"What on earth is going on in here?" Fatima demanded, standing in the doorway with her arms crossed.

"Francesca was just talking about Mrs. Woods being your mother, and how we could all work together to put her in jail," Chloe said casually.

"WHAT?!" Fatima let out a blood-curdling scream, those nearby must have thought she was being tortured to death or something. Or maybe, she was, on the inside. Who knows?

"Fatima, let it go," Francesca said simply. "There is literally no way you can ever repair your relationship with her."

"What do you mean?" Fatima said, distraught. "She's our mother."

"She's also a psychopath. You might lose your mother, but you'll be saving the lives of so many innocent people."

"You are acting like she is a monster," Fatima protested, shocked and angry. "She is our mother."

"That doesn't change the fact that she kidnapped and killed hundreds of students, and is a crime lord who engages in various illegal activities."

Fatima was clearly distressed.

"So...this is it, then? You're just going to tell everyone, what she did, in court? And let her go to jail?" she spat.

"You have a better idea?" Francesca said. It was clear she was trying her best to stay calm, although how effective that was, was debatable.

"Are you kidding me? I can think of a million better ideas! How about, don't do anything and live life the way it is now?"

"Just because you are comfortable doesn't mean other people are!" Francesca yelled, completely losing it. "Do you know what I've realized? I bully people not only to hide who my mother is. I do it because I don't want to get close to anyone, because they might get kidnapped and die at any time."

Fatima grew silent.

"I don't even want to think about the horrible things that are happening to people at my school," Francesca said.

"Have you never thought about me?" Fatima said. "I can't even go to school because I need to take care of our brother. You should be lucky you even get to go."

"And because I go, I see the terrible, gruesome things that are happening, Fatima! The things that the woman you call your mother is doing!"

"What is your point?"

"My point is," Francesca said, "There is a court case in January. Lili Robinson versus Gretchen Woods. I'm testifying against Mrs. Woods. I'm with Dream, Zac, and everyone else. Whose side are you on?"

There was a moment of stunned silence.

When Fatima made her decision, something huge would be determined.

If she decided to join her twin sister, Dream, Zac, Savannah, Sawyer, Axel, and maybe even Chloe, then there would be a guaranteed win in the court case.

But if she decided not to join Francesca and the rest of the group, she could warn Mrs. Woods of the upcoming plan and maybe even prevent them from testifying against Mrs. Woods. After all, no smart person in their right mind would ever doubt a psychopathic crime lord with a history of kidnapping, abuse, and even murder, of committing unspeakable crimes.

Finally, Fatima spoke. It was one of the loudest words the group ever knew, and that word would change their lives.

Forever. 

---

A/N

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! Bye! :)

Just kidding XD. I mean, I'm definitely thankful that you guys are reading, and I definitely hope you guys enjoyed the chapter lol. But there's more to the author's note than that haha.

First of all, I am sooo sorry I'm posting this a day late! Like an idiot, I forgot to click "publish" last night, and thus, this stayed a draft. I am so, so sorry about that!! :(

Now, onto the real author's note lol!

Soooo...how many of you guys guessed correctly that it was Fatima at the end of the last chapter? And what do you guys think Fatima said in the end? Comment your thoughts!! :)

What do you guys think is going to happen next? :)

Don't forget to vote, comment, and share!! 

Next update: Friday (I promise I'll post this next one on time!!)

💙, Stella Rose