Trap

{5}

⚠Everything in this story is fictionalized. Nothing's connected in real life. There would be cursing and errors. My third language is English, but I'm not that good at it.⚠

{Story reminders!

Bold - protagonist narrating the story

Italic - characters' thoughts}

Enjoy the story!!

"Connor, how could you do this?"

"Do what?"

"You're....................."

"You're a murderer," Lady Lea said.

"Hey, how dare you accuse my brother of murder!"

"It's true. It looks like Mr. Wolfy was hungry, so he decided to eat a human."

"Connor? Is it really you?" Luka asked.

"I told you, I don't eat human flesh! It's f*****g gross!"

"Oh, yea, Mr. Wolfy?" she mockingly asked. "Here, take a look at these."

"What- Luka, aren't these the pictures we saw before?"

"You might wanna look at the next pages," said Lady Lea.

"Next pages?"

Why is Luka looking at me like that?

"What on earth?! Why am I....... Why am I............ No.............."

"Connor, may I see? What................. Connor.................. is this really.... you?"

"The hair, the face, they're all the same, but this isn't me!"

"Are you hearing yourself right now, Mr. Wolfy?"

"Don't call my brother like that, young lady! OR ELSE."

"Or else what?"

"You don't wanna know, trust me."

"Oh, I wanna know."

"I will inject a virus that will slowly dysfunction your brain until you die."

"Y-Yah!!"

"This isn't me. I don't recall killing anyone, and I never would. You know that, Luka."

"Take him," said Lea.

"No! Don't you dare take my brother away! He's innocent!"

"Oh, come on, Mr. Cunningham. Even saints can kill someone, can they?"

My eyes fell on the ground, and I couldn't process anything. How could it be me? I never killed anyone....... Unless........... don't tell me.................. 

Moments later, Carson came in, running.

"I think I left my bag- Is something wrong? Why y'all acting like somebody stole your cakes?"

"No one stole cakes, Carson. Your friend right here is a murderer."

"M-Murder- no, Connor can't do that. Right, Connor?"

I just stared at him. His eyes crashed down together, being confused.

"Take a look at these."

"N-No........... Connor, it is you........... How could you do this? You killed an innocent person just for flesh? This is so not you. What happened?"

Two guards took me outside, leading me into prison. 

{3rd person POV}

Carson couldn't believe his eyes. He stared at his friend, who was being dragged away to prison. He stared at the pictures once more and immediately became suspicious. 

 "A goody-two-shoes saint like him won't be able to do this......... Something is not right. Unless... that time came? The blood moon........... it makes the next alpha go crazy for flesh and blood. But isn't he supposed to remember that he killed someone?"

He came to prison and proceeded to Connor's cell. The guards led them to a table, and they both sat down quietly.

"Did you really do it? Did you really kill someone?"

"Carson!" he scoffed. 

"Just answer."

"No! I wouldn't do that!"

"Sigh, I believe you, but the pieces of evidence are too convincing."

"Ugh!"

"Calm down, Connor. But it's weird. Was there a blood moon? How come I wasn't aware? If there was one, I would've felt the urge to eat flesh........."

"No, there wasn't a blood moon, Carson."

"You're being framed, Connor."

"But........ that was me in the picture, wasn't it?"

"Hmmm, this is very suspicious. VERY, very suspicious. The problem is, I don't know how to prove your innocence. Every picture was leading to you. We have to do something about this, and we need help. Your brother is a genius, right? Maybe you could ask him to help us."

He couldn't hear Carson. He was just staring on the floor. He didn't know what to do. His brain wasn't functioning normally.

"Connor??? Connor? hElLoOo? CONNOR!" he slammed his fists on the table.

"S-Sorry..........."

"Sigh, listen to me, okay?"

"Okay," he nodded.

"We need your brother's help."

"Colton??? Why will we drag him to this.......? It's my fault."

"Nothing of this is your fault, Connor! Don't let those b***h's harsh words get into you, okay? You're not a murderer. You're innocent." 

"Thank you for trusting me, Carson."

"It's nothing, and we're friends, aren't we?"

Connor smiled and nodded.

"For now, stay here. We have to figure this out. I'll call your brother. Give me his number. We'll come back here later."

