With the group ready, Aurelie led them to Aerian's house. Nothing had changed, aside from the mess the others had made when they first searched through it.

"This place is... sad", said Lyndi. "His cabin at least had some interesting things in it."

"I think it reflects his personality", said Duke. "Sad."

"Sad isn't a personality trait, Ball Boy", said Glenn.

Duke puffed out his chest. "What did you say, old man?"

"Look at me, I'm shaking", retorted a sarcastic Glenn.

Duke stepped towards him, his fists clenched. Rocco stepped between the pair. "Sorry about Glenn. He's like that with everyone."

Deidre nodded, a smirk appearing on her face. "I guess sarcasm is his personality trait."

Lyndi smiled as Holly stifled a laugh.

"Anyway...", started Aurelie, trying to bring everyone back on track. "...we found the blood in his fridge. Admittedly, we didn't search further."

The rebels began searching, so the new recruits did the same. Shelley dragged Mikhail and SJ to the fridge, eager to show him what they uncovered. "It was like a slap to the face! And the smell. I'm surprised I wasn't sick."

Shelley opened the fridge. Mikhail and SJ bent back, finding the smell revolting. Mikhail practically folded back.

After getting over the initial smell, the pair looked inside, alarmed by the amount of bags there were.

"Why would he need so many?", questioned Mikhail. "It doesn't make sense."

SJ felt a weird pulling sensation in the pit of her stomach. Sensing something was wrong, Shelley closed the fridge door. "Sorry, SJ. It's not a pretty sight."

SJ shook her head. "It's ok. Just... don't want to be sick in his house."

"Good shout", said Gigi. "We don't wanna p*ss off his spirit."

"I couldn't give a sh*t about his spirit", said Naomi. "He's a creep, a weirdo, and odd."

"Aren't they kind of the same thing?", questioned Shelley.

Naomi shrugged. "Whatever."

-

Audrey watched as Rocco spoke to Echo. She scoffed every time he threw a wink in Luna's direction.

"Whatcha looking at?", asked Holly. She followed her gaze to Rocco and then Luna. "Ah, I see."

"She's gone all wobbly at the knees", frowned Audrey. "He asked her to check the outside of the house with him."

"That's a good idea, though. Might be some symbols are clues", said Holly.

Audrey turned to face her. "Three times? They obviously went to make out or something."

Holly's eyes widened. "Woah, woah, slow your roll! They've only just met."

"I don't care. She's the one who wanted to come on this stupid quest. She should be doing some work", said Audrey.

"Ok... I think I see what's going on here. You've already said you love art. So why don't you draw a dope aśś symbol of what you saw at his cabin? She'll be so impressed!", suggested Holly.

"Why would I want to impress her?", she asked, before gasping and turning to Holly again. "I'm not jealous! She's free to make out with whoever she wants."

Holly held her hands up. "Hey, no judgement here! I'm just saying, if you want your girl- I mean, friend back, then this would be a good way to show her you're serious about this quest."

Audrey contemplated whether she should listen to Holly or not. Of course she wasn't jealous of Luna and Rocco! She just missed her best friend.

"I'll stay with you if you like?", offered Holly. "The others have got the search covered."

Audrey gave the girl a small smile. "Ok, sounds good. Thanks Holly."

Holly grinned at Audrey. "Hey. I'm here for the people."

-

"I wonder what this guy's like?", asked Lyndi.

"A bald headed idiot whose bitter", said Duke. "I'd bet 100 quid on it."

"Yeah but why? What made him become so bitter?", asked Lyndi.

Maaria shrugged. "Maybe he had no family?"

Lyndi frowned. "Oh, God. I don't know what I'd do without my family. I'm so lucky to have a big one."

Maaria nodded in agreement. "My family's not that big. But my Dad taught us all we know. Well, it turns of athletics, anyway."

"Still think he's an idiot", shrugged Duke.

"Oh come on, Duke. What if you lost your little sister? Wouldn't you become bitter?", said Lyndi.

"Maybe. But I wouldn't start a sh*t law. It's never really bothered me before but these lot have gone through a lot to try and reverse it."

"Do you think maybe this is a bigger deal than we thought?", questioned Maaria.

-

After half an hour of drawing, and a little help from Holly, Audrey was finally done.

Holly reached for it, but recoiled when Audrey slapped her hand away. "Hold up! I've still got some shading to do."

"But it already looks gr-"

"-Ah, bap, bap!", she exclaimed, holding her free hand up. "You can't rush excellence."

Holly waited with baited breath as Audrey signed her name at the bottom of the page. She dropped the pencil, like she was doing a mic drop.

"Tell your children you were privileged enough to see a genius at work", said Audrey.

"Oh, I definitely will", smiled Holly.

Aurelie cleared his throat. "Ok, I think we should all head back now! It's clear this was a dead en-"

"- Hold on! Pause that real quick, for I have something to say", interrupted Audrey.

"Seriously did you share a water bottle or something? Why are y'all so weird?", questioned Naomi.

Aurelie smiled softly and bowed his head. "The stage is all yours, Audrey."

Audrey smiled. "I drew the symbol I saw at the guy's cabin. I thought it'd be hard to remember it exactly, but once I started drawing it all came back to me."

"Don't remember asking for your life story", said Naomi.

"Actually, I'd like to hear it. Us artists have got to stick together", smiled Lyndi.

Audrey frowned. "Dámn. I feel bad for thinking you were boring now."

Glenn groaned rather loudly, placing a hand on his forehead for dramatic effect. "Is there a point to this?"

"You wouldn't want to hear her story?", questioned Lyndi.

Glenn shook his head. "Yeah, I'm gonna have to go with Picass-no."

Audrey rolled her eyes and raised the paper up. "This is the symbol I saw."

Amongst gasps and random bits of praise, Audrey searched for Luna. She felt her a sinking feeling in her stomach when she saw her giggling and whispering to Rocco.

Luna nodded at him and then left, for the fourth time.

Aurelie clapped. "This is fantastic, Audrey!", he exclaimed. He turned to Rocco. "Isn't this great? We've finally got a lead."

Rocco looked at the drawing. "Oh, awesome!"

As everyone crowded her, Audrey watched Rocco leave.

"Nice one, Audrey!", said Drea.

"Ok, ok, let's give her some space", said Deidre. "She's done a great job but that must've taken her a long time."

As everyone dispersed into their little groups, Audrey stared at the place was occupied by Rocco and Luna.

"Hey, are you ok? For someone who helped massively... you don't look too happy", said Holly.

"Everyone said it looked good. Even Drea, and she never speaks!", said Audrey.

Holly frowned. "But not Luna?"

Audrey sighed. "Not Luna."

Holly wrapped her in a hug, moving away when she felt Audrey tense up. "Sorry! Did I hurt you?"

Audrey shook her head. "No, no you didn't. I'm just... not used to hugs, I guess."

Holly frowned. "I'm sorry."

After a long pause, Audrey sat up straight. "Something's off with Rocco."

"Audrey, I don't th-"

"-I'm not jealous. I just have this... gut feeling. You probably think I'm being silly."

Holly shook her head. "Gut instincts are rarely wrong. So I'll help you with yours."

-

Hi!

Little by little, the law maker's past will be revealed.

Family seems to be important to a lot of them. When you think about family, what's your definition of it?

Poor Audrey! Atleast she has Holly. Is Audrey's feeling just jealousy, or something more?

DoodleYeet

FishyFishy_Fries

LeMystical-Puffle

starryeyedturtle

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SoniczurcX

hopefulfirebird

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