Case of Amber Hark: Death is The New Birth

Chapter 4: New Member

GICCA'S POINT OF VIEW

“Let's first do the experiment before Amber's case,” Lance said in a rough voice.

We are here in the classroom, hanging for the next subject. We are so careful in talking, someone might hear. We also made sure we are away from our classmates. Away from risks.

“So, where do we make the elixir?” Rique asked while entertaining himself by playing his ball pen.

It took Lance five seconds to think, “Hmm, can we do it at your place, Gicca?” Lance asked me.

“Yeah, let's just do it at your house Gicca, the surroundings there are indeed relaxing.” Ali spoke.

Our house is far from crowded and definitely distanced from toxics people. My parents meant to acquire that kind of place because they hate loud ambience. And because of it, I had no friends when I was a kid. I started making acquaintances in high school. Can you capture how lonely was I back then?

“Sure, when do we start?” I asked.

I know Lance was about to answer, but someone spoke out of nowhere, and even astonished us all.

“Hey guys, what's up?” The interrupter asked us warmly.

I turned to look at who disturbed us, and it shocked me to see Eliote. I hope he heard nothing in our conversation. Why is he appearing without notice? Ugh.

“We are having an important and confidential talk.” Scary Lance said to Eliote as he discharged his dragon-like eyes.

That's superb.

“Oh, is that it? Anyway, I heard your group will engage in an experiment competition.” Eliote said in a way that he is unaffected by Lance's aura.

Ali rolled her eyes secretly but I saw it, “Yes, you got the right news.” Ali stated in a bored tone as she flipped her hair.

“Have you started it?” Eliote once again asked as if he is interested in talking to us.

“Not yet, dude. Why?” Rique asked.

Eliote shrugged, “Can you can include me? don't worry, you can count on me.” he insisted.

“Sorry, we are full,” Rique said, so I grimaced. How can he say that? I know five members are the limit.

“But wait, how sharp are you?” Ali asked Eliote.

I looked at her with mixed wondering on my face. What is she planning? Maybe she'll do evil again like what she did to the SSG secretary. And we might get punish again.

Eliote grabbed his chin, “Smart enough, just enough for you to need me in that experiment.” He responded. Wooow. He speaks like Rique. Confident.

I saw Rique smirked, maybe because he sees himself in Eliote.

“Why do you want to join?” Lance asked as if recruiting for a gang.

“Because I love experiments.” Eliote answered.

“Have you done an experiment before?” Rique asked.

“Are you from a science school?” Ali asked.

Ugh. They pressure Eliote. Maybe he can contribute more to the experiment. What do we know? Eliote is just a new student, maybe he is even smarter than us. We don't know anything about him.

“Okay you can join us in the experiment. So, when do we start?” I said, and the three of them are wonder-strucked by my sudden decision.

Elite covered his mouth with joy, “Oh my gosh! Thank you!” He said to me.

I think he is a jolly person, the opposite of Lance, but I will still choose Lance no matter what.

“Tomorrow,” Lance coldly answered.

---

“So you are Gicca Gomez?” Eliote repeated it again.

“Yes, Gicca Gomez is my full name and you don't have to repeat it again and again.” I said as I rolled my eyes.

He had been naughty lately. Our subject teacher had us worked by two and unfortunately, Eliote and I were chosen as partners. I should have just prayed for Lance.

Eliote is okay, he is smart, but he is talkative and very joker. I can't concentrate properly because of his loudness.

“Such a nice name.” he complemented.

I just smiled and did not speak.

“But Amber Hark would be nicer,” he added.

I was frozen at that moment. Did he just said Amber Hark? Why would he say that? That name was dead long ago. Why would he bring it up? As far as I know only the four of us (my friends and I) are interested to Amber Hark's case. And I know people don't care about that anymore, and some of them have already buried it in oblivion. What is with him? Why would he take it up?

Does he know? Does he know that we have the confidential file?

“W-Why do y-you say so?” I stuttered.

He smiled and spoke, “I have loved that name since it became so popular way back then.”

“T-That's great!” I spoke and pretended to be happy with what he stated, so he would not notice I am wondering.

“Have you heard about it? I mean the case,” he asked.

I averted my eyes from him and just looked at the paper I was dealing with, “No, I do not have time for such things because I am focusing on my studies.” I lied.

“That is good because that case is very dangerous.” he said and started answering his paper as well.

I slighty knitted my forehead, “Why are you using the word is? You should use the word was because I heard a little about it and accordingly, that was dead long ago.” I said.

