House of Murder

Dey~

I was lying on my bunk listening to my iPod and trying to forget the way I had chickened out in front of the supervisor (I promise you, it won't happen again) when suddenly a paper airplane landed on my lap. I opened it up and read:

Could I borrow a couple of your sharpies?
~Piper

I smiled and glanced over at her bunk. I scribbled a quick reply that said something like sure, folded up the plane and shot it over to her, and hopped off my bed. Creeping quietly through the maze of bunk beds --so as not to wake up the few people that had already fallen asleep--, I got to Piper's bed and swung up to the top. She gave a startled gasp when I suddenly appeared, but then smiled when I sat down beside her. "Your order, mam," I said pulling a couple sharpies out of my pocket.

"Thanks," she said, delicately taking them from me. We sat there for a while in silence, her scribbling with her new prize, and me just leaning against the wall thinking. "So, you going to follow the new schedule?" Piper asked finally.

I turned to her and gave her a mischievous smile that said what do you think? She laughed at my look and I finally gave a verbal answer, "Uh, no. I think I feel like staying in bed tomorrow, I don't know if I feel well enough to get up at my appointed time. Too bad, huh?"

Piper, playing along, felt my forehead, "Oh, I think you're right. Feels like a temperature, I guess Miss Superviser will just have to be dissapointed." We laughed, but I couldn't help feeling worried, not for me, but for Piper. I wanted to protect her. I didn't know what kind of wrath was behind the woman's ice cold eyes, but I didn't want to influence Piper into finding out.

Will

Was I the only one who noticed Liam watching me? I wasn't sure what his problem was, I'd never done anything to him. But I guessed I could understand where he was coming from, seeing as Leda was his younger sister. I hadn't done anything to her, yet, though. But plans had been formed in my head as to insure the perfect kiss. It would be a surprise, I knew that much. Was it weird I had thought that far--maybe.

I shook the thought away, as Jewel ran back in the room, yelling that the supervisor was lieing and explaining how, once you're eight-teen, you are legal to leave.

"We have to get out of here and fast!" she yelled. She needed to be quiet before someone heard her yelling. The door opened and Koda came in, holding her mouth when she started yelling. She was going crazy, trying to come up with a way to leave. I didn't blame her, though. Once I turned eight-teen, I wanted to leave too.

I moved closer to Leda protectivly, wondering if she would notice.

~Liam~

Jewels' scream echoed through the room. She had slid down the door, clutching her perfect curls. I Once again whispered to her hoping she would stop screaming. My voice seemed to always calm her, I had no idea why, but it did.

"Jewel, it's okay, it's just Koda. It's okay, you'll be okay." I whispered.

It took a couple times of me repeating it, but she eventualy stopped her screaming. I looked at the time, most of it had been wasted in silence. I opened the door I wasn't really sure if I sould leave or not, but I didn't want my sister to mad at me. I'll stay close. I promised myself. I got Jewel tomanage a stand and we walked out of the room together. I guess it was a mindless action, but my hand was around Jewels shoulder running my hands through those blonde springy curls that I loved. It was times like these where I wish I could read minds. I didn't want to think about anything, It was all to confusing now.

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~Leda~

I was so confused, I had caused so much already. Why did everyone happen to walk in when the moment was awkward. I had no idea how the others felt. I didn't see what Liam saw in Jewel, besides her looks,. Right then she had probably caused one of the supervisors to hear something. With those acts, she might be next to go. Will had seemingly gotten closer, but I didn't mind. It felt great to have someone make such a protective gesture, like my brother had done before today. Liam left with Jewel shuting the door behind him. I didn't know how I felt about Will, but it didn't matter, he obviously liked Ashton.

(sorry its short, I'm in school)

Will

I wondered what she was thinking about, while she stared at the floor. The others had long left and left us alone in the room. We had been discussing what Jewel had said, but now we just sat there in the silence.

"What are you thinking about?" I finally questioned without control. I couldn't help myself, I had to know.

"Well, I was thinking about stuff," she replied without looking up. I let out a sigh and scooted closer to her on the floor.

