Ororo's Ghost Story III, Part 5

[Artemis]

Spectra Mansion- Living Room

Ava cleared her throat as she looked over at Sally, nodding casually.

"No luck. Apparently they're fried, whatever that means..."

Letting out a little cough, Ava's brows furrowed as she shook her head.

"After I left he said....he was going to....keep working on them...."

Clearing her throat once again, it felt like she just inhaled the Sahara Desert and talking was making it that much more worse. She downed some more of her drink in an effort to moisten her throat, it helping a bit, but not much. Swallowing hard, Ava lifted her hand to her chest resting it there, her eyes focused to the ground. Something felt off.

<< She exhaled and let herself fall back further into her seat>>

Sally: all of this expensive equipment, and one round of bad weather is all it takes to shut it down?

<< Nicolas hands her a drink.>>

Sally: But my Alek is a determined young man. He won't rest until he conquers a challenge!

[ Sharon snickered a bit, knowing that Sally's observation about Alek could also be taken as a double entendre]

[ Jackie looked over at Ava who was clearing her throat, and coughing a bit. They'd made it through the night together, but Cameron's words had planted a seed of doubt in Jackie's mind. But in this moment, something seemed wrong. Ava was having a hard time]

Ava? are you okay?

[Sharon moved forward in her seat as well]

Sharon: [ to the maid] Could you bring a glass of water over here, please?

[ As Sharon set the water down for Ava, Jackie moved over to Ava's side, noticing the look on her face. ]

Something's wrong...

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Courtyard

Zizi: That's not what TMZ would lead me to believe.

He laughed at her well delivered quip, as they started to walk together. He caught her rubbing her arms for warmth.

“Oh, are you cold? Here, take my jacket.”

He insisted, slipping the stiff black leather off his shoulders and onto hers without hesitation. It was a bit brisk out here, he noticed, but it wasn’t too bad. He was still a bit hot and bothered from being in such close proximity to Ash. The thought of making her moan by the fire in the B&B down in Sleepy Hollow later kept him plenty warm, despite the breeze.

Zizi: Ashley, she's very brave. And very beautiful.

Zach cleared his throat and his mind of dirty thoughts. Brave and beautiful was just the start of it, really. But Zizi probably didn’t want to hear him talk about how amazing Ash was. So instead he just smiled.

Zizi: I’m sure you’re very worried about her.

“She’ll be fine, I’m sure of it.”

He replied, more to reassure himself than anything else. If he thought about it too much he’d be over there at the cliff side, climbing down without a rope, just to make sure she was okay. He changed the subject before he gave in to the urge to go after her.

“I hope your mother is alright. I didn’t see her in the breakfast room this morning. It’s not like her to miss an opportunity to hobknob.”

He suggested. Even MORE unusual was the fact that Dina wasn’t here to snipe at her daughter like the harpy mom that she was, but Zach was too polite to comment about that. He felt bad enough the poor girl was stuck in the adjoining suite with Dina. No wonder she survived the night with nothing but a kitten to keep her safe. The killer obviously didn’t want to be anywhere near Dina York.

“How about you, Ziz, did you sleep alright?”

 

[Oracle]

Outside

He laughed at her joke, which made her smile bigger. He noticed her hugging her arms.

“Oh, are you cold? Here, take my jacket.”

“Oh! No- you’ll be cold-“

He draped his jacket around her shoulders, and she was pretty sure she stopped breathing. He was so kind to her. But maybe he was that way with everyone. In fact, he probably was. She mentioned Ashley, subconsciously wanting to see his reaction. If he was sad that she had left. She worked her arms into the sleeves of the jacket as they continued on. She felt like a teenager wearing her boyfriend’s letter jacket. She went on to say that he must be worried abour Ashley.

“She’ll be fine, I’m sure of it.”

Zizi nodded, pulling the jacket around her.

“I hope so.”

And she did. It’s not like she wanted anything bad to happen to Ashley.

“I hope your mother is alright. I didn’t see her in the breakfast room this morning. It’s not like her to miss an opportunity to hobknob.”

“No, it’s not.”

Her brow furrowed. Her mother always seemed to find a way to make things difficult.

“She feels safer in her room. And, truth be told, relishes any chance to be fawned over.”

She glanced at him, then explained.

“Breakfast in bed, servants attending to her every need, not being part of ‘the group’ so people wonder if she’s okay...”

She sighed, reaching down to pluck a small flower out of the grass and twirl it between her fingers.

“I’m sure she expects a stream of visitors to her room to check on her wellbeing. She probably has deluded herself that none of this is real. Or at least that it has nothing to do with her.”

“How about you, Ziz, did you sleep alright?”

She gave him a small smile.

“As well as can be expected. It certainly wasn’t easy to fall asleep. I had a lot of...thoughts.”

She shook her head.

“I know I should be terrified, and I’m definitely afraid for everyone here. But it’s the weirdest thing, I feel more alive than I ever have.”

The realization of it washed over her face. It was a surprise to herself even as she said it, but it was true. She turned her body and walked backwards so she could look at him, tossing the flower to the ground. Her tone changed, where they might have been in a cafe in the city rather than where they were, with a killer among them.

“So, Zach, tell me: what was it like to have all the women here - and probably the men too - hoping to be paired with you for the night? Feel like a superhero yet?”

Her voice was teasing, and she smiled playfully as her hair blew in the wind. She didn't mention that she was one of those women.

 

[Persephone]

Ava began to cough, her throat uncomfortably dry and scratchy. But with coughing it meant she was getting at least some air intake, her breath ragged and shallow.

Jackie: Ava? are you okay?

She heard Jackie but couldn't respond. Shaking her head, Sharon called for the maid to bring Ava some water but she knew this was beyond just water. Ava could feel her throat starting to close up, her eyes watering as she gasped in clutching her chest.

"I can't--I ca--"

She gasped again, what words she could say horse and hallow. Coughing violently, Ava dropped the tumbler of scotch she held and grabbed Jackie for support, the tainted glass shattering by their feet on the living room floor. A white foam began to ooze from Ava's mouth, her body beginning to convulse in Jackie's arms as she lost all use of her limbs, completely collapsing to the ground. She couldn't breathe, the horrific sound of air meeting liquid gargling in the back of her throat. Tears fell from Ava's wide eyes as she stared up in horror knowing this wasn't random or an accident. She had been targeted. She was the killers next victim. The grip on her chest loosened and her face became eerily relaxed. Ava's eyes rolled shut just as her head slumped to the side and her hand slid from her body and laid lax on the floor. Her entire body was dead weight in Jackie's arms, foam slowly still trickling from the corners of her mouth.

Ava had been poisoned.

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Courtyard

Zizi: Oh! No- you’ll be cold-

“Nah, I’m hot blooded.”

He told her as he put his jacket around her shoulders. There was no way he was going to wear a warm toasty jacket while she was shivering next to him. That was just plain unchivalrous. His mother would resurrect just to smack the back of his head if he let a lady go cold. They talked briefly about Ash, going off fearlessly down the mountain. Then Zach brought up Dina, so he could get his mind out of the gutter. He noted that it wasn’t like Dina to miss a chance to socialize.

Zizi: No, it’s not. She feels safer in her room. And, truth be told, relishes any chance to be fawned over. Breakfast in bed, servants attending to her every need, not being part of ‘the group’ so people wonder if she’s okay...

“She’s with the wrong group to be receiving THAT kind of attention.”

He started in a half joking tone, and then he gave it serious consideration.

“I doubt any of the models even noticed she’s not around. Sally or Sharon might realize she’s not present, but they’ve got a lot to deal with as it is.”

Zizi: I’m sure she expects a stream of visitors to her room to check on her wellbeing. She probably has deluded herself that none of this is real. Or at least that it has nothing to do with her.

“I think we’re all hoping it has nothing to do with us.”

He supposed, and then he realized he hadn’t even asked her how she fared through the night.

Zizi: As well as can be expected. It certainly wasn’t easy to fall asleep. I had a lot of...thoughts.

“Oh, I know what you mean. I was up most of the night myself, thinking every little sound was likely the approach of a homicidal maniac. And then of course I felt like I should’ve been checking on all the girls, but I didn’t want to leave Sharon. Ugh, it’s just been a nightmare. I should’ve talked everyone into camping out together in the living room when the idea of splitting up was suggested. Oh well, too late now.”

