Interview

[Seer]

<< Chamberlain, a small but ultra exclusive seaside town in the State of Maine.>>

<< In plain sight, yet never really noticed...until recently...when the town was forever changed in one horrific, blood flowing, fire filled, BLACK night.>>

<< Today, on this breezy morning, in the Chamberlain police department headquarters, a special interview room has been set up, complete with video recording and monitoring.>>

<< This room, however, is under the use & control of the FBI. Special Agent Alycia Barnett is the head of the "Effie Stone; The Black Prom" commission. The lead investigator & currently, the interviewer of the few survivors of this incident.>>

 

[Artemis]

One on One

:: This can either be the best OR worst part of an investigation for Alycia. As a profiler, she can easily tell who's lying, who's a victim & who's a psychopath. She's picked apart dozens of people who thought they could outsmart her. She's also helped victims find the courage to expose the truth about crimes that traumatized them & bring those responsible to justice.::

:: But how do you deal with people who survived something that defies explanation & goes outside of all normal conventions? What category do you place these people into? This investigation would not be typical by any means & while Alycia would ATTEMPT to flush out the liars (if there were any among these people)...she'd soon find that normal tactics would not work very well. But how was she to know that NOW?>>

:: Nearly everything she'd read from the Chamberlain police department about "The black prom" either defied explanation or was too outrageous to seriously entertain. But what WAS clear was that this disaster was set in motion by a series of events all too common in schools today. Bullying. Harrassment. Arrogant teenagers. A victim pushed beyond her limit.>>

::THAT was a starting point.::

::In the interview room, Alycia arrives & takes a seat. The room is dim, comfortable in temperature. Water is available for the individual she's speaking to for drinking as well as facial tissue, a writing pad & pen.::

:: She looked at her list.::

Michael Armstrong, Chamberlain police officer, Laison to Ewen Highschool, recently RESIGNED from police force

:: He was the first....one of five.::

::FIVE people...out of 440 people...the only five to SURVIVE.::

:: This was going to be a LONG day. Not JUST for those Alycia was about to interview.::


Thank you for coming. I'm sorry for delay but we can now get started. For the record,
would you please state your full name & occupation, if any?

:: Alycia fixes her hazel eyes on Michael Armstrong. She watches...& studies, the video camera records & broadcasts at the same time.::

 

[Seer]

Michael meets Alycia

:: Michael Armstrong was a young, strong, vital man. Seemingly more than up to the task of keeping law & order as well as protecting the citizens in a town like Chamberlain.>>

<< He eventually became the liason for Ewen High School, working with Dr. Karen Victoria, Psy.D, helping to ensure the safety & security of the highschool, students & faculty.>>

<< There wasn't much he hadn't seen when it came to the drama of teenagers....until the trouble with Effie Stone began a year ago.>>

<< Soon, much of his time was spent working with Dr. Victoria & Miss Sharon Kelly on this peculiar problem.>>

<< It was not enough. He failed. He nearly died & what he saw changed EVERYTHING he thought he knew about children...about this world.>>


<< Here he was today, having to explain yet again. Would Alycia Barnett believe him any more than his superiors did? He wasn't the only one who saw...who felt...who SURVIVED.>>

<< The woman he faced this morning was beautiful...but as she eyed him...he felt as if he were being sized up by a bird of prey. Not that he couldn't handle himself...but he now knew that SOME looks...could actually KILL.>>

<< He'd been through this "interview" process before. He knew the flow but for the moment, things were calm.>>

 

[Arsenal]

Damn she was fine.

Michael Armstrong greeted Alycia and took a seat. Just as she was eyeing him he was doing the same, the momentary notice of her impressive physical beauty now past.

The FBI was not screwing around. This one was smart and tough. He could tell by the eyes. She regarded him in the same way that a predator sized up prey, her eyes probing for weakness, hesitance, deflection. Good thing for then both, Mike was done bullshitting. He was no-nonsense before, but now...after what he had seen, what he had gone through...the veil was pulled back. On what, he had no idea, but he wanted answers as much as his interviewer.

