As the week progressed, the students and staff were interviewed and the police and media heard a redundant statement. "We saw her at a party on Friday". All the accounts were the same, they saw her enter, she screamed at one of her classmates and then left crying. The detective then interviewed the classmate in question. They called him in and saw a shaken-up boy. His gleaming grey eyes had specks of red as he dried the tears forming.

 " Yea, she was at that party and she walked towards me. She was screaming that I was texting her and that I had lied to her about our dating. She then showed everyone the text, but then someone told her to call it. She then called the number, but my phone didn't ring". Elis said as his gaze met the detective questioning him.

"Do you know who might have given her that number?", the detective asked.

"No. I just know that she didn't get along with a lot of people. Also, I don't know if this helps, but... a lot of rumors popped up that she was using drugs". Elis rubbed his temple as tears again rolled down his cheeks, his eyes pondering.

"It's okay. Just have one more question. There were a few people that said they saw you run after her and then come back, did you see anything or hear anything".

     Elis thought back to that night and remembered the person on the bike. Short brown hair and braids, a plain face mask, and glasses. But that bike was still on his mind, that indent on the mudguard on the rear tire. There was only one bike that had that indent. "No, by the time I  got outside, she was gone, plus I couldn't see with almost no light outside." Elis then broke down crying as he added, "Why didn't I get to her a little earlier? I should have asked her to stay at that stupid party!". The detective officer patted Elis on the back and assured him that he should not be blaming himself for something beyond his control. The detective then asked one final question, the same one he had asked all the others, "Do you know who hosted the party?". Elis looked up and nodded.

     " It was my birthday party, everyone there could bring a plus one if they wanted. But Giselle was not invited", Aria sighed. The officer took down notes and kept on, "Could you tell me more about the reception hall that you rented or anything particular about the area". Aria hesitated for a second, but she told them the main reason why she chose the venue, " The venue was nothing special, it was one of the cheapest, secluded enough we wouldn't get noise complaints and it was close to a friend's house if she wanted to come by for a bit". The detective wrote down more notes, "Could you tell me the name of your friend".

     Valie walked into the office where the students were being questioned. Dark circles under her eyes, just audible steps, and an aura so innocent it almost made you feel guilty for bringing her discomfort. When the officer said her name her puppy dog eyes shot up to look at him as she sat. The officer saw glimmers in her eyes as he began to question her.

"Valerian, were you home on Friday night".

"I was".

"Was the rest of your family there too",

"No, both my parents are attending a conference. They won't be back for another month". 

"Oh, well, did you see or hear anything out of the ordinary on that particular night".

" I'm sorry, I don't quite understand. I hear police sirens on the daily and gunshots a road down".

      The detective was going to rephrase the question, however, he saw Valerian's eyes widen. Her mouth twitched as the tears ran down her cheeks. She covered he face, "I'm sorry ...I couldn't help her, I'm sorry I couldn't help at all". Her distraught cries stopped the detective from asking further questions, his face sympathizing with a girl who lost her classmate. The detective apologized and handed her some tissue. 

     Elis sat by the room the police were using and heard Valerian's statement. His suspicions grew even more when he confirmed Valerian's address. His mind began to connect the dots that he thought were there. He checked the photo he took and he confirmed that the dent was the one he saw on Valies bike. He knew she knew something, and he decided, he might as well ask directly.