Zizi: I know I should be terrified, and I’m definitely afraid for everyone here. But it’s the weirdest thing, I feel more alive than I ever have.

She said, and Zach smirked and nodded his understanding.

“I get it, nothing like the threat of grave bodily injury to get the blood flowing. Gets you pumped to take action. Also, it kind of helps to explain why Ash was so gung-ho to go rappelling down the mountain. Anything’s better than sitting here waiting to get butchered.”

He said, but he tried to make it sound humorous, and not all doom and gloom. Zizi turned to walk backwards so she could talk to Zach, and she seemed to pick up on his effort to lighten the mood.

Zizi: So, Zach, tell me: what was it like to have all the women her - and probably the men too - hoping to be paired with you for the night? Feel like a superhero yet?

Zach made a show of rolling his eyes, but still he smiled good-naturedly.

“Clearly nobody wanted me TOO much, or they’d have mentioned it when Sharon claimed me as HER partner. But I guess it would’ve been nice if somebody HAD wanted me around. Being needed DOES kind of make a man feel like a superhero. I have a strong protective instinct, you know, and all these women around here make it known they don’t need a man, because they can take care of themselves. What’s a guy supposed to do?”

He shrugged, and then kind of caught himself venting on her.

“Wow, I’m not sure why I’m telling you all this. Sorry to bend your ear about it.”

He said sheepishly, his hands in his pockets as he followed her trail through the courtyard, not caring too much where they were headed. It was kind of comforting, walking with her, getting the chance to talk about what was hanging over them. She was really easy to be around, too, like he didn’t have to play the game, and he could just be himself. And then he felt kind of guilty for griping, when she was clearly trying to keep things light.

“I’ll make it up to you, whatever you want. Did you see a dress at the fashion show that you liked?”

 

[Artemis]

Spectra Mansion- The Living room

She heard Jackie but couldn't respond. Shaking her head, Sharon called for the maid to bring Ava some water but she knew this was beyond just water. Ava could feel her throat starting to close up, her eyes watering as she gasped in clutching her chest.

"I can't--I ca--"

She gasped again, what words she could say horse and hallow. Coughing violently, Ava dropped the tumbler of scotch she held and grabbed Jackie for support, the tainted glass shattering by their feet on the living room floor.

AVA!

[ Jackie held on to Ava, bracing her as she began to suffer what looked like an asthma attack at first]

Sharon, does she have a rescue inhaler!?

Sharon: [ Who by now was over to Ava's other side] NO...she doesn't have asthma!

Jackie: Then what's HAPPENING? what can we do!?

A white foam began to ooze from Ava's mouth, her body beginning to convulse in Jackie's arms as she lost all use of her limbs, completely collapsing to the ground.

[ Jackie and Sharon made sure that she didn't CRASH to the floor at least, and Sharon tried her best to keep Ava's head elevated...]

Jackie: oh god....

Sharon: AVA!

Sally: Cassandra, hurry, press the panic button! Get Alek up here immediately!

She couldn't breathe, the horrific sound of air meeting liquid gargling in the back of her throat. Tears fell from Ava's wide eyes as she stared up in horror knowing this wasn't random or an accident. She had been targeted. She was the killers next victim. The grip on her chest loosened and her face became eerily relaxed. Ava's eyes rolled shut just as her head slumped to the side and her hand slid from her body and laid lax on the floor. Her entire body was dead weight in Jackie's arms, foam slowly still trickling from the corners of her mouth.
Ava had been poisoned.

[ a large, grandfather clock began to toll, as Jackie and Sharon both knelt on the floor. Jackie holding Ava's now limp hand, and Ava's head now resting in Sharon's lap...with blood on Sharon's skirt]

[ the two women looked at each other in utter dismay, as Jackie checked for a pulse. first on Ava's wrist, then her neck]

Jackie: She....she's dead!

[ Sharon bowed her head, as the clock tolled]

Sharon: Oh Ava...oh god no...

[ She said in a hushed, shaken tone, as Vivica joined them. Sally, Andre and Cassandra stood together as well . By the time Alek would reach them, it would be too late. ]

[ Sharon choked up with grief as Jackie continued to kneel beside Ava, still holding her hand, looking dazed and pained at the same time.::

Jackie: ...somebody should tell Zach...and Zizi...

[ The clock finished it's last toll and all that could be heard now, was Sharon's grief]

 

[Seer]

Outside

<<Some time had passed, as Zach and Zizi were talking, they'd made their way to the other side, looking out over a different cliff view. >>

<< Zizi was coming out of her shell, showing she even had a sense of humor. She was no longer feeling QUITE so overshadowed by the beauty and glamor of the models at the mansion. And Zach, well, he was doing what came naturally, and the two of them seemed to have a natural chemistry as they passed the time.>>

<< But soon, Zach thought he heard something, Sharon's voice...in distress. With the breezy air outside, it was hard to be sure. He took a few steps away from where Zizi was standing, drawing nearer to the mansion.>>

<< Alek came rushing into view. He warned Zach that Sally had pressed her panic button and something must have happened. Zach almost took off with Alek when....>>

<< Zizi was lost in thought. She looked around, over the endless expanse. Sally's mansion was like a palace. But now...it was also acting as a terrifying prison.>>

<< As she took in the breeze, and looked around once more, she didn't notice a gloved hand reaching up from the ground, more specifically the side of the cliff!>>

<< But a few stones rolled loose and tumbled away, with the noise drawing her attention downward. she saw the hand, and then the person the hand belonged to. Some STRANGER was coming up the cliff right in front of her!>>

<< Zizi screamed and Zach turned, rushing back to where she'd been standing. >>

<< Zach found Zizi, and the figure emerging from the cliffside>>

Zach: What's going on here, who are YOU?

Sheriff: Well, I won't be ANYBODY unless you help me up!

<< It became apparent from the sheriff's manner of dress, that he was law enforcement.>>

Sheriff: Sheriff D. Hulsey.

<< the man spoke with a texas TWANG. Odd for a sheriff in NEW YORK>>

Zach: Did you run into Ashley Oldenburg!?

Hulsey: Well, sure! She came down this morning with a story about folks being murdered up here!

Zach: That's right.

Zizi: A woman was brutally killed yesterday.

Zach: Sally Spectra is in the mansion. she's very upset.

Hulsey: Ahhh Ms. Spectra. She's quite a woman. I was just up here a couple weeks ago. She sure can drink, can't she?

<< Zach and Zizi stare at him>>

Zach: Listen, we're trapped up here. Do you have a helicopter that can get us all down to the village?

Hulsey: It's not available right now. I had to make the hike up here myself

<< Zach looks around>>

Hulsey: These mountains are so treacherous...they could cost you your LIFE.

<< Zach couldn't help but think of Ashley when the sheriff said that>>

Hulsey: Well come on, let's go back to the house.

<< The trio walks, and once there, they are greated by the news, and awful site of Ava, apparently dead from POISON.>>

<< Hulsey watches for a few moments as everyone reacts.>>

 

[Recall]

She had been so worried about Alycia and Cameron killing each other that moments went on without her knowledge. She was starting to get a migraine. Vivica was somebody who had a GOOD memory, but whenever a lot was happening around her, she was prone to blackouts of time and incredible headaches. By the time she was in the living room with Sally, Andre and Cass, she had lost several seconds. She clicked back into reality the second that Ava entered the room.

Jackie: "Ava? Are you okay?"

Ava: "I can't--I ca--"

Vivica's eyes widened in horror as she looked over at Ava. Was she choking? What was wrong. She began to cough as she dropped the tumbler of scotch on the ground and held Jackie for support. Vivica immediately jumped in.

"Ava! Oh my god! I think she's choking! Seriously! GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

She was led by pure instinct as she barrelled Jackie out of the way and attempted to get Ava into a position to perform the heimlich when she noticed something very telling - Ava was limp. More than limp. She was dead. Vivica didn't know what to feel. Ava had been her nemesis forever. But she had been one of her choosing. Outside of their bitchy barbs and practical jokes...they trusted each other. When Morgaine left KMA, Vivica and Ava had to take the reigns, to prove to the world that KMA was still a powerhouse. That they were still profitable. And they succeeded. They both shared the same head for business and they knew their little online bitchy comments were marketing gold. She grabbed onto Ava, holding her tight. She had already lost Morgaine...and now she had lost Ava.

