Before we resume, I would like to remind you
that this story will tackle heavy and mature
themes such as violence, blood, abuse, and
grooming. Please read at your own discretion.

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｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. ZEUS

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FLASHBACK

"Babe, please listen to me!" I just continued walking whilst Yves chasing me. It has been two days since the video went viral and since our squad were divided into two sides.

Whether Yves cheated on me or life fucked the both of us.

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"Achi forced me!" I could hear her crying while catching up with me. I scoffed. That was impossible. I'm not a fool. Before this, she was distancing herself from me. We were already broken.

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She does not even look at me that way anymore.

So much love... Those were her eyes when she looked at me before. Now, I could only see them directed towards Achilles.

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That was what Chanel and Tiffany could not understand. I was aware that they were siding with Yves on this one. What good would it do me to listen to Yves' lies when her actions spoke louder?

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"Gucci brainwashed you... didn't she?" That made me stop. My face was fuming in anger because of what she said. I turned to look at her. How dare she? They're friends!

Before I met Yves, Gucci was the one in her life! Why the fuck would she speak that way on her best friend?!

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"Before you accuse someone, be accountable for what you did first," I hissed and turned around again to walk away.

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"And oh..." I stopped for a moment.

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"Stop calling me babe." I flashed her a forced smile. "We both know you're not sincere with that."

END

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- -

I took a deep breath before walking over to Gucci who was struggling with her cuffs. My eyes were avoiding hers all this time. I was guilty of what I did. Even though she loved me in a way I could never do to her, I was not a bastard to push her away as if we were never friends.

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I knew about it way before. However, amongst everything, I had to protect our friendship. She knew everything about me and I don't regret a single thing from what we had.

I knew I would never look at Gucci the way she looked at me, however, since Yves cheated on me, I almost thought... What if things went differently? If I fell in love with Gucci instead? Would I be happiest with her?

But, no, I could not replace Yves in my heart. It's only her.

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"Need a hand?" I asked as she looked at me with the coldest eyes I ever saw from her. That was when I realized that I was slowly losing my friends.

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I lost the love of my life.

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But, please, not with the people who love me.

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"I'm sorry, Gucci." I hung my head low, not daring to meet her eyes out of shame. I cannot imagine what she feels right now. She must have been hanging on to me as a friend who would never betray her.

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Originally, I was closest with Yves and Gucci, especially since the three of us were in the same year of university. But now that Yves is gone, Gucci and I took care of each other.

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As for Achilles, he was closest to Hades. But when it came to being a crackhead and drinking, he was always with Hades, Apollo, and Dior.

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"Let's look for the keys," I raised my head and saw her smiling at me. I returned the smile and then helped her carry the chains of her handcuffs. "Be careful. That's heavy, Zeus."

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"Fuck..." I muttered as she chuckled. "It's a good thing I work-out."

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"Workout, you mean fighting?" Gucci laughed and rolled her eyes. I pouted a little at her. I huffed, "You're such a basher!"

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We started looking behind the stage since everyone was looking underneath the tables and chairs. I noticed that the handcuffs were that heavy and Gucci would have a hard time searching at this rate.

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"Gucci... you should sit down," I suggested. It is so hard for her to move especially since she's asthmatic. The handcuffs looked like it was pulling her arm off.

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"No, I can carry it," she refused and walked past me. It was not heavy for her? She really must be a strong independent woman.

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"Gucci, is the fire really your photo?" I finally had the urge to ask that. It was bugging me all this time.

I looked at my surroundings before asking her. I am not naive... and I know so well that almost everyone was lying about their pictures. I was not even sure about the picture I picked for myself.

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She shrugged while I just sighed. She probably doesn't trust me now, too.

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My eyes darted to Apollo who was standing beside Hermés at a distance. They looked like they were arguing. I smirked... I know too damn well about Apollo's picture. His photo was... The game changer of this challenge.

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And boy, he would be wrecked so hard if I exposed his secret.

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"Mine is really the picture of Yves and Achi," I told her as she looked at me with a bitter smile.

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"I know," she nodded. "You're the only one who didn't lie."

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My jaw dropped at that. For that reason, it felt bittersweet. So, Gucci lied too? At this point, I do not know who trust anymore.

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Wait...

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"The money doesn't belong to Dior?" She froze in her position with what I said and turned to look at me. Gucci must have realized it just now.

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"Everything's in shambles," she answered. "I know more than half. I just theorized on the others."

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I just nodded and decided to search on the other side of the stage. What did that key even look like? I might possibly find Ares' car key at this point.

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Then that's great.

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What I didn't understand now was... Who the fuck took the photos? None of us belonged to a photography club nor took pictures like that. I could not wrap my head around our group having a snitch.

But yet... Yves and Achilles betrayed us. What were the odds the others were just the same?

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And why did Crow seem to know everything that happened? He knew much more than me. I was aware that some of my friends were suspects but I never thought of any of them as a murderer!

The thing I was worried about was... My temper.

Even though I was angry at Yves and Achilles, I could not fathom staying mad at them. I love them... So fucking much. Hence, when I find out who their killer is, I might turn into one myself.

They took Yves away from me.

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I almost jumped in my place when I felt someone poke my shoulder. I looked at Chanel who silently stood beside me. Fuck, why was she shocking me?

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"You good?" I asked her and she nodded. Why was she even looking here? I might possibly not get a key! I just want to get a proper sleep! It's not that I'm competitive; I'm just really tired. Being electrified is a big deal!

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"You lied about your picture, right?" I asked again as I watched her stare at me before nodding. It felt strange... Because I thought we were friends. At this point, we were strangers to each other.

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We were all protecting someone or something. That just means we all had a part to play in Yves and Achilles' death.