"So was I," I said, taking her hand and pulling it into my lap so I could trace her veins. Goose bumps rose where our skin touched, and I saw her shudder and close her eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked again, this time my voice was lower, and my eyes penitrated her skin, but she never looked directly at my face, always our hands, or the wall, or the floor.

"Well..." she began, but I didn't let her finish. I cupped her face with one of my hands and lifted her chin to look at me. I lowered my face to her's so that our lips barely touched, then I pulled back.

"Good or bad?" I questioned, voice still low.

~Ashton~

I felt a little shaken after seeing the girl. I had to tell someone, but who? I knew if I told anyone about my encounter, they would think I was crazy or something--they would be right, in that case. I shook my head and tried to clear it as I stood in the over steamy shower room. The only thing anyone could see were the vague faces of friends. It wasn't wierd to be taking a shower with hundreds of the other orphans--not anymore. We we used to taking a shower and talking to friends in the huge steam room.

I let the warm water roll over my body, calming. I hated feeling like I was stupid, and that was exactly how I felt the more I thought about the girl. I flipped the water off and wrapped myself in my towel. I definatly needed to tell someone, maybe they could help me find her again. I laughed at myself and walked into the dressing room.

After I was dressed, I hurried out of the dressing room and searched for someone to talk to. How would I tell them? 'Hey, I saw a dead girl, want to go look for her?' No, that wouldn't work, now would it? I had to think of a way to explain what I had seen--though it was near impossible.

Deep in thought, I didn't realize I was still walking until I ran into someone.

Anyone!!

~Leda~

I stared at the floor, not noticing the quick rate everyone was leaving. By the time I realized it, it was to late to leave, Will and I were the only two left. Why did he stay? I thought. I didn't want to think at all, but I couldn't help myself. With all that was going on i'm surprised everyone's head hadn't exploded already.

"What are you thinking about?" Will auddenly questioned.

"Well, I was thinking about stuff," What? It was the only thing I could thin of instead of spilling everything like Jewel had not to long ago.

"So was I" With this small comment he brought my hand on his lap. I had no idea why until his finger lightly traced my veins that stood out. Somehow, he had gotten closer. My normal defenses wouldn't let him do this, but I didn't pull away.

"What are you thinking about?" I could feel him looking at me, but I kept my gaze locked on the ground.

"Well.." I couldn't finished, I was breathless when he moved me to look at him. The seconds that it took for him to lower his head and kiss me felt like hours, but It was worth the wait.

"Good or bad?" He asked in a whisper.

"G-good" I wasn't sure if he heard me, but it was all I could manage at the time.

I felt like I was floating, or flting somehow. I still wasn't sure how I felt, but I knew I was comfortable with Will. I looked at him with a shy smile. Now I knew what Liam had felt with jewel, a connection.

Jewel:

Liam guided me out into the hall and then closed the door. He held my shoulders and ran his hands through my curls.

Smiling, I reached up and grabbed on of Liam's hands, brought it a little closer to my face, and lightly kissed his fingers.

Liam brought his hand back to my curls, moving them from the side of my face, and planting a kiss on my cheek.

A smile spread across my face and I reached behind me, taking his hand, and said, "Come on!"

*Hope this is okay!!!*

Will

Her smile did things to me I'd never felt before. My stomach seemed to be fluttering--unuasual for me--and my heart was racing. I wondered to myself why it had takem me this long to finally do this, and I wondered what her brother would do to me if he found out. But it wasn't like he Liam was Leda's boss or anything, just because he was older. Leda was free to do what she wanted, wasn't she? Even if that ment kiss me.

But the more I thought about it the more I realised how wrong I was. Leda needed protection and that was what her brother was giving her. I was the guy that was taking advantage of her and he was going to kill me. Let him try to come at me just once. He would be walking away with a black eye and a bloody nose.

My threats were useless as they formed in my head. Though I had planned to do these things, looking into Leda's eyes and seeing that beautiful smile just made it seem like I was throwing flowers at a dinosour--it wasn't doing anything but being harmless and maybe pissing someone off.


"Your brother is going to shoot me," I said with a smirk. Her smile faded a bit, but I could see it in her eyes what she was thinking.