"Give me your phone."

"Here."

"Do you want anything?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, still typing his brother's phone number.

"You're gonna stay here for a little while. Do you want me to bring you food or anything from your household?"

"Nothing in particular. Oh, wait. Now, I remember. Luka gave me a brooch. It's on my study desk. And......"

"And???"

"There's a notebook under my bed."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Noted."

"Thank you, Carson."

He just nodded, and Carson went on his way to get Connor's brother. Meanwhile, Connor was put back in his cell. He lied down and waited. The pictures started flashing before his eyes. He didn't know the man in the photos. But he was sure that it wasn't him. He's innocent, right? 

Upon waiting 3 hours, Carson was back with two of his belongings and his brother. He was brought back to the table together with the two, and Carson gave him his things. He thanked Carson, and they all stared at each other for a while.

"So, why am I here again? Connor, I know you already miss me, but that doesn't mean I'm not disappointed with what you did."

"He's innocent, Mr. Colton."

"Just call that scumbag Colton."

"Hey!"

"What?"

"Wait, innocent? But the pieces of evidence-"

"He's being framed, Colton."

"H-Huh? Framed? But-"

"I don't know how, but it's not him."

"What about blood moon?" Colton asked. "The last time, he just ate a random chicken from our neighbor. Thank god I made an excuse for that."

"No, Colton. There was no blood moon. I don't know how this thing works, but it's not him. It's a different one."

"Eh??? There's only one Connor that's not human, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then, how? How?"

"Does it look like we know? I called you here because your brother right here always brag how genius you are."

"Oh?"

"You always bragged about your intelligence, Colton. I just shared it."

"Oh, really?" he teased.

"It's not the time for you two to tease each other, alright?"

"Okay, let's all go to the point," said Colton.

"So, what do we gotta do first, Carson?"

"Find out how they got your face."

"They?"

"This can't be just one person. It's too much work."

"He's right, Connor. This kind of thing takes 2 or more masterminds."

"Hm......... shouldn't we find out why they did it first, though??"

"Well, you're right. Maybe we should know their motive first, but we already do. Don't we?" asked Carson.

"We do?" asked Connor and Colton.

"Aren't they trying to frame you?"

"Oh, yeah, right............"

"That's their motive."

"No," Colton said.

"What?" the two asked.

"That's the second motive."

"What now?"

"Yeah, what?"

"Why would they even frame my brother in the first place? As far as I know, no one hates him 'cause he's too kind."

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe the masterminds just really hate him."

"Just really hate me?! Hey!"

"Even the most angelic idols have haters, Connor."

"Hmph."

"Sigh, why did you even make me get your notebook?"

"There might be a clue here."

"A clue?"

"On who's framing me."

"What? How?"

"I don't know. There might just be."

"That doesn't make sense."

"So, I've been getting clues lately. Their main purpose is to help me find Luka."

"And what does Luka have to do with this?" asked Colton.

"The clues also give me warnings."

"Warnings?"

"It's weird that I still keep on getting them, though I already found Luka. Now, they just kinda serve as warning signs."

"Warning signs???"

"When Luka and I went to the Thompson Manor, there was a clue there."

"What was it?"

"Raise your guard up. Something's coming at you. Body's made of wood, feathers, and a pointy head. Its partner is made of wood and strings. They blend together to put you in danger."

"A bow and arrow?" Colton asked.

"Ding, ding, ding!"

"Wait, didn't you say that after you got shot by an arrow???"

"Yeah, I did."

"HE GOT SHOT BY AN ARRO-"

"Colton, tone down, will you?"

"R-Right. But you got shot by an arrow??????"

"Yes, I did. See! I told you they're warning signs!"

"Open the notebook," said Colton.

"Hm, it says here on the next page, duck......................"

"Duck? Excuse me, why are we talking about birds right now?" Colton scoffed.

Connor looked behind and looked in front again.

"No, Colton! Duck!!!!!"

Another arrow was shot.

"Try to guess who I am, Connor. If you don't, you're done for real, it says here.................. Connor, do you have any enemies??"

"What? Why would I have enemies?"

"I don't know. Did you bully anyone when you were younger?"

"I was the one who was bullied!!!"