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She was obviously protecting someone else.

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I was protecting the friendship all of us have.

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"Why did Crow even cut your tongues off?" I asked her as if she was able to serve me an answer as to why she couldn't talk along with Prada and Tiffany.

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I already had a theory in mind. And, I know for sure that she would lie if ever I said it. No matter what I do, it would be useless if no one comes forward... If no one confesses. We would be running in circles.

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"You know everything, huh?" She just looked at me before leaving.

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I chuckled and went back to Gucci who was sitting on the stairs attached to the stage. Our youngest must have been so tired.

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"What do you want to do after we get out of here?" I asked her, giving up on searching for that fucking key! I would just sleep in the living room!

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"IF we get out of here," I frowned at her answer.

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"By the way..." she added. "I found a key."

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She showed me a gold key with a diamond in the center. Our kidnapper must have been so rich, motherfucker. Hope all.

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He should have helped the poor instead of making us suffer. There are so many people who are in need but he's just wasting his money on senseless things. He should have spent them to provide free quality education, traffic resolutions, and combat corruption.

Crow for President.

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"How will you even find your pair with this?" I asked while examining the key. There were no numbers nor any indication.

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"I don't know," she answered. "Hopefully, I'll get to rest."

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I was determined to find a damn key. Once we get out of here, I would send it to the pawnshop in exchange for money. Mark my words.

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"Tiff already found one!" Hades merrily exclaimed so we went to them. I looked at the key and this time, the color was bronze. It also sported a diamond in the center.

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"Do you have a pair already?" I asked them.

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As soon as I said that, Chanel suddenly crashed to the ground. We were quick to go to Chanel as I saw her forcing something out of her mouth.

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She looked like she was vomiting.

I went nearer to take a good look. What I saw made my eyes widen.

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Fuck?

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"Love..." Hades was already panicking, he did not know what to do. "What happened?"

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"Give her space!" Hermés ordered, as one of our medical students here. Hades stood up as Hermés went to his place instead.

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Chanel was already gagging and her face was so red.

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"Chanel, look at me," We watched the two, even though I could see Hades and the girls crying in the corner. Hermés led Chanel to a place where there was greater light.

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I saw how Tiffany covered her mouth out of shock when she saw what was that. My brows furrowed. The fuck, what was happening?! Fuck you, Crow, I swear I'll kill you if you hurt my friends!

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"One of the keys is in Chanel's throat." Shivers ran through my spine when I heard that from Hermés.

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"Fuck?" Ares cursed as he could only watch the two.

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Fucking demon. That was the correct description for Crow.

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"Chanel, stand up please." Chanel obliged to what Hermés ordered.

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"May I? My arm has to be put across your chest, Chanel," Chanel nodded with Hermés' permission.

He stood behind her and placed an arm across her chest. Hermés bent Chanel over the waist as he delivered five separate back blows between her shoulder blades with the heel of his hand.

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After a few seconds, Chanel spit out the key as she fell to the ground, gasping for air. Hades was so quick to rush over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and planted a soft kiss on her hair.

"I love you..." Hades repeatedly whispered at his every kiss. "Don't leave me. We'll get out of here safe and sound."

Really, Hades?

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"Let her breathe first," Hermés said to our friends who were about to tend to Chanel.

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Dior took the key and wiped it using the table napkin and the alcohol on the corner of the table near us. I went near her to see the key. It was silver.

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"Hey, Zeus?" Dior called me, causing me to look at her. She was only smiling bitterly at me. "I'm sorry."

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"What for?" My brows furrowed at her. I do not remember her doing something bad to me. However, with what she said, I was starting to suspect her.

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"Just... Everything that happened," She smiled and headed to Chanel to give her her key. She hugged her for a brief moment before heading to Tiffany.

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"I'm with Chanel." Apollo smiled as he slung an arm over Chanel which earned him a glare from Hades. I chuckled at their childishness. "Calm down! She's a friend!"

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I hope someone teases Apollo too.

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I was walking around the place when I saw something shimmering on the brim of my eyes. My eyes lit up when I saw a key. I immediately picked it up.

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The color was bronze, just like Prada's.

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Can I give this to the pawnshop?

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"I found a key!" I exclaimed as they all went to me. "Guess I'm your partner, Guch?"

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She smiled at me but that faded when she saw my key. I raised a brow. Did she not want to be with me? I had to sulk at that.

"Don't sulk." She chuckled. "We're not partners."

"What?"

"What the fuck!" She faked being angry. She laughed more when I rolled my eyes at her! She held up her key for me to see. "My key has a diamond in the center. Yours don't..."

My mouth fell agape when I observed our keys. She's right! So, who's my partner?

Nevertheless, I had a room now. I just hoped it could provide me with a night of proper rest.

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"Crow said that there are either penalties or prizes depending on the room," Ares butted in. "Take care of yourselves."

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And, I thought I'd get to sleep peacefully.

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I looked at Prada who was pointing something to Ares. I then turned to look and I saw three paintings. It was familiar... I remember Prada looking at these at Gucci's debut.

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However, now, they looked slightly different.

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Because this time, the women in the paintings had a separate red cross on the throat, the right eye, and the stomach.

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"Oh my God..." I heard Ares' sigh as he bumped his head on the wall. I was already sensing something different from it. As if something bad will happen.

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"What's happening?" Dior asked and Ares looked at us with dark eyes. He pointed at the paintings. I saw how the eyes of Chanel, Tiffany, and Dior widened as they realized what he meant by that.

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But I didn't.

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"These marks are on the throat, eye, and the stomach," Ares started. "The first one of the key was found on Chanel's throat."

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"The other two keys are inside the eye and stomach of one of us," he added.

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Indeed, the crows were already kissing our death.

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