Felicie was sure something would happen. They were inside of Reina’s dorm, without her permission, and rummaging through her stuff! Again, without permission!

“April, are you sure about this?” Felicie questioned her friend who was opening and closing the kitchen drawers.

April sighed and shut the pantry. “Felicie, I don’t want to do this anymore than you do. But there’s been a murder, the teachers either have no clue what’s going on or won’t tell us, and we have no leads.”

“Exactly! We have no leads! Nothing to prove Reina’s guilty!” Felicie pointed out the flaw.

“It’s not like I want my friend to be guilty but this needs to be done! She’s been acting suspicious lately, switching personalities so suddenly.”

“You think she’s being impersonated?” Felicie felt a sick rush of relief and then felt guilty for feeling that. However, if Reina was being impersonated, she wasn’t doing anything bad!

April clicked her tongue. “I’m not saying or denying anything. We don’t have any proof.”

“But what if she finds us here! I’m going be so guilty whenever I look at her from now on but I can’t stop looking at her!” Felicie exclaimed. She was torn beyond belief.

“If you don’t want to do this, then you can go stand guard outside with Dawn.” April pointed out.

Dawn had stated she wouldn’t help them search and instead waited outside, agreeing to give a signal if Reina was nearing. Felicie wanted to join her, say it was against her morals but she was already this far in. . .

Besides, she’s always wanted the chance to see where Reina lived. She’d been so secretive about it. The only regret she had was that she was essentially breaking in and taking a look around. Not a good look at all.

“Did you find anything yet?” Juliet asked, popping her head in from the living room.

“Nothing in the kitchen. What about you?” April wondered. Felicie stayed silent, wishing to observe this instead.

“Other than having a super nice couch which makes me jealous, Reina doesn’t have anything suspicious. She’s looking to be innocent, April.” Juliet said.

Felicie wanted to cheer. Were they now finally going to stop being suspicious of her and let her join the group again? Felicie missed talking to her but she also needed to be there for her other friends.

April groaned. “Did we make a mistake? We bust in here for nothing?” she whispered hollowly.

Felicie sat down next to April. “Don’t worry, you were doing what you thought was best for everybody. Now we can get back together and she can help us find out who the true villain is!” Felicie said.

“Like it’s going to be that easy. But I think you’re right, we should have Reina come back.” April admitted.

“But do we really want to keep doing this?” Juliet asked. April and Felicie stared at her. “What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about trying to find the real bad guy. He’s a murderer, for gods sake! Have you seen the body?” The last few words came out in a hiss.

April shook her head, appearing perplexed. “No, but this is why it’s so important we try our best and help everybody!”

Felicie didn’t reply again, but this time, it was because her memories were plaguing her. She had seen the body, unlike April, and it was easily the worst thing she ever saw.

The body was mostly covered with a white silken cloth as a sign of respect, though the white was stained red in some parts. His feet and hands slipped out from underneath the cloth and Felicie would never forget what she saw.

The flesh was carved up; somebody had taken a knife and used it to assault somebody’s body, whether it be while they were dead or torturing them when they were alive. What truly struck with her was the detail.

Whoever had done this-the sicko had enjoyed this. Took the time personally to draw etchings onto Nicholas’s flesh. Felicie had tried to keep watching in case there was any helpful information she spotted but after watching a shard of bone poke through, Felicie had looked away.

For a girl who’d only watched PG movies and even those sparingly, the sight of this was terrifying. New. Normally, kids would be introduced to this from a movie or TV show.

For Felicie, it was real life. Felicie wanted to go back to her parents but all travel was cut. The teachers, Board of Directors, and the government of Neverstien had decreed transportation unsafe.

“-cie! Felicie! Come on, Monica’s found something.” April said in a hushed tone. The words sent a wave of freezing cold water down upon her back.

It was impossible, right? Reina couldn’t be the killer, right? She had the feeling her question would be answered after these next few steps.

Monica had been tasked with the bedroom. Part of it had been because nobody else wanted to; the bathroom was totally different from the other places and Monica was the only one brave (and perverted) enough to choose the bedroom.

The bedroom door was open a tiny crack and shadows could be seen coming out of it. Heavy footsteps caused the wooden floor to creak and April, Juliet, and Felicie froze.

What was that? What kind of monstrosity did Reina have!? No, no, no, no, no! Reina helped Felicie when she needed help and Felicie would repay it by not abandoning her.

“We need to rescue Monica.” April said.

“But how? We don’t even know what kind of trap she got herself into.” Juliet said. That was true, charging in recklessly without knowledge was a fool’s move.

“Beside, why do we have to save her? Maybe Monica is playing around.” Felicie said. “Let’s just go to her and talk what this is all about.”