Thank you for coming. I'm sorry for delay but we can now get started. For the record,
would you please state your full name & occupation, if any?

He smiled. Basic protocol. Ask a question to which the answer is known and get a baseline for deception vs. truthfulness. He inhaled and then spoke.

Michael Armstrong. FORMER Chamberlain police officer assigned as liason/security to Ewen High School.

He returned her gaze pleasantly, but she detected a hardness behind his eyes. One often seen in the eyes of veterans returned from war or victims of disasters. This man had endured something incredible and horrible all at once and managed to make it to the other side. But not unscathed.

 

[Artemis]

::Michael was not easily intimidated. He eyes searched hers. He was ready for whatever she had coming. Impressive.::

:: This would also [perhaps] make for an easier flowing interview. Someone with nothing to hide would not try to stall or evade direct questions. But Alycia was about to learn that sometimes, getting what she wanted had unforseen consequences.::

Thank you. And please...let's not be too formal here. Call me Alycia.

:: she broke her gaze from him to look down at documents for a moment::

Your record with the Chamberlain police force was exemplorary. Your work with Ewen High School was highly praised by Dr. Karen Victoria & the school board.

So naturally it came as a surprise & disappointment [ to your colleagues] when you resigned. I've read your letter of resignation...it's...unusual to say the least. You specifically name the Chief of Police & Mr. Trelevan [ Delilah Trelevan's father, an attorney] as individuals COMPLICIT to the "Black Prom" incident & the subsequent attempt at a COVERUP.

I understand that at the time you wrote this, you were still in recovery. Still in the HOSPITAL suffering from burns and shrapnel wounds. It's possible that when you wrote this...you were in mental distress. You were approached several days letter about this letter but you remained resolute in your resignation. Giving the chief no choice but to accept.

Now that things are definitely calmer...I'd like you to tell me exactly why you resigned.

:: Alycia leaned back in her chair. Her facial expression calm for the moment, her hazel eyes once again firmly fized upon Michael Armstrong.::

I'm sure you know that I am NOT "in league" with anyone that you've listed in this letter...so the more forthcoming you are, the better I'll be able to understand.

:: Looking at a copy of the resignation & then looking back at Michael once more. He was not afraid or even unsettled now. He would meet Alycia anywhere she wanted to go with this. Only in rare cases did she encounter someone like this...and nothing about him from her files or his demeanor suggested he was a sociopath. He had nothing to lose but not in a bad way...what could have happened to him? What happened HERE? ::

:: That's what SHE was trying to find out.::

 

[Arsenal]

He looked back at the investigator. He sighed heavily, then spoke.

I only ask you to do one thing. When you hear what I have to say, when you find out what you WILL find out here, focus on what is the TRUTH, not what you think to simply be POSSIBLE.

He paused, looking at her, actually taking a moment's comfort in her beauty, then back to the matter at hand.


They call it observer bias. In this case, if you have any, you are wasting both of our times and playing into the hands of people who would prefer that no one know...that no one believe what happened here. If you are interested in knowing and you can set aside your notions of what CAN and CANNOT happen, I am glad to talk more in depth...somewhere else.

He sat back...waiting.

 

[Artemis]

:: the person being interviewed was usually not the one to offer such an admonishment.::

:: Alycia sensed that there was STRONG feelings associated with what he was about to tell her. She certainly knew how to make a person feel at ease with opening up but Michael almost seemed concerned...for HER.::

Michael, 440 people died in this town...in one night. I don't care what the LOCALS [law enforcement] might say...I KNOW something happened here. There are only 5 of you who were identified as eye witnesses...SURVIVORS. You're the ones I MOST NEED to help me get a clear picture. You're not suspects...you're SURVIVORS...unless you give me reason or evidence to regard you otherwise.

I can assure you, that I am most definitely interested in what you have to say. Don't understimate me...I've been at this for a long time.

