F L I C K E R: Unsolved Case

Chapter 17: Careless Actions

     Austin flinched and turned around. He stared at the group...everyone's arms crossed, staring at Charlotte.

     "..Hey guys..!" Austin chuckled nervously while sweating. Charlie shoved Austin out of the way and stormed towards Charlotte.

     "Charlie Andilet. Pleasure to meet you." Charlie shook her smooth, cold, pale hand. "However inconvenient this time may be," Charlie muttered under his breath. Charlotte quivered as Charlie rolled his eyes.

     "Je ne parle pas anglais," Charlotte pulled away from Charlie and slowly backed up. I'm not sure about you guys...but I think I need a break from this! I'm sorry, it's too stressful! Let's check up on Vinny. Oh! And Jamila...

     Vinny stared at the ceiling, they listened for voices..however, they weren't successful in it. They attempted to breathe in the heavy, muggy air. Jamila solemnly wandered back to the main room and stopped at the couch. She had a note in her hand, which she gave to Vinny.

     "I'm really sorry for making up those rumors about you bullying John," Jamila stared at Vinny directly in the eye. "I didn't know Trey lied.. I would've refused,"

     "It's alright-..," Vinny smiled. "I don't remember seeing you at school, though.."

     Jamila giggled and leaned against the arm of the couch. "I always hung out with the 'outcasts' as we were labeled," Jamila smiled back brightly. "I remember looking up to you.. You always had the coolest clothes. Your sister did seem sort of 'loose' though," Jamila covered her mouth and chuckled. Hey! Don't talk about Vinnae like that!

     "They are!" Vinny laughed. Seriously? They're your sister!! Jeez, friends. I kind of want to see what's going on upstairs now. This is so rude!

     "So she doesn't speak English?" Charlie put his hands on his hips.

     "I'll explain everything..just please don't vote her out!" Austin begged Charlie, protecting Charlotte.

     "Oh..she isn't the suspect at hand here," Lukey frowned.

     "Then who is?" Austin muttered.

     "You." Lukey gave Austin that 'what did you think I was going to say?' look. It was deserved honestly, Austin knows he's suspicious and with Charlotte making an appearance, I think all hell is about to break loose!!

     "We need to go back downstairs," Elizabeth attempted to break up the fight before it started.

     "Why can't we talk here?" Charlie rolled his eyes again. Jeez, let the woman make a suggestion!

     "If we have anything to discuss, we should discuss it with everyone. Plus, we can't start fighting right now..we have to find out who's causing all this!"

     "Okay, you know what? You can't just be Switzerland on this, Elizabeth!" Charlie shot back.

     "Don't talk to her that way," Vinnae glared at Charlie's deep blue eyes.

     "Oh shut up, nobody wants to hear your ugly ass voice."

     "There's lots of people in this house that would like to hear my voice, actually."

     "Unless it's about how to get a date on tinder, nobody wants to get advice from you! I mean look at your dress. Your ass is practically hanging out!"

     "I am NOT a sleazy whore!"

     "Pfft, yeah right. Tell that to your birth control,"

     "Charlie, I think that's enough," Elizabeth slightly shoved Charlie back, away from Vinnae.

     "No. It's not my fault your partner got that title. They had sex for the first time when they were four!"

     Vinnae stared at Charlie with tears in their eyes. They bit their lip and sniffled. "That is not your news to tell. Get the fuck out of here. Go back to your dumbass fiancé and talk shit about me some more, why don't you?"

     "No, I think you should go. You're no help anyway,"

     "You know... I find it odd how you're the one calling me a slut when you're the one having sex with Vinny in a situation like this!"

     "I told you we DIDN'T."

     "Actually, you really didn't tell us anything." Vinnae stepped forward. "But I could tell you did. So stop slut shaming the wrong person."

     Charlie stepped towards Vinnae and lifted his arm. He squeezed his hand into a fist. In a flash, his hand collided with Vinnae's face. Their glasses frames bent and the lenses shattered. Their nose cracked and blood splattered on Charlie's fist. Elizabeth screamed and shoved Charlie back, forcing him to fall backwards. That must've hurt!

     "DON'T TOUCH THEM," Elizabeth wailed. She held Vinnae close and examined their face. "Are you alright? Are your eyes okay? Is your nose broken?" Elizabeth carefully removed Vinnae's broken glasses and kissed their cheek.

     "OW!!" Vinnae shrieked and slapped Elizabeth away. Elizabeth gasped and looked at Vinnae with terror.

     "Oh my, I'm so sorry! Does it hurt there?" Elizabeth pushed Vinnae's hair behind their ear and examined their cheek. Blood dripped down from their cheek and nose. Ouch.. "Who has the bandages?" Elizabeth frantically asked around.

     "I do!" Lukey handed Elizabeth the bandages, antibacterial wipes, and a couple tissues. Elizabeth wipes Vinnae's cheek with the wipe and covered up the cut with a band-aid. She gave Vinnae the tissues to treat their nose and helped them up.

     "Lukey, hold them please," Elizabeth guided Vinnae to Lukey. They let them hold onto the wall while making sure they were safe. Elizabeth stormed over to Charlie and kicked him in the head.

     "Don't you dare lay a finger on them again," Elizabeth wiped tears from her eyes.

     "Oh yeah? And what if they try to kill me?"

     "They wouldn't. How many times do I have to tell you? They would NEVER kill someone!!!"

     "They would. That MANIAC is fully capable of this."

     "I suggest you get your act together and start your way downstairs. We don't tolerate violence," Elizabeth pointed down the stairs.

     "I'm good. You and your foolish partner can go though."

     "Oh really?" Elizabeth chuckled and smirked.

     "Really."

     "Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind being unemployed. It's a terrible time in your life to have no source of income, isn't that right? Getting married sure does take a lot of green." Elizabeth stepped back and stared directly at Charlie. Watching him slowly stand up. Ah, I seem to have missed one small detail. Vinny and Charlie work for Elizabeth... Elizabeth is a fashion designer and Vinny is her model while Charlie is the photographer!

     "You can't be serious."

     "Oh, yes I am. Get out of here or you're fired. You're lucky I'm not firing you for your careless actions."