It's All Fun and Games Until Someone gets Murdered

Written in response to: Write a story that includes the phrase “It’s all fun and games…”... view prompt

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Mystery Crime Romance

This story contains themes or mentions of physical violence, gore, or abuse.

Warning: Mentions of blood and violence. (This story is also very long)

;

John, my best friend since forever, cussed.


For the first time.


Everyone in the room was surprised. All eyes went to John, and then they all traveled back to the floor.


The only person that didn't look at John was Margaret. She hadn't seemed to hear him.


But, that was obvious.


Because she was dead.

;

"What the..."


Lucy libbed, keeping her eyes on Margaret, who was spread out on the floor.


Her life long friend was dead.


Strange.


Tonight, everyone seemed to be losing a best friend, one way or another.


I glanced at John as Lucy said that, and then back at the floor.


Strange #2.


John didn't look back at me.


But, I wouldn't expect it.


Everyone glanced back and forth at each other.


What wasn't strange was how shocked everyone looked. It didn't even seem like someone was a murderer.


Well, until we heard the click.

;

Click, click, click, click, click.


Slowly, every window, door, and laundry shoot in this huge house was locked.


This wasn't even our house.


Aaron thought it would be funny to rent out a huge mansion-like house, just for a dinner party.


While everyone listened to the clicking, Aaron walked slowly toward Margaret. He was acting stupid.


"I...I believe something has happened," Aaron said in a fake British accent.


Lucy said something under her breath, like a 'no duh, you f-"


But she didn't say that. Instead, she said "Imbecile. What do you think actually happened?" Her voice was tinged with a mixture of fear and annoyance.


"Well, I think your bestie, Margie-poo, is dead," Aaron teased.


Lucy hit him in the side and Aaron nudged her in the shoulder.


I can't lie, I love it when Lucy and Aaron flirt-fight.


"Still, it makes no sense. Why is she just...dead?"


John was right. Why was Margaret dead?


Beats me, but that doesn't matter.


What matters is the prize.


"Should we just...keep looking for the prize," I ask timidly.


All eyes get turned to me.


"What the actual-" John starts to say, but stops himself. He already hit his limit. Besides, he was sweating.


"She is probably just faking it," I say, walking toward her. But, I don't go too far. My hemophobia kicks in, and I hold in vomit.


"Look, it's just a game. Like Minnie said, she is probably just faking," Aaron says, siding with me.


That was strange.


He usually didn't side with anyone.


He was always on his own side.


Strange.

;

Aaron must have noticed my look and stepped away from me. He knew better than to get up close to me.


In a quick attempt to get attention, Lucy starts bawling.


"Can y'all shut up and actually help me get over this grief I am feeling?"


John quickly hugs her. His face is red. He looks scared, or maybe traumatised. Me and Aaron watch. I noticed, when I glanced at Aaron, his eyes showed a small tinge of longing.


"Thanks, John," Lucy says, getting up. Her eyes are still puffy from tears, but she seems like she accomplished something.


Even more strange.


Not even that, double strange.


Triple strange.


Lucy has a smile on her face.


Lucy only smiles when she is happy.


Isn't she supposed to be grieving?

;

Lucy


I'm not even sad. Nobody can see the secret smile on my face.


Right?


I hope so.


Although, Minnie is looking at me strange.


But, come on. She barely knows me. Minnie is only friends with John and Marge, with me and Aaron just being acquaintances. As far as I know, she might think I am the culprit.


I'm not.


I just might be quietly cheering on the culprit in my head.


Besides, it wasn't even my fault Marge is dead.


She was the one that got a little too close to John. When we started dating, we didn't ask Marge to be a third wheel. We didn't ask her to do anything.


She just kinda...showed up.


And, like I said, Marge got a little too close. So, I had to get help.


One thing led to another, and here we are.


In a room.


All doors and windows are locked.


"Did anyone else notice we are locked in a room with a murderer?"

;

I wait for the panic to set in.

;

Minnie


Lucy said it so casually.


It was like she wanted panic.


Maybe she did.


John cusses again.


Aaron cusses, too.


I watch Lucy.


Surprisingly, she is maintaining the doe eyes. But, even though her Forest Green eyes are innocent, the brain behind them isn't. It is going over all events, then celebrating.


She isn't innocent.


I know it.

;

Aaron


I am trying my best not to be happy.


I mean, Margaret is dead.


And, I might be locked in a room with a murderer.


But I'm also locked in a room with Lucy.


I am ecstatic, but I can't show it. They might think I murdered Margaret.


Then again, I don't really care. Lucy is sweet and beautiful, and, although she might be rough, she is confident.