:: She winked, in spite of herself, settling back in her chair to give Michael the floor. He already knew this was being recorded. He obviously didn't care.::

 

[Arsenal]

Mike listened as she spoke, accepted the wink with a smile. He only wished his life was as easy as having a drink with this young woman and hoping to talk her into some fun. That would be much easier than anything he's done in the past few weeks. He sighed, then spoke.

I am certain that you are familiar with the issues of bullying these days. Kids managing to make life hell for their peers by exercise of popularity, cliques roaming the halls at times like predators, looking for someone to devour. But what if the prey bit back?

Mike shifted forward, looking intensely into Alycia's eyes.

In this case, in this town, the daughter of Mr. Trelevan - Delilah- was the clique leader of a group that tormented one student above all others. This girl-

Mike pulls a picture of Effie and places it on the table.

Effie Stone. Daughter of Helena Quatermaine, who was an abusive nutjob that hid behind her religion to practice her own form of depravity on her child. No laws allowed me to assist her there. In the school this girl was made fun of by this clique and thanks to Mr. Trlevan and his connection with the police chief and town council, NOTHING I would do would stick. One would think that town leaders would not have time to interfere in a scholl matter such as this, but they did, and in such a way that they shielded this group from any repercussions of their bullying.

Mike pause, shook his head.

And even now, after trying to blame Dr. Victoria, Sharon Kelly, an innocent student and myself for what happened, Trelevan is suing the town for his daughter death that SHE set in motion and HE enabled!

Mike slammed down his hand as he exclaimed, suddenly looking all of his 6' 5". He looked back at Alycia and nodded an apology for becoming so agitated. Taking a drink of water, he began again.

They picked the WROOOOONG girl to mess with. And in the end , 440 people died as a result. The so-called "Black Prom" - they always make the bad stuff Black right? - was the last straw. Effie snapped and displayed a power. This is where you will scoff if you have this observer bias, Alycia. The girl displayed telekinesis...shit I had never heard of except in comics when I was a kid. But she looked at something and it moved. She set that gym on fire and sealed 100 kids and some faculty inside. She LOOKED a gas station to death, blew the damned thing up. I barely survived that with the doc and I tell you, as sure as I am standing here, that I am here to tell this tale because SHE ALLOWED IT TO BE SO. She tore a path through this town that any movie studio would be proud of, except there are no props. Just one little girl who was fed up and had the power to lash out at everyone who was fucking with her.

Mike took another drink, and became completely calm again. He continued his report.


The initial investigation sought to lay blame on Dr. Victoria, Miss Kelly, myself & Alison Marble, a girl who was in Effie's class but after one particularly brutal incident, began to have a change of heart & tried her best to make up for what she'd done to Effie. We found Alison laying near by Effie on the ground at the apparent END of Effie's rampage near a completely destroyed bar Effie's father had apparently frequented before his death. Delilah Trelevan and Connor St. James - the pair of ringleaders of the clique and boyfriend/girlfriend - were dead in a burning pile of wreckage nearby. Effie was already dead and Alison was dying...bleeding AND menstruating heavily. Dr. Victoria and I managed to get her to the hospital where she was HYSTERICAL and had to be sedated. I have seen a lot of guilty and a lot of innocent. In this mess, that girl is innocent.

Mike leaned back, his story told for the most part. He spoke to Alycia after another pause.

After it became apparent that this would simply be a coverup situation and that the survivors would be blamed, I quit the force and issued my report. I had spent enough time watching this town allow the weakest to be run over. I would not stand idly by why it finds new victims to blame for its own indiscretions.

Mike stopped, smiled a bit, and winked at the investigator, who had yet to speak in reply.

This is where you likely either think I am crazy or mistaken. But I know what I saw, and sometimes when the logical makes no sense, you have to think outside the box. There is nothing LOGICAL about what I saw, what we endured. So I invite you to join us outside the box Alycia.

