Resumption and subsequent destruction — the cycle of the same events.
You open your eyes and it's like déjà vu all around. Familiar faces, familiar sounds, familiar shadows. Everything repeats. As if you've already seen it.
That's right. I opened my eyes.
Around me, faces divided into groups. Everyone is busy with their own conversations, arguments, silence. And only one girl sat opposite, not taking her eyes off me.
Wait, is she looking at me?
I didn't waste a second.
— Why are you staring at me so intently? — I asked.
She abruptly looked away, as if hoping I hadn't noticed. But after I became a vampire, all human senses became sharp, even the perception of a gaze.
I noticed.
— I thought you wouldn't notice. Surprised you reacted so quickly. You… are not human? — she asked.
Was that a question? Or an admission?
A strange feeling pierced my body, a chill. Why? It's a normal question. Just a question. But I felt… differently.
— Is everything alright? — the firm voice of the girl opposite, Tiamut. — Your hands are shaking.
— Sorry. I don't know what came over me. It's chilly, probably the windows are open.
She didn't answer, just shook her head. Her speech is firm, confident, without hesitation. A confident woman who knows what she wants.
But why such a question? What did she mean?
I'm sure no one here knows what I've become. Probably, she was just surprised by my attentiveness.
— So what are they talking about?
— Who are they? — an immediate question in return.
Strange, as if she herself isn't sure who she means. But still…
— The participants.
— I don't know, everyone is busy with their own things. Yahweh and Hov are discussing those inscriptions whose translation we need to find. Kamiki started talking to one of the servants.
— With a servant? — a glance to the side, Morgana and Kamiki are nearby, indeed discussing something.
What does he want from her?
— Why don't you go to Enua and talk?
Wait… did she say "Enua"? I didn't mishear?
Why? Was anyone concerned about his status before?
Why do her words give me goosebumps?
No.
I'm just surprised. She doesn't feel disgust or hatred, only… compassion.
I remembered our conversation with Enua when we split into groups. He said he knew her. If so, why didn't she try to help when everyone was accusing him of murder?
There's no point in blaming, here everyone is for themselves. Perhaps she was afraid of becoming a suspect herself. Or I'm overthinking it.
I need to go to Enua. If not for her, I would have forgotten about him. Idiot. Tried to help on my own and forgot about him.
I stood up. Went towards the bedroom.
Yahweh and Hov by the window watched me go. Tiamut smiled slightly and finished her wine.
A couple of minutes later — at the door.
A face without emotions, the soul seemed gone. A faceless body.
My fault, couldn't protect, couldn't prove the alibi. Couldn't even prove it to myself. I just wanted to believe in his innocence. Wanted to hope.
One thought in my head, the second night. The mass murder in the library.
Was it him? Wanted to ask, but does he even know the truth himself?
He is like a child, needs help. Needs someone nearby who will offer a hand.
He didn't have such a person.
People find it hard to make decisions alone. Sometimes you need advice from someone close, we are social beings, we need support.
— If you had no one, I am ready to be that person. Let's stop the enemy together!
He raised his gaze. A spark, almost imperceptible, but it's there.
— Why are you so desperately trying to help? I don't understand…
— If you are true to your ideals and truly consider yourself who you want to be…
— I am justice itself, — I said with confidence.
The situation in the living room hadn't changed.
Tiamut was drinking wine. Yahweh and Hov were talking. Kamiki stood by the window, watching the rain.
— So, you want to help him? — asked Yahweh.
— Yes. I feel the truth is on his side.
— What truth? What are you talking about? I don't understand.
— Idiot, he doesn't consider any of us the criminal. Thinks it's the witch.
— How do we know? Neither he nor Enua could prove their alibi. We cornered him.
— True, but the same can be said about the witch. Why are we so sure she isn't playing the role of a maniac? The rules are strange, survive until the seventh day. Why was the witch so sure we would start killing each other?
— Everything got more complicated. What do you suggest? Drop the charges against Enua and start accusing the witch?
— Enua will remain a suspect. But we won't rule out the witch either. If he doesn't prove his innocence tomorrow, we'll discard him.
— Alright, I'm on your side. Let's see what happens.
A few minutes later, Aragi returned not alone, but with Enua. All eyes were on Enua, who had been hiding until now.
Tiamut smiled slightly.
— Excellent. All together. Let me say, — Aragi began.
— We will go to the library to find out the translation, but together with Enua. If you refuse, I refuse too.
The dialogue was interrupted by Morgana.
— Cheryl and I will also refuse to help.
She looked at Aragi, he looked at her. Understanding without words.
— I agree, — Tiamut was the first to support.
The others agreed too.
— Good, since we've agreed, let's go up to the second floor, — said Kamiki, still by the window.
This time I do not intend to lose to you, witch of Ryujima Island!