Alexis was fully dressed, and ready for the day. She wore a tank top with roses swirling about with a long red skirt to her ankles, sporting Converse sneakers. You're confident and you're super cool, she practised in the mirror very often. It was around 12 AM, and the rest of the group slept in because of the hangover.

She passed down the hall, wondering why it stank so much. Probably because of all the pool water dragged along last night. She went down the stairs, seeing Tellie at the glass dinner table. She wore ripped jeans with a cropped black shirt.

"Morning," Alexis said softly.

"I feel like dying," Tellie groaned back, her head on the table. "I shouldn't have chugged a whole bottle...help me, Alexis...argh..."

"Told you so," she tsked, going to the fridge already stocked with food. She grabbed Greek yogurt, passing one to Tellie. She also poured herself a glass of fresh milk.

"Oh my god, this yogurt is so disgusting," Tellie gagged, puckering her lips together like a toddler. "It's so sour, what the heck?"

Alexis gave a mere shrug. "Where's the others?"

"Here!" Lypsie's voice rang from upstairs as she came down the stairs. She also looked hungover, but had more energy, probably because she didn't drink as much. Lypsie made herself a salad for them all—something that Alexis and both Tellie protested to—and Odetta also joined them forty-five minutes later.

Odetta probably looked the worst of them all, Alexis noted.

"You made salad, seriously?" she questioned, shaking her head.

"It's healthy and I like plants and cooking," Lypsie supplied for the rest, passing bowls of crunchy leaves. Alexis didn't even know if she could finish it all. "Plus, I'm vegetarian, you know that, Oddie."

Oddie? Since when did Lypsie and Odetta have cute nicknames for each other? Alexis worried that she was losing Odetta, one of her only friends, to some new stranger. All that remorse she felt for Lypsie earlier vanished.

It also seemed as if she and Lypsie made up from whatever fight last night.

"It's quite late now," Tellie observed, even if hungover. "Where's Penny?"

"You're right," Lypsie agreed for once.

"Whatever," Odetta said, eager to dismiss this. "So, what are we doing today? We could explore Omfori if you want. I heard there's a historical and old church here. Sounds like a bore, but I know Alexis likes that kind of nerdy stuff."

Alexis huffed, chewing her salad slowly. "It's not nerdy, it's interesting stuff!"

"Sure, say what you want," she snorted back, clasping her hands together. "So? What do you say—a tiny adventure of exploring Omfori? The island is vast, we'd be back in a few hours or so."

"Shouldn't we wait for Penny?" Tellie asked, frowning. "She's the leader, you know, she might have something already planned for today. She's probably just sleepy, so we can spare a few seconds, can't we?"

"I can be the leader." Odetta's snarl was dangerous. Alexis was stunned, shocked if you care. Penny was always the leader, it was just the way it was. How could anyone else lead?

Alexis dabbed her lips with a napkin. "Maybe not, Odetta."

"It would be fun," Lypsie admitted, shrugging. "We can't wait for her forever."

Telle sighed, also agreeing in the end. "I tried to wake her up, but her room's door is locked. Annoying as it is, she's probably shaking off that hangover. I still am, but I'll come with.

Odetta clasped her hands again. "Perfect."

They decided to slip a note under Penny's door before the girls headed out. They walked through the lush forestry, eventually stopping on the beach near the church. They sat down, stretching out their legs.

"Can we go into the water?" Tellie whined, looking winded. Alexis was slightly panicked that more of the hangover effects would kick in, well, she'd never know because she never got drunk before.

Odetta shook her head. "Look, we're all tired and exhausted from last night's party, just chill out, okay?"

Tellie huffed loudly. "Fine."

"What even happened last night?" Alexis asked out of curiosity. "I know I wasn't there, but what happened? Did someone black out by any chance? Was it Tellie?"

"HEY!" Tellie yelled as they laughed at her. "I did not black out!"

"Lypsie and Tellie were in the pool," Odetta explained lightly, glancing at Lyspei who looked upset. "I'm pretty sure she threw up or whatever, but I can't remember too well. Penny and I were in the hottub. Then we went inside at midnight to hang around, get more drunk, and go to bed."

"Sounds boring," Alexis said, gnawing her nails. She pretended like she did care, like she didn't care about missing out and being the loner of the group. "Anything else?"

Lypsie sighed. "Uhm...we played truth or dare."

"We did?" Tellie sounded confused. "I don't remember, but then again, Odetta probably dared me to chug a beer or whatever."

"Actually, I did," Lyspie said sheepishly. "Sorry by the way."

Alexis snorted. "Seriously, truth or dare? Sounds stupid and dumb. But, it did sound somewhat fun. Give me the deets."

Odetta gave a mere shrug. "There's not much to tell."

"We probably don't remember half of the things we did," Lypsie admitted, pinching the bridge of her button nose. "Ugh, a headache is coming on. My brain is fried like KFC."