“I do not want to get mauled to death today!” April snapped. Both Juliet and Felicie shivered at the word, April having unintentionally bringing forth memories of Nicholas.

April noticed this and was quick to apologize. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s fine.” Juliet held up a hand. “Let’s focus on saving Monica and-“

“Guys! Where are you?” Monica’s voice ranged from somewhere deep inside Reina’s bedroom. Something triggered inside of Felicie and she sprinted for the room.

Ignoring Juliet and April, Felicie kicked open the door to discover a peculiar scene: Monica was on her hands and knees with butt aimed high in the sky. A ginormous tiger was nearby, sniffing at her butt.

Felicie’s mind short circuited. “Wha-what?”

Monica noticed her and smiled. “Long time no see!” Felicie faintly pointed at the butt sniffing large cat and Monica laughed. “I think he does that to make sure we’re not a threat! He’s a good cat, oh, aren't you?” Monica reached up and scratched the cat underneath its chin. It purred (purred) in delight and the sound shook the room. It didn’t make things better by the way he swatted the ground with his wagging tail every now and then.

April and Juliet burst through the door and was similarly stunned by the strange sight. April blinked rapidly several times.

“Felicie? Am I dreaming?” she asked in a breathy voice.

Felicie told her she we not dreaming and both the huge cat and the butt sniffing cat was real and one.

“This is too strange, even for me,” Juliet noted. Monica waved at them and Felicie dazedly found herself waving back.

“Don’t worry, he’s almost done!” she insisted. Felicie flinched back at a particularly loud grunt the tiger made as it shoved its face into her butt.

“Do we. . .save her?” April questioned.

She looked like she was having second doubts. Who could blame her? Felicie certainly couldn't. This scene in front of her was beyond weird.

Finally, Monica up and walked over to them. Felicie unconsciously took a step back, not sure what to think about this recent endeavor of hers. She did have a lot of questions though. . .

In the end, her curiosity overrode her sense of caution and she leaned forward. “How does that work? Was it sniffing your butt? Do you think your butt smelled good? Did you fart? Is it a she or a he? Are you dating?” Felicie blurted out.

Monica smirked and quirked a finger to the sky. “I am proud to announce the fact that I did not indeed fart!” she proclaimed. Felicie applauded her. At least she didn’t spew gas.

“Sorry, but what was that? Felicie may be ready to accept all of this but I sure as heck am not.” April snapped.

“Relax, princess. The tiger came over and sniffed my butt for no reason.” Monica explained.

“And you let him?” Juliet checked.

“Of course!” They all blinked. That was not the answer they were expecting. “Have you seen the claws on him? It’s huge!”

“Questionable actions aside, this is so cool! Reina has her very own tiger! I want my own tiger. Felicie dropped to her knees and prostrated herself before the tiger. “What can I do to get you?” she asked seriously.

“Felicie!” April drew her attention. “Stop fraternizing with the enemy!”

Muttering about kill joys, Felicie stomped over to her friends and stood nearby, stuffing her hands into her pocket. She looked the paragon of a brooding teenager, a look that she didn’t wear very often.

“What do we do now?” Juliet asked. “Can we leave? I do not want to be stuck here with a tiger,” she stated.

“No!” Monica retorted. “There’s something here, I can sense it. And I bet the tiger has something to do with it.” They all turned to gaze at the tiger who was now plopped down on the floor.

Felicie moaned. “Can’t we just spend time with the tiger and call it a day?” she begged. April shot her a look and shook her head.

“No, we’re going all the way.” She faced the tiger. “Mr. Tiger? Can you please evacuate the room?”

The tiger yawned, licking its paw before placing its head down on the floor. Felicie giggled at the cuteness it was emanating. “I think it went to sleep,” she explained.

“Probably.” April agreed. “Monica. You spent the most time with the tiger, albeit doing who knows what with it. Can you get him to move?”

Monica shrugged. “I can try but I think you’re overestimating our mutual relationship. Mr. Tiger? Can you please leave?” Monica asked. The tiger yawned, revealing all of its very sharp teeth. Before Felicie could panic, Monica raised a finger. “Mr. Tiger! Are you threatening me? How rude, I am extremely disappointed in you!”

Juliet leaned in and whispered, “Does she have a death wish?” Felicie privately agreed and was ready to zoom over and retrieve her if things got bad. However, much to all of their great surprises, tiger slowly got up. Sending what appeared to be a reproachful glare at all of them, it turned on its paws and slunk away.

Felicie’s heart ached a little, having to watch him be driven away from his home. She promised she would make it up to both Reina and him eventually. “We should have treated him better.” Felicie insisted.

April sighed. “We had to do it. Because now, we can check under the rug.” She pointed down at the carpeted floor. Feliice’s intrigue was piqued.