 

[Seer]

and so it began

<< a horizontal split view. Michael's eyes on top, Alycia's on the bottom.>>


<< the view is then interrupted by a rapid flash "in your face" view of the picture of EFFIE STONE.>>

<< The story of the "Black Prom", the tragedy of Effie Stone was now being told. But why just listen...when you can WATCH?>>

<< rapid fire still images of fire, screaming teens, destruction, Effie Stone...>>

<< Finally settling on Ewen High school.>>

<< the large, posh, well equipped school in Chamberlain.>>

<< Moving through the school, it seems like a "typical all american experience"...but where Effie Stone was concern...nothing could be further from the truth.>>

I am certain that you are familiar with the issues of bullying these days. Kids managing to make life hell for their peers by exercise of popularity, cliques roaming the halls at times like predators, looking for someone to devour. But what if the prey bit back?

<< Michael Armstrong's voice echoes as we move outside the school, the back of the gym, the athletic field where the girls in the gym class, tought by Health & Physical Education teacher Miss Sharon Kelly is underway. A spirited game of volleyball is in full swing.>>

<< Delilah Trelevan, Cassandra Johnson & Effie Stone are all on the same team. Delilah & Cassandra near the front, Effie in the second row...off to the side. From the very beginning, it's apparent that Effie is not like the others. Doesnt even LOOK like them. In such settings as this...that is often all the provocation one needs...>>

 

[Silver Swan]

Gym Class

[Miss Sharon Kelly presides over a spirited game of volley ball among the girls in the gym class.]

[ Sharon is a beautiful, vital, vibrant woman. Only just a decade older than her students, she's in EXCELLENT physical shape & is known for her abilies in track & field, gymnastics & martial arts. She teaches Health & Physical Education at Ewen High School. She's fast, strong, sharp & bold, always willing to speak her mind & stand up for what's right. ]

Okay girls! Last game! Point for the entire match!

[ Blowing her whistle & signaling, the last game in the match begins]

[ Standing to the right side, Sharon watches each team, encouraging moves & TEAM WORK.]

[ Several times she's called on Delilah's team to include Effie in their efforts to score the point.]

GIVE IT TO EFFIE! SHE'LL BLOW IT!

[ Sharon hears this & her silver eyes fix on Denise, the young girl from the opposing team.]

[ Sadly...it's not an illogical strategy. As in most things in life, Effie was on the fringe...either excluded or unwilling to be involved. This game was no different. She hardly moved & showed lack of interest or confidence. It was noticed by others as well & now the game could be hinged on it.]

[ She couldnt fought them for playing to win...but once again...Effie would be made the scapegoat if this played out the way she suspected it would.]

COME ON EFFIE! EYES ON THE BALL! Keep it in the air, you can do it!

[ Miss Kelly loudly encourages Effie, drowning out the catcalls from the other team as well as those from her own]

Don't BLOW IT, Effie!

 

[Ruby]

Gym Class

"Don't BLOW IT, Effie!"

:: Cass tensed as she got ready for whatever might occur. Effie was an oddball and it often seemed that she DIDN'T care to take part in their reindeer games. Actually, it seemed that the girl didn't care about ANYTHING. Not her classes, not her work, not her social life, not her...gym class. Cass was one of the top athletes at Ewen and she prided herself on that fact. Which made this game so painful to watch. The ball was all Effie's and Cass KNEW that Effie would screw it up. Gym was her favourite class and she dominated it. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Miss Kelly, her favourite teacher, was encouraging Effie on. She sighed inwardly and tried to show some team spirit. The tone of her voice belied her "encouraging" words. ::

*false cheerfulness*: "Come on, Effie! You CAN do it!"

:: She wasn't Effie's biggest fan, or even a fan of hers, but she was in this game to WIN. And if she had to pretend to make nice with her in order to win, well, that's exactly what Cass would do. ::

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

Gym Class

BOR-ING.

Delilah examined one of her long blonde strands. Her face read “disinterested”.

She glanced at the blue sky. She could feel the UV rays damaging her perfect skin. Making HER take gym class was positively barbaric. Something she had told Ms. Kelly on numerous occasions, but the uber-dyke (you KNOW what they say about female gym teachers) still made her participate.