Alexis was amazed how free Lypsie Lee was without Penny nearby to nag her. She wondered if she would be on Lypsie's side instead of Penelope's. No, Penny is your friend, her mind retorted. Penny was here first.

Alexis couldn't argue with that. "Can we go visit the church now?"

"What's so fun about church?" Lypsie asked. "I've never understood the concept."

"I dunno', I've never been to church, I don't believe in that stuff," Alexis said, standing up, dusting off the sand off herlong skirt. "Tellie hasn't been to one in ages, but I think Odetta's family does."

"It's kind of boring and I don't really believe in that kind of stuff. It was kind of forced onto me to belive," Odetta supplied. "I hate the singing part or whatever."

"I love to sing," Lypsie interrupted.

"Really?" Alexis was surprised, but then again, she didn't know Lypsie very well. "Are you good at it?"

"Somewhat decent—"

Odetta cut her off. "She's amazing, her voice is so...so alluring. Like a siren's call, it's hypnotizing. I heard her sing before, it fills with you such calamity. If Lypsie could sing in the choir, maybe church wouldn't be so boring."

"Sirens aren't real," Lypsie teased, allowing a shy smile.

"You're right," Odetta agreed. "Because your voice doesn't send me into a dreary and watery deathbed."

Tellie coughed loudly. "Ahem, but can you two stop flirting? It's tiring."

Lypsie's cheek reddened. "I-I didn't—"

"Look, let's go check out the old church!" Alexis interrupted, trying to stop World War lll. She got everyone else up, strolling towards the steps of the church. The steps seemed to be made of cement, but she wasn't sure.

The church was well-preserved at the coast of the island, not in ruins like other temples in Greece. There were blue windows from what Alexis noticed, but the lighting was so severe that day, so she was unsure. There were also more blue windows on the side along with the smooth roof.

Alexis was the first to hike up the steps that led to the blueish door, opening it slightly. It gave away a loud CREEK, and Alexis felt unnerved. Sunlight peeked inside, ever so little. "Uhm...what religion is this church for again?"

Tellie shrugged. "No idea."

"This feels kind of wrong," Alexis felt pressure resting heavily on her shoulders. "I-I can always come back later when I feel more safe. Not that th-this place freaks me out, I'm n-not freaked out by anything—"

She was a stuttering mess, so she just shut the church's doors. "Er, sorry."

"I guess that cuts our trip short," Lypsie sighed, checking her watch. "We actually burned about four whole hours. We got a good distance, and we can go for another hour until dinner."

"What time is it?" Odetta asked.

"5: 06 PM."

Odetta did some quick thinking. "We could walk around for another half an hour, explore Omfori further."

Tellie looked exhausted. "I don't know about that..."

"Aren't you a track runner?" Lypsie inquired.

Tellie's cheeks flushed with a bright red as she played with her locks of black hair. "Yes, I-I am a track runner, but not when I'm dealing with hours of being drunk. And even I know when to stop, so shut up!"

"I'm just afraid that we're leaving Penelope alone for too long," Alexis interjected. "Like Lypsie said, it's been like four hours we've left Penny in the House of Riches. What if she thinks we ditched her?"

Tellie didn't want to face Penny's wrath either. "I agree."

"Didn't we leave her a note?" Lypsie said, getting annoyed at the mention of her name. "Fine, if it kills you so much, we'll go back to the house. But just to torture you guys, I'm making another salad bowl."

Everyone groaned. "Nooo!"

Lypsie smiled victoriously. "I win."

Even at dinner, Penny didn't show up. Alexis didn't care too much, she was too focused on getting through the salad that she hated, but didn't want to hurt Lypsie's feelings.

"Pass the salad dressing, will you?" Tellie asked, a leafy green between her teeth.

"Even more?" Odetta asked, laughing. Tellie has been drowning her whole bowl of veggies with dressing so much that some dripped onto the table, and she used so much that Lypsie had to make more.

"Knock yourself out," Alexis chuckled, handing her the dressing. She suddenly wrinkled her nose. "Hey...does anyone else smell that weird smell? It's so gross, but what is it?"

Lypsie stabbed a leaf with her fork. "I don't think there's skunks on the island."

"If there were, it'd be hell on Omfori," Odetta laughed. Alexis also giggled, but her thoughts still lingered on the odd smell. Was it a dead body? No, it sounded like the kind of crap in horror movies.

"Where's Penny?" Tellie asked abruptly. "It's almost been the whole day!"

"Can't handle worshipping your goddess for less than a day?" Odetta sneered, covering her mouth to hide her giggles. Tellie glared but didn't oppose the thought. "Do you guys even think there's gods or goddesses out there?"

"Some people think there's this one god, it's just God," Tellie shrugged.

"I think there's some gods out there, well, rather goddesses," Lypsie replied, flexing her fingers on the table. "I just find the idea of powerful and butt-kicking goddesses hot."

