F L I C K E R: Unsolved Case

Chapter 15: It's Just a Crush, Right?

     "Oh.. Hey guys," Austin smiled while hyperventilating.

     "Why are you in here-? And why are you out of breath?" Lukey stepped forward, towards Austin.

     "I got lost-.. I was running around trying to find my way back downstairs and I got nervous and opened all the doors to see where it would lead to," Austin stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Well- now that you guys are here.. Do you know the way back?"

     "Uhm..yeah. But aren't you supposed to be good at sense of direction? You're a detective..you follow criminals and drug lords around," Lukey lifted an eyebrow and stared directly into Austin's worried gaze. You're not good at hiding things, Austin!

     "It's just a lot of pressure. Even a detective can lose their way around places," Austin stepped forward and closed the door behind him. "Let's go."

     The group made their way downstairs, back to the others.

     "There you are! Help, I don't even understand what's going on!" Charlie yelped at Lukey and Austin. They looked over to see Trey and Vinny yelling at each other..

     "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID! ADMIT IT, JACKASS!" Trey screamed at Vinny. Their teeth ground together.

     "I DIDN'T DO IT! IT WAS CODY!" Vinny defended themself. Who's Cody??! What's even happening?! Somebody, tell me!!

     "CODY WOULD NEVER. YOU'RE SO HEARTLESS, EVEN YOUR OWN SISTER IS AFRAID OF YOU."

     "..Well maybe if you actually decided to take matters in your own hands... You'd realize that Cody was the one who did it," Vinny scoffed and turned their back to Trey. Seriously, is nobody going to explain what's going on?

     "You know what?...," Trey looked around. They spotted a small glass vase with a rose inside. "Take Cody's name out of your mouth. You're such an asshole." No, Trey! Don't do it!!

     "I don't have to. Cody is guilty," Vinny mumbled.

     Trey grabbed the vase and spilled the water and rose out onto the wooden floor and chucked the vase at Vinny. The glass shattered on Vinny's head. It cut into their skin. They shrieked and fell forward. Oh my god!! That seems an awful lot familiar to...O.M.G. Is Trey the murderer?!

     "VINNY!" Everyone, except Jamila and Trey screamed. Charlie ran over to Vinny, same with Lukey. OoooOooOo... What do you think, friends? Love triangle, anyone?

     "What are you doing?!" Charlie stared at Lukey.

     "Helping..?" Lukey lifted Vinny's beret and stared at the blood soaking it. They examined the cuts, the deep red blood dripped down their hand. "Hey, uh.. Austin?"

     "Yeah?" Austin replied back.

     "You got anymore bandages?"

     "Oh.. Yeah," Austin reached into his pocket and  fished out a couple rolls of bandages. "Don't use them all- that's all I have."

     This is all too stressful for me friends.. Let's skip ahead, shall we?

     Ah! There you are! Just in time, Vinny woke up, friends! No, of course they didn't die. No! That would defeat the whole purpose of this being a flicker story! ..Ugh, you know what? Stop asking questions! On with the story!

     Vinny groaned and squinted their eyes. "..What happened...?" Vinny rubbed their head. They felt the bandages, which caused their eyes to immediately open widely. "What the..."

     "Vinny! Are you alright? Where does it hurt? How many fingers am I holding up?!" Charlie cried, panicking.

     "Vinny, do you remember what happened?" Lukey wiped tears from their eyes. Awwh! They were crying.. There really is hope in this world!

     "I..uhm... I remember arguing.. then everything went blank..," Vinny yelped in pain.

     "I was so worried-..," Lukey slouched solemnly.

     "Uh..okay...," Vinny mumbled, unamused.

     "Uhm, Lukey? May I speak with you for a moment?" Elizabeth frowned. She stepped into another room, Lukey followed.

     "Okay, what is going on?! Ever since you found that photo you've been acting rather soft around Vinny," Elizabeth crossed her arms.

     "Why is that any of your business?" Lukey looked away. They turned their back to her and blushed. The butterflies returned and they grinned.

     "Lukey...," Elizabeth placed her hand on their shoulder. "Do you fancy them..?" Elizabeth attempted to turn them around, but they wouldn't budge.

     "I would never. Vinny is rude and definitely not my type. Did you see what they did to your partner? Why would I fancy someone like that?"

     "I've never seen you so concerned about someone.. If you do.. You know you can tell me..right?" Elizabeth smiled and leaned against the wall. "But they are engaged to someone else.."

     "I know I can tell you.. I'm just scared they're all eavesdropping on us and find out and they wont trust me.. And yeah, that too.. Vinny is engaged to Charlie. They love Charlie. So how could I ruin that?.."

     "I brought you here to meet people.. Possibly someone you like.. And you did. But you're right, Vinny is going to marry Charlie.."

     Elizabeth slid down the wall and sat on the ground. Lukey sat down next to her and buried their head in their arms. Elizabeth leaned against them and gave them a hug.

     "It's just a crush, right..? It'll pass?" Lukey mumbled under their breaths.

     "It depends on what the crush is about," Elizabeth sighed. "Is it romantic..? Sexual? Or do you think it's just a one-time thing?"

     "..I'm not sure," Lukey lifted their head and stared at Elizabeth.

     "Well, I'm sure whatever it is, it's for the right reason. Now come on, let's go back.. Before they think we're some criminal masterminds scheming our next play on a victim!" Elizabeth chuckled and stood up. She held out her hand for Lukey, who graciously took it. They both walked out the door to the rest of the group.

     "So what were you talking about?" Vinnae stared at Lukey.

     "Just the fact that this is all so overwhelming..," Elizabeth stepped towards Charlie and Austin, who were crowding around Vinny. "Any leads?"

     "Yes. I do believe the suspect is Trey," Austin stood up. "Just think about it! Alec had a vase smashed on his head..now Vinny? It's so obvious," Austin stared at Trey. Another note dropped from the ceiling and landed on Vinny. Austin picked it up and read it to everyone.

     "It is time to remove a person. Please write in your journals who you believe the murderer is. Votes will be counted shortly."