The only problem is John. He and Lucy are dating. Oh, I wish it was John who had killed Margaret. He seems the type. But, he wouldn't kill someone unless they got in the way. I know him that well.


All of this is making me wonder, if I had killed Margaret, what would be my motive? Strange, but everything tonight has been strange. From the eccentric half-millionaire to the locks on all rooms, it has been nothing but strange.


Whatever, at least I'm with Lucy.

;

John


Ugh, these past few months have been horrible. Lucy is so needy.


I bet it was her.


She had the biggest motive to kill Marge.


So what if she saw a picture online of me and Marge kissing?


It shouldn't matter. She should've noticed that my affection for her was fading. Besides, we're not married.


At least I'm not longing for Marge anymore. She is dead, anyway.


Now, I have my eyes on Minnie. Lucy is gonna be out of the picture. I am going to break up with her, and then she can get together with Aaron. They deserve each other.


She gets onto me for kissing Marge? How about I remind you, you prissy little brat, that you literally said you were going on a 'girl's night' and ended up going home with Aaron? And then you both lie to me?


Lucy and Aaron are both toxic.


Whatever, I can't stop thinking of Minnie. Sure, we've been friends since...forever. But isn't it time to be just a little more?

;

Minnie


Even though we have a murder on our hands, I can't stop thinking about the prize. Call me greedy, but Aaron advertised a prize that only one person would get.


He said, "Hey, everyone. So, I'm throwing a dinner party as a kind of 'friend reunion'. If you can't come I understand. But, there will be a prize somewhere in one of the rooms. Can you find it?"


To me, the prize means money. A big stash of Benjamins sitting in a flower pot, or maybe in an ornate chest.


Of course, I would have shared it with Margaret. But, she is dead.


And I would have shared it with John. But, he just decided to break my heart open.


And yes, I have noticed him looking at me. Ever since Marge died a few minutes ago, he has kept his beady little eyes on me. If I didn't know any better, I would say he is going to kill me next.

;

Lucy


Okay, I know me and Minnie have had some bad blood in the past.


But I'm worried.


I see John, and his beautiful, hazel eyes. But, they don't look beautiful right now. They look murderous.


Then, I see Minnie. Her blue eyes look innocent. But, she also looks worried. Her brows are slightly furrowed.


She knows. She knows what is wrong. I have to ask her.

;

John


The rain is now beating down on the windows.


Aaron has been eerily quiet. He just stares at the floor, and at Marge's pale face.


I know what he is thinking. He sees it.


He sees my eyes.


I already know how transparent I can be.


That's why I wouldn't make a good murderer.

;

Minnie


I think I figured it out.


Something is very, very wrong.


It might just be a trick of light, but I swear I saw Marge's chest rise and fall.


Am I going mad?


Is John even actually looking at me?


He can't look at me. Not in this state. Not after what he did.


Trading me out for Lucy? That's one thing.


But breaking her heart, dating Marge for, like, 5 seconds, and then turning back to Lucy?


That is too far.

;

Aaron


It's John.


It has to be.


It is just so...obvious.


He is transparent.


He is see-through.


He is the murderer.

;

Lucy


How interesting.


I think we all know who it is.


I can see it in Aaron's eyes. He looks scared.

;

Aaron


It's John.


It has to be.


It is just so...obvious.


He is transparent.


He is see-through.


He is the murderer.


He has to be.

;

Minnie


I know who it is.


They know who it is.


We all know who it is.


I also know what the prize was.


Aaron knew all along.


He was warning us.

;

I guess this is when those karate classes came in.

;

John


In less than a second, Minnie is flying at me.


The knife that was in my hand crumples to the ground.


How did they find out?


Minnie keeps me on the ground, holding my hand behind my back and my head to the ground.


"What did you do? Why did you do it?"


"It wasn't just me," I say quietly.


Silence.


Somebody in the rooms face turns red.

;

?


Wow, I thought we all agreed. I didn't guess John.


Sure, maybe I said once to him "Ugh, Marge is so annoying."


Then maybe I complained a few more times. But, I didn't mean to.


I certainly didn't think it would get this far.


But it did.


And he just ratted me out.


I don't think they caught on, though.


And I'm not exactly sad.

;

Minnie


Who could it be?


It's not me.


It's not Lucy.


It's not Aaron.


It could only be John.


Right?

;

Aaron


My mind is racing.


I can't breath.


Of course it was John.


But, who else?

;

John


Ha, they're freaking out.


But it's true.


Maybe the other person wasn't completely connected.


But I will do anything for my girlfriend.

April 18, 2024 13:03

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