"..." Peter glanced around the room. "Guys, I also came here to get a broom. It was difficult because the sledgehammer was in the way, so I moved it. My watch must have came off while I was doing that." Peter said with a wry smile while rubbing his head.
"You don't say... Where is the sledgehammer then?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"I kept it in a room. Right down there." Peter pointed to a room down a corner.
"You can go check it to make sure." Peter said with a light smile.
"Ok, I'll go." Daniel said but before he left he whispered... "Don't take your eyes off him"
He went ahead to check the room leaving Peter with the 10 remaining student and 1 unconscious one.
The atmosphere was tense. They stared daggers at one another not letting anyone out of their sight.
"Nice weather we are having, am I right?" A student said trying to lighten up the mood.
WHOOSH!!
All eyes state in his direction making him jump back in fear and surprise.
"Look at this guy, talking about weather of all things and of all times."
"Yeah, one of us is bleeding and the only thing you can think of is how nice the weather is."
"Read the room."
"Misplaced priorities."
"Destiny without destination."
- - -
The students in a matter to express their stress and annoyance began to roast the dude that spoke up.
Daniel came back with a wry look on his face, his eyes shaken.
He stared at the students who had a look of anticipation and worry.
"The sledgehammer is there... but..." Daniel's voice trailed off.
"Come on, man. Speak." A student said already losing his patience.
"There is blood all over it." Daniel said with a dire tone. He stared at Peter's direction expecting some sort of explanation.
GASP!!
The students became more worried, they wanted an explanation and they hoped Peter could give them one.
"You murderer. " A student shouted at Peter in a flick of rage.
"No name calling..." Daniel said." Let's hear what he has to say. "
All eyes fell on him once again.
"I-I don't know how the blood got there. I just wanted to move it to a much safer place. Someone must have taken it." Peter said with a shaky voice, his face a mix of emotions.
"You said you wanted to take a broom, right? Where is it?" The student , named Todd, who was partnered with the unconscious student spoke up.
"I-I-It's in the-"
"Why would you even need a broom? What job did the teacher ask for to do? Because if I remembered correctly, he didn't even ask us to sweep. He and I just decided to sweep the kitchen so you didn't even need the broom." Todd said taking on a more interrogative tone.
"I-I don't know what to say." Peter said, his face dropping.
"I think this guy is too much of a threat. Everything is pointing at him to be the culprit. I think we should just lock him in a room until further notice." Todd turned to the remaining student and said.
"Okay, let's take a vote." Daniel grabbed a book, tore out pieces of paper and handed it to the students.
"Write whoever you think is the culprit and drop it into this bowl. You can do the same Peter. This way it will be fair." He wrote a name on the piece of paper he took and dropped it into the the bowl.
This prompted others to do the same. Their breath hitched as they wrote the names.
After everyone was done, they asked Claire to count and arrange the votes. When should was done she called it out...
Daniel - 1
Todd -2
Claire- 1
Peter - 8