Now the bitch was acting like a broken record, telling them to give Effy the ball. Delilah rolled her eyes.

She sauntered over to her friend Cass, and took the ball from her hands, sharing a look with her as she did so.

"Watch this," she said to her under her breath.

She returned to her place close to the net, twirling the ball in her hand. She looked back over her shoulder and focused her gaze on Effy (the fact that Delilah even knew Effy’s NAME was amazing). And she smirked.

COME ON EFFY! EYES ON THE BALL! Keep it in the air, you can do it!

“Yeah, Effy, eyes on the ball.”

Delilah tossed the ball into the air and served. She may not LIKE the out of doors or physical activity, but like everything, Delilah was good at athletics. She spiked the ball forcefully, landing it right where she’d aimed – Effy’s face.

She strolled over to where Effy lay on the ground, her face bloody from the impact of the ball. Delilah crossed her arms over her ample chest.

“Loser – can’t you do anything right? You are the sorriest excuse for a human being I ever saw.”

Delilah pulled her foot back, and kicked Effy hard in the ribs. Then she bent at the waist, leaning down to whisper (thought not too softly).

“You really should kill yourself, you know?”

And she smiled. That perfect million dollar smile that could win anyone over. Laughing, she turned on her heel and walked back towards Cass.

“Retard.”

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Only ten more minutes Only ten more minutes Only ten more minutes Only ten more minutes

And then it would be over. If only Ms. Kelly would just leave her alone. Didn’t she know she just made it – them – worse?

She didn’t want to play volleyball. Certainly not with Delilah and her bitchsquad. She just had to get through ten more minutes. So she stood there, trying to will herself to be invisible, hoping they would just ignore her for ten more minutes.

But all it took was ten seconds.

Delilah looked at her. One of her trademark looks that said she was about to do something horrific. It happened so fast – there’s was pain and then she was on the ground, Delilah towering over her.

Loser – can’t you do anything right?

You are the sorriest excuse for a human being I ever saw.

You really should kill yourself, you know?

Retard.

Nothing she hadn’t heard before.

 

[Harbinger]

The other one

:: Alison Marble was on the opposing team from Delilah, Cass & Effie. Alison was part of "the core"...the other 2/3rds being Delilah & Cass. Alison's dark features (blue/black hair & colbalt blue eyes) were in stark contrast to her blonde partners in crime but she was no less beautiful. Though she & Delilah got along & often caused trouble together, things had began to subtlely shift as the year progressed. There was no rift...YET but the differences between Delilah & Alison would soon become apparent.::

:: Her team was up. This was the last game in the match & at the last moment, Delilah SPIKES the ball. It SLAMS into Effie.::

:: Alison's mouth opens with surprise & a stifled laugh as she quickly covered her face. SLAPSTICK COMEDY at it's best right? Others werent so shy about laughing out loud though. ::

:: Miss Kelly blew the whistle & called the game & of course Effie's team griped at her. Delilah waited until Miss Kelly was out of sight before she...KICKED Effie.::

:: THAT took Alison aback. She had hesitated to join the others & so her reaction was not noticed. Soon though, she was with everyone, in the locker room.::

:: Girls flitted about in various states of undress after showering & changing. Alison herself was in her bra & panties, now slipping on her blouse while others chattered & played a bit. Delilah & Cass were just a few lockers behind her on the same row.::

Alison, you look a million miles away! what's wrong?

We know what's wrong. She's half naked & Nicolas King isn't anywhere around!

:: As they giggled, Alison looked at them both with a withering GLARE from her striking blue eyes before melting into a smile & eyeroll::

Oh please. I think YOU fantasize about Nicolas & I being together more than we do. Maybe you'd like to WATCH? you might learn something, Cass!

:: Alison shot back as she threw a towel at her::

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

Delilah admired herself in the mirror that spanned the full height and width of her gym locker. Public dressing and showering was SO degrading…even for someone as perfectly proportioned as Delilah was, but at least the other girls in the class knew that this row of lockers was reserved for Delilah and her friends, and god help them if they trespassed here.

