The Reason We Fight

Chapter 34. The Confrontation

Day 2: One dead

"How horrible", Waru declared "He was such a sweet soul", she added, which fell on deaf ears. Not a single person thought as much.

Kurapika looked around, a pondering expression on his face, intent on solving the mystery. Hurna followed his steps like a lost puppy. Sting looked indifferent. So did Heinrich.

"Veronika, what can you say about this dead plebian", he said gracelessly. "Is the culprit any threat to me?"

"It seems to me like his death was accidental, my lord".

Kurapika perked up, affronted. "Accidental? In these circumstances?"

Kakume shifted uncomfortably. She looked into Kurapika's eyes. "This stone fell and flattened his head". She moved around him and pointed at the ceiling. "This castle dates back to the 12th century. Its foundation is flimsy. We all ought to be careful".

Kurapika narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Kane, the Blacklist Hunter, bent down and lifted the stone up. Underneath was a compressed mass of blood, bone and brains. He looked very carefully, and frowned. Kakume felt a pit form in her belly.

"Do you see anything?", asked Waru, apprehensive. The rugged man kept his silence. He stood up and walked away.

"You know what this means, don't you?", said Sting. A cruel smile formed upon his thin, bloodless lips. "There's a murderer in our midst".

Waru shook, disbelieving. "You can't mean that!"

Sting pushed his yellow and black hair back, off of his smooth, featureless face. "It's true" He nodded. "Kane may not have said anything, but his expression was clear as crystal".

Aurel Heinrich came up to them. "Preposterous", he exclaimed, loudly.

"And what would the likes of you know about it?", Sting asked, ruffled.

"Oh, nothing", the well-bred young man claimed. "Only, my family has been in the business of death for five generations. I would think I've got a knack for it", he said offhandedly.

Kakume kept a placid expression. Sting glowered at him. "What are you getting at? Could it be that you're the one who did it?" He approached the boy dangerously.

Kakume put herself between them. "I'd think twice about this, if I were you."

He stopped himself and hooted loudly. "Heinrich, is it your woman you brought here, or your mother?"

Heinrich did not like that. "How quaint of you to play at superiority. I suppose manners are a luxury not afforded to everyone. Especially not for low-born scum like you".

Kurapika raised himself from the ground, where he was crouched, inspecting the body. "Enough of this. Now is not the time to start antagonizing each other."

Heinrich huffed and turned away, sulking. Kakume followed him, and they all returned to their search.

-

"I'll take the left wing", Kurapika told Hurna Gotu.

The older woman waivered. "Wait!" she said. Her dark eyes looked at him with unchecked fear behind her burgundy glasses. "You saw the body. Tell me, was it an accident or a murder?" She quivered ever so slightly, causing her spiky hair to dance like grass in a gentle breeze.

Kurapika studied her. Is she acting the terrified old lady, or is this reaction genuine? She is just as capable of committing this heinous crime as any of the other participants, she is a Hunter after all, he thought. Out loud, he said: "It's hard to know for sure. I am no coroner".