Sharon: "Oh Ava...oh god no..."

Jackie: "...somebody should tell Zach...and Zizi.."

"And what are Zach and Zizi going to do but CRY?! Everybody give her space NOW!"

The clock seemed to signal the tone of the room. It was grim. Sharon fell apart. Vivica propped Ava into the chair and began looking at her meticulously. She had a few hairs out of place, and she needed to reapply her lip gloss. Without thinking Vivica took care of these things, fixing her hair and applying the right amount of lip gloss. Ava looked like a stone angel, but she looked perfect, and Vivica wasn't going to have anybody snapping a picture of Ava's dead body, or have her look anything less than stellar. She may have bitched at Ava, but she was family, and her family were LEGENDS. They had a rep to protect ,and Ava wouldn't have had it.

"I'm getting off of this mountain, Sharon! I'm getting out of here now! I'm not waiting around to be MURDERED! I'll take my chances with a RAVINE!"

Vivica rose to her feet.

"Don't you dare move her body...and if you do, you BETTER make sure she stays looking perfect!"

Vivica stared at Jackie with contempt.

"Are you happy now? Are you FINALLY at the place you want to be in? Or will you not stop until there's nobody else alive?!"

She looked to Sharon sharply.

"Sharon! She's the one that killed Marissa AND Morgaine! And now she's killed Ava too! She needs to be stopped!"

Vivica went over to the bookcase in the living room and mixed her hand the back of it, pulling out a rifle and cocking it with ease.

"I've been paying attention to things around here! And I'm DONE! Give me one good reason I shouldn't blow this bitch away and get the HELL out of here!?"

 

[Silver Swan]

Spectra Mansion- Living Room

"And what are Zach and Zizi going to do but CRY?! Everybody give her space NOW!"

[ Jackie and Sally helped Sharon up, as Vivica began behaving in an odd sort of way, But Sharon had seen this from her before. This laser like focus on any and every detail. ]


[ Sally handed Sharon a tissue]

Vivica.....what are you DOING!?

"I'm getting off of this mountain, Sharon! I'm getting out of here now! I'm not waiting around to be MURDERED! I'll take my chances with a RAVINE!"

Vivica rose to her feet.

"Don't you dare move her body...and if you do, you BETTER make sure she stays looking perfect!"

Vivica, we're all trapped here. Ashley should have made it down to the path by now...

Vivica stared at Jackie with contempt.

"Are you happy now? Are you FINALLY at the place you want to be in? Or will you not stop until there's nobody else alive?!"

VIVICA!

[ Sharon bellowed with disbelief as Vivica turned her grief, anger and suspicion on Jackie!]

She looked to Sharon sharply.

"Sharon! She's the one that killed Marissa AND Morgaine! And now she's killed Ava too! She needs to be stopped!"

Vivica went over to the bookcase in the living room and mixed her hand the back of it, pulling out a rifle and cocking it with ease.

"I've been paying attention to things around here! And I'm DONE! Give me one good reason I shouldn't blow this bitch away and get the HELL out of here!?"

Jackie: Are you NUTS!?

[ Vivica was too far from Jackie for Jackie to disarm her and take her down cold, but she wasn't going to just stand there. She didn't cower or shrink back. Vivica saw just a FRACTION of what she could do when she fought Cameron, and Zach and Sharon already knew how bold she could be when push came to shove.]

Jackie: I'm getting SICK of you cliquey BITCHES throwing your suspicions off on ME! I had NOTHING to do with this. You OUGHT to be checking on CAMERON KING, but given the way YOU behave, I imagine you fell RIGHT IN LINE with his demands AGES ago, which is why YOU'RE still alive NOW! One of YOU sick, twisted, demented ho's is behind this...and according to Cameron, it's been a LONG TIME COMING. Since you seem to KNOW everything, maybe YOU know something you're not telling the rest of us! FUNNY how you were so quick to tend to Ava SECONDS after she died. What were you doing? SECRETING some kind of chemical to cover up poison YOU put in her liquor?


[ Jackie would slam Vivica through the table if she could get her hands on her, but SHARON was having none of this.Sharon moved forward, and positioned herself in Vivica's path]

Sharon: THAT'S ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!

[ By now, Zach, Zizi and Hulsey would hear all of this too!]

Vivica, have you gone MAD!? AVA HAS JUST DIED, and you're waving a gun around like a LUNATIC! PUT IT DOWN!

JACKIE did not kill Morgaine, OR Marissa!

[ Sharon had kept the details of Marissa's death QUIET...until now]

Jackie was in a modeling session with the house photographer when Marissa died in the studio. ZACH AND I were the ones who found her, and she'd been POISONED...by CYANIDE. Jackie had no access to Marissa OR the tainted cosmetics. The police ALREADY cleared her.

Sharon: DON'T do this, Vivica.

It's TOO EASY to suspect someone who is NEW, DIFFERENT, but YOU were the new person at one time, so was AVA, and ASHLEY.

I didn't stand for any of you to be mistreated then, and I won't stand for it NOW. We're supposed to STICK TOGETHER!

JACKIE didn't do this. We DON'T KNOW who did it

[ at that very moment]

Hulsey: That's RIGHT, Ms. Kelly, we DON'T.

[ Sharon gasped]

Hulsey: But I'm here to find out.

[ By now, Zach had also joined Sharon, making sure Jackie and Vivica couldn't reach each other.]

Sharon: Zach....I don't know how much more of this I can TAKE!

[ She was SHAKING]

Hulsey: Sheriff Hulsey, for those of you who don't already know. [ looking at Sally, he nods and tips his hat] Ms. Spectra!

Hulsey: I'm going to need EVERYONE to move to the dining room, and take a seat. You're all going to get a chance to talk to me.

Hulsey: Ms. Kelly, Ashley told me about a murder up here last night. Now, What happened here just now?

Sharon: Ava Cassidine...she...she was having a drink, and she...

Jackie; She was POISONED.

Hulsey: Was she in this position when she died?

Sharon: No. She collapsed, we were trying to help her...

Hulsey: WHO moved the body?

Jackie: SHE did, the lunatic with the gun!

[ Jackie points at Vivica]

Hulsey: Ma'am. Put it DOWN.

[ He commands to Vivica, referring to the gun, as he places his hand on his holster]

Hulsey: And go stand with the others. I want EVERYONE in the dining room, and seated, while I check the body here. This is a crime scene.

[ Zizi and Zach both guide a visibly distraught Sharon, as everyone slowly makes their way to the dining room. ]

 

[Recall]

Sharon: "Vivica, we're all trapped here. Ashley should have made it down to the path by now."

"Oh Ashley is NOT coming back here, Sharon! I assume by now she's giving the middle finger from behind the driver's seat of a car getting as far away from here as possible!"

Sharon didn't want to see it. She never wanted to see the bad in people, because it would make her acknowledge her own "badness". It was what infuriated Vivica the most about Sharon. After everything that happened to her, she closed up. She iced everybody out. She was like an effective robot. But now, when it mattered the most, she seemed to want to trust any and everybody without question!

Jackie: "Are you NUTS?!"

"Hell no. I think i'm the only sane person HERE."

Jackie recoiled and the beast came out to play, just as Vivica had expected.

Jackie: "I'm getting SICK of you cliquey BITCHES throwing your suspicions off on ME! I had NOTHING to do with this. You OUGHT to be checking on CAMERON KING, but given the way YOU behave, I imagine you fell RIGHT IN LINE with his demands AGES ago, which is why YOU'RE still alive NOW! One of YOU sick, twisted, demented ho's is behind this...and according to Cameron, it's been a LONG TIME COMING. Since you seem to KNOW everything, maybe YOU know something you're not telling the rest of us! FUNNY how you were so quick to tend to Ava SECONDS after she died. What were you doing? SECRETING some kind of chemical to cover up poison YOU put in her liquor?"

