"Where were you on the night of the attack at Garcia's home during the party? "

Lia was a little taken aback at the directness of the question. Of all questions, they had to start with that one? 

She was sitting on her bed with her mom positioned on the edge and staring at the two detectives who were seated on the couch opposite her bed with pens in their grip and a short note resting on their laps. 

"Of course I was at the party, where would I have been? " She asked back. 

"According to our investigation and testimonies from students, it was revealed that Alexa and Caroline left with you and wasn't seen again until the end of the quake "

"Detective, I was at a high school party, you do know what happens in such an event, right? I was wasted for the rest of the night, my brain isn't that good " Lia told him in a straightforward manner, her tone firm and unwavering. 

She made sure no trace of nervousness was found on her face since detectives were good at reading facial expressions and body language. 

"None of the students saw you leave the party, " Chris said this time which elicited a response from Jenny. 

"You said you were going to ask her just a few perfunctory questions, but right now it feels like you're interrogating my daughter " Jenny complained right away. 

Shawn disclosed, "Alexa was found dead yesterday "

A flicker of shock crossed Lia's features which Chris didn't fail to capture. 

Jenny gasped, "Poor child" hands resting on her chest.

"How did she die? "

"According to the medical examiner, she died from a blunt trauma to the head and a stab to the stomach " Chris replied. 

Jenny's hands flew to her mouth, unconsciously she reached for her daughter's hand, clasping it so tightly. 

She couldn't help but feel the urge to hold on to her child right now. What if it had been her own daughter in this situation? She wouldn't be able to take It at all, might as well go crazy; it seems this town wasn't as safe as she assumed. 

"Who would be so heartless to do such a thing?" Lia's mom queried the detectives but they had no answer for her, opting to lower their head instead. 

"The case is still under investigation "

"Then you both should be out there finding the culprit! " fumed Jenny. 

"That's the problem," Julie said, turned his attention on Lia, " Your daughter is currently an accused person in this case "

"What?" Lia was stunned, she totally didn't expect that. 

"Excuse me? "

Jenny's brows narrowed together, her gaze was dark and icy. From her body language, it was obvious she would fight anybody who dared touch her daughter. 

"What are you talking about? "

"According to our investigation, prior to her death, turns out Alexa had sent a message to her friend Caroline Garcia and your name was mentioned - "

Jenny sprang up to her, admonishing them severely, " When I let you into this room, you clearly told me you wanted to speak to my daughter, not accuse her of a crime she undoubtedly didn't commit "

Julie stood to his feet and argued," We are not accusing her of anything, just confirming the information - "

"You won't be confirming anything anymore! " Jenny interjected with anger. 

"Mom, I - "

"Don't say a word! " Jenny growled at her daughter who had no option than to close her mouth. 

"I do not know much about the law but I know I have the right to remain silent and not answer your questions "

Julie persisted, "Mrs. Jenny, this is - "

"I'm calling my lawyer " She informed them and without wasting time, took her cell phone out of the pocket of her blazer.

"If your daughter didn't do anything wrong, why would you need an attorney ? " huffed Chris who had been silent all this time.

Phone pressed against her ear, she glared at him while Lia watched the unfolding drama helplessly. 

Jenny cursed out loud when the call wouldn't connect. She then tossed the phone to the bed and grabbed her purse instead. She rummaged through her stuff until she found a card. 

"My daughter Lia would not make any statement nor answer any of your questions without speaking with her attorney " She stood firm.

"You're making a huge deal out of - "

"My lawyer will take it from here" She held out her attorney's card to Julie who obviously still had a lot to say. 

He accepted the card reluctantly. 

"Thank-you " She released a fake smile, " Now I would appreciate it if you find your way out. As you can see, my daughter has to recover " Jenny dismissed them politely. 

Lia could feel Chris scrutinizing her as he dropped one final glance on her before leaving with her partner. 

"We will meet again," Julie remarked. 

Unfortunately, mother and daughter couldn't exactly pinpoint who he was referring to - but there was a huge probability it was Lia. 

"Did you discover anything? " Julie asked Chris as soon as they walked out of the room. 

Chris released a rugged breath and answered " She's not the one, but she seems to know something besides, she has an alibi "

Julie looked up surprised yet with a doubtful look on his face, "How would you know that easily? Can you read thoughts or something? Moreover, Is not like the crimes are written clearly on their faces"

"Her eyes were clear and brilliant, she's too calm. Even if one is innocent, people tend to panic when they're informed of their involvement with a crime" He explained to Julie who had a confused look on his face yet pondering on his words. 

"The girl knows something we don't know or might have seen something related to this case which was why she was that relaxed. "

"You make quite a point " Julie nodded in agreement, "But we can't question her directly anymore, what should we do? "

Chris smiled and rubbed his chin, an excited glint in his eyes.

"Sometimes you don't need to do anything, people who are destined to meet would surely meet " 

Lost in his trance, a smile moved Chris's mouth to the sound, the girl took her father's eyes. 

Julie gave Chris a puzzled look, what was he talking about? The partner assigned to him today was definitely weird. 

He glanced down at the badge on the inside of his jacket and stared at Chris "What division did you say you're from again?"

Something flashed in Chris's eyes but he didn't show it," Are we going for an examination? Why are you so curious about my division? Do I have to repeat myself again? "

Julie worked his jaw but didn't say anything but he had a nagging feeling, this assigned partner of his wasn't who he seemed to be. 

Well since this case was a joint investigation and the higher up had added him to his team, he had no other say in the matter. 

Meanwhile….

Jenny was spacing up and down the room, hand on her waist while the other was rubbing her head with an anxious look on her face. 

"Mom, you're making me dizzy " Lia complained but her mom ignored her. 

She sat up, irritated. "Just calm down mom, I'm sure it's all a misunderstanding! "

"Misunderstanding?!" Her Mom snapped, " Lia, they are talking murder here! "

"Let's think it over alright. Alexa was killed yesterday but mom, I've been in the hospital all this while so I've got a concrete alibi already " Lia reasoned. 

With a heavy sigh, Jenny plonked down on the bed and rubbed her face with her palm. Just a few minutes but she had already aged ten years from thinking. 

Lia crawled towards her mother and wrapped her arms around her waist, resting her head on Jenny's shoulder. 

"Thanks for defending me mom " She inhaled her scent and hugged her tighter. 

With a weak smile, she turned around and embraced her daughter more comfortably, running her hands through her dark hair. 

"As far as I'm alive, I won't let anyone bully you nor your siblings. You guys are everything to me right now "

A tear fell off Lia's cheek, she wondered if her mom would still treat her the way she does now once she finds out the truth about her. 

Her father had hidden a lot from her mother, but she was hiding a lot more. Once everything comes to the limelight, would she still accept her as a daughter or a monster? 

Or maybe she could leave before then? 

No, she couldn't do that, she couldn't abandon her mother! But what if she staying, puts them in danger?

Lia was disturbed, would staying with her family be a blessing or a curse? Yes, she was strong enough to protect them but she wasn't superwoman, she couldn't be everywhere at once. 

Moreover, her power was destructive, what if she ends up injuring them instead of protecting them? 

"Sorry " Her mom apologized but Lia didn't understand why she was rendering an apology until Jenny asked. 

"Doesn't your arm ache? Aren't you supposed to cry in pain? "

That was when it dawned on her that her mom had hit her bandaged arm by mistake and she hadn't reacted the way a normal human would. 

"Ouch? "