“Do you really think something’s under there?” Felicie asked. “If so, it’s just like the movies! Reina has secret hiding spots, that’s so cool!” She wondered if Reina would let her have some as well.

“But you need to ask the question: Why does she have them?” April reminded her. Monica rolled her eyes.

“Don’t tell me you really think she’s the murderer,” Monica stated. Felicie jumped up and down.

“You don’t think so either?!”

Monica looked a bit disgruntled at Felicie’s words. “Of course I don’t, I’m not a ruffian who believes in the slightest rumors, no matter how tiny they are. Besides, Reina’s not the type of person, even if she has been acting weird lately.”

“I’m not saying she’s the murderer! But maybe she has a clue around here about their true identity or is getting blackmailed or threatened or something!” April grasped the side of the carpeted and peeled it off the floor.

Felicie slumped. “There’s nothing,” she whispered. April appeared disappointed as well, until footsteps went up the stairs. Everybody exchanged hurried looks.

“Is that Dawn?” Felicie hissed.

Juliet cocked her head and listened. “No, the footsteps are too light. It’s got to be Reina!”

“How’d she get past Dawn?!” April demanded to know. She crouched down and grabbed her head. “Oh, we’re so busted.”

Monica flung open the window and entered the balcony. Walking over to the side, she peered down. Felicie dashed over and pulled her back. “I know this situation is bad but don’t jump!”

Monica swatted at her. “I wasn’t jumping, I wanted to see if there was a way to get down!” she exclaimed.

“What an interesting sight here.” a new voice said. It wasn’t Reina but it was familiar.

Felicie turned around, completely forgetting about Monica and having her drop to the floor. “Angel!” she shrieked with a wide smile. “You’re here!”

“Yeah, why are you here?” April asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I hope you don’t accuse me of ridiculous things as well, April. I’m here to check Reina’s room.” Angel told them. Felicie sighed.

“I think we should leave it alone. It’s her room and I don’t think she likes people in it without her knowing. Besides, we searched and there’s nothing.”

“Which is why you people are horribly inept for this.” Ignoring the stammered, “Hey!”, Angel strolled over to the middle of the room. Taking hold of the carpet April dropped, she pulled it back up.

“Ha! There’s nothing there!” April crossed her arms.

“Not so. There’s definitely a container underneath the floor.” Angel glared at April. “If this is supposed to be a secret hiding spot, which it likely is, why would Reina make it visible?”

April blushed and glanced away. “Well-I-you see-“

“Exactly,” Angel said in a finishing move.

Felicie moved closer, poking at the floor. “You’re saying there’s something here? Then maybe Reina is actually working to take down the bad guy and is a superhero!”

Angel rolled her eyes. “Sure she is. Now, I need to find a way to open it. Brute force won’t work, not if she’s smart.” Angel got up and began examining her room more thoroughly.

“Wait, how did you know about this?” Felicie smooshed her face against the floor. As she thought, the lines signifying the secret hiding spot were so slight, that you couldn’t spot it without a magnifying glass. You definitely can’t catch it standing up. “I mean, I thought you’re-“

“Blind? When you’re blind, you find different ways of seeing.” Angel told her. Felicie perked up.

“Can you teach me?” Imagine if she could do what Angel did! She would be so much cooler and maybe Reina would even come to her for backup on her hero mission! She could be a sidekick.

“That’s a hard no,” Angel said and Felicie sagged. Why was today such a disappointing day?

“Um, so do we help her or what?” Juliet asked. Monica scanned Angel.

“She’s quite a looker, isn’t she?”

April groaned. “Can you not think with your hormones for once?” Monica twirled her hair around her finger.

“Whoops!”

“I don’t care if you help me search or not. Just don’t get in my way or I’ll pulverize you.” After that motivating words, Feliice’s friends got to work on different sections of the bedroom. Felicie didn’t know what to do.

All her friends were doing this but Reina was her very first friend! She already thought searching downstairs was bad enough, but now they were scanning through her bedroom? She even saw Monica in the bathroom! Felicie decided she was going to call it quits here.

“I’m just going to leave, cool?” Felicie asked sheepishly. “I think you guys don’t need me, so bye!”

“If you’d done that from the beginning, it would have been better for you.” the ice-cold voice of Reina stated. Felicie felt as if somebody had dumped a bucket of freezing water down her shirt.

Everybody else was frozen as well, except for Angel who was blatantly searching. Felicie slowly turned around and found Reina standing in the doorway, looking madder than she’s ever seen before. Next to her was the tiger, who had Dawn hanging by the scruff of her neck and making her seem like a reprimanded kitten. On any other day, Felicie might have seen this as funny. Right now, she only experienced a churning whirlpool of guilt and shame.

“I know we should have treated the tiger better,” Felicie grumbled dejectedly.