"Bitch please. Do not try and FUCK with a pro, when you're such an AMATEUR!"

Vivica looked at her nails, before CLOCKING her rifle RIGHT on to Jackie, not caring about the SHERIFF that appeared on the scene. Who knew if even HE could be trusted?

Sharon: "Vivica, have you gone MAD?! AVA HAS JUST DIED, and you're waving a gun around like a LUNATIC! PUT IT DOWN!"

"A LUNATCI?! Have you not been paying attention?! Bitches are dropping left and RIGHT around here! Seems kind of smart to me to start packing a little HEAT!"

Sharon: "JACKIE did not kill Morgaine, OR Marissa!"

"Sharon, come ON!"

Sharon: "Jackie was in a modeling session with the house photographer when Marissa died in the studio. ZACH AND I were the ones who found her, and she'd been POISONED...by CYANIDE. Jackie had no access to Marissa OR the tained cosmetics. The police ALREADY cleared her."

"How convenient for her."

Sharon: "DON'T do this, Vivica."

"Sharon...stay OUT of this."

Vivica waivered in securing her shot at Jackie.

Sharon: "JACKIE didn't do this. We DON'T KNOW who did it."

Hulsey: "That's RIGHT, Ms. Kelly, we DON'T."

"And who the fuck are YOU?"

Hulsey: "Sheriff Hulsey, for those of you who don't already know. I'm going to need EVERYONE to move to the dining room, and take a seat. You're all going to get a chance to talk to me. Ms. Kelly, Ashley, tld me about a murder up here last night. Now, What happened in here just now?"

"I took justice into my own HANDS, that's what!"

Sharon: "Ava Cassadine...she...she was having a drink, and she..."

Jackie: "She was POISONED."

"By YOU! She's benefitted from EVERY victm of this massacre this evening! Every death moves her one step closer inside the innner circle!"

Hulsey: "Was she in this position when she died?"

Sharon: "No, she collasped, we were trying to help her.."

Husley: WHO moved the body?"

"I DID!

Jackie: "SHE did, the lunatic with the gun."

Hulsey: Ma'am. Put it DOWN."

"Don't tell me what to do, PIG. We don't even know who you are! Why would you come up here by yourself?! With no radio communication! ALONE?! No evacuation plan!? That's a little FISHY if you ask ME! I'm KEEPING this rifle."

Vivica hesitated for a moment, before she dropped the gun to her side, holding it in a braced position in her hand.

"But I'm not about to become a murderer tonight unless somebody REALLY provokes me."

Hulsey: "And go stand with the others. I want EVERYONE in the dining room, and seated, while I check the body here. This is a crime scene."

"No shit, sherlock. I'll allow your little pony show for NOW, but until then, I'm going to do what I see FIT."

Begrudgingly, Vivica made her way to the dining room.

 

[Oracle]

The Courtyard

Zach asked about Dina, and Zizi tried to explain her mother’s way of thinking. Not that it made much sense.

“She’s with the wrong group to be receiving THAT kind of attention. I doubt any of the models even noticed she’s not around. Sally or Sharon might realize she’s not present, but they’ve got a lot to deal with as it is.”

“Try telling HER that. She’ll be propped up in bed in her best peignoir, waiting.”

Her mother would never believe any of the “trouble” had anything to do with her, except to allow it to make her the center of attention.

“I think we’re all hoping it has nothing to do with us.”

“Who does it have to do with, then?”

The question was more to the air than anyone else. He asked her about her night, and she said she had found it hard to sleep, with the thoughts invading her brain. She didn’t say, that most of those thoughts had been about him.

“Oh, I know what you mean. I was up most of the night myself, thinking every little sound was likely the approach of a homicidal maniac. And then of course I felt like I should’ve been checking on all the girls, but I didn’t want to leave Sharon. Ugh, it’s just been a nightmare. I should’ve talked everyone into camping out together in the living room when the idea of splitting up was suggested. Oh well, too late now.”

“Probably made more sense, but as you said.”

She looked at him thoughtfully.

“You know, Zach, I think you just might be too nice for your own good. Wanting to protect everyone. Most people - like my mother - would be taking care of number one first.”

Despite the circumstances, she felt more free than she ever had in her whole life, and said as much. She wasn’t sure she would trade being here for all the safety of her house upstate. As crazy as she knew that was.

She laughed as Zach rolled his eyes, when she asked what it was like to have all the girls want him to protect them at night.

“Clearly nobody wanted me TOO much, or they’d have mentioned it when Sharon claimed me as HER partner.

“Maybe they didn’t think it was up for debate.”

“But I guess it would’ve been nice if somebody HAD wanted me around. Being needed DOES kind of make a man feel like a superhero.”

“They probably would have, if they thought you wanted them to.”

A flush rose in her cheeks, but she hoped he would just chalk it up to the wind.

”I have a strong protective instinct, you know, and all these women around here make it known they don’t need a man, because they can take care of themselves. What’s a guy supposed to do?”

He shrugged, and she reached over to touch his arm.

“Just because they say it, doesn’t mean they don’t need you.”

She kept walking.

“Wow, I’m not sure why I’m telling you all this. Sorry to bend your ear about it.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Zach. You’ve listened to me plenty. And in any case, I don’t mind. Quite the opposite, actually.”

“I’ll make it up to you, whatever you want. Did you see a dress at the fashion show that you liked?”

She stopped then, looking at him hard.

“I don’t need someone else to buy me things to ‘make it up to me’.”

Her face softened quickly.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. It’s just, I’m happy to talk to you, Zach. You don’t need to bribe me to do it. I want to.”

She smiled, but still was embarrassed, her voice now very small. She had probably sounded like her mother then. And she knew how Zach felt about her.

They had reached another cliffside, and Zizi was staring off into the distances, trying to think of something to say, when Alek came came running past them, shouting that Sally had pressed her panic button again.

“What’s happened?!”

But he couldn’t say. She turned back to the cliff. Such terrible things were happening here, in a place that was so beautiful. She didn’t want to go back to the mansion, back to all the panic and fear, to see who its latest victim was. Tears started to well in her eyes, but she blinked them away, focusing on the cliffside. Which is how she both saw and heard the stones give way at the edge. And then there was a hand. And then someone was coming up over the cliff, someone she didn’t recognize. And then she screamed.

Zach was at her side, and she clung to him, still reeling from the surprise and afraid of who this person was. But soon they saw that this was a sheriff from the town. That meant Ashley had gotten through! Zach asked about Ashley specifically (of course, he would) and the Sheriff confirmed that he had spoken to her. She and Zach both filled in the blanks of what Ashley had told him, and asked about a helicopter to take them off the mountain. Which was apparently not yet available, but at least the Sheriff was here. This was all about to be over.

They went with Hulsey back to the house, only to find a screaming match going on between Jackie and Vivica, with Sharon trying to break it up. And Vivica was holding a gun.

“Oh my!”

Vivica, have you gone MAD!? AVA HAS JUST DIED, and you're waving a gun around like a LUNATIC! PUT IT DOWN!

Zizi's hand went to her mouth, and then her eyes saw the body.

“Ava - oh no!”

The Sheriff introduced himself. Zizi couldn’t think of anything to say. Ava was dying while she'd been outside with Zach, and enjoying it.

The Sheriff asked everyone to go into the dining room, and Zizi followed orders, helping Zach move Sharon with them like she was moving through a fog.

“Oh, Zach, this is so horrible!”

 

[Berserker]

The Generator

Alek had replaced about half the parts that had been damaged, but unfortunately it was the easy half, and the rest would be a much more involved process. But he was working as fast as he could, with the not small incentive that as soon as he was done he could whisk Ava away from here to a quiet spot for two.

He was pulling out a melted fan belt when an alarm sounded - it was the panic button from the Living Room. He kept the wrench in his hand as he started to sprint to the house. He passed the rich girl Zizi and that dick Zach, shouting at them that something was wrong at the house. But he kept going. If Sally had been hurt...

But it wasn't Sally. He burst through the door to find everyone quiet, looking down at the floor. At Ava on the floor, head in Sharon's lap. He stared at the lifeless body, and felt like someone had kicked him in the stomach. She looked so peaceful, lying there. And then the anger bubbled to the surface.

