F L I C K E R: Unsolved Case

Chapter 14: Another Person

     "...I'm sorry..who?" Vinny tilted their head. Seriously, who is this woman?!

     "Jamila! Pleased to meet you," Jamila grabbed Vinny's hand and violently shook it enthusiastically.

     "I don't remember inviting you..?" Vinny tore their hand away and gave Jamila an odd look.

     "Oh! I'm Lara and Annie's friend! Say, where are they?" Jamila looked around unable to find their beloved friends.

     "..They're uhm..-" Vinny stuttered. Of course they were interrupted! Can you guys let each other talk? Jeez!

     "Annie is dead and Lara disappeared from thin air," Vinnae covered Vinny's mouth.

     "...I'm sorry..- I must've misheard you! Come again?" Jamila stepped forward.

     "Annie is dead. Lara disappeared."

     Jamila's bright smile faded. She sniffled as a tear fell from her cheek. "You're lying..hahaa...funny joke.. That's a joke..right?"

     "Unfortunately not-.." Vinnae lifted their hand from Vinny's mouth and slouched a bit. Oh.. This is where it gets emotional.

     "Who would do something like this...?"

     "That's what we're trying to figure out.. We thought it was Lara- but we were wrong," Vinny frowned.

     "Lara would never do something like that!!" Jamila shouted. "Why would you even think that?! What's wrong with you?!!" She stomped and cried. She held her hand up about to smack Vinny- why is everyone hitting Vinny? Vinny flinched and moved back.

     "HEY.. Calm down-..!" Lukey grabbed her hand and held it back. "It's difficult to let sink in..- we know. But you can't just hit someone! Violence is never the answer."

     "...I'm sorry...!" Jamila sobbed and threw her hand down. She wiped the tears from her eyes and threw herself against the wall next to Lukey. More footsteps grew closer to the crowd.. More people??! Seriously..how much people are in this house that I didn't know about?

     Another person emerged from the corner of the hall..they had lavender colored hair styled in a buzzcut.. or mowhawk? I'm not sure.. They wore a black hoodie with a sad flame decal on the front and black ripped jeans. They had black and white converse shoes to complete the look.

     "HEY! WHAT DID YOU GUYS DO TO JAMILA?!" The person ran to hug her.

     "TREY?!" Vinny shouted, squeezing their hand into a fist.

     The person lifted their head towards the voice. "...Vinny.?" Trey frowned and grinded their teeth. "No wonder you're crying. This bitchass is here,"

     "HEY.. I'm not a bitchass!" Vinny crossed their arms and scoffed.

     "Hey uhm-.. Have you guys noti-" Lukey started to talk but was interrupted by Trey.

     "Shut it, nerdy ass. Cut your hair, will ya?" Trey glared at Lukey, their eyes practically ablaze. Lukey threw their hands up and backed away.

     "That wasn't very kind-.." Elizabeth stepped in.

     "Oh shut up. What are you from England?"

     "...Yes? I don't see how that's relevant to the conversation."

     "What, are you gonna call me the the c word?"

     "Excuse me? I would never. I have manners, unlike some people," Elizabeth rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips.

     "I have manners. I just don't use them around Vinny's friends,"

     "Well, you seem problematic," Lukey sighed. "Anyway, as I was saying..haven't you noticed that Austin has been gone quite a while now?"

     "You're right. Perhaps we should look for him. Maybe he got lost..?" Elizabeth grabbed Vinnae's hand and stepped towards Lukey.

     "Is anyone else coming with?" Lukey turned back to everyone else, watching as they stepped back. "Alright..stay safe then, I suppose," They jogged down the hall and up the stairs with Elizabeth and Vinnae closely following. Let's check on Austin and Charlotte, shall we?

     "You're so beautiful, darling." Austin grinned and pulled up her dress. He kissed her neck down to her breasts while gently holding her on his lap. Charlotte smiled. She caressed his chin with her finger and grinned mischievously. She gently removed his golden jacket and pulled his hoodie off. Austin loosened the laces on her elegant corset and untied them. He unclasped the busk then threw the corset off, letting her sheer white dress fall back down over her warm ivory complexion. He stood up, carrying her to a wall. He set her down gently, gripping her hands to the wall. He leaned forward and whispered something into her ear, then kissed it. Charlotte moaned and bit her lip. Hate to ruin the moment..but there was a knock at the door. Austin gasped and let go, looking for Charlotte's corset. He saw it hanging on a lampshade and handed it to her. He threw his hoodie on in a hurry and opened the door while putting on his jacket.