
Chapter 139
Doomsday by Lizzie McAlpine
The death of me was so quiet, no friends and family allowed, only my murderer, you and the priest who told you to go to hell, and the funny thing is I would've married you if you'd have stuck around, I feel more free than I have in years six feet in the ground.
Blood.
Blood.
Why is there blood?
I slide my hands over my body, up and down. I look out to the audience, seeing Grayson start to speed up. I work hard to control my breathing as I try to source the gargantuan puddle of blood formed around me.
My eyes dart all around, and in my peripheral vision I witness something that makes my heart stop. I force my body to roll over in the blood so I can look behind me.
Holy shit. No. No. No. This must be a dream. Please God, let this be a dream.
A new set piece has been wheeled onto the stage. It's a wooden flat, painted crimson by blood.
When I see the centre of the wood and my blood runs cold. Every bone in my body goes stiff, hardening until I'm paralysed by fear. My skin tingles and every inch of me burns. The tears in my eyes feel like acid, burning my body like the pits of hell.
There are 6 knives total. 6 bloody and gruesome knives, lodged inside a body.
The body of Maddie.
Hanging there limp is my roommate and the girl I once considered one of my best friends. A knife in each of her wrists, a knife in each of her ankles, one in her throat and one right through her heart. The blood pouring out of her is forming a puddle across the stage, the one I'm currently laying in.
Her dark skin is pale and lifeless. Her brown eyes look empty, not carrying the usual shine of joy.
She's dead. It's a fact that causes me agony to admit to myself, but one of the only straight and true thought that I've had for a while.
The girl with the mentality of a golden retriever is dead. The daughter of two loving and nurturing parents is dead. The younger sister of 4 brothers in their mid twenties is dead. Someone's girlfriend of 4 years is dead. A girl who was about to perform at a showcase she'd dreamed about since childhood is dead ten minutes before she lived out her dream. Maddie Winters is dead.
Mustering up the only voice I can find in me, I erupt in a horrific and blood-curdling scream. It's enough to inform the audience that this wasn't planned and cause an uprise of terror as every rich celebrity guest begins to run around in all different directions. I hear echoes of my screams from others mouthes, consuming the entire theatre.
My dance teachers are all yelling things, attempting to turn the cameras off, and to shut the curtains. But the curtains are stuck. How can they be stuck? They've been there for centuries. They don't get stuck. Someone made them stuck.
I roll over onto my knees and vomit up everything I've eat in the past month at the pungent smell of blood.
I crawl as far from the blood as I can, a manic state of tears, screams, and cries of pain.
Grayson lunges for me, grabbing me in his arms for my safety and comfort. He closes his arms around me to assure me of my safety. The second he does all the worry of being killed next evaporates from my body. Maddie is dead — but now that Grayson's by my side I know nobody will lay a finger on me.
He helps me to my feet, looking around rapidly for somewhere to go or something to do. The crowds a frenzied blur of madness. Everyone's racing out the doors or to their security guards.
I see Avery, Jameson, Xander, Nash, Libby and some other girl being circled by Avery's security firm, Oren yelling orders. Nash is breaking free to run towards the stage, pushing and squeezing through crowds.
Grayson's breathing fast, close to hyperventilating as he tries to think of something to do. He can't face the crowds knowing he could keep me safe and backstage could lead to the danger itself. So instead he just holds me and stands on the spot, looking around rapidly.
I turn to get one last look at her body, but Grayson just presses my head further against his chest.
"Are you hurt?" Grayson asks. I don't answer. I just tremble and try to feel something more than the numb cold feeling I've been simmering in since I met her lifeless eyes.
"P?!" He raises his voice.
He doesn't get the answer he's looking for. Instead I just press my body even closer to his, clinging to him like my life depends on it — because it just might.
"Calm down. You freak out — she'll freak out." I hear Nash's voice, alerting me that Grayson's face isn't nearly as calm as his body feels. I can feel how fast he's breathing and how much he's shaking, so I know he's freaking out.
