned toward the door.
"I need to pay Robert a visit.
Analyze Nira's and Lillian's blood.
And try not to die, Doctor."