She primped while joking with her girlfriends. Alison, however, wasn’t paying much attention to what Delilah was saying. Clearly, something was up with her.

Delilah applied a particularly adorable shade of pink lipstick, only just barely glancing in Alison’s direction.

“Alison, you look a million miles away! What's wrong?”

We know what's wrong. She's half naked & Nicolas King isn't anywhere around!

Oh please. I think YOU fantasize about Nicolas & I being together than we do. Maybe you'd like to WATCH? You might learn something, Cass!

Delilah puckered her lips and fixed her lipstick with a finger.

“From what I’ve heard, she needs to.”

She smoothed back a loose strand of hair, still looking into the mirror.

“The two of you BOTH need to get your minds out of the gutter. You sound like the unwashed masses this school is infected with. Too bad they don’t all catch a plague for uncool people. This place would be a lot easier to take.”

 

[Ruby]

Oh please. I think YOU fantasize about Nicolas & I being together more than we do. Maybe you'd like to WATCH? you might learn something, Cass!

:: Giggling, Cass easily caught the towel and twirled it around in the air. Though she did agree that Nicolas was good-looking, she would never go for him. Chicks over dicks and all that. Nicolas was ALL Alison's. But sometimes, it DID bother her that she was single. She tossed the towel on the bench and let her blonde hair loose after taking out her ponytail. ::

*laughing*: "No, Ali, that's completely okay. Although, I bet NICOLAS wouldn't mind!"

:: Cass had a really weird sense of humour. It border-lined on the inappropriate. But she didn't care. She knew that her friends knew that she was just joking. She turned to her locker and began putting her shirt back on. ::

“From what I’ve heard, she needs to.”

:: Cass snorted. ::

"Just because I don't have a hot boyfriend like you guys do does NOT mean I'm inexperienced. Also, waaay harsh."

:: Cass thought for a bit. It WAS kind of funny after all. ::

*impressed*: "Good one, though."

:: She rummaged through her locker. ::

"So, I don't know why Miss Kelly even bothers with Effie. She doesn't want to be a part of this class, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. What gives? Although..."

:: She grinned mischieviously at both Alison and Delilah. Her blue-grey eyes sparkled as she thought back to class. ::

"RED is DEFINITELY her colour."

 

[Harbinger]

the locker room

::Alison feigned being faint at Cass' suggestion that NICOLAS wouldn't mind a spectator::

Oh Cass, you dirty whore you!

::before laughing with Cass some more. Cass was one to say ANYTHING. She didn't care who approved/disapproved of her often dry, off beat humor. THAT was one of the reasons Alison liked her.::

From what I’ve heard, she needs to.

She smoothed back a loose strand of hair, still looking into the mirror.

Ohhh I don't know. Cass IS the class president after all. I'm sure she enjoys her "EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE" with that cute "vice president"...all that time they spend in the committee room...

:retending to look serious::

"planning projects"

:: snickering as Cass had no problem pointing out she was HARDLY inexperienced....::

“The two of you BOTH need to get your minds out of the gutter. You sound like the unwashed masses this school is infected with. Too bad they don’t all catch a plague for uncool people. This place would be a lot easier to take.”

Isn't that what HOME SCHOOL is for?

:: Alison replied as she checked over her manicured, polished nails::

:: Delilah was gorgeous. It was easy to underestimate her because of her looks but she wasn't a "dumb blonde" by any means. Still...Alison sometimes wondered if the bitchy exterior was an armor hiding something tender beneath. If her FATHER was any indication...it might well have been.::

::Alison was a very bright, observant young woman. She seemed to be able to pick up on things, read people & situations. This was a tremendous benefit but at times ALSO a curse. There were some things that just WOULDN'T sit well....with anyone who had a CONSCIENCE....::

"So, I don't know why Miss Kelly even bothers with Effie. She doesn't want to be a part of this class, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. What gives? Although..."