"He'll understand," she whispered. "I hope." I couldn't help but laugh, but it was more sarcastic than anything.

"So do I! What would he do to me anyway? What is he capable of doing?" I was asking myself the same questions. What would I do? What was I capable of doing? The last thing I had planned was to lose Leda because I hurt her brother.

Piper

While Dey sat on my bed I tried to avoid my poem. It wasn't until I noticed that he wasn't leaving that I finally flipped to the page with the poem on it. "So, you going to follow the schedule?" I asked as I began to color. I took extra care to accent Dey's sofisticated high cheekbones, and deep, consuming eyes.

He gave me a smile that made my head swim. I laughed hysterically, I hoped he didn't notice."Uh, no. I think I feel like staying in bed tomorrow, I don't know if I feel well enough to get up at my appointed time. Too bad, huh?"

I looked at him, suddenly concerned. I was worried that the Supervisor would hear of his rebellions. I didn't want her to take him away from me... Whoa, did I just think that. I had never thought that way before.

~Liam~

Jewel slid her hand to meet mine, and pulled it down, kissing my fingers gently. We barely knew each other but we somehow we had a connection. I moved the curls framing her face, and kissed her cheek. One of the most beautiful smiles crossed her face. With one swift movement, she took my hand from behind her and pulled while saying

"come on!"

I wasn't sure if she was going to take me somewhere or if she wanted me to actually kiss her like she had. I didn't want to look like an idiot, so I sort of stood there awkwardly.
************************************************************************************************************************************************
~leda~

Will kept looking at me. I sort of felt bad for keeping my focus on everything but him. How could I be doing the same thing that Liam was doing? Liam was the only family that I had left, the only person I had ever truly loved. There are three types of love, one that you feel with family, one that you feel with friends, and one that is specifically saved for that one special person. So this had to be different. Since Will wasn't family, which one was it?

"Your brother is going to shoot me," He said.

"He'll understand, I hope."

I honestly had no clue what Liam nor Will were going to do at this point. Will's a player, you saw him looking at Ashton earlier. I didn't want to fall for someone who would hurt me like my parents.

Will

I could see the doubt on her face as she stared at me for a moment then back at the ground. I let out a soft sigh, pulling her into my arms. Did she not trust me or something? Even when I pulled her chin up to look at me she never looked me in the eye. She looked anywhere but there--my hair, my lips, the ceiling, the floor, my shirt. I moved my face closer to hers so that our lips were touching again and her's moved when I talked.

"Leda," I whispered against her soft lips. Her eyes closed as I said her name. I pressed my lips hard to hers and kissed her until she kissed me back with real passion. Then, I moved my lips to her ear. "I'll never hurt you." She tightened her arms around my neck as I said this.

"Promise?" She asked. Was this really happening? Was I really about to promise my heart to one girl?

"I primise." Yes, yes I was. She pulled my face back to look at it, to make sure I wasn't lieing. Then she pressed her lips to mine again.
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~Ashton~

The next morning was kind of confusing as everyone was deciding wether or not they were going to follow the schedual or not. But the some 20 Keepers on the first floor alone told everyone they would follow the rules or they would end up being one of the missing children. That was also when they noticed when one of the boys was missing, and his sister was crying for him because she knew what his fate had been. He had turned 18 today, and had gone missing in the middle of the night, leaving all of his stuff behind.

I was helping her through it that morning at breakfast when I felt a pair of eyes on my back and I turned to see Will, who had just walked in. He came to stand in front of the table the girl--Veronica--and I were sitting at. She had her head burried in her hands and she was sobbing, not listening to the conversation Will started with me.

"How is she?" He asked. The thing was, Will was like a brother to me, and he might as well have been. We were close, very close and he had even proteected me when I first got there. I looked at him as a brother, nothing more and he looked at me like I was his little sister--nothing more.

"Torn," I said, barely loud enough for anyone to hear. I didn't want her to know we were talking about her, but her loud sobs made that impossible.

"It must be hard losing family," he said, sitting in front of us. "I mean, you come here together, you've known each other all your lives, they protect each other and keep each other safe, and then, one day, they're gone. It's like losing and old family member." Will was great at understanding things and the way people thought. He could understand a situation even though he had never been through anything like that himself.

