Maryana stared directly into Officer Jasper's eyes.

"Nobody at this school murdered her." She deadpanned, catching a side glance between the Officer and Mrs Meyers.

"I think that's enough for now, Officer. Maryana has lessons to get to." Mrs Meyers interrupted, clearly sensing the tension in the room.

"I won't be a minute." Jasper stated. "So, to clarify, Maryana you were on your way to the dorm building when you heard a scream at around 10pm- you then turned around and ran towards the swimming pool where the scream originated from-"

"Yep." Maryana nodded.

"There you found Rowena's body in the pool."

Maryana gulped down the lump in her throat.

"Did you see anyone else? Anyone at all? Anything, even? A weapon perhaps?"

"No. But, I thought she committed suicide..." Maryana looked down at the watch on her wrist. Second period was practically over.

"Look, Maryana, it looks like Rowena committed suicide, but we need to thoroughly investigate before we can rule out other methods..." He words drifted off forming an invisible fog of tension in the room.

Maryana's gaze shifted to Jasper again, wide-eyed and pale.

"What, so she could have been murdered?"

"We're not currently ruling that ou-"

"Look, Officer, I've been at this school for over 7 years- these girls are practically my sisters. I can tell you that nobody here murdered Rowena- you're looking in the wrong place. If she was murdered, the murderer is still out there and you're wasting you time here interviewing us."

Maryana raised her eyebrows, pushing her thick metallic glasses back up her sweaty nose.

That seemed to shut him up.

After a moment of silence, Jasper digesting Maryana's retelling of that night, he opened his mouth for the final time.

"Thanks Maryana. That'll be all."

Without even a second glance at him, she strolled out of the room, flinging her backpack over one shoulder and heading towards the bustling cafeteria.

"That went well." She whispered to herself.

Just like she'd practised.

***

Vivienne Del Rosario kept her eyes transfixed on the ground.

After her father had insisted that she attend school in order to "try and go back to normal", she had bawled her eyes out in her room at the thought of returning to Willowheart. But, once daddy had proclaimed that she had no choice in the matter and was going to school, she knew better than too argue.

Since Rowena's death, her family had fallen apart. Her father getting angry at the smallest of inconveniences, often blaming Vivienne for her sister's death. Vivienne pulled her jumper sleeve over the scar on her arm.

Her mother was in fact worse because she clung onto hope, that somehow Rowena was still out there somewhere, alive. Mrs Del Rosario would be locked up for hours trying to solve the mystery, no food or water, confining herself to old newspaper reports.

As much as Vivienne hated to admit it, Rowena was the glue that was holding the cracked pieces of the family together. Without her, there was a large gaping hole in their family. Shoved under the same roof, the only thing they had in common was their mourning. For Rowena.

Entering the Dining Hall, Vivienne swerved to her right, trying to find an empty table so she could eat her peanut butter sandwich. It used to be Rowena's favourite. She pulled up the hood of her fleece, trying to hide from all her old friends. She could see them now, giggling away, probably about some hot boy from St Abbot.

Over the Summer, Vivienne had cut herself off from all her friends. She couldn't handle it. The constant 'how-are-yous' and consoling smiles. As if they understood what it felt like to have your whole life uprooted.

Honestly sometimes she envied her little sister, her ability to disappear leaving a storm in her wake. It was stupid, but Vivienne often wished she was Rowena.

Her little sister, the it-girl of Willowheart, with her long flowing black hair and piercing black eyes. It was difficult being known as only 'Rowena's sister', constantly picking apart at how she was a little chubbier or a little shorter than Rowena.

It sounded awful. But sometimes, Vivienne would wish she could trade with her sister. Watch it all unfold from the grave. Not have to face the repercussions of her actions. Hold a mystery that nobody could solve.

There was something about her suicide that didn't make sense.

Rowena had everything. A doll's face, every girl at Willowheart constantly facing off for her admiration, her pick of boys from St Abbots.

Yet still, on the late night of March 14th, Rowena Del Rosario was found face-down, bleeding in Willowheart Gym's pool.

It made no fucking sense. No sense at all.

***

The letter was carefully sealed. Gloves were worn. The address printed on the front.

23 Primwood Hill

Now, it had to be delivered. It could wait. They were ahead of schedule. This game was just beginning.

If only poor Rowena could see this now, she'd be proud. Confused, maybe. Surprised, a little.

They chuckled to themselves, placing a record onto the vinyl.

'Every Breath You Take' by The Police played softly in the background.

Every breath you take.

Every move you make.

Every bond you break.

Every step you take.

I'll be watching you.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sorry for such slow updates! Give me your thoughts- would you prefer if I pre-wrote the book and published the whole thing in a month? Or write it as I go? Initially the plan was to pre-write it, but I'm worried that I'll lose readers aha! Let me know! Also, any predictions so far?! Please vote and comment <3