:: She grinned mischieviously at both Alison and Delilah. Her blue-grey eyes sparkled as she thought back to class. ::

"RED is DEFINITELY her colour."

Miss Kelly get's PAID. We don't.

:: Alison said flatly as she adjusted her skirt::

:: Alison had never given Effie much thought. She wasn't necessarily CRUEL to her BUT she never helped her or stood up for her either. To look at her...would often evoke thoughts of...SYMPATHY in Alison's mind and heart. Of course this would cause Delilah and Cass to drag Alison to the nearest psych ward if they had any idea.::

:: But then...when Effie DID speak/interact, she could be utterly infuriating. Cass was right....she obviously DIDN'T want to be there...so why was she?::

We all have to be here...you know...compulsory education. But again....some people really ARE better suited for HOME SCHOOL.

:: Alison says coldly as she checks over her hair and make up.::

 

[Seer]

Bloodsport

<< and so...Just as Michael Armstrong described to Alycia Barnett...Delilah, Cass & Ali all participated in the on going abuse & bullying of Effie- Delilah the worst one of all. But Sometimes...all it takes, is one experience to set a person on another path.>>

<< From the "RESERVED row" in the girls' locker room, moving along, we come to the showers, the steam provides a dream like transition from the ugly tone the conversation between the girls of "The Core" has taken to the SUBJECT of that conversation.>>

<< Elizabeth "Effie" Stone. Alone. She showers, soaping her slender form as the hot water washes away the blood from her face & for a brief moment, the pain of yet another experience at the hands of Delilah and the others.>>

<< She's hardly unattractive, but she doesnt work at being glamorous like Delilah or alluring like Ali or have that sexy "beach babe" appeal like Cass. >>

<< The chatter and carrying on elsewhere in the locker room is lost on her. SHe's in her own world. Lost in her thoughts...formless as they sometimes are... and the water and steam of the showers around her.>>

<< But even in this illusion of tranquility & respite from her daily torment, things will not end well.>>

<< The stress of Delilah's assault & humiliation, coupled with the raging hormones that they ALL had (though clearly some could handle better than others), made itself clearly, shockingly, EMBARRASSINGLY known...>>


<< Effie looks down, having dropped her bar of soap. But that isn't what catches her eye now. Instead...what catches her eye is a crimson trail...swirling down from her feet near the drain.>>

<< it isnt brief or temporary. its FLOWING...from....>>

<< her eyes move UP from the floor, to her leg...her inner thigh....from HER.>>

RED is DEFINITELY her colour

<< it couldnt have been more ill timed...her body rebelling like this.>>

<< Effie was now menstruating. Right there in the shower. In the girls locker room. In front of all of THEM.>>

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy’s eyes were closed. She let the hot water run over her, blocking out everything else around her. The water stung her face, but she didn’t care. It was a small comfort in a harsh world. She could almost pretend she was alone.

She wasn’t as graceful as Delilah and her friends – not that she cared – but her respite was interrupted as she fumbled and then dropped the bar of soap, which skidded across the wet shower floor. Effy smiled slightly, childishly, remembering that old prison joke, Don’t drop the soap…

And then the smile was gone. There was something in the water. Something…red.

No, NO! Not now, PLEASE not now!

What could she do? How could she get out of here without anyone seeing?!

 

[Seer]

Bloodsport II

<< blood. you need it to live...and often shed it in times of pain or distress.>>

<< it draws predators to prey.>>

<< Even as Effie dared to think of how she would escape...any possible chance evaporated as quickly as the steam in the area as several girls began hollering, pointing & calling attention to Effie in her moment of distress.>>

<< blood makes noise.>>

<< soon more of the girls realized what was happening. they all saw. the pointing, the laughts, the jeers of disgust. they all began to come. slowly joining to form one massive group effort to humiliate & shame.>>

<< Cass was the first of the "core" to realize something was happening and drew near to investigate, followed closely by Delilah and Alison.>>