"Avery!" I can make out Jameson's booming voice over the chaos. I pull away from his body to locate my sister. Completely ignoring her security's demands, Avery breaks through the crowds and races for the stage.
"Ave!" I hear him scold again, now watching him race after her. The second my sister reaches my side I fall into her open arms.
The thoughts of who could be stalking me that have been troubling me for over a year doesn't occur once as I willingly let my family protect me. Now that they're with me I don't let myself think for a moment that it could've been them. Not one of them could have done this.
The blood covering my entire body stains her silky cream dress, along with no doubt Grayson's suit. They don't care.
Before I know it security are on stage, surrounding us as Oren does a quick check over on me for injuries. The camera's are still rolling and broadcasting this to anyone and everyone.
The cops part the crowds, holding back a wailing Mr and Mrs Winters as well as her brothers.
I watch the detectives tape off the stage I'm currently standing on. Four of them total approach me. I'm not even aware of it but Grayson has a protective arm around my waist, holding me tightly against him and being a barrier between me and the body.
"Mrs Grambs?" They ask me. "It's Rooney." Grayson corrects. I look at them, numbly blinking.
"We need to take you down to the station for a statement." They tell me. "Why?" I say shakily, the voice feeling unfamiliar on my tongue. "As of now, you're a witness to a murder. We need to get your recount of everything that happened." They tell me. "
I feel Grayson nod. "I'll need to see each of your badges before you go anywhere with her." He states. They all seem to oblige, getting asked that frequently. They all present their shiny gold badges and Grayson nods.
He looks down at me to ensure that I'm okay. "I'll meet you there. You don't have to answer anything you don't want to. I'll call Alisa. She's nearby anyway." He assures me.
I don't instantly follow them, but eventually I manage to pry myself from Grayson and follow them out the door. It's silent, but they're all trained professionals with guns so once again I feel safe.
The drive is silent, and when I get there they leave me in an eerily cold and quiet interview wrong. They have one of those mirror windows like in movies.
There's dried blood solidified into my white leotard, my blonde bun hosting a couple splashes of the crimson liquid. My face and shoulders took most of it, but theres still a lot on my collarbones.
I'm sitting in this interview room alone, knowing at least 5 cops are on the other side of the glass if not more.
Two female cops walk inside finally, all I can do is focus on my breathing, which means i'm not focusing on anything else, like listening.
"Hmm." My voice cracks as I look up to them finally.
"We said we need to take your clothes for evidence." They inform me.
I nod slowly, standing up and struggling to unbutton my leotard with shaky hands. One of them decide to help me unbutton it, then helping by slowly undressing me as she smiles gently. The way her curls bounce on the top of her hair reminds me of Maddie.
This only brings even more tears to my eyes.
I'm standing here sobbing, striped of my clothes with only blood on my nude body when they leave.
I shiver at the breeze of the air-con, goosebumps lacing my skin.
They reenter a moment later with some sweats I recognise. "Your friend had these in his suitcase and insisted we give you this instead of our standard, but if you would prefer we can give you the normal ones." She offers.
I almost ask who, but when I see them I recognise them. The sweats I bought for Grayson that he only wears when he's alone. I shake my head and take Grayson's sweats.
I pull the sweats over my body, the baggy material soft against my skin. All I want right now is to take all this stupid makeup and hair off, and most of all wash the blood off.
They take a print of each of my fingers.
"We'd like to ask you a few questions." They dictate. I nod numbly and sit down again in a ball on the seat hugging my knees, both of them sitting in front of me.
"How did you know Maddison Andrea Winters?" They ask me.
"Maddie." I correct with a shaky voice. "She is my roommate. And my friend." I answer, not able to look at anything but the plant in the corner of the room.
"Was Maddison's behaviour any different before she was killed?" They ask, I wince at the word killed.
