Whispers of the Lifeless

Chapter 1: The Calm Before the Storm

The flashing red-and-blue lights painted the rain-soaked beach house in surreal hues, reflecting off the jagged rocks where Mia’s lifeless body had been found. The paramedics carried her on a stretcher, her face obscured by a tarp. Rain pounded relentlessly, streaking the ambulance windows and soaking the sand.

Inside a dimly lit room, Ruby sat on a cold metal chair, her body trembling. Her wet clothes clung to her, and her teeth chattered softly. Across from her, the Chief Inspector Cain leaned forward, his sharp eyes unyielding.

“Tell me what happened,” he demanded, his tone firm but edged with patience.

Ruby’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her fingers clenched the edge of her chair, and her gaze shifted to the small clock on the wall, its ticking loud in the silence.

“Ruby,” the inspector said again, softer this time. “You were there. You saw it. Start from the beginning.”

She closed her eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath. Memories flickered like lightning—bright and brief, before plunging her back into darkness.

The sun was just rising, painting the sky in a symphony of gold and pink. The group had just arrived at the beach house, their laughter and chatter filling the crisp morning air.

Megara was the first to hop out of the car, her vibrant yellow scarf fluttering in the ocean breeze. She spun in place, arms wide, as if embracing the moment. “This is it! The ultimate escape! Breathe it in, guys!”

Moon stepped out behind her, more composed but equally entranced by the view. “It’s beautiful,” she said, adjusting her oversized sunglasses. Her calm demeanor balanced Megara’s exuberance, the two an unlikely yet complementary pair.

“This view!” Mia exclaimed, her phone already in hand as she began streaming live. “Morning, my lovelies! Look at this—absolute paradise, and guess what? You get to enjoy it with me!”

“Careful, Mia,” Moon said with a smirk. “You might break the internet with that energy.”

“Break it*? Please, darling, Iownit!*” Mia shot back, blowing a kiss toward her phone.

“Let her be,” Megara chimed in, laughing. “She’s practically a celebrity. I’ll allow it.”

Sandy groaned as he stepped out, shielding his eyes with his hand. “Can we enjoy one moment without it being a production?”

Mia turned the camera to him. “And here we have the grouch of the group, ladies and gentlemen!”

“Do you ever stop?” Sandy asked, rolling his eyes but smiling despite himself.

“Not for you,” she quipped.

A little distance away, Ishi and Soel lingered behind the group, sharing a stolen moment.

“You’re glowing,” Soel murmured, his gaze soft as it met hers.

“Stop,” Ishi replied, her voice teasing but laced with affection. “What if someone sees us?”

“Let them,” Soel said, stepping closer. His fingers grazed hers, and when she didn’t pull away, he leaned in. Their lips met, soft and tentative at first, before deepening. The sound of the waves muffled everything else, cocooning them in their secret.

Ishi pulled back with a nervous laugh. “We’re going to get caught.”

Soel smirked. “Worth it.”

On the deck, Vin and Ruby stood side by side, gazing out at the ocean.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Vin asked, his voice thoughtful.

Ruby nodded, her arms hugging herself against the breeze. “It feels... endless. Like time stops here.”

“Moments like these should mean something,” he said quietly. “Do you ever wonder if we take things for granted?”

She looked at him, puzzled. “That’s deep for this early in the morning. Everything okay?”

He hesitated, his eyes fixed on the horizon. “Just thinking.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Sana’s arrival. Clipboard in hand, she looked like she was ready to run a military operation. “Okay, here’s the plan: breakfast in an hour, jet skis at noon, and dinner at 8. Mia, don’t stream during the jet ski ride—I don’t want to fish your phone out of the ocean again.”

“Sana, you’re my rock,” Mia said dramatically. “Without you, this group would collapse into chaos.”

“Someone has to be responsible,” Sana replied, shaking her head but smiling.

Meanwhile, Megara had taken over the outdoor seating area, arranging beach towels and cushions like it was her personal design project.

“This is prime sunbathing real estate,” she declared, plopping onto a chair with flair. “First come, first served.”

Moon sat beside her, flipping through a book. “You’ve got the energy of a golden retriever. Did you secretly chug an energy drink in the car?”

“Maybe,” Megara said with a wink. “Or maybe I’m just high on life.”

“You’re exhausting,” Moon said fondly.

“Love you too, babe.”

Richard and Sandy were mid-argument over who was better at volleyball.

“I’m just saying,” Sandy declared, “I have the height advantage. And the skill. You? You’re just flailing arms.”

Richard laughed. “Height means nothing if you can’t aim. You’ll spike it into the ocean before you even hit the net.”

“You’re both delusional,” Megara chimed in, grinning as she sipped her coffee. “I’ll take you both down, no contest.”

“You?” Sandy asked, raising an eyebrow. “You’re like five feet tall.”

“Five feet of pure power,” she shot back.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Richard said with a smirk.

As the morning unfolded, the group’s dynamic played out like a vibrant mosaic of personalities—laughter, teasing, and subtle undercurrents of tension. Mia remained at the center of it all, her chaotic energy pulling everyone into her orbit.

Yet beneath the surface, something unspoken lingered. Glances that lasted a beat too long, smiles that didn’t quite reach the eyes. And through it all, the waves rolled on, oblivious to the storm brewing among them.

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Character information

** Ruby:** The quietly intense dreamer with a magnetic presence and a streak of vulnerability.

Played by @┆ᯓᡣ𐭩ʚ 𝕭𝖚𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖗 ɞ♡ྀི ₊┆𐙚

Ishi: The fiery spirit whose passion and sharp wit command attention.

Played by @𝕀𝕊𝕙𝕀.・✧

Sana: The poised and dependable soul, radiating calm and quiet strength.

Played by @_____ (San)

Mia: The lively whirlwind, whose unpredictability keeps everyone on edge.

Played by @ Mikayu ♪♪

Moon: The reserved thinker, carrying an aura of mystery and sensitivity.

Played by @≛⃝ꨄ𝑀𝓊𝒻𝒻𝒾𝓃 ᴳᵒᵈᵈᵉˢˢ