"Yea," I said. For once fear filled me. What was I going to do? I realised they were all depending on me to come up with a plan to get them out of here.

"It's going to be hard," he said, as if he read my mind.

"I don't know what I'm going to do. Everyone is waiting for me to come up with a magic plan that will save us all, but I don't think I can save us all. I'm scared." Will shook his head, grabbing my wrists.

"You have no reason to be scared. I mean, even though they all depend on you to keep them alive"--he was joking but that didn't help--"there's no pressure! I have faith in you and I know that you can do this. I'll help as much as I can with keeping them safe while you form the plan, but there's not much I can do. I'm here for you as a brother. Ok, little sis?" I couldn't help but let out a small laugh of relief.

"Ok, big bro," I answered. His eyes were immidiatly looking past me, his face surprised. I looked back and saw Leda, eyes glued on his hands around my wrists. He let go and I watched her run off and him follow quickly. I let out a sigh, wondering what that was about.

Then it hit me. Will and Leda were... together... and she thought something was going on between us. I felt so horrible that my gut twisted. I tried to focus back on Veronica, but every time I would try to say something helpful I ended up trying to tell myself that the pained look on her face wasn't my fault and neither was the reason she was upset--but I knew the truth. It was all my fault.

~Leda~

Did he mean it? Will Sounded sure, but I wasn't, I just didn't want to get hurt. Again. I slowly made my way to the mess hall the next day, sort of hoping that the food would magically become better than normal. I pushed open the doors, and glanced around, is if by nature for Liam or Will. My heart stopped for a bit as I saw Ashton and Will. Will was holding her wrists. Heartbreak should have been normal to me, but this one tore me apart. The only people I was close to, had betrayed me. Again.

Will's eyes met miine but the pain was killing me. Before I could see his reaction, I was running down the hall to the same room above my spot. I glanced behind me and saw nothing. I shut the door behind me and ran over to the window. I was numb, ot just outside, but inside as well.

A rush of warm morning air filled me. I pushed myself out of the window, eyes closed. Not knowing what was to come.

Will

Not only did I feel horrible, I felt guilty. Guilty because I knew that the reason Leda was upset was because of me. I knew exactly where she would be going though, and I pushed the door open, expecting to see Leda looking out the window, tears in her eyes. Then I'd tell her it was all ok and that it wasn't what it looked like and that I was helping Ash with a friend who was trying to get over losing her brother and with an escape plan and keeping everyone safe so that this plan would work.

But I was dissapointed when I walked in the door. The room was empty and the window was open. Fear flooded my body and I hurried to the window and looked down. And there she was, laying on the ground, a pained look on her face. My fault, all my fault. But she had to understand, I was only helping Ashton and everyone else here. So much for keeping them all safe when I couldn't even keep the girl I loved safe--safe from me. Safe from what I am. I was a natural born jerk, a heart breaker, but I couldn't help that.

Leda was hurt, that was obvious, and my body was frozen there for a brief second as I looked down on her. People had begun to crowd and try to help, but none of them wanted to help as much as I did. I loved Leda, yet I had hurt her already. What a terrible person I was to let this happen.

No, no, no, no! I screamed in my head as I flew down the stairs, ignoring the looks I got from everyone as I rushed past them. I only realised who was around me when I was outside by Leda, who was in tears and holding her ankle. Liam wasn't too far behind me--who had told him?--Jewel and Ashton following. I didn't know how happy she would be to see Ash, but she knew a few things on broken bones.

Liam looked furious. Who could blame him? Did he even know the reason yet? I'm sure he pieced everything together in that once second--or was it when we were in the mess hall? Either way, the look he gave me said "go to hell".

Ash bent down to look at her ankle, but Leda let out a scream as the touched it.

"I'm so sorry," Ash said, pulling her hands away quickly. She began again, slowly this time, looking at the huge bruise that had already formed and turned dark purple. I hated the way it looked, I hated that she had jumped, I hated that I was the reason why she did it.