"Hmm.............. Wait, wasn't there a message from the last arrow??? Something with get away from Luka."

"I still remember it! "Get away from Luka. He's mine. If you don't get away from him, you're gonna die. -CN" That's what it said."

"Okay, the motive is clear. I have comprehended everything," said Colton, shocking Carson, and Connor.

"Really? How?" 

"Idiots. It told Connor to stay away from Luka."

"So............?"

"Sigh. Aren't you away from Luka right now?"

"Oh........."

"And he or she is trying to make you guess who he or she is."

"Why is that, though?"

"Ugh! Because! That person wants you to fight him or her!"

"Eh? Why?"

"Probably because he/she likes Luka, and he/she can send men to kill you right here, right now!"

"Holy- everything makes sense now! Colton is genius, Connor."

"No time to compliment me right now! We have to figure out who's the real mastermind behind this!"

"Wait, you said there should be two or more people behind this?"

"Yes! But I'm pretty sure there's only one real mastermind, judging from the pronouns used in the statements. The person used the words mine and I."

"R-Right................."

"So, do you know anyone who's in love or infatuated with Luka???"

"His girlfriend."

"She looks like an angel for an evil scheme," said Connor.

"Even Satan would be able to help an old geezer cross the street, Connor," said Carson.

"Ehm..........."

"She could be one of our suspects. Who else? Any suggestion???"

"I don't know anyone anymore except me."

"So, she's our main suspect."

"Colton, the brother of my friend, you can't say that out loud."

"Why?"

"We're in public right now! There are guards! She's the king's girlfriend! Keep it down a little."

"Okay, okay. So, we have figured out two things. The person behind this and the motive."

"What do we need to do next???"

"We need to know how she did these."

"....................."

"........................."

"Do you guys have any suggestions?"

"Uh, no. This is splitting my brain in half," said Carson.

"This is destroying my brain into pieces, thank you," said Connor.

"Even I can't think of anything right now. Hmm, how.....?"

"Alright, visit hours are over. Visitors, please exit immediately."

"We'll visit tomorrow, Connor."

"Yeah, we will. Oh, wait. Do we still have any food left at home?"

"You bought a lot of canned goods before, right?"

"Oh, yeah!"

"Please, again, exit this place."

"Bye!" both said.

"Take care!" Connor replied.

After everyone left, Connor stood up and was about to be taken back to his cell, but Luka came. He signaled all the guards to go out and leave them alone for a while. Connor just noticed the guards going, and he knew something was up. He turned around immediately and was surprised to see,

"Luka? What are you doing here?"

"Of course, I came here for you, silly."

"You should be eating lunch now."

"I will eat my lunch now."

"Huh??? Where?"

Maids suddenly popped out of nowhere, and they placed food on top of the table.

"Right here? But it smells like s**t here."

"It's been 4 hours. You need to eat." 

"................Yeah, most probably, they'll give me food."

"You'll be eating what's served. Not prison food, alright? Sit down,"

"R-Right."

"How has it been?"

"Well, I was having a conversation with my brother and Carson."

"Were they.......... disappointed?"

"Should I tell him?"

"What did they say?"

"They didn't like it."

"Then-"

"No."

"What?"

"There's no point in lying."

"About?"

"They weren't disappointed."

"They weren't?"

"They know that I'm being framed."

"Framed? But Connor, the pictures were-"

"I don't know how they got a replica of me, but that wasn't me."

"......................."

"Do you think that I can really kill someone?"

"..................."

"Before you guys could even arrest me, I have already killed myself out of guilt. I'm innocent. I didn't kill anyone. Carson and Colton weren't here just to visit me. They were here to help me figure out who did this to me. I'll show you the real culprit. I will prove my innocence-"

Before he could continue what he was saying, Luka hugged him from the back.

"Thank you."

"H-Huh?"

"I know you're innocent. I was just waiting to hear you say it."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

"Sit down, and eat now."

"Alright, alright."

"Thank you for trusting me."

"Hey, we're friends. And I know you're too much of a saint to do that kind of bullshit."

"Why does everybody think I'm a saint?"

"Aren't you? Come on."

"Only if you all know what I did......................."

"Saint Connor Cunningham."

"Hey!!!"

"Alright, alright. I'll stop."