“What happened?! WHO DID THIS?!”

He knelt by her body, but when he went to touch her he felt a hand grab his shoulder and pull him back. He turned his head, to see that little fucker Andre.

 

[Titan]

Andrew on the other hand, had been staring at Ava in shock. Who would kill Ava? Who would want to? She was just there, making a sarcastic joke, and then she was dead.

“How can she be dead?”

She was the most amazing person. She couldn’t be gone. And poisoned? A string of unconnected thoughts whirled through his mind. Sharon & Vivica were holding her lifeless body. It had happened so quickly...

And then Alek was there. Andrew couldn’t let him touch her. He just couldn’t. Alek didn’t deserve to touch her. So when he tried to, Andrew grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back, hard.

“Leave her alone.”

Alek turned his head and looked at him, before rising to his feet, and his full height.

Alek: “This has nothing to do with you, designer boy.”

“The hell it doesn’t! She was with YOU before she came up to the house! YOU did this to her!”

Alek: “I fucking sure as hell did not! She and I...talked. And then I watched her come up to the house to make sure nothing happened to her. She was fine when she walked in the door!”

Andrew scoffed.

“Sure, you were talking. What did you talk about, you only know three words.”

Alek leaned in close, a dark grimace on his face.

Alek: “We talked...real good.”

Andrew’s fist came back and let fly into Alek’s face. Andrew was fuming, and Alek rubbed his jaw, a look of murder on his face that wasn't softened by the smile there. But it was at this moment that Vivica chose to pull out a rifle and cock it. Both men forgot their argument, at least for now, as they stared at the altercation erupting between Viv & Jackie. Sharon started yelling, trying to break things up, and then Zach & Zizi arrived with the Sheriff in tow. With a last glare at each other, Alek & Andrew both made their way into the dining room, sitting at opposite sides. Both wore the same expression, of sadness and loss.

 

[Ruby]

Casa de Spectra



:: Cassandra let out a sigh of relief when she woke up because it meant that she was alive. As soon as she moved though, the cries of the kittens started. She sat up and got out of bed, almost tripping over both felines as they wound their bodies through her legs demanding food. ::

“Just a minute.”

:: They followed her to the closet where she got dressed IN JEANS – to hell with the models and Dina York! – and then they followed her from the closet to the bathroom. The Siamese, in particular, was keen to keep Cassandra in her sights at all times. She gave them some food that they chowed down quickly before scampering off after her down the hall. Cassandra saw Sally up ahead and greeted her, pleased that they were both alive. The two headed down to breakfast and were pretty ecstatic to find everybody there. There were good spirits around as they all were happy to be alive after the night that they had. Soon breakfast was over and everybody, save for Jackie, who begged off to meditate in the gardens, made their way out to the front entrance to watch Ashley make her way down the mountain to get help. Sally seemed to be nervous, expressing her worry for Ashley. Cassandra wrapped an arm around her. Drew was on the other side of Sally and the two kittens were sitting beside Cassandra. ::

“Ashley will be okay, Sally. She can take care of herself.”

:: Just then, Vivica came rushing over to let everyone know about the epic smackdown that Jackie was currently bringing to Cameron King in the garden. So everybody rushed to the garden to watch and take pictures of Cameron getting his ass handed to him by a girl to post on social media intervene on their behalf before they killed each other…presumably. Sally took a step forward but Cassandra held her back. ::

“No, let Sharon handle it.”

:: Secretly, she wished that she had brought her phone with her to discreetly take pictures. Cameron seemed to be a glutton for punishment where females were concerned. Sharon had calmed Jackie down and Cassandra and Drew turned to follow Sally back inside but not before throwing disapproving glares at the cretin that was currently pissing everybody off [Cameron]. Before Cassandra stepped through the doorway, one of the cats that roamed around Casa Spectra bounded up to her and the kittens with a loud “MEAWR!” Maxie batted at the air whereas the Siamese trembled and mewled. Cassandra picked her up. ::

“Looking for some treats? Come on, then!”

:: Cassandra went about to getting all three felines some treats before the rogue cat left her with the babies and the three ventured into the living room. The Siamese was back to her happy self and she ran and engaged Maxie in a little rough and tumble play in the middle of the floor…but she always made sure to keep an eye out for her foster mommy. Cassandra was content to watch the kittens play, laughing at their antics, when her attention was drawn to Ava who was acting pretty damn weird. She stood up suddenly, ready to go for help. ::

*horrified*: “I’ll-I’ll go for help…”

:: She knew from her past that this wasn’t a drug overdose. No, this was something more SINISTER than that. ::

Sally: “Cassandra, hurry, press the panic button! Get Alek up here immediately!”

:: Cassandra RAN to the button and pressed it repeatedly. One of the maids, ash-faced, took her hand OFF of the button and led Cassandra back to Sally. The kittens, by now, had ceased playing and sat still watching Jackie handle Ava’s body – her BODY – with twin solemn looks on their faces. Maxie sat there while the Siamese started trembling and ran over to Cassandra, crying loudly. The young woman picked up the kitten and buried her face in her fur. ::

NOT again!!

:: Vivica ran in and started to have a complete meltdown and why not? Not one, but TWO KMA models have been found DEAD. Cassandra made her way over to her, sort of on auto-pilot, and tried to console her but the woman wouldn’t be consoled. Not even when the sheriff turned up. ::

Hulsey: "And go stand with the others. I want EVERYONE in the dining room, and seated, while I check the body here. This is a crime scene."

“Come…let’s go.”

:: Cassandra started herding the poor girl to the dining room. Maxie came running up beside them and the Siamese tried to burrow her head into her neck. She didn’t know what else to say, that everything would be okay? Everything was NOT okay. Ava Cassadine had just been MURDERED. If Cassandra was in the right mindset, she’d wonder how the sheriff got here so quickly when Ashley ONLY just left. It wasn’t a big mountain to be sure, but it was big enough to not make it down the damn thing in less than five/ten minutes as well. She led Vivica over to a chair and knelt down, placing the kitten on the floor so she could take both of Vivica’s hands into hers. Cassandra looked up into her face, her eyes and expression kind and full of compassion. ::

“Can I get you a drink? What would you like?”

:: She realized what she just said. ::

“I’ll make it myself, with you watching my every move. I PROMISE.”

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Courtyard

Zizi: You know, Zach, I think you just might be too nice for your own good.

“How so?”

He asked curiously.

Zizi: Wanting to protect everyone. Most people - like my mother - would be taking care of number one first.

“I don’t know if you realize this, but that’s precisely why your mom doesn’t have very many real friends. I mean, it’s a good thing you’re nothing like her, because if you were, I don’t think we could hang out for extended periods of time like this.”

He replied humorously. And then she joked about how all the girls wanted him, but it opened a steam valve, because he recognized that no one wanted him enough to actually admit it.

Zizi: They probably would have, if they thought you wanted them to.

She insisted, and it almost swayed him, but then he mentioned that they all had a habit of making it known how independent they were, and that they were quite vocal about not needing him.

Zizi: Just because they say it, doesn’t mean they don’t need you.

She was so sweet. He realized he was airing all his grievances, unsolicited on an unsuspecting victim. Then he started apologizing for unloading on her like that.

Zizi: You don’t need to apologize, Zach. You’ve listened to me plenty. And in any case, I don’t mind. Quite the opposite, actually.

He smiled warmly. And she’d accuse HIM of being too nice. Still, he insisted he’d make it up to her, and tried to get some intel. Maybe there was a dress she liked at the fashion show?

Zizi: I don’t need someone else to buy me things to ‘make it up to me’.

Oh, shit.

He’d stepped in it. He started to backpedal immediately. He wasn’t sure what had ticked her off. Man, he was really on a roll today.

“No, Of course not, I didn’t mean—”

Zizi: Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. It’s just, I’m happy to talk to you, Zach. You don’t need to bribe me to do it. I want to.

“No, no. I meant it as like a gift, I just... wanted to show my appreciation. I didnt mean it as a bribe..”

Well this was a roaring dumpster fire suddenly. Zizi was very clearly trying to hide her embarrassment.

“Well, maybe next time I should surprise you with the gift?”