I could feel Liam's eyes on my face, but I didn't take my eyes off Leda. She wouldn't let me wrap my arms around her and hold her the way I wanted to, to show her that I loved her. She pushed me away and the only thing I could do was let her.

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~Ashton~

I hadn't ment to hurt her the first time I touched her. I had only ment to observe the bruise. What terrible pain she must have been in and I had to go and make it worse. Was it just me or was there a double meaning to that? Or maybe I was just crazy. Was she really hurt before Leda had seen the little act of kindness in the mess hall and had mistaken it for something more? Maybe. Had I really made it worse when I agreed to let Will help and he took my wrists, like any big brother would do to make their little sister feel better? Yes, most definatly.

"Well, it's definatly broken. Not even a chance it could be sprained or just bruised. I'm sorry, there's not much you can do with something like this other than stay off of it. I can pull the bone back into place if you would like, just to libe it up to keep it from healing crooked." My words only made her flinch. "If you would have jumped from any higher you would have busted the bone." My ways of trying to help didn't seem to be doing such a great job.

"How long does something like that take to heal?" Liam asked, anger flooding his voice.

"Maybe two months completly since we lack to proper tools to help her," I answered, sounding too smart for who I was. I knew my fair share of medical information, seeing as that was all I read about these days. I mean, we didn't have a nurse or anything so who else would tend to something like this?

"Two months?" Liam bursted out. "And all you can do is wrap it up?" His voice sent chills down my spine. I had never seen anyone so mad, let alone Liam. He was generally a calm guy, but I guess that was down the drain when your younger sister jumps out of a window.

"Listen, that's the best I can do. I'm not a doctor, but I'm the closest thing you will find to a professional in this place. And yes, two months, maybe longer. And, like I said, all I can do is wrap it and tell her to stay off of it. I'm not some magic woman who can just heal anything you put in front of me. This is natural, this will take time. Though I may could steal some herbs from the kitchen to mix into remidies, that's all I can do." I hated to get sideways with him, but if he wanted to start something like it was my fault, I would do what I had to.

"Just do whatever you can do," Will said in a comanding voice. We were all losing our cools today weren't we?

"I'll try my best, I promise you all that. Help me get her up to her bed so I can wrap this properly. Will attempted to pick her up but she pushed him away, tears in her eyes, and looked for help from her brother. This was just a tight loop of confusion that needed to be untangled with explenation.

(Wow, I got carried away xD so sorry this is so long!)

~Leda~

This all happened so fast and all I could think about was allthe internal and external pain that still filled me completely. I was internaly numbed until Will showed up. So many people had already showed up, and Liam was one of the last. The sad thing was, It took me jumping out of a window to get my brother to care, and stop googly-eyeing Jewel. To be honest, at the moment, the only peorson I could afford to love, was God.

The pain enveloped my body, it felt like an invincible fire spreading through every part of me. Small tears ran down my face, and Will pushed through the crowd that had formed in a matter of minutes.Ash, who I didn't know what to think about, touched my ankle. The simple touch sent a fresh wave of pain feeling like needles being jabbed into my leg. "I'm sorry" She said, pulling back as my tears continued to flow. I didn't want to look, but I did anyway. The dark purple color covered my ankle and part of my leg.

Voices were muffled in my foggy head. but Liams screams of rage echoed through my mind "Two months?" Liam bursted out. "And all you can do is wrap it up?" I had never heard him like this before. Ever.

"Listen, that's the best I can do. I'm not a doctor, but I'm the closest thing you will find to a professional in this place. And yes, two months, maybe longer. And, like I said, all I can do is wrap it and tell her to stay off of it. I'm not some magic woman who can just heal anything you put in front of me. This is natural, this will take time. Though I may could steal some herbs from the kitchen to mix into remidies, that's all I can do." Ash Replied, keeping herself calm. I stopped listening there.

Will glided over, trying to hold me. That was the last thing I needed at that moment. I glared at him and pushed away forcefully. He looked hurt, but he deserved it. Every single ounce of it. Will had promised his heart to me one moment and the next he was holding Ashton's wrists looking into her eyes. How could he do that to me? He was just like my mother. Just. Like. Her. Liam gave a long hateful look to will then came up to me. He easily grabbed me into his arms like he had so many times before when we were younger. I felt protected. Secure. Betrayed.

