Chapter 3 And then, there were 2

Lena

The academy was swarming with cops and divers still combing the lake behind the academy in case Vivian mistakenly drowned.

They had turned one of the conference rooms into a makeshift interrogation centre, Which was where we were all currently cooped all.

The conference room smelled nothing like it usually did. The familiar scent of polished wood and stale coffee had been swallowed by sharp disinfectant,it had probably been cleaned up in haste that morning . It smelled like damp wool coats, cheap paper, and too many people crammed into one space. 

Every time the door opened, a gust of cold October air slipped in before disappearing beneath the smell of fresh printer ink and burnt coffee from the detectives' half empty paper cups.

The cops had probably gone through the CCTV footage around the school and assembled everyone who had made contact with Vivian that night,which would explain why I was here. 

Well that and the fact that everyone who was part of Vivian's elite student council was here. The same student council I miraculously happened to be part of, albeit a dormant unnoticed member,all thanks to counselor Bridge. 

If I'd been a normal student I would have handed the bracelet over immediately when I found it, because if the cops had really combed through the footage,which they definitely had, then they'd surely seen me pick it up in the hallway. 

I thought I had claustrophobia, because that would have explained why I felt like my head was getting filled up with a hideous amount of air. Would that have been the perfect time to fake an anxiety attack?…nahhh, the cops would definitely clock me as the killer before I hit the floor. 

Vivian had been declared officially missing or possibly dead this morning, plus I'd definitely look the part.What ,with my non existent social life. Which was why I resigned myself to my fate.

I absolutely did not want to be there that morning, I nearly said it out loud as I inhaled slowly through my nose while trying not to fidget with one of my shirt buttons, smoothing my hands down my denim loose pants instead.

I didn't want to look too nervous while everyone else was the picture of calmness,except Miranda Park of course, she kept taking frantic puffs from her inhaler and looked worse than a tomato. Maybe she was the one about to pass out.

While the guy who was sitting directly opposite me hadn't moved an inch in the past hour, keeping his face down the entire time,he was in dark clothes which reminded me of the guy from last night. He just kept flicking his lighter on and off which was getting more and more irritating by the minute.

I could feel a headache bloomin–

“Ryven Cross”?,one of the officers standing by the door with a list he'd been calling our names from asked, interrupting my train of thought. 

“Here” ,the dark clothed guy answered, finally raising his head up without making eye contact with the officer. We locked eyes instantly and held the connection.

Everyone else faded around us ,as his eyes seemed to draw me into his very essence,they reminded me of deep, cold endless black waters. Ryven huh….

“You're next up”,the officer said, snapping our connection short while nudging Ryven into the main interrogation room with a twist of his head just as Harper Calder came out looking red eyed and paler than the moon.

Ryven stood as the officer ushered him inside,he had to duck slightly beneath the conference room doorframe.

God...The guy was ridiculously tall.

Definitely not in my year, I would have noticed him,which meant he was a year ahead of me.

–

“Lena Woods”The officer called but I was too focused on the window blinds to answer him,I just needed to finish counting the slats on the window blinds and I was nearly done ,one hundred and seven …

“Miss Woods?”the officer interrupted again. I turned this time. Jesus Christ. Could he not take the fucking hint and leave me alone for ten more seconds. 

“Here “,I answered with a faint,innocent smile pretending not to have heard him before.

“You're up next”,he said just as Ryven opened the door ,done with his session. 

I made sure to brush the hilt of my pepper spray which was safely tucked in my pants with my fingers before I got from my chair.

I could feel the others' eyes on me before continuing with whatever they'd been doing while awaiting their turns ,they'd probably never seen me before. Which was exactly how it was supposed to be till graduation. 

As I made the short walk to the door, I felt Ryven's eyes on me the whole . He hadn’t gone back to his seat ,simply remaining at the door ,hands buried in his pockets.

I kept cleaning my sweaty hands on my pants while my heart nearly beat out of my chest. Calm breaths Lena ,this isn't our first rodeo.

He looked at me one last time,stepping aside to let me pass before walking out to the main door instead of his seat like everyone else had done. I'd never seen a more perfect nose. 

With a resigned sigh I finally entered the interrogation room. 

I could smell the dampness in the room,which surprisingly contained only two detectives in it. Holding my back straight, I walked to the single seat opposite them where one of them–the lady had indicated I sat.

“I'm detective Brooks and this is detective Barney, as you've already guessed because you are an incredibly smart girl, aren't you. We're in charge of the case” the lady detective said with a deceptive looking smile. I knew exactly what people like her were capable of,I wasn't buying the nice cop act one bit.

“We would like to ask you a few questions but first ,why don't you have a glass of water “ detective Brooks said. 

I almost face panned myself for having not noticed it before.

“Thanks but I'm not thirsty", I said subtly scanning the room. It was surprisingly empty save for the half empty cups of coffee. I guessed the interrogation hadn't required much then.

“OK, we'll start then and we'll need nothing but the truth from you,is that OK?” She asked.

“Yes, ma'am “,I answered, glancing at the exit door one last time.