He said, trying to break the ice. It didn’t work, and there was an awkward silence. Zach thought he heard Sharon shouting, but then maybe he was imagining a reason to distract them. Still, why was there a sinking feeling in his chest? Seconds later, Alek rushed by and said something about Sally triggering her panic button. Zach was ready to go, but then Zizi screamed and the next thing he knew, she was clinging to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, about to ask what had frightened her when he saw that behind her, a man was trying to hoist himself up from the cliff’s edge.

“What's going on here, who are YOU?”

Sheriff: Well, I won't be ANYBODY unless you help me up!

The man was wearing a cop uniform, but Zach was reluctant to lend a hand. Plus, he had Zizi hugging him tight. The Sheriff introduced himself after managing to climb up on his own.

“Did you run into Ashley Oldenburg!?”

He asked, although he thought it was awful soon for someone to be responding in anything less than a jet chopper, which was nowhere to be seen or heard.

Hulsey: Well, sure! She came down this morning with a story about folks being murdered up here!

Yeah, Zach still had his suspicions. He didn’t think he’d been walking with Ziz long enough for Ash to scale the mountain and for someone to climb up it afterward. But he wasn’t about to tip this stranger off.

“That's right.”

Zizi: A woman was brutally killed yesterday.

“Sally Spectra is in the mansion. she's very upset.”

Zach said, figuring if the man really WAS law enforcement, he’d need to speak to the owner of the property.

Hulsey: Ahhh Ms. Spectra. She's quite a woman. I was just up here a couple weeks ago. She sure can drink, can't she?

Zach stared at him in disbelief. What had the the Sheriff been doing up here a couple of weeks ago? And why was he so nonchalant about the report of murder?

“Listen, we're trapped up here. Do you have a helicopter that can get us all down to the village?”

Hulsey: It's not available right now. I had to make the hike up here myself.

Zach looked around, wondering why the hell the man came up here with no backup. He did not like this at all. He had the nagging feeling he should push this weirdo right back off the cliff he’d climbed up.

Hulsey: These mountains are so treacherous...they could cost you your LIFE.

Zach swallowed hard, concerned for Ash. The sheriff had said she’d made it down, but he wasn’t fully sure this hick was even really the Sheriff.

Hulsey: Well come on, let's go back to the house.

They didn’t have much choice but to follow him back to the living room, where everyone had gathered. Zach kept Zizi close, and let the sheriff take a distant lead.

“I don’t like the looks of this guy...”

He said, but by the time they made it in to the living room, there wasn’t an opportunity to discuss it further, because they were met with a scene of chaos.

Sharon: THAT'S ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!

She was shouting, and Alek and Andrew were fully brawling. But it was nothing. Zizi exclaimed when she saw, and Zach rushed in. It didn’t even register to him that Viv had a rifle in her hands. All he saw was Ava, and how pale she was.

“What happened, did she overdose? I have an OD kit in my suitcase, we have to get her to my room quickly!”

He said, trying to plan how he’d get her down the mountain and to the hospital. Ash’s voice was in his ears, telling him not to be a hero, but he just wanted to save Ava. His arm went under her legs, and slipped behind her shoulders, as he prepared to hoist her up and carry her. But as soon as she touched her, he froze. Her body was as cold as ice.

“Oh no, no, Ava.... what did you do? Why, why....”

He asked her, but it was too late, she was gone, and she would never answer him. She must have taken too much, with the stress of it all. He felt complicit, because he’d never taken her habit seriously, even though he knew he should’ve.

Sharon: Zach....I don't know how much more of this I can TAKE!

Zach stared up at her, bereft and speechless. It was then that he finally realized the entirety of his surroundings. Why did Viv have a gun?

Hulsey: I'm going to need EVERYONE to move to the dining room, and take a seat. You're all going to get a chance to talk to me. Ms. Kelly, Ashley told me about a murder up here last night. Now, What happened here just now?

Sharon: Ava Cassidine...she...she was having a drink, and she...

Jackie: She was POISONED.

Zach swallowed hard, looking back down at Ava sadly. She was killed too. He felt rage building up inside him. Just where the hell was Cameron?! There was more information exchanged, as Zach extracted himself from Ava and went to console Sharon.

Zizi: Oh, Zach, this is so horrible!

“Yeah...”

He agreed numbly. He deposited Sharon in a chair, but was too restless to sit down himself, as he took to pacing behind her slowly. The bastard had killed Ava somehow too. She’d gone off on him last night, and he’d made himself scarce so he could poison her and then be absent to throw off the suspicion. Zach didn’t care if the Sheriff was here. He was going to find a way to kill Cameron King.

 

[Seer]

Spectra Mansion- Dining Room

<< Everyone makes their way in, and is seated. Sally makes sure Alek and Andre are seperated, and a maid quickly fetches Dina, while Cameron can be seen slinking in from the kitchen >>

Jackie: Well. There's the other lunatic. Perhaps they're (Vivica and Cameron) are in on it together?

Hulsey: Now, now Ms. Deveraux, let's not be too hasty in our assumptions.

Jackie: How did you...

Hulsey: Know your name? Well, Ms. Oldenburg filled me in on who was staying up here. Plus, I've had the pleasure of visiting Ms. Spectra on several occassions in the past.

Sharon: WHERE is Ashley?

Hulsey: She's staying in town.

Dina: Well WHEN are WE going to get out of here?

Hulsey: When the generators and cable cars are fixed, Mrs. York.

<< Cameron, now sitting in a chair>>

Cameron: You mean our departure from this slaughter house is going to be further delayed?

Hulsey: Every precaution will be taken, Mr. King.

Vivica: Why did you come alone?

Hulsey: Look, Ma'am<< He noticeably did not address her with a title, as he had the others, and he spoke in a more hostile tone as well>> I don't take kindly to potential suspects disrespecting me, and holding firearms in my presence. You're lucky you're still conscious right now. So you just settle down, close your smart mouth, and let ME ask the questions.

Sharon: There's no need to be so hostile, Sheriff...she's scared, like the rest of us are, and we're looking to YOU for help!

Hulsey: My other men are chasing a maniac in town. I am to be of the utmost assistance, Ms. Kelly, provided you all COOPERATE and don't give me any reason to treat you as a hostile suspect.

Cameron: Speaking of suspects and maniacs, what if the killer has already made HER escape?

<< Everyone looks at Cameron>>

Hulsey: You think this is a game of CLUE? What's on your mind, Mr. King?

 

[Prophet]

Well, it was clear that Jackie Devereaux was either too stupid or too proud to take Cameron's advice, and while she had one hell of a judo chop, all it would take when Cameron got home was one phone call and her career would be as good as over. Everybody had dirt, and Cameron knew where to find it, and if she turned out to be the killer, even better. She could enjoy the few test shots Zach had taken her from the comfort of a small jail cell while Cameron continued on as he always had.

Everybody showed up and freaked out...on HIM of course because the running theme here was to ignore the ACTUAL lunatics and focus on the people (like him) who were so OBVIOUSLY not the killer. So when there was screaming yet AGAIN from inside of the house, Cameron was almost relieved. With somebody else dead and Cameron FAR away from the scene, perhaps it would get people to shut their goddamn mouths and listen to him.

The scene was incredibly chaotic as there was now some kind of SHERIFF that had called them all to the dining room, much to Cameron's chagrin.

"What the fuck is this weekend? Just let anybody into the premises and listen to them unwaiveringly? I need a Xanax!"

And then he saw Ava's body. A small part of him grimaced, but then he went back to his normal self. Cameron had already decided she was a logical next victim, so he had prepared himself. In fact, when he couldn't sleep last night he began to compile notes and memories of ALL the KMA models, things he could say about their careers, little glimmers of hope that perhaps these women were good people who had lived good and full lives before being brutally murdered at Sally Spectra's house. While there was no internet or cell service, he saved the notes on his phone, ready to publish when he got home.

He did not like the Sheriff. He seemed unkempt, unprepared...and STUPID. But Cameron was at this point just taking the punches as they came. Everybody began to question him.

Dina: "Well WHEN are WE going to get out of here?"

Hulsey: "When the generators and cable cares are fixed, Mrs. York."

