A spy? In the class? Who?

Well, I shouldn't be surprised at this point. There's talking dragon-things and murderers and dead cows. Surely a spy isn't that far-fetched. But still, it bothers me. I'm getting to know all these people, and everyone is so nice. Well, everyone except for Flauros, who's kinda... honestly, I dunno. And En is a bit of a prick, but they're fine otherwise. Stolas... um... I'm sure he's a big softie underneath his surface. Okay, moving on-

Evangeline and I have located the pharmacy, completely stocked up with every kind of medicine or antidote that one could ever need, and the library, completely stocked up with every kind of book or dictionary that one could ever need. Obviously one is much more important than the other. I mean, I guess the pharmacy might be of some use, but whatever. Now that we've finished scoping out the second island, though, we've joined Dana and Marzy at the diner. Dana is exploring the kitchen and bar area, probably already whipping up something in the back. Evangeline and I share a booth, Marzy sitting on the other side. Sure enough, Dana approaches with a tray of water glasses before sitting down next to Marzy.

"How've your days been so far?" she asks.

"Mainly just exploring," Evangeline responds before taking a small sip of water. I might be seeing things, but I swear that she had her pinky extended while drinking. Huh.

"I believe the same goes for everyone else as well," Marzy agrees.

"Yeah, makes sense." Dana thinks for a moment. "Library seems cool. I might go over there and grab a few books later. Give myself a reason to get out of the kitchen for once."

"I'd be glad to come with you," I offer. "I've been looking for things to do as well."

"Do you know what I've noticed, Sophie?" Marzy turns his dark red gaze to me. "Despite all I've heard about your unmatched artistic abilities, I've never seen you put them to use."

Despite all I've heard about YOUR unmatched scientific abilities, you sure as hell didn't do sh*t when Tristan died, is what I want to say, even though I know there's reason behind it and whatever. What? It kind of sounds like Marzy is doubting me. Maybe he should try opening an art program and winging it.

Instead, I smile and reach into my bag, pulling out my sleek art iPad for the first time since before arriving here. But when I go to turn it on...

"Surprised it doesn't work? " Ace is suddenly standing on the table. Marzy nearly spills his water from shock.

"Well, it wouldn't be fair if I let only you have access to your devices," they continue. "So, I loaded all of your art onto your digital handbook because I was feeling nice. And maybe we can even talk about some art software if things are going how I want them to here."

In the blink of an eye, they've disappeared. I frown as I look down at my beloved tablet before tucking it back into my bag and instead removing my digital handbook. As I power it on and do some searching, I do notice a section I haven't noticed before and tap on it. Immediately, a file containing all my old finished projects pops it. With a smug smile, I hand it to Marzy, who swipes through it in awe.

"How's that for putting my skills to use?" I remark.

Dana leans over Marzy's shoulder, her brown eyes widening in surprise. "Damn, some of these are super realistic! Like, I would've thought them to be photographs. And everything else is just so unique- wait, have you done, like, one of every style ever?"

"Maybe," I shrug. "I don't know, I just do whatever I feel like."

I peek over to see them on an abstract piece with lineart of a dog and quickly snatch back my e-handbook. "That one's bad! Don't look at it!"

Dana looks puzzled. "But that was incredible!"

"No it's not!" I argue, my face turning red from embarrassment. As a matter of fact, most of this stuff is so old and bad. Not to mention cringeworthy.

Evangeline gives me the classic you-do-realize-you're-phenomenal-right look that I've received at least once from every single person I've ever met. Great. I look away and take a sip of my water. I can handle one person arguing with me over my art, but three is too many to handle. If I've overwhelmed with compliments or people saying "you're so talented, I hope you understand that", I spontaneously combust. That's just how it works.

"Hey, why don't we take a beach day?" Evangeline suggests, pointing out the window towards where we can see Zeben and Will taking off their shirts as they walk down to the beach.

"Someone's gotta keep the beach clean, and not just of trash," Dana says, eyeing the two boys suspiciously.

"Beach day it is!" I agree. "I just need to run back to my cottage and get changed."

"Already? We can sit and chat for a few more minutes!" Dana exclaims. "Where are you going?" she adds as I'm halfway out the door.

