Chapter 1: KALEIDOSCOPE
Chapter Text
Papers were strewn across the desk, swallowing the entire table. Every newspaper clipping, every police transcript, every folklore book opened to the same page. Chappell's eyes could not stop jumping between the inky words drenching the table. For the first time, she believed that there was too much evidence, too many conflicting perspectives that hid the truth from her. She rested her face on her hands, rubbing her fingertips against her temples.
The first mention of strange happenings on the beach came from 20 years ago. A fisherman from the port town 30 minutes down the road. The waves had returned what was left of him, an arm of tattoos. After a few more fishermen disappeared, the police assumed there was a local serial killer. Since then, five people had confessed to being the 'killer from the blue lagoon' (as local media has declared them). Not a single confession matched the other.
The main irregularities were how and why they killed. So far, seven people had been convicted for several murders each. In every case, many different theories had been proposed. One suggested they were all working together in a secret society. Others wanted to believe that they were inspired by one another. But all of this detective work was ineffective, in Chappell's eyes.
There was not a murderer. Well, not a human one.
Her eyes returned to the folklore book, moving between the several different aquatic monsters. She wanted to believe that she had found the one - the kelpie. Irish myth told her that this beautiful stallion rode off with its victims into the ocean, too deep for them to rise again. But she knew it was wrong. Too many small details would not match. Too different. Not close enough.
The chair to Chappell's right was drawn across the floor, hissing as it scraped on the wooden floorboards. The familiar shaking of metal key chains hit the floor. Elia's hand reached across to pull a police report towards her.
"You still in that fairy tale book?" she asked as Chappell finally looked up. There it was, that smile her best friend always wore. It dimmed when other people were around, but it shone brightly for Chappell's eyes only.
"It's the most similar thing. Besides, you tried to tell me last week that you thought that mechanic was the killer." That was true, Elia had been trying her hardest to prove that he was doing more than overcharging for her car's service. Yesterday, he disappeared.
"OK, but you believed me," Elia cocked her head, like a stand up comedian with a good setup. Chappell gave her a small grin back before her attention drew back to the papers. She had read and reread these articles to the point that she could recite it from memory.
'.. locals have been complaining of strange noises coming from Pony Beach during the night. Fishermen report a 'song-like wind' coning from the sandy bay. Police do not believe this is related to the many reports of missing persons or the biohazards washing up on the shore.'
Chappell began tapping on the table, eyes rushing up and down the length of the table. Why couldn't she figure it out? Nothing within this case made sense. There were too many unrelated tidbits of information. She had been researching this for so long now, and still she could not stop it. Soon, a part of the mechanic would wash up. Between twenty-four to seventy-two hours, that was when whatever was left of them returned.
"Hey, I think we should go home soon." Elia's voice rose up finally, demanding her attention. Looking around, she saw the librarian shutting down the library's scanning system.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go home." Chappell began piling papers, grouping them together before sliding them in paper wallets. The librarian let the duo keep them together under her desk. They rushed out the door together, the door being locked as soon as they were out of the door. Elia began to walk away, turning around.
"Text me when you wanna meet up again, I'm sure we've nearly solved it." Her hair began to float with the wind, the early evening light setting in. Chappell nodded and turned away, shaking her bike as she removed it from the wall.
"Yeah, see you soon."
Chapter 2: SEA FOAM
Chapter Text
As she placed the brown paper bag on her basket, Chappell felt something cold rush past her. The wind tugged at her hair, teasing like a toddler on a bad day. She undid the bike chain from the bollard outside the grocery store, focus elsewhere. Chappell mounted the bicycle, calculating her next move. Her foot pushed off, setting the pedals into motion.
Her house was only a five minute ride away from the store, but Chappell needed to make this ride longer. She knew that she would be up until midnight again, but she hoped she could settle her fears by doing this.
The roads were quiet, they always were. The wide streets with grand beach houses. She cycled past Elia's grandma's house, grand and gazing out over the ocean. She wanted that house to tell her the truth.
She was getting close to the shoreline, where she could pull up and watch the waves peel at the sand. But there was something in the way. Blue and red flashes entwined in one another danced ahead of her. A tent was being set up, strangled with blue tape. Stepping out was a figure bloated with protective coverings carried a cooling box.
She slowed, reaching the two vehicles knitted together. They shielded the scene off from her, but she knew exactly what was behind it. She had joked before that the next body part to surface would be a hand. By the size of the container, she may have been right.
Chappell wanted to ask questions straight away to get it done with. But every question would meet with 'we can't dicuss anything at the moment'. For the amount of deaths there had been, you would have hoped the police were doing more to protect the people. There now was a large life guard presence on the beach, but they had no authority. Most people had enough common sense to stay out of the water.
But that was not changing anything. Nothing could stop the sea from swallowing it's victims up. That's where she came in. She would figure out what was luring these people into the water. She would stop it once and for all.
She could hear a faint siren, riding up behind her and rushing to control the situation. A crowd was now beginning to form, neighbours coming out to greet the familiar sight. Chappell knew it was wrong. to trivialise the situation straight away without grieving. But she had grown up with it for so long, he was only a victim to her. She would attend his memorial next week. She would answer a few questions on her research, admit it was going nowhere and go home again.
This time was different. Chappell fixated on something across the wider beach. She couldn't work out which was more bizarre: her apathy or the person sat at the end of the beach, head down in a book. The beach was desolate before, attention only focused on where she stood. How were they able to avoid any attention? How were they not as interested as everyone else?
A crackle burst through the air, a police officer huffing into the megaphone. He ordered the people to disperse, that more information would be available soon. Chappell pushed off again, pedaling faster this time to return home. She needed to get to her notebook fast. She had catalogued every death so far to check patterns. Every two months. Missing person identified as being a body part up to seventy-two hours later. One hundred and twenty seven victims, now made a hundred and twenty eight.
Crashing through the front door, dumping the groceries on the counter, she was at her desk. She scribbled everything down, hesitating at her 'extra info' segment. Was a person on the beach worth all her paranoia? She could convince herself now that they were the cause of this. But what if they were an innocent tourist caught in the middle.
She ignored it, for now. It would play on her mind for the next three nights, but it didn't need writing down. If it led to something, then she would know. She left it alone, leaving the book open on her desk.
Fourty minutes later, her food finally made its way into the refrigerator it belonged in. Chappell hoped it hadn't spoilt her dinner. For now, she could pretend she was calm.
Chapter Text
Chappell stood on the sidewalk, staring out across the beach. The sea calmly lapped at the shore, like a hand stroking at a pet animal. The town was fully at the mercy of the sea, the waves could rise and destroy the town at any moment. Chappell shook her head, the salty air catching in her curls.
There they were again, face down in a book. Her box braids obscured her face from view, but Chappell knew it was the same person. The only person sat on the sand, unaware of the world surrounding them. Chappell knew her next move may be the stupidest one next, but that was okay with her.
"So, do you want anything?" The cart attendant huffed. She swore it had not been that long since the last person bought their ice cream.
"Oh yeah, the strawberry one, please." She was already grabbing at