"You made these?"

"Mhm."

"They're good!! You really know how to cook, huh!"

"Duh, of course. I'm Luka Harrington."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Do you think the photos were photoshopped?"

"No. They're too realistic for it. Besides, didn't police check the crime scene?"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that."

"We.................... have a suspect."

"Really? Who?"

"It's still speculative. I think it should be confidential between me and the two."

"Come on~ Tell me~"

"No. But I can tell you the motive."

"What was the motive?"

"To keep me away from you."

"What now? Why?"

"The attacker loves you."

"W-What.............?"

"There were messages. "Get away from Luka. He's mine. If you don't get away from him, you're gonna die. -CN" and "Try to guess who I am, Connor. If you don't, you're done for real." Those were the words written."

"EH?!?!"

"Told you."

"But.......... we're just friends, aren't we? Why is it trying to separate us apart? Shouldn't that person just use you to get close to me instead of killing you to be with me?"

"To be honest, I don't know."

"Maybe because we're always around each other? But it's stupid. You're my bodyguard."

"Maybe it knows something you don't."

"What is it?"

"Try to guess," he shrugged.

"I hate guessing things! It's shredding my brain! You know that!"

"Maybe you should tell the maids to get the plates first and give us some water."

"Sure."

A few moments later,

"So, what is it that you want me to guess???" he asked, drinking his water.

"I like you."

He spits his water.

"What?"

"Maybe the attacker knows that."

"O-Oh.......... wait, now that makes more sense!"

"Mhm."

"Okay, back to what you said. YOU LIKE ME?!"

"Could you please tone down?"

"R-Right............"

"Yes, I like you. I have always been."

"What?"

"You were the first one to accept me and be my friend. Whenever I think of you, my heart flutters, you know?"

"R-Really?"

"Well, I hope you don't avoid me after this little confession of mine."

"Of course, I won't!"

"That's nice to hear."

"Wait, then............"

"Hm?"

"That day....."

"What day?"

"Your birthday.............."

"Th-That..... what about it?"

"That was when you...... first saw her, right?"

"Yep."

"Is that why.........."

"I asked for a day off? I was planning to celebrate it with you, together with my foster parents, and Colton."

"Foster parents? I thought they were dead?"

"Another couple decided to adopt me. I don't know why I said yes before, but now I do."

"Why?"

"They love me. I visited them again after asking for a day off. I felt the touch of a mother and father from both of them, which I was really desperate of having that time."

"Oh..."

"Well, since it didn't go the way I planned, I just went to them. Surprisingly, after knowing that I was broken-hearted, they became soft. I mean, they're always soft when it comes to me. Man, I wish my real parents are like them. Going back, when I said you have a girlfriend, they did the most parent thing to do."

"And what is it?"

"They hated you."

"WhAaAaaAt?"

"What do you expect? Surely if a man hurt your daughter's feelings you would despise that guy."

"Yeah."

"See? The most parental thing to do."

"W-Well........."

"Then, we celebrated my birthday with Colton. It was a small celebration that was really special and dear to my heart. It started with Colton singing me a song."

"What song?"

"Words of My Heart. The song basically means I want to tell you the words of my heart, but I always swallow them and keep my mouth shut."

"C-Connor............"

"Well, now I don't need that song anymore. I finally had the balls to tell you."

"Before we met, have you already liked me?"

"Yeah."

"But you didn't know my current personality. And if I was not a good person."

"I didn't care. All that matters is that I love you."

"Connor................"

"Oh? Wait, someone is calling. Asher??? Hey Asher, what's up??"

"Um..........."

"You looked troubled. Come on, honey, tell me."

"So, I found out that Carson likes Alex..............."

"Okay, okay. What now? Carso- I thought Carson likes you?"

"Yes."

"I knew I smelled tea from the moment he started pursuing you, sigh."

"I.......... What now...............?"

"Do you feel hurt, honey?"

"Why do you call him honey?"

"Luka, not now. Come on, Asher. You can tell me about this."

"I-I feel............. hurt and confused. Oh, honey, it's okay. Should Bee go there for you?"

"I feel like I shouldn't bother Bee right now."

"Who's Bee?"

"It's okay. I can go there. Wait, how did you even know?"