“The case was just closed but the danger of that case is still alive.” he declared.

What he said led me to knit my head even more. Why does he seem to know more than us? In fact, we are the ones with the original file of that case. What does he know? Gosh, he creeps me. He is a weird.

“You are filled with fiction in your life.” I said and take a look back to my paper.

“Not really, but I tell you, stay away from everything that is related to that case.” he stated.

What kind of person is this? He scares me a lot. Why would he say these stuff? What does he know? I feel like he knew that the file is with us!

My friends must know this.

---

“Just stay away from him, Gicca.” Lance ordered after I told the three of them about what Eliote and I talked about.

The classes for today are over, and this is the only time that I can talk to them without interruption.

“Maybe we should all just avoid him. Ugh, I haven't liked that man since he stepped in.” Ali said, and she crossed her arms.

“Yeah, he may be one of the assets of Hark's murderer who doesn't want the case to be solved.” Rique said.

Ali pushed him as she knitted her forehead, “Don't scare me, stupid!” she shouted.

“I'm not scaring you, I'm just stating a possibility and that we should be careful.” he seriously said.

“If ever he has a connection to the murderer, then he is just wasting his time on us.The murderers will not know that someone will continue to solve the case. He will not know that we have the file because we were the only human beings in that old room when we found it, and we're not going to spit that secret. Do you promise?” Lance asked.

My tongue moved back a little. Why are they now talking about the murderers? When it's supposed to be just the case, we must stick with the case not with the murderers.

“I assure, and I would like him to truly have a link to the murderer. That way, our settlement of the case will be expedited.” Rique swore.

“I promise, and I think we must extract the background of Eliote. From his family and his whole being. Yes, we will avoid him, but we will go deeper to his personality, secretly.” Ali swore.

I frowned because they are all looking at me, waiting for me to say something. But I think we should put the case aside because it might harm us.

I do not understand them, I know they are also afraid of what might happen to us, but they are acting like soldiers, will fight to the end.

That case has no contribution to our lives, it will not make our lives easier, it will only cause us harm.

And one more thing, a large percentage in my mind says Eliote is innocent of their accusations. Like hello, we are at the same age, and he was just a child when the crime happened. How can a child be trusted?

I can't believe that they can jump into this just because Rique said a possibility (that Eliote is an asset) but it has no proof!

“I pledge to tell no one, but promise that you won't harm Eliote. Maybe it's just a coincidence that he likes the case of Amber. And besides, he even told me to stay away from anything related to that case because it is dangerous.” I said.

“We're not going to harm nor hurt him. Why are you concerned about him?” Lance asked coldly and gave a sharp look. It caused me to gulp.

“You may think it was just a coincidence. What if he was just waiting for you to slip in and say something about the file?” raised eyebrows Rique asked.

“Yeah, don't be like that to people you just met, Gicca. Remember, we are no longer a normal student. We are holding something what once was dangerous.” Ali told me.

My eyes widened as they spoke weird things. I couldn't sink it all. Am I really leaving my normal life? Is this true? Is this really happening?

I nodded and said, “You are right, we are holding a dangerous document way back then. What if Eliote's statement is true that the danger of that case is still alive?! Let's just throw the file away and leave Eliote alone."

Rique breathed heavily, “We are not saying that he is wrong in that part. It is possible that the horror of that case may still be alive.” he said.

I shook my head because I could not believe what he said, “And what do you mean? What end you want? Do you wish us all to perish? Is it okay to you?” I asked tearfully.

“What is your real concern, Gicca? The case of Amber, us or Eliote?” Lance asked while gritting his teeth.

And my tears flowed, “All of them! How can you accuse someone you just met and go through his private life?! How can you accept to yourself that one of us might die because of that case?! I honestly don't know what's running through my mind anymore because I'm so afraid because of your stupid plan and that stupid file!” I shouted it at their faces and walked out crying.

Honestly, I don't know what to do anymore. I know I doubted Eliote too and was a little scared because of what he said. I want him away from us, but I don't like the way my friends think to keep him away. What if he is really innocent? And what if he found out he was being accused? For sure, he will not like it.

And I am also afraid that they might do something unacceptable to Eliote, I know the behavior of my friends.

And because of what Eliote said and what my friends were saying about Amber Hark's case, it led to me to be even more nervous and only caused me to think more of bad possibilities.

Indeed, that case is dangerous, may cost our lives.

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