Cameron took a seat in a chair looking around for alcohol, his eyes avoiding the body of Ava Cassadine.

"You mean our departure from this slaughter house is going to be further delayed?"

Hulsey: "Every precaution will be taken, Mr. King."

"Tell that to Ava Cassadine."

Vivica: "Why did you come alone?"

Hulsey: "Look, Ma'am. I don't take kindly to potential suspects disrespecting me, and holding firearms in my presence. You're lucky you're still conscious right now. So you just settle down, close your smart mouth, and let ME ask the questions."

Sharon: 'There's no need to be so hostile, Sheriff...she's scared, like the rest of us are, and we're looking to YOU for help!"

Hulsey: "My other men are chasing a maniac in town. I am to be of the utmost assistance, Ms. Kelly, provided you all COOPERATE and don't give me any reason to treat you as a hostile suspect."

Okay this guy was getting a little too big for his britches.

"Speaking of suspects and maniacs, what if the killer has already made HER escape?"

Hulsey: "You think this is a game of CLUE? What's on your mind, Mr. King?"

"Not a game of clue, Sheriff. But an ACTUAL killer on the loose. I know you're from Mayberry, but try to keep up, will you?"

He rose from his seat.

"So a woman comes down the mountain, tells you there is a KILLER up here and you come ALONE. Without her. Without ANY backup. You said she's in town? Is she at the station? Or did you just let a random woman who told you that you'd find dead bodies up the mountain go?! I mean what kind of racket is THAT?"

[smirking]

"Let's not forget this woman is an actual HUNTER. As in she is proficient enough in movement and skill to repel down a treacherous mountain by herself with no help..."

"..and in record time."

"She's VERY proficient in weapons..and illegal substances, which would make her a PRIME candidate at knowing where to stab the woman left in the bathtub, and she's prone to fits of jealousy, and BOTH of the women who've died here have likely BONKED our resident photographer, Zach Armani very recently."

"These people might feed you a line of bullshit about how she's their friend and she never would..but SOMEBODY is killing people around here, Andy Griffith, and chances are..it's somebody's FRIEND."

 

[Recall]

Cassandra: "Come...let's go."

"Don't TOUCH me, Cassandra."

[sighing]

"Sorry..I'm just done with this BULLSHIT! This is a CIRCUS! I knew I shoulda taken my chances on the mountain."

Vivica sat down in a chair as Cassandra continued to try and tend to her.

Cassandra: "Can I get you a drink? What would you like? I'll make it myself, with you watching my every move. I PROMISE."

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm not drinking or eating ANYTHING until we get out of here."

<< Everyone makes their way in, and is seated. Sally makes sure Alek and Andre are seperated, and a maid quickly fetches Dina, while Cameron can be seen slinking in from the kitchen >>

Jackie: Well. There's the other lunatic. Perhaps they're (Vivica and Cameron) are in on it together?

Hulsey: Now, now Ms. Deveraux, let's not be too hasty in our assumptions.

Jackie: How did you...

Hulsey: Know your name? Well, Ms. Oldenburg filled me in on who was staying up here. Plus, I've had the pleasure of visiting Ms. Spectra on several occassions in the past.

Sharon: WHERE is Ashley?

Hulsey: She's staying in town.

Vivica cocked her eyebrow and stared at the Sheriff unimpressed. There was something VERY wrong with this man, and he had about ninety more seconds to act like a goddamn professional or Vivica was going to shoot right off the side of a cliff. How did he know her NAME?!

The others started to inquire about when they would leave, but Vivica couldn't let this go.

"Why did you come alone?"

Hulsey: "Look, Ma'am. I don't take kindly to potential suspects disrespecting me, and holding firearms in my presence. You're lucky you're still conscious right now. So you just settle down, close your smart mouth, and let ME ask the questions."

"Oh BITCH!?"

She became filled with RAGE as Cameron began postering on and on about Ashley being the killer, being so absolutely obnoxious, as if he were actually gaining SUSTENANCE from all of this horror. And the Sheriff seemed to be listening to him. Vivica had had ENOUGH.

"She's VERY proficient in weapons..and illegal substances, which would make her a PRIME candidate at knowing where to stab the woman left in the bathtub, and she's prone to fits of jealousy, and BOTH of the women who've died here have likely BONKED our resident photographer, Zach Armani very recently."

"These people might feed you a line of bullshit about how she's their friend and she never would..but SOMEBODY is killing people around here, Andy Griffith, and chances are..it's somebody's FRIEND."

<< BANG! >>

Before she even knew it, she had SHOT the hat right off the Sheriff's head as a mirror behind him SHATTERED into a million pieces. Everybody looked at her with SHOCK and HORROR.

"ENOUGH of THIS!"

Her eyes darted around as she kept the rifle in it's cocked position ready to shoot AGAIN.

"Cameron! Shut UP! You don't get BROWNIE points for not being a mass murderer, so just LAY OFF you DOLT!"

[to the Sheriff]

"And YOU...I don't know how they do it, in Sleepy Hollow, you dumb son of a bitch, but I know ONE thing. Nobody...in Sleepy Hollow...or anywhere else in the GODDAMN world speaks to me like THAT and gets away with it. My name ain't Ma'am. It's VIVICA LENNOX and you will address me as such. I don't have time to answer a stupid bigot's questions..ESPECIALLY when this BIGOT decided the BEST thing to do was to come up a mountain ALONE with no back up...or HELICOPTER. The ENTIRE police force outside of yourself has been chasing a maniac? Ashley is 'staying in town'?"

She cocked her rifle yet AGAIN.

"Seems to me, the one who has QUESTIONS to answer...is YOU. You are ALL alone, aggressive, mysterious, and have yet to provide any real proof you are who you SAY you are. And last time I checked? I'm pretty sure a homeowner has the right to defend their own property..and since it seems like people are dropping left and right? I'm pretty sure I could put a bullet in your head, shove a bunch of kittens in the trees of Sleepy Hollow and tie up your police force for the next fifty years before anybody gets to doing any REAL work."

Vivica looked to the group.

"Seriously. Why are we trusting this man so easily? I'm not being paranoid, this isn't RIGHT. I've dealt with enough PIGS in my life to know how they operate, and this isn't IT. This is COMPLETELY unorthodox and the further we entertain this bastard, the further we could be letting the FOX into the HEN HOUSE. How do we know HE'S not the killer who rented a cop suit and is coming in here as some white knight ready to help us all?!"

Vivica gripped the rifle tighter as she looked back to the Sheriff.

"You get a helicopter here, and BACK UP in the next forty five minutes, or I'm blowing you to smithereens."

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Living Room

Zach continued to pace behind Sharon's chair, his brow furrowed in concern and grief, as around him, the group started to discuss the current state of affairs with the sheriff. Zach was trying to figure out the best way to put a quick end to Cameron, so at least the rest of them would be safe.

Hulsey: You're lucky you're still conscious right now. So you just settle down, close your smart mouth, and let ME ask the questions.

“Sheriff Hulsey!”

Zach exclaimed, getting snapped out of his internal reflection by the rude and threatening tone of the alleged law enforcement professional.

Sharon: There's no need to be so hostile, Sheriff...she's scared, like the rest of us are, and we're looking to YOU for help!

Hulsey: My other men are chasing a maniac in town.

"Wait, what??"

Hulsey: I am to be of the utmost assistance, Ms. Kelly, provided you all COOPERATE and don't give me any reason to treat you as a hostile suspect.

Cameron: Speaking of suspects and maniacs, what if the killer has already made HER escape?

Zach's gaze snapped sharply to Cameron.

Hulsey: You think this is a game of CLUE? What's on your mind, Mr. King?

Cameron: Let's not forget this woman is an actual HUNTER. As in she is proficient enough in movement and skill to repel down a treacherous mountain by herself with no help.....and in record time.

"Just what exactly are you IMPLYING?"

Zach asked, although he was pretty sure he knew he was trying to cast blame on Ash, which was particularly stupid considering Ava didn't get killed under seconds before the sheriff arrived, which pretty much gave Ash the most airtight alibi of any of them.

Cameron: She's VERY proficient in weapons..and illegal substances, which would make her a PRIME candidate at knowing where to stab the woman left in the bathtub, and she's prone to fits of jealousy--

"You SHUT your filthy mouth, before I put my FIST in it."

