Mallory's body wasn't as disgusting as Jason's. Looking at it still gave Sean an unpleasant twist of sorrow and pity. Azhir stood beside him with his arms crossed, quietly observing, yet his expression remained blank. Dead bodies typical for you? Sean mocked in his head.
For a closer study, Azhir crouched down. Behind them, Daniel and Oleg stood, partly scanning the area for threats and partly to catch a whiff of an indication of Azhir's guilt.
"She's dead," Azhir said flatly. Her throat had apparent marks. There weren't many bruises on her body. Like Jason, her eyes stared at the sky.
Daniel's lip quivered as he kept his gaze on the soil. His eyes traveled between Oleg's righteous fury, Sean's regret, and Azhir's lack of a reaction.
"All you saw were red eyes?" Azhir questioned lightly.
Daniel nodded. "Yeah... I only got a glimpse, see, I didn't want to keep my head turned for long."
Who the hell has red eyes on this island? Oleg's eyebrows curved downward in concentration. If anyone had crimson pupils, Oleg would've noticed subconsciously.
"Azhir, can we talk?" Sean kept his sight on the corpse, not wanting to betray any hint of supposed scheming or presumed guilt. Azhir peered over his shoulder, then nodded.
The duo moved further from Oleg and Daniel, but they lingered in their line of sight. Although
Oleg believed being left out of the loop would only raise any suspicion for them, he let it happen. Involving himself would only prolong this whole chase and maybe even lead to another body.
Far enough that they wouldn't be overheard, Sean spoke in a lowered voice.
"Red eyes..." Sean glanced back, then stared at Azhir as if expecting an explanation.
"What exactly are you getting at?"
"Don't...!" Sean refrained from spitting a curse.
"I'm shaken... not stupid." Sean pointed to one of his eyes. Realizing that Sean's perception couldn't be deceived, Azhir sighed. "Khata."
"What language is that?" Sean asked. It sounded somewhat familiar.
"I'm ignorant of what language the word belongs to. However, that's what that program referred to people like me often." Azhir stated the fact.
Sean glanced at the body once more, then back to Azhir.
"What does that imply?"
"The red eyes are merely a trait. Essentially, people like me are much more capable physically. It would explain how Mallory and Jason were killed without weapons."
"What about mentally?"
Azhir kept silent. From limited experience, I think that khatas apparently have temperamental issues. Observational ability and structured vocabulary convey that, at the least, Azhir isn't stupid.
"But... your eyes right now aren't red."
"... When did you see them turn crimson?" Azhir asked, as if he were learning for the first time himself.
"Yesterday when you... confronted Zuri. And when..." Sean rubbed his neck as he pieced the puzzle together himself. "Do you have any way to see if you're the only one here?"
As expected, Azhir slowly shook his head. Sean gulped.
"If the color for the windows to the soul is the key, how do you exactly invoke the change?"
"... perhaps..." Azhir rubbed his chin.
"Strong instinct. Uncontrollable desire. Even a flight or fight response may do." His explanation hinted at a theory rather than a provable fact. Perfect. Sean grunted.
"I assume khatas don't have a specific sex requirement?" Sean asked a rhetorical question. In essence, it meant that the suspect could be anyone. However, one particular individual had Sean's absolute priority.
"Zuri. We need confirmation."
"Specifically, her?" Azhir tested.
"Can you recall where you exactly know her from?"
"An event sponsored by the program that I was a part of for the majority of my life. I'm not at liberty to speak about what transpired at the event, but I can testify that Zuri was present."
"That's helpful information."
"Khatas were in attendance, but not everyone there was a khata." Azhir's tone dropped to a melancholic one as his eyes shifted in the direction of the group. Sean shook his head.
"Then we need to perform a test."
"I'm all ears." Azhir listened.
"I highly doubt Zuri speaks and moves as she does and isn't like you."
"You honestly believe that Zuri has an unstable nature?" Azhir's doubt congealed Sean's tactic. "It's not out of the realm of possibility. Our main priority should be to figure out all the khatas on this island. That'll narrow down suspects. We'll need to isolate them one by one, starting with Zuri.
"Apply enough pressure to her, and she'll react like any normal person." Sean sensed Oleg's patience dwindling and Daniel's curiosity peaking.
"In simple terms, rough her up a bit?" Sean tempered his reaction, and the two began walking back.
"Intimidate. Don't hurt her. All we need is confirmation, then we can make an educated strategy."
Azhir laughed and rolled his shoulders. "Well then, call me Watson."