"I don't know. We only spoke once and it was when I was yelling at her." I sob.
"And why were you yelling, Paris?" They ask in a calm way that seems so condescending. "Pass." I say flatly. They share a glance but continue.
"Do you have any idea who could have done this?" They ask the question I've been dreading.
"No clue." I lie. I mean it's true — I don't know exactly know who it is, but I'm almost certain it's the stalker — who I was under the impression was Maddie until now. If I tell them, it'll be me next or Grayson or Libby or Avery.
"You need to cooperate here. A girl is dead. And if you don't tell us what we need to know, you could be a suspect. A suspect of murder. I don't think you quite understand the severity of this situation." One of them yells.
I don't even flinch, just letting the tears spill out my eyes adding to the many already there.
"I can't- I want to go home." I sob desperately.
"Your current home is covered in police tape, all your roommates have already been questioned and have moved back home to their parents. You will be doing the same, but not if you don't cooperate." They bark at me.
I shake my head and squeeze my eyes shut, tugging my legs closer to my chest.
"I want to go. Please let me go." I bawl.
"Who did this Paris?!" She shouts.
"I don't know. Please let me go." I cry.
"Tell us!" She bangs a hand on the table. This time I do flinch, my body trembling.
At the bang, Alisa walks inside with her briefcase and pencil skirt and I've never been more grateful to see her.
"My client is under no current obligation to answer any of your questions at this point in time, far less is she in the necessary mindset to do so." Alisa decides.
I look up to her gratefully, "You'll be in touch later I'm sure." Alisa finishes what they were about to say.
When I can't even move from the seat, Alisa gently places a hand over mine and helps me up in a maternal way.
She leads me out of the question room and walks me along winding corridors until we reach the waiting room.
"P." Grayson's voice echoes in the silent waiting room, he jogs towards me, cupping my face carefully. I feel my lip quiver and more tears start bawling my eyes out. He immediately pulls me into his chest and holds me once again as I sob.
"Are you hurt?" He asks, pulling away to dissect my body for any injuries. "M'fine." I hum.
Avery and Libby approach, taking my hand and rubbing my back.
"Now what?" Grayson sighs.
"We book a hotel, have security lining all exits and keep her under high security." Oren decides as if I'm not here.
"Why keep her under high security? It wasn't her they were after — was it?" Grayson worries.
"It seems like someone had a point to get across, and maybe it was coincidence that they made that point as Paris was on stage, or maybe it wasn't." Oren lets the words hang in the air.
"It was a warning." I state calmly. All heads whip towards me.
"A warning? Is someone threatening you?" Avery asks.
"No.. well yes. I can't tell you though." I say quietly. "Why not?" Grayson presses. "Someone made a threat that they'd kill anyone I told. I haven't told anyone for a whole year, but I told Maddie. And they killed her. I guess I thought it was a bluff." I ramble.
Everyone looks to me with alarm, all circling around me in a way I'm sure wasn't intended to be so intimidating.
"You know who did this?" Jameson voices. "No-" I start to excuse, but Grayson jumps in before I can even finish the word. "Who did this, P?" He demands, taking a grip of my forearm.
"I- I don't know." I flinch.
"Why did you tell Maddie then if you knew the consequences?" Oren asks instead, knowing immediately that I wouldn't answer any other question thrown my way about who, what, where or when — but why I can answer.
"I don't know who's threatening me. I thought it was her. And this person told me to confront them if I thought I knew who they were. I really was sure." I plead as if begging will somehow take back the damage I've already done.
I flicker my eyes between everyone. "The threats. They were for me. I didn't think they'd actually kill someone else." I add.
"Paris, what threats?" Grayson asks firmly.
He's mad at me. Of course he is, I killed my friend.
"I do- I don't know." I try to speak but sobs cut me off. "What threats Paris?" Grayson insists.