Zach threatened with fire in his eyes.

Cameron: and BOTH of the women who've died here have likely BONKED our resident photographer, Zach Armani very recently.

"Gods ALMIGHTY, have some respect for the dead! YOU may not care about anybody but yourself, but the rest of us cared deeply about Morgaine and Ava, they were f--"

Cameron: These people might feed you a line of bullshit about how she's their friend and she never would..but SOMEBODY is killing people around here, Andy Griffith, and chances are..it's somebody's FRIEND.

Zach about leapt across the table to grab Cameron by the throat.

"YOU SON OF A B--"

<< BANG! >>

Zach froze in mid lunge as the gun went off next to him and the concussion washed over his body like a wave. His head slowly turned to the source of the blast. Vivica was absolutely irate.

Viv: ENOUGH of THIS! Cameron! Shut UP! You don't get BROWNIE points for not being a mass murderer, so just LAY OFF you DOLT!

As much as Zach wanted to pulverize Cameron, he happened to know better than to put himself downrange while there was gunplay. He had no desire to get himself shot, so if Viv was going to shoot Cameron, Zach would stay out of the way and reward her later. The only problem was, Viv hadn't shot at Cameron. She'd blasted the sheriff's hat clean off and shattered a mirror.

Oh honey, that's bad luck...

Zach thought, as Viv went on a hair-trigger tirade about everything that was wrong with this situation. Zach kind of agreed with her there, but still. She was apoplectic. If she didn't chill out, somebody was bound to get shot, and if she killed this cowboy, and it turned out he really WAS the sheriff? Zach wasn't sure he'd be able to help her get away with it. It wasn't just a matter of getting rid of the body... there were so many witnesses.

Viv: Seriously. Why are we trusting this man so easily?

"Viv..."

He tried to say patiently, but she continued on. Zach smoothly moved in close to Vivica non-threateningly. He didn't reach for her or the gun. His real motive was to block any possible return fire the Sheriff was considering. His gaze, steady on Viv, was understanding and calm.

Viv: I'm not being paranoid, this isn't RIGHT. I've dealt with enough PIGS in my life to know how they operate, and this isn't IT. This is COMPLETELY unorthodox and the further we entertain this bastard, the further we could be letting the FOX into the HEN HOUSE. How do we know HE'S not the killer who rented a cop suit and is coming in here as some white knight ready to help us all?!

"We DON'T know. And you aren't the only one with suspicions, okay? But on the off chance he IS the sheriff, I'd rather you didn't get into a gun battle. So let's just all remain calm. IF somebody does something to earn getting shot, then we are counting on YOU to take care of it. Until then, hold your fire."

He suggested gently.

Viv: You get a helicopter here, and BACK UP in the next forty five minutes, or I'm blowing you to smithereens.

"Vivica Lennox."

Zach said, and there was something new in his tone. A little darker, a shade more stern. Of course, it wasn't new to Viv, but nobody else knew that. He tried the gentle approach, and now he realized he needed to get control of the situation quick, before it blew up. And in his experience with Viv, sometimes he had to use his Daddy voice.

"SIT down. And don't you waste any more ammo."

He told her, and then he turned to the sheriff.

"HULSEY, we've been trapped up here with a homicidal maniac, watching our loved ones DROP DEAD left and right, and we're all on edge. You going to make this BETTER, or WORSE?"

 

[Seer]

Spectra Mansion- Living Room

<< Sally Spectra, Cassandra, Andre and Alek sat together at the table. Sally had put a stop to the aggression and violence between Andre and Alek, as only she could. Now more than ever, she and her "strays" needed to stick TOGETHER, after all, when this was all said and done, THEY would be the ones still living here....hopefully.>>

<< But as the meeting began...it quickly deteriorated. Many of the KMA family were reacting badly to Sheriff Hulsey, which puzzled Sally. He'd visited her mountain top mega mansion several times before, helping to nab the occassional papparazzo that somehow found his way up to this place. Alek, Andre and Cassandra all recognized him, so as far as they knew, he was legit. The others were being ...overly suspicious..to put it mildly.>>

<< And then, Vivica proceeded to swan dive into paranoid hysterics, even going so far as to SHOOT a rifle not once, but TWICE, and this was AFTER she'd threatened Jackie with it before. Now she was shooting at the sheriff, and damaging Sally's show place!?>>

<< Sally gasped, dropping her glass on the floor as she GRABBED hold of Alek>>

Sally: Sharon, DARLING, you know I love ya, but THIS is the limit! if you don't get CONTROL of madame HYSTERIA over there...I'm gonna have ALEK give her a trip to LALA LAND!

<< Translation: She was going to order Alek to K.O. Vivica and let COOLER heads prevail.>>

<< meanwhile, Hulsey reacted with surprising agility...after his HAT was shot off his head, He quickly recovered, with a sneer on his face, and TWO colt pythons drawn and aimed at vivica.>>

Hulsey: little girl, I've been shooting longer than you've been ALIVE. DROP IT before i put you down like the rabid BITCH that you are!

<< He was dead serious. He was prepared to disarm her with one shot, and the other shot would hit her right between the eyes and that would be the end of her.>>

"Viv..."

He tried to say patiently, but she continued on. Zach smoothly moved in close to Vivica non-threateningly. He didn't reach for her or the gun. His real motive was to block any possible return fire the Sheriff was considering. His gaze, steady on Viv, was understanding and calm.

Viv: I'm not being paranoid, this isn't RIGHT. I've dealt with enough PIGS in my life to know how they operate, and this isn't IT. This is COMPLETELY unorthodox and the further we entertain this bastard, the further we could be letting the FOX into the HEN HOUSE. How do we know HE'S not the killer who rented a cop suit and is coming in here as some white knight ready to help us all?!

"We DON'T know. And you aren't the only one with suspicions, okay? But on the off chance he IS the sheriff, I'd rather you didn't get into a gun battle. So let's just all remain calm. IF somebody does something to earn getting shot, then we are counting on YOU to take care of it. Until then, hold your fire."

He suggested gently.

Viv: You get a helicopter here, and BACK UP in the next forty five minutes, or I'm blowing you to smithereens.

"Vivica Lennox."

Zach said, and there was something new in his tone. A little darker, a shade more stern. Of course, it wasn't new to Viv, but nobody else knew that. He tried the gentle approach, and now he realized he needed to get control of the situation quick, before it blew up. And in his experience with Viv, sometimes he had to use his Daddy voice.

"SIT down. And don't you waste any more ammo."

You better LISTEN to him, girl, if you know what's GOOD for you.

<< Hulsey barked, with his guns STILL trained on Vivica, hoping she'd give him a reason to put her down.>>

He told her, and then he turned to the sheriff.

"HULSEY, we've been trapped up here with a homicidal maniac, watching our loved ones DROP DEAD left and right, and we're all on edge. You going to make this BETTER, or WORSE?"

<< Hulsey continues to aim at Vivica with a cold glare in his eyes, before finally standing down>>

Mr. Armani, Ms. Spectra is a fine woman. The moment that I heard she and her guests were in danger, I came up here as quickly as i could. Sleepy Hollow isn't the big city. You're gonna have to understand our resources are not the same. Now i'm sorry if you are are disappointed that I didn't bring a swat team up here...but I'm here now, and I'll do my best to keep everyone safe until the rest of my men can get up here....and Alek will get the generators going.

Now, like I said earlier, I'm here to help, if you all will cooperate.

And one more thing, Mr. Armani, you keep that little girl << Vivica>> on a short leash, and out of my way, or the next time she tries me, I'll put her down, PERMANENTLY.

Sally Spectra: okay, Hulsey, now that THAT'S settled, how can I help you?

Hulsey: FIRST I want to see the victims, and take a look around this place. I know i've been here before, Ms. Spectra but that was pleasure. This is police business.

Sally: I'll gladly show you around...

Alek: NOT ALONE, Sally.

Sally: Alek, darling...you have a very important job to do with the generators and the cable car. Don't worry, dear. I'll have Andre and Cassandra with me. Besides, Hulsey is no threat! he's been here before...we've had a drink or two together.