"Okay, this convo is getting too weird," Alexis said, steering away from the dinner table, shoving her bowl into the sink filled with foamy bubbles. "I'm going upstairs to write and stuff."

"You're being for real?" Tellie huffed. " Alexis 'Joy-killer' Kathan must be your full name."

"And maybe Tellie 'shut-the-heck-up-and-it's-none-of-your-concern' Hollows is your full name," Alexis fired back, already heading up the stairs, trying to block their voices out. The smell became more rancid and gross, making Alexis halt.

"My full name is actually Tellie Machus Hollows!" Tellie's voice sounded faint as Alexis came closer to Penny's door. The smell became much more disgusting, and it was intoxicating her, making it hard to breathe.

She knocked on the door. "P-Penelope? Are you okay?"

No reply. Alexis' heartbeat quickened as panic ran through her veins. I need to do something, she thought as a horrifying idea struck her. What if she had too much to drink and never woke up? It was terrible. She should have stayed, yes, that's it, she should have stayed.

"Guys!" Alexis called out, rushing to the edge of the stairs. "I-I think Penny's in danger!"

"What?!" Tellie was the first to run up the stairs. She scrunched up her nose, gasping for air. "Ew, what is that smell?! Oh my god, is she dead?! I'm panicking, I'm panicking—"

"Don't be absurd," Odetta said, climbing the stairs and Lypsie followed after her. They went to Penny's door, knocking on it and screaming her name. When there was no answer, Odetta got more nervous. "Penny? Penny, are you there? If this is some twisted and sick joke, just stop. Penny? Penelope?"

"She's dead, she'd dead," Alexis whispered, not meaning to say that aloud.

"What?!" Tellie cried out.

"Alexis is kidding, right?" Lypsie shot her a menacing look.

She gulped. "Right."

Odetta tried to break down the door by ramming her shoulder into it. Lypsie tried to soothe a crying Tellie by giving out calm and gentle words. But Alexis Kathan? She just stood there, dumbfounded. Call the cops, she thought. Call someone.

"I'm going to go get an axe from the storage room, I think I got a dare to stay there for ten minutes as a dare," Odetta shouted, already running down the stairs. "Wait for me! Lypsie, call the damned Greek police!"

Lypsie grabbed her phone, dialling. But then it didn't work, there was no signal, and Alexis wanted to scream with rage. Why the heck didn't the phone work? Better yet, where is that damn signal?!

Penny needs help! Alexis suddenly got an idea, heading to Lypsie's room. She yelled after her, but Alexis grabbed a sturdy-looking pot. It looked firm enough to smack down a door. She grabbed another one just in case the first shattered.

She ran back, placing one on the floor. She used the other one to smash into the wooden door, denting it. Tellie, even breaking down in tears, also dashed to Lypsie's room.

"We'll get more," Lypsie assured Alexxis, running after Tellie.

She grunted, banging the door with the second pot. The pot didn't give away, so she kept trying. Finally, a hole was broken through. Alexis—excited with horror and joy tangled together—kept breaking the door down.

More pots, more shatters, more openings, it was a cycle.

"I got the axe!" Odetta said, dragging a red-brimmed axe. Alexis dropped the last pot, fern and dirt falling onto the floor. She let out a sob, crying. The three girls stepped back as Odetta's axe broke through the door like thunder.

Her hand hooked onto the lock, the broken and defeated door swinging open, Odetta and Tellie were the first to barge in, their eyes looking teary and achy. They surrounded Penny's bed, not letting anyone else peek through. Alexis stepped to the smelly room, gasping for air.

Penny's room was modern, even had a desk near the windows. She marched over, seeing a teacup empty. Only bitter-looking ashes were left at the bottom. Did Penny...

Alexis didn't allow herself to finish that thought.

"Oh my god...no! NO!" Telle shrieked and Alexis whipped around. Odetta had to restrain her, holding her back, also knocking into a glass vase. The vase broke, shattering into a million pieces. That's what Alexis felt as well. "LET ME GO, O-ODETTA! GET OFF ME, DON'T TOUCH ME!"

"Shh, it'll be okay," Odetta said, shushing her. Tellie sobbed, crumbling to the floor. Tears fell to the tiled floor as she clutched her stomach for support. Odetta's hands taped over mouth as she whimpered.

Penny's dead. Alexis was sure, but she wanted to see for herself.

"Jesus Christ..." Lypsie let out a choked sniffle. "Is s-she gone?"

Alexis walked over to the bed, gasping aloud. Penny's eyes were wide, almost deathly. She was incredibly pale, as if blood was drained from her core like Black Dahlia. It looked so...so unnatural to see a corpse, much less the corpse of your friend.

Alexis sobbed, turning away with grief strung in her heart.

Penelope Goode was gone. She was dead.