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~Liam~

Was she insane?! My attention was brought outside by Will running through the door with heavy steps. I followed to see what was wrong. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Leda clutching her ankle practically screaming in pain with tears running down her face. By the way she looked at Will, I knew he did something to her and I would never let him live it down. Nobody, not even her "boyfriend" could do something to hurt her and get away with it. I stared him down, letting him know he was in for it.

Leda's scream shattered my thoughts. Ash backed away from her with a sincere "i'm sorry." I glanced at Ashton for a split second the returned back to Leda. "Well, it's definatly broken. Not even a chance it could be sprained or just bruised. I'm sorry, there's not much you can do with something like this other than stay off of it. I can pull the bone back into place if you would like, just to libe it up to keep it from healing crooked." My words only made her flinch. "If you would have jumped from any higher you would have busted the bone." She continured.

Yes miss know-it-all tell us about it. I thought angrily. "How long does something like that take to heal?"


"Maybe two months completly since we lack to proper tools to help her," She repiled. I wanted to talk some sense into her. Badly.

"Two months?" I yelled "And all you can do is wrap it up?" My sister was screaming and crying in pain and all we were doing was talking. Why don't they just wrap it up and then tell us about it.

"Listen, that's the best I can do. I'm not a doctor, but I'm the closest thing you will find to a professional in this place. And yes, two months, maybe longer. And, like I said, all I can do is wrap it and tell her to stay off of it. I'm not some magic woman who can just heal anything you put in front of me. This is natural, this will take time. Though I may could steal some herbs from the kitchen to mix into remidies, that's all I can do."

"Just do whatever you can do,"

"I'll try my best, I promise you all that. Help me get her up to her bed so I can wrap this properly." I let out an aggrevated sigh and purposly pushed Will aside after Leda, and scooped her up without a struggle. I hated seeing her like this. I brought her to her room and layed her down gently, then looked at Ashton to continue.

Jewel:

I hovered in Leda's doorway, unsure of what to do. One moment Liam and I were on our way to breakfast, and the next Will ran by and then went Liam so I followed, as well as some others.

Leda and I never really knew each other, but ever since Liam and I kissed she seemed to have a passionate hate for me. This day had already tired me out, and it hadn't even been that long. I hardly ate my dinner last night because I gave it to everyone else. Then I hadn't gone to bed until I was sure everyone else was sleeping, then I woke up about an hour earlier than the first person. Dark circles were still able to be seen beneath my eyes, though faint due to the makeup.

Leaning against the door frame, I closed my eyes for a moment, relieved that I could just rest there for a moment, blocking out Liam and Ash's arguing. After a few minutes, and no progress between Liam and Ash's argument, I slid to the ground, my back against the door frame, my eyes still closed.

What seemed like only minutes, but was probably much longer than that, someone shook me, causing me to wake with a gasp, seeind that no one is ever awake early enough to wake me up.

"Were you here the whole time?" Liam whispered, crouched down next to me.

Stretching out my arms, I nodded while I yawned.

Liam gave me a soft smile, stood up, and offered me his hand. Smiling back, I accepted his hand and he pulled me up then closed the door to the room that had a sleeping Leda in it.

As Liam and I began to head towards the doors to get outside for the scheduled outside freetime, I noticed he was still a little tense and angry.

Stopping in my tracks, I put up my arm to stop him too. For a moment he just stared at me confused, but then I pulled him over to me and wrapped him in a hug. Since he was about three inches taller than me, I was able to rest my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent for a moment.

Then I rose my head, kissed him gentley on the cheek, and whispered, "It'll be okay Liam. Leda will be fine, it's all going to be okay. She has you taking care of her, she has Ash, and I'll help in anyway that I can. It's all going to end up alright."

I couldn't help but smile, remembering that last time it was him whispering encourging words to me, and then I kissed him.

Raising my arms, I cupped my hands around his face and kissed him. Not a kiss on the cheek like we had been lately, but on the lips.

*Hope this is okay*