Riley Ross

Tomoe was extremely careful not to land her eyes on Riley. She had been quiet the entire day, much more than usual. How could she not, when Riley had finally killed and displayed the remains of her family for everyone to see?

But most importantly, she had been trying not to look at him to avoid suspicion. It was highly unlikely that anyone would ever suspect Riley as being Darkday—but now, it was a different situation altogether.

Why?

Because Prophet was now personally handling the Megaland Ripper murders.

Everyone who was into murder cases and mysteries would know who Prophet was. He was the person responsible for solving the most prolific and famous serial killings that had happened over the past three decades.

Tomoe had watched thousands of murder documentaries, and once Prophet showed up in any of them, she knew the case was going to be solved in less than three days.

And now, Prophet was right in front of her, with the detectives beside him, telling her about her dead family, whose deaths she was responsible for, inside a dessert shop.

"Is there anyone you want us to reach out to? Family?" Detective Jake asked. "We can also talk about this somewhere more private if you're uncomfortable."

"There's… nothing else I'd like to talk about," Tomoe whispered, her gaze down and her fingers fidgeting. "I just… want to be left alone for now, please."

"I believe it would be best for you to be with someone right now. In our job, we believe that sad—"

"If you knew what was best for me, then you should've taken me and Rob away from that family sooner. And now my brother is dead, and he's the only one in that family who actually cared for me. You want me to be sad about my mother and her boyfriend? I'm not. In fact, I'm glad. But Rob?" Tomoe's lips started to tremble. "Rob was innocent. Where were you when we needed you?"

"Wh—"

"I'd like to be left alone, please."

"But—"

"Jake." Dorothy placed her hand on Jake's shoulder. She subtly glanced at him before standing and sliding a card toward Tomoe. "We'll… try to contact any of your relatives. You don't have to worry about anything and just take your time, okay? But you really do need to talk to someone."

Dorothy turned to Prophet, and he didn't say anything at all during the entire conversation and just stared and looked at her.

But as he and the detectives were about to turn and leave, he sat back down again and looked her in the eyes.

"How long have you been friends with Riley Ross?" He asked. Dorothy was about to pull her away when she remembered that he was their boss. Still, Prophet turned toward them and smiled.

"The two of you can go and explore the mall for now, let's meet again outside the campus in ninety minutes. Don't worry, your hours will still be paid. There's also a spa here where you can just relax and fall asleep."

"W—"

"Go."

Jake and Dorothy looked at each other for a moment before nodding to each other. They quickly made their way out of the store, not before, however, taking a quick and subtle glance at Riley. They knew it was impossible that he was Darkday, but Prophet's suspicions were making them worry for no reason.

No matter how they looked at him, however, he just looked like any other boy his age—aside from the fact that he was albino. This case should've been passed to a different division as soon as Darkday proclaimed himself to be responsible for the crimes.

Well, it didn't matter either way—their boss told them to relax, and they planned to do just that.

Back inside the Korean shaved ice store, Tomoe still hadn't answered Prophet's question about Riley. She only stared right back at him before glancing at Riley, and then turning her focus back at Prophet again.

"If you ask him, he would tell you we're not friends at all."

"Ha. That sounds like him." Prophet lightly chuckled, shaking his head before sighing and taking in a deep breath. "I can tell you don't like us very much. And I am truly sorry about what happened to Rob, and I'm sorry that the justice system failed you. I really wish we could've helped."

Prophet sighed again before nodding and standing up. But instead of making his way out of the door, he approached Riley and the others.

"Hush, shh! He's heading this way! Act natural!" Gracey immediately tried to relax, but she looked like the only one in the group who looked unnatural.

"Hannah. Riley," Prophet said.

"Prophet." "Uncle."

"How's your dad?" He asked, and Hannah's eyebrow quickly rose.

"Didn't you just meet with him three days ago?" She chuckled. "In fact, how are you? We haven't seen you for like… forever."

"...Sorry. I'd like to catch up later after I'm done talking with people?" Prophet lowered his head, glancing at Riley with a smile on his face. "How would you like that?"

Riley returned his gaze for a moment before looking at his sister.

"You decide, Sister."

"What're you even saying, dummy? Of course, we're going to meet up with him later." Hannah clicked her tongue. "Do you remember he still owes us a trip to the Philippines? I haven't been to Siargao in so long."

"We were there six months ago, Sister."

"Yeah. I know, right? Been so long."

Gracey and the others all looked at each other when they heard the siblings' conversation.

"Is it us…?" Gracey whispered to them. "Are we just… poor?"

"Resist, brother." Bella closed her eyes, gripping Gracey's hand tight. "Don't you be lettin' 'em get to your common sense. We ain't… we ain't poor."

Prophet chuckled when he heard this, letting out a loud sigh and shaking his head.

"Then how about I tell your dad, and you can bring your friends with you? Honestly, I've been trying to sell my resthouse there to Bernard. But he says he doesn't have the money. Your dad. No money. He needs to come up with a better excuse."

"For real?"

"Yes. I honestly just think he doesn't want to buy it since you'd probably start living there."

"No. I meant I can invite the friends over?" Hannah asked, unknowingly nodding her head as she smiled at the others, who seemed even more excited than she was.

"Of course. How about this weekend?" Prophet said. "I'll have the caretakers get it ready for guests. And you don't have to worry about your parents, I'll invite them too. And I suggest also bringing all of your parents since you're all still minors."

"A…already?" Gracey's eyes widened even further. "We… we really are in the presence of young masters. Ah, we really are in the presence of Mt. Tai. But… bring our parents? Uh…"

"Also…" Prophet's voice suddenly became low, glancing at Tomoe, who was still sitting quietly alone at her table. "...Hannah. Make sure to invite Ms. Reynolds with you. She needs all of you now more than ever."

"Why? What… even happened?" Hannah's eyes narrowed.

"It's… best if it comes from her. But don't ask her about anything if you feel she's not comfortable with it just yet. And Hannah."

"Hmm?"

"It's serious."

"I… see. Fuck…" Hannah stared at Prophet's eyes for a moment, holding her breath as she quickly realized what he meant by that. "Fuck."

"Hmm. Okay." Prophet patted his palms, nodding to the rest of the Baby Crew as he started stepping away. "I'll see all of you on the weekend, okay?"

"O-okay…" Gracey wanted to react more excitedly, but she also felt the sudden heaviness in the air as Prophet bid his farewell. With him gone, everyone turned their heads to Hannah before focusing on Tomoe.

Tomoe, who noticed them all looking at her, stood up and returned to their table without saying anything at all.

In fact, none of them said anything. They just sat there in silence with their hands on the table. But then, slowly, Hannah gently placed her hand over Tomoe's hand.

"We're here if you need us, okay?" she whispered. Her tone was as steady as ever, but there was a warmth in it Tomoe hadn't known she was waiting for.

Tomoe lowered her head, then stole a glance at Hannah—who only met her eyes, silent, without demanding an explanation.

She wasn't supposed to feel sad. She told herself she should be relieved, even happy, now that her parents were gone. At least, that's what she thought.

But Hannah's hand was wrapped around hers, and for the first time, Tomoe understood that touch could carry warmth. That it could mean something.

And with that realization, the walls she had built, the flawless crystal walls, began to crack. Something heavy pressed from within, demanding release.

She didn't notice it at first. But then a single tear slipped free, trailing down her cheek.

"I'm…" she whispered, almost whimpering.

"...I'm free."

Or… was she?