"Listen we'll get her to the hotel, let her rest. It's been a hard day. We can talk tomorrow. As Alisa told the cops, she doesn't have the mindset for this right now." Oren dictates.
Avery wraps her arm over my shoulder, pulling me close to her chest to walk me out.
We get to the doors and realize there is paparazzi. There's a lot more than normal given what was just broadcasted live to the world. I forgot how annoying paparazzi are having not came across them for a while. "No." I cry before we go out.
Xander takes off his jacket and throws it over me so nobody can see me. We walk out, Avery leading me.
"Girls one car, boys the other." Alisa makes it simple.
The four boys get in to one car. Avery, Libby and I get in the other, with the unfamiliar girl. Avery shoots me a look, saying she'll explain later.
The whole drive home is silent. When we get to the hotel Oren and all his men have to do at least a million checks before letting us go inside. It's 2am by the time we're allowed inside the rooms.
It's 4 rooms, Oren suggested Avery and I stay together so he can keep an eye out for us both but Grayson interjected immediately, stating I'd be staying with him. I didn't object, but I wasn't exactly thrilled either.
"I need to shower this blood off." I whisper, not trying to be quiet just struggling to find a voice.
Grayson leads me into the shower and cleans me up in the underwear Avery gave me. "Have you been eating much lately?" My ex asks with concern as he rinses the shower head over my trembling body.
"It hasn't been a priority." I state. "What has?" He questions. I don't reply. I don't say a thing until prompted.
"It's okay, baby." He comforts, pulling me into his chest as the water melts all my show makeup and the hairspray and gel in my hair.
"I thought you hated me?" I ask. He furrows his brows and starts to wash my makeup off.
Both of us are only wearing underwear, showering together, pressed against each other. And yet somehow, neither of us are uncomfortable.
"I don't think I have it in me to hate you." He whispers.
"You should." I tell him.
"I miss you." He blurts, "I'm right here." I remind him. "I miss you." He repeats.
I swallow the lump in my throat. I don't respond, I just bury my face in his neck, relaxing when his hands wrap all the way around me again.
"P, I know you're not gonna like it but for a while security is gonna be tight. You won't be allowed anywhere alone, not even school. And when the media figure out you're on lockdown that's gonna make demand for photos of you even higher, which means there'll be even more paparazzi everywhere you go. And I know you'll hate that, but it's honestly safer, people photographing everything you do'll make it harder for anyone to hurt you." Grayson explains in depth.
"I just- I want you home." I beg.
"You want me to stay with you?" He repeats with confusion.
"No. I need you to go home. Hawthorne House. And everyone else. If you're in Texas you can't be hurt." I plead.
"Don't be stupid P-"
"Don't call me stupid." I interrupt firmly.
"Sorry- But you're not being left on your own." He insists.
"Ask Oren. I bet he'll agree." I defend. "I bet Oren'll agree that you need as much protection as you can get." He argues.
"I don't want to fight, I just want you to listen to me." My voice breaks. "I don't want you getting hurt. I don't want my sisters getting hurt. I don't want your brothers getting hurt. And I want you back home near Toby so he doesn't get hurt." I demand.
His face softens.
"Paris we'll talk about it tomorrow, get everyone else's opinions." He decides.
Then we go quiet. And we stay quiet until we're in bed, both of us facing out as we lay at both edges of the bed.
I'm hoping he can't hear my sniffles as I try to hold back the tears.
"C'mere." Grayson sighs, I wipe away my tears and roll around to face him with confusion.
He moves towards the middle of the bed and pulls me in by the waist. "I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you." Grayson swears.
(a/n. We are SO back!! Sucks for Maddie or whatever but my babies are finally reunited. I wrote this chapter before any of the others in part 4 and had to change a few things. Originally I was gonna kill someone in the inner circle (Max) but then I realised I'd be burned at the stake by each and every person who read this, and I decided I like myself too much for that. I really liked Maddie, but I'd pick Max over her any day. Thanks so much for reading)
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