"We've got to get him," Alison said. "One of us will have to go down there." She found a piece of rope on the floor and began unwinding it.
"I'll go," said Niall without thinking. He climbed onto the slippery windowsill, then dropped onto roof. The wind stung his face, and the rain was blowing so hard he could nearly see.
He slipped and nearly fell, but caught the edge of the roof to steady himself. "Hold on Zayn," he said. "I'm coming."
Alison dropped the rope from the window and Niall caught its end, and began to inch where Zayn lay.
The knife still stuck from his chest, and that's when it hit Niall that someone killed him.
Murdered him.
Someone at the party was a murderer.
Niall forced himself to put that thought out of his mind, and concentrated on getting to Zayn.
Zayn's skin was no longer warm and his eyes were still open, and Niall tried not to look at them as he tied the rope around Zayn.
Then he pulled and dragged the body till it was just under and lifted while Alison pulled on the other end of the rope. Somehow, they got the body up over the windowsill, and into the room. Then Niall pulled himself into the room, out of the rain.
For a moment, they just stared at their dead friend, breathing hard. Finally, Alison shut the window. "We've got to cover him up with something," she said.
Niall nodded. They searched the attic until they found an old blanket. They straightened the body, then covered him.
Now that they had finished, Niall realized what they had to do next.
"We'd better call the police," he said.
Alison nodded. "Shouldn't we tell everyone what happened?"
Niall thought a moment. "Not till we talk to the police," he said. "After all, someone here is a murderer. We don't want them to get away."
"Let's talk to Shane at least," begged Alison. "It might be better if he makes the call."
They went back to the living room as if nothing had happened. It seemed to Niall that hours had passed, but a glance at his watch told him it had only been a few minutes.
The other guests were still playing truth. Harry was standing on his head in the corner of the room, and Niall guessed he was paying a penalty but he didn't really care. All the fun was gone.
"Hi guys," said Tayla cheerfully. "Ready for Truth?"
"Not just yet," said Niall. "I need to ask your uncle something. Do you know where he is?"
"Isn't he here? Or in the kitchen?" Said Tayla confused.
"I haven't seen him," said Alexy.
"Maybe he's disappeared too," said Izzy, laughing. "Like Vanessa and Zayn. "
Vanessa!
After Niall had found Zayn's body, he'd forgotten all about her. She was still missing, and there was a murderer in the house.
All he could think of was to run back upstairs and look for her. But Alison put her hand on his shoulder.
"Come on Niall," she said, sounding almost normal. "Let's go see if Shane's in the kitchen."
Right, Niall told himself. Call for help.
He followed Alison Into the kitchen. An open window was banging in the wind, and next to it hung a phone, slick with rain.
His fingers trembling, Niall picked up the phone and started to punch in 000. But there was no dial tone.
"The lines dead," he whispered, wondering what else could go wrong.
"Maybe the wind knocked the line loose," said Alison. "It was strong enough to blow open that window."
"Let me look," said Niall. He unlocked the back door and peered out. "The line comes in just above the window," he said. "Maybe-"
"It's cut!" Alison exclaimed. She stepped onto the porch, pointing. The was no question-the line hung in two pieces, obviously cut.
They exchanged glances. Niall wondered if he looked as scared as Alison did.
"Do you think the murderer did this?" Asked Niall.
"Who else could it be?" said Alison.
The only thing Niall knew for sure was that they needed help. As soon as possible. And that he wouldn't leave the mansion without Vanessa.
They ran back into the house and down the front hall. Niall glanced out the window and saw a glint of silver.
A particularly bright flash lot up the yard, and something caught Nialls eye.
Quickly, he ran out, Alison close behind. Crumpled in the mud, was a blue satin jacket- Shane's costume.
Niall examined the jacket. One whole arm was stained in blood.