"Like you said, someone's gotta keep the beach clean!" I call back to her before running out, through the parking lot, and towards the bridge leading back to the central island. About twenty minutes later, I'm running across the same bridge in the opposite direction, making sure the strings on my bikini are tied properly.

I throw my shoes and socks aside, my feet sinking in the warm sand as I finally take my first step into the crystal-clear, sparkling ocean.  Will and Zeben are a good distance out already, splashing each other and laughing.  They then spot me and wave, both of their faces flushed from either embarrassment or sunburn.  Two bros, chillin' in the ocean, zero feet apart because they're-

Without warning, two arms wrap around me from behind and lift me a few inches into the air.  I scream, grabbing the arms and trying to pull free, only to hear a familiar laugh in my ear as I'm set down.  I whirl around to see Furfur standing there, in a bikini as orange as the right half of her hair.  I... oh my god.  Her abs are f*cking incredible.  And, well, everything else, too. 

"Didn't mean to scare you," she chuckles, the breeze blowing her feather earring and strands of her hair into her face. "Going for a swim?"

"Oh- um- yeah," I stammer.  I don't know how the hell I've survived this long when I'm so bad at this.

Wait, does this mean all the girls are wearing bikinis???  Please be the case.

Further up the beach, I see Stolas staring at us.  He looks a bit conflicted, until Dana and Evangeline- both in bikinis, by the way- approach him from behind and say something to him.  He stills looks unconvinced, but has a newfound sense of determination in his step as he makes his way to the beach house.  A few minutes later, Flauros appears in the alcove separating the beach from the island.  He takes a minute before he comes a little closer and sits down in the sand a good distance away.  A part of me wonders if there's more to it than his alleged "inability to touch the water".

Much to my relief, Iris and Azrael arrive next, both going to sit with Flauros.  Well, that makes me feel a little better.  Stolas re-emerges from the beach house in his swim shorts, leather gloves, and sword slung over his shoulder.  God, does he do anything without his freaking sword?  But to my surprise, he starts walking towards the trio sitting in the sand, and in one swift motion, scoops up Azrael and Iris, each with one hand, and begins carrying them towards the ocean.  Furfur notices and starts cackling.  Azrael is screaming.  Iris looks panicked but makes no attempt to fight back after the first twenty seconds of struggling.  Stolas wades a few feet into the ocean, then finally dumps his two victims into the water and crosses his arms, a satisfied glint in his eyes.

As the two boys resurface, Azrael is frantically splashing in his now-drenched oversized sweatshirt while Iris has given up completely, pulling off his damp vest and tossing it towards the sand.  Furfur is still cackling at them.

"It's not funny!!" we hear Azrael protest. 

"It's pretty funny," Iris confesses.

"Alright, your turn." Furfur then scoops me up- god, how strong is this woman- and begins to carry me deeper into the water while I cling onto her for dear life.  Finally, we get deep enough where I have to let go before I accidentally drown her.

Water is immediately splashed into my face, and now drowning is on my mind as I glare down a very guilty-looking Will.  

"Oh, go f*ck yourself, or have Zeben do it for you," Furfur says to him.  Zeben shrieks and practically dives under the water to avoid the conversation.  

Will just smirks and responds, "Only if you watch."

"GUYS!  What happened to 'keeping the beach clean'??" Dana scolds as she splashes her way over to us.  She gives Will a friendly shove, and he falls backwards into the water.

I'm suddenly reminded of how close I'm standing to Furfur when I feel her arm brush mine, and then what feels like a massive snake near my legs.  It takes everything I have to not scream, and I quickly realize that it's her braid, which is long enough to disappear far below the water's surface.

"How long did it take you to grow your hair like that?" I ask when I realize how genuinely curious I am.

Furfur, once she realizes that I'm talking to her, smiles, putting her hands on her hips. "I never cut it.  My mom always loved braiding my hair, and I loved being with her, so I figured out when I was young that the longer my hair was, the longer it would take her to braid and the more time I'd get to spend with her.  She... was sick a lot, so I wanted to be there for her."

Her tone gets more serious as she utters the last few words, and her gaze shifts downwards to the water. 

"Oh, I'm sorry," I apologize, realizing that I must've brought up some unwelcome memories by mistake.

