There was a colletive gasp of dread and concern. “I’m fine. It’s not my blood.” Emily stood casually leaning back against the wall like the blood covering her shirt was no big deal at all. We were at Athena’s abd Jazes house when Emily arrived, blood covering her shirt.

“Then whose is it?” I asked, wanting the answer but also scared of it. “And why is it on you?” Jona, Jaze’s boyfriend, asked. “Good questions, boys.” Jaze spoke up, her arms crossed. “Answer, Emily. Now.” She said, her voice firm with no room for argument. A tone that scared everyone ecept Athena, even me, and I was older. Emily was silent for a second. When she opened her mouth to speak, Athena, Jaze’s older sister and my friend, walking into the room.

“What’s going on in here?” She asked, curiously. Her eyes widened when she saw Emily. “Holy fu-“ she cut herself off. “Fudge.” She finished looking at Jaze and Jona.

“Emily was just about to tell us whose blood is on her shirt and why.” Jaze informed her sister in her ‘no argument’ tone. Athena nods, unfazed by the tone. “This should be interesting” Athena states. “Well,” Emily starts. “Um.” Emily glances around nervously. “Tell us, Star.” Star. Emily’s last name. Jaze rarely used last names, unless she wanted someone to admit something. And if they didn’t…well most were too scared to find out.

“Uh, how’s your girlfriend, Athena?” Emily quickly tried to change the subject by talking about about Athena’s girlfriend, a move made by the desperate since Athena was closeted to her parents.

“Don’t you dare talk about Opal when you’re covered in blood!” Athena raised her voice and Emily shrunk back. Athena almost never raises her voice, it only happens when she’s pissed or close to. Me, being the emotional anchor of the group, walks over and puts a hand on her shoulder. She lets out a small sigh when she feels my hand on her shoulder. This is a sign of her calming down, which is good.

“Emily,” I start, speaking slowly. “Tell us who’s blood that is snd why it’s on you.” Emily looks down, her stance no longer casual as it was earlier. “It was an accident, I swear.” She said, her voice barely a whisper. Jona raised an eyebrow.

“What did you do?” He asked, puzzled. “I stabbed them. I was tipsy, and I stabbed them.” She said, tears in her eyes. “Who’s them?” I asked calmly, my hand still on Athens’s shoulder. She whispered, still looking down.

“Kasy.” Jaze gasps and Jona looks like he expected it. “How could you?!” Jaze squeals while ajons just says a casual “Figures.”, with his arms crossed. Jaze turns to Jona. “How could you just say ‘figures’ like it’s expected??” “Kasy can be annoying and rude. Plus, Em got tipsy. That’s not a good combination.”

“You have a point.” I say, trying to keep the peace. I turn to Emily. “Tell us the whole story.” She nods.

“Well, I was over at the bar since I’m finally old enough, and I was drinking when Kasy came over and started being an ass. I don’t remember the next part but he was bloody and I think it was me who stabbed him.”

“So you don’t actually know it was you?” I asked. “That opens the possibility it wasn’t your fault, but someone else covering up their tracks.” Emily looks up at me, listening. “You were tipsy, unlikely to remember what actully happened. So someone could pin the blame it on you. Pretty smart.” Athena nods. “Yeah. That’s a good theory. Where is Kasy?” Emily shakes her head. “I dont know. I don’t remember!” It was silent for a second before Athena speaks up.

“Why don’t you show us where you were when you realized?” Emily nods her head rapidly Jona shakes his head. “Jaze and I have plans so we can’t come.” Realization dawns upon Athena. “Oh crap! Thats right. I was supposed to help you with that party. Lukas, do you think you could go instead?” I nod my head. “Yeah, yeah, sure.” Athena smiles at me. “Thank you so much! Sorry I’m a bit useless at the moment. I’ll come right when I can!” I smiled back at her. “Its no problem. I know you woulf come if you could. See you later!” I turned and follow Emily, whos already walking out the house.

***

When Emily and I arrived at the bar, it was mostly empty,except for a couple people. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Emily was changed out of her bloodied clothes so no one would know what happened. Emily looked around and then at me, grabbing my hand and dragging me to a back room when no one was looking.

“This is the place where I first came to my senses.” I looked around. It was a dark room, but I could see some blood stains on the floor. Emily then pointed into a door. “I think Kasy might be through there.” I nodded and followed her into it. This one was a long hallway, it was darker than the room before. I pulled out my phone and turned on the flashlight. I looked around. It showed a little light on everything but not as much I needed. When I got halfway through the hall, I noticed Emily wasn’t beside me anymore. I quickly turned around, just to see Emily standing there a knife in her hand. She was smiling like a psychopath.

“Emily…?” I whispered her name. She looked up at me. All warmth in her eyes was gone. I tried to back up, but Emily was too fast. She grabbed my jacket and slammed me against the wall, knife pressed up against my neck.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” She whispered in my ear mockingly. I dropped my phone making the flashlight turn off. That’s when I heard footsteps. I didn’t dare turn my head for the fear of my neck will get cut by the knife. Emily did though. We couldn’t see anyone. It was too dark for that. I felt Emily’s hand cover my mouth so I couldn’t make a noise.

“Lukas! Emily! Where are you two?!” I heard Athena‘s voice across the walls. A pang of fear sliced through me. What would happen when Athena saw this, Emily holding a knife up to my throat? I heard the second door open and closed as Athena entered. She’s getting closer and there was nothing I could do to stop her.

“Guys this isn’t funny!” After saying that, she came to view. Her eyes widened when she saw us. “Emily… you killed them on purpose, didn’t you?” Emily let out a laugh. “Don’t act like it wasn’t expected. We all know he had it coming.” Athena took a step closer.

“That doesn’t mean you can just stab someone. Let Lukas go. Now.” Her tone was firmer than before, making Emily with the knife away slightly before pressing it against my throat again. Athena walked closer to us, putting herself in a dangerous spot.

“Do you really wanna do that?” Emily said, smiling dangerously. “Yeah I do. Let. Him. Go.” Emily’s smile farted for a moment before it grew. Before Athena or I could react, Emily lunged toward Athena, stabbing her square in the chest. Athena stumbled back a bit, but she didn’t fall. Instead, she pulled the knife out from her chest and smiled. “Was that supposed to hurt?”