"That?"

"That Carson likes Alex. This kinda surprised me."

"I heard their conversation."

"Oh, honey........... I have a question, though. Do you still have that little crush on Alex?"

"Y-Yeah..................."

"Hm, could you please go to them so that the for of us could talk? I might have a solution for this mess."

"You do?" Luka asked, surprised.

"R-Really? You do, Bee?"

"Yes, Bee does."

"O-Okay......... Honey will call them."

Asher left his phone on the table for a while and called Carson and Alex. Meanwhile........

"Carson likes two people? And who's Asher? Why do you call him honey?"

"He's always been my baby. That's why we decided to have call signs."

"I thought you like me?"

"Jealous? Nah, kidding. He's like a little brother to me."

"Oh~ I see."

"And Carson doesn't like two people."

"But that Asher guy said-"

"They're from a different world."

"S-Say what now?"

"Sigh, there are three worlds, Luka. This world, the second human world, and the werewolf world."

"REALLY?!"

"Yes, really. Now, keep quiet."

"They're here now, Bee."

"I see you have two interests, Carson?"

"Y-Yeah........."

"How long?"

"I started to like them both at the same time............"

"But it can't be like that. You have to choose one."

"What do I do? I don't want to break anyone's heart............."

"I don't know, you choose. Just tell me you love them both, and I'll give you the answer."

"I-I........... I can't choose one, Con. I-"

"I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT. I'M NOT A CON ARTIST, YOU MOTHER f*****g b***h!"

"Now, now. Calm down," said Luka.

After gathering his s**t together again, he said,

"Sigh, I have a solution for this."

"What is it?" the three asked.

"Polyamorous relationship."

"Bee, what's that?"

"There are three people in one relationship."

"What? Does that make sense? Are you an i***t?" Carson asked.

"Ah, seriously. Do you have to be mean every time?"

"Just tell us how it works."

"You three can be in a relationship as long as you all are fine with it."

"I-I'm fine with it," said Alex.

"I'm also fine with it," said Asher.

"What about you, Carson?"

"If they're fine with it, then so am I."

"Great, problem solved. Playing cupid for a short while wasn't that bad," Connor smiled.

"Thanks, Bee."

"No problem, honey," he winked.

"Hey! Don't call him that!" Carson and Luka said.

"Why did I just say that?" Luka asked himself.

"Okay, okay, I get where you're coming from, Carson. But Luka?"

"It's not right to say that! He's in a relationship with those two now, right guys?"

"Yeah, right. Can't think of a better reason?" asked Carson.

"Why are you mean?"

"It's in my blood."

"Alright, alright. I'll end the call now. You three should figure this out together, alright?"

"Yes, Bee. Bye!"

"Okay, now, you should go too."

"Why are you making me go?"

"Obviously, you have your king duties?"

"I can make Mr. Phillips do them."

"But isn't he too old for that?"

"He's old, but he can do it better than me."

"Eh?"

"He can do it, don't worry! I've told him too!"

"Then what will we do here?"

"Call Carson and Colton over. We're all gonna figure out who did this to you."

"Uh..............."

"Did they take your phone away?"

"Not really?"

"Then what are you still doing there? Call them."

"R-Right."

60 minutes later......

"We're here, Your Majesty."

"Sit down."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Haven't I told you to call me Luka three weeks ago?"

"..........But I didn't leave the house three weeks ago to go here?"

"Then who-"

"N-Never mind about that for now. So, Your Majesty, why did you make us go here?"

"I'll help."

"In??"

"Proving Connor's innocence?"

"C-Come again?" Carson choked in air.

"You told him?" he asked Connor sternly.

"Calm down. It's okay. I believe that he's innocent. St. Connor Cunningham won't be able to do such a thing."

"Praise St. Connor Cunningham," the three of them said.

"Stop mocking the s**t out of me!"

"Okay, okay. We'll stop. But could you three tell me who's behind this?"

"It's better if we not."

"Why is that, Colton?"

"There's 89% chance that there would be a big problem if we tell you."

"Just tell me."

"We can't."

"Ugh, why~?!"

"It could put Connor in danger."

"It's a king's order."

"Sigh............. we think that the person behind this is....................."

~To Be Continued~