"No, no, you're fine," she laughs sadly. "After she... y'know... I decided to keep growing my hair anyways.  But at the same time, I wanted to let go of the past.  I was so conflicted but also in a kind of rebellious phase that I discovered it's possible to have both.  Keep my mom with me and also look super bad*ss at the same time."

"Well, it suits you," I tell her.

Furfur's hands drift to her braid, and she sighs. "Thanks.  Glad you think so."

It gets quiet for a minute.  I'm worried that I accidentally ruined the mood until she suddenly seems to shake it off and gives a big grin.

"Anyways, are we here to have fun or what?" She splashes Dana, who immediately splashes right back.  

As they engage in their own water fight, my gaze wanders over to where I notice Stolas already getting out of the water.  Confused, I run as fast as I can towards him- which is really f*ckin' slow, if you've ever tried running in the ocean.

"Where are you going?" I ask loudly, attempting to gain his attention.

Stolas glances over his shoulder as he answers, "The ocean was a very brief indulgence that I enjoyed while it lasted.  However, I have much more important matters to tend to, such as taking a much more in-depth look at this island."

"But there's not going to be any more murder!" I object. "We've all agreed to spend the rest of our lives here instead, remember?  We have all the time in the world-"

"And perhaps you are correct," Stolas interrupts as I follow him towards the beach house. "But consider the alternative- where this is not the end of the murder and someone else turns up dead.  What would you do then?  What if nobody has proper knowledge of the island and that costs everyone the trial?  You do remember what Monokumace stated on the first day, do you?  If the blackened is not exposed, everyone else dies.  Lives could be at stake."

"What if they're not, though?  Why are you assuming that one of us would do something like that?  You can't just assume that about people!" I challenge.

"You forget that whoever is behind the chess boards might very well still be out there.  And if I cannot assume that someone here would kill if given the right reason, why is it that you can assume that nobody would?"

Damn.  He's right.  I mean, I am arguing with the Ultimate Combat Pro.  I guess that includes other forms of combat besides physical?

I take a deep breath. "Okay.  Fine.  I just... you need to give yourself a break sometimes, okay?  You're taking this the most seriously out of anyone else here.  Can you please have some more fun not just for your sake, but for ours too?  I'm worried that you're distancing yourself too much."

Stolas takes a second before he says, "Sophie, I appreciate it.  I do.  But you need to understand that this is just who I am and what I do.  You don't become the Ultimate Combat Pro without making sacrifices.  My behavior here is no different than that which I have displayed everywhere else.  I will not change my ways unless I feel the absolute need to."

I stare after him as he increases the gap between us and eventually disappears inside of the beach house.  I guess it is kind of unfair to ask him to completely drop everything and loosen up?  At the same time, though, it just doesn't make sense to me.  I feel like he's being too hard on himself.  I sigh, then collect my shoes from the beach and go to leave.  I don't feel like swimming anymore.

As I pass the alcove, though, Monokumace suddenly jumps out of nowhere.

"Heya, Sophie!" they greet overenthusiastically.

"The hell do you want?" I glare at them.

"Oh, please!  I'm here to give you an offer." Their red eye gleams mischievously as they lean in. "An offer that will only be presented to you once."

I don't respond, just listen as they say it. 

"If you kill another student, I'll let you see your family again!"

I stare down at them, baffled.  What?  

"No, this is all wrong," I say, shaking my head. "It- it's too good to be true.  I refuse."

"Well, sucks to suck!  It would've been an immediate hello to your familia, but oh well!" With that, they disappear.  I'm starting to really get freaked out by that.

Still, I'm feeling uneasy from Ace's words.  I know that I don't regret saying no, but a part of me wonders...

If I  was given an offer to kill, who's to say that others didn't too?

***

(2489 words)

WHOOPS- A LONG CHAPTER- MY BADDD

Anyways yay another filler chapter but I GOT TO WRITE  A BEACH DAY SCENE (for like 2.5 seconds until I made it sad-)

Okay random question out of curiosity (just wanna poll the audience): Any OTPs/ships you guys have so far?  I genuinely just want to know what my audience is thinking (and also wanna know which pairs/trios/whatevers should get more time together)

AIGHT BY- *falls off cliff like rori*