~
Water bottles. A couple of energy bars. Three MREs. Tim figured he wouldn't require too much for the scouting he'd undergo. Yesterday, he thought insanity crept in. That flash of what appeared to be crystallized blood in Azhir's eyes. If only I could use something as a weapon. The tent poles? No, if either of them walk by, they'll be asking about my tent's structure and notice missing parts.
Tim gulped down a bottle. The suction force caused it to crinkle and shrink. Releasing with a satisfied sigh, Tim set his sights ahead.
"What are you doing?" Lily emerged from the tent, standing near the flaps. Tim grimaced and peered into the tent. Through the small opening, he saw Kaitlyn resting soundly in her sleeping bag. Because of Mallory's murder, Kaitlyn couldn't sleep by herself, so Lily offered to ease the tension and provide comfort. Kaitlyn's momentary sobs made it hard for him to sleep.
"I'm going to see what the bastards are up to. I can't keep this up for long, Lily." Tim heaved the backpack on his back and adjusted the straps. "The next victim could be me, Kaitlyn, even you."
Lily stepped out further and let the flap close completely. Despite holding his gaze, Tim's eyes darted elsewhere. "So, you're going to leave us alone? You don't even know who the murderer is, and you're abandoning us?! Kaitlyn needs both of us here!"
"You and I know exactly who it is. We just don't know if he has a helper."
"...That's a load of horse crap!" Lily's delayed response strained. Tim raised an eyebrow. Is there more she's not telling me?
"Isn't the whole reason why we're sticking together to have a better chance? Three heads are better than two. It's a numbers game, right?" Lily restrained herself from committing a vain assault.
"This isn't a normal killer. For Jason, there wasn't a damn weapon, and if we trust what Daniel and Sean told us, there wasn't a weapon there either. We can't stay here and do nothing, cooking up theories every night while we lose people one by one.
"I've got to do this on my own."
You're going to die... you're going to die... please don't... don't... Before Tim could scurry off, Lily grasped his forearm and attempted to pull him back.
"Are you seriously going to walk out on us?!" Lily growled.
"You think this is some kind of noble sacrifice?! Is this your way of committing suicide and screwing us too, selfish prick?!"
Tim's eyes widened, then abruptly narrowed. Tim tore his arm free and, creating distance, glared at her.
"I have to do this on my own." Tim's voice emanated finality as he walked off. Lily dug her nails into her forearm, trembling.
I... I should go with him but... I can't leave Kaitlyn here by herself... and we can't... Lily squeezed her eyes shut and whispered to herself.
~
Sean settled in his hiding place, ears perked up and eyes constantly scanning. The early morning sun barely peeked above the horizon.
Truthfully, he hardly came to terms with the fact that he was now working with the man who threatened to kill him. However, in order to unveil the next clue, unconventional methods of securing the desired outcome- an outcome everyone would appreciate in the end were required. He loathed the use of force to coerce, but asking wouldn't achieve anything either. If only humans couldn't lie.
Thanks to Azhir's hyperacute hearing, they pinpointed the specific area where Zuri and Oleg resided. Eventually, she'd have to separate for a bathroom break or some other purpose. And what that other purpose would be is what we're looking for.
Azhir leaned on a tree, unable to locate Sean precisely while he himself situated to where Zuri wouldn't immediately detect him.
In view, Zuri strolled. Hair swishing back and forth. Distinctly, Sean noted a ring she wore on her forefinger. Once she stopped, utter confusion influenced her expression, but it was quickly masked with lightheartedness.
Azhir stepped out.
"Wonderful day we're having." Azhir greeted in a cliché manner. He didn't smile. Regardless, Zuri's demeanor shone with calm amusement.
"Yeah. No deaths this morning so far... so that's good." Zuri spoke with relief. Shouldn't she be surprised or stammering? Sean leaned in an inch to catch any subtleties.
"How are you holding up after..." Zuri let her voice trail off as her eyes met the ground. Azhir approached Zuri.
"To be honest, I wasn't acquainted with Mallory for long." Azhir's tone remained consistent. "I came for you."
Could you at least pretend to care somewhat? Even if Azhir faked his concern, at least Sean wouldn't feel disgusted at his lack of empathy.
"You came for a confession?" Zuri's smirk widened an inch, pupils exuding an inviting aura. Unimpressed, Azhir closed the distance.
"I actually came because I thought there was something you wanted to tell me?" Azhir lowered his eyes. Zuri nearly tensed but retreated a pace.
"Uh... what exactly...?" Zuri leveled her breathing.
"We've met before, haven't we?" Azhir flashed a small disarming smile. ... The Demonic Trinity... A chill crept across Zuri's skin at the gesture, and she barely withheld a gasp. Zuri remembered the performance he demonstrated at the past event, leaving a sharp impression on a plethora of new recruits and overseers alike. The only one who outdid him was a girl about a half a decade older than him.
"No... I don't think we have." Zuri lied to preserve her life.
"But I do."
Zuri flinched at the subtle shift in Azhir's tone. Instead of indifference and calculated mind games, his pitch carried a predatory playfulness. His smile showed white rows. Her breath quickened. Instinctively, Zuri threw out her hands for a shove, but Azhir caught her by the wrists.
"Why do that like it's going to help?" Azhir taunted.
"Let go..." Zuri spoke barely above a whisper, vocals straining.
Who is that? Involuntarily, Sean felt a wave of sympathy.
"I have to say, you've piqued my interest. Seeing you now and remembering that event.
Goodness, you've really grown into a more capable woman." Zuri ground her teeth upon hearing Azhir's derisive praises. "Show me those beautiful gems."
"Let go!" Zuri's pitch heightened as she found the core of her defiance and struggled more. Abruptly, her eyes narrowed, and Azhir noted the change, but it lasted for a millisecond as she successfully separated herself. Determined to extract more evidence and confirmation, Azhir lightly launched forward and shoved Zuri to the ground.
"I was wondering why you seemed set on Sean since all this started. Now I think I'm starting to understand."
"You don't understand shit! You're crazy!"
"I'll take that as a compliment." Azhir approached slowly.
I told him not to hurt her! What is he doing?! Sean nearly leaped out of his hiding spot.
Azhir towered over Zuri. In her gaze, fear and trepidation warred. She dug her fingers in the soil, eyes squinting, deliberating on whether to flee or stall.
His ears twitched.
Heavy breathing. Azhir shifted to Oleg, charging. With a roar, Oleg bent down to tackle him, but swiftly, Azhir allowed Oleg to arrive and, at the last second, pivoted, then struck a knee into his side.
Oleg tumbled and rolled before forcing himself to stop.
"We're talking." Azhir said coldly.
Oleg winded a fist. Azhir inched his head right and hooked his arm around Oleg's connecting knuckles to his chin.
Collapsing on his side for a couple of seconds, Oleg only saw pitch black. He wheezed and coughed.
After a glance in a particular direction, Azhir nodded.
Sean took the signal and ran. He wasn't worried about being heard, considering Zuri was solely focused on Azhir and Oleg could hardly focus at all. Upon conception, Sean assumed this plan would've been extremely successful, but he didn't conjure any contingency. I didn't see crap! I was too distracted by that dumbass.
Realizing he'd only invite more parties, Azhir revealed a cryptic smile briefly toward Zuri as he walked away. Zuri refused to pursue him. That'd only give him another opportunity to acquire whatever he desired from her. Denying him the satisfaction seemed to be the correct option.
Coughing violently, Oleg flipped onto his back to suck in a mouthful of air to reinvigorate his body. Cautiously, he raised himself, his eyes briefly searching for Azhir.
"Are you hurt?" Oleg asked sincerely.
"I'm... fine. He didn't do much." Unknown to Zuri herself, her breathing was still frantic, and her body trembled uncontrollably. She meditated to center herself.
~
Inside the tent, Kaitlyn made out the sun sitting just above the horizon. For clarity, she checked her watch. Almost nine. Lightly, Kaitlyn ran a hand through her tasseled hair, then froze. Where's... Outside, she heard a backpack's zipper.
Once Kaitlyn exited the tent, she saw Lily searching through her backpack. Surveying the immediate area, Kaitlyn blinked as if her vision was failing.
"... Lily...?"
"Good morning. You sleep better?" Lily forced a smile.
"I did..." Kaitlyn responded, though her voice had a shrill tinge.
"Is Tim taking care of business?" Kaitlyn looked back and forth.
"... You could say that..."
Kaitlyn gritted her teeth.
"Tim! Tim, you there?!" She called out, but she only heard the echoing of her own voice.
"He left last night."
"... is he...?"
"I don't know. He said that he couldn't sit here and wait."
"Why didn't you stop him?!" Kaitlyn shouted. Lily stayed silent for a moment. Shaking, Kaitlyn sniffed.
"He'll make..."
"Lily! Kaitlyn!" A red-haired boy interrupted.
"Reyes...?" Lily asked as the two girls gave him their full attention.
"Zuri and Oleg were attacked by Azhir." He panted. No...No... No...! Lily's grip tightened on her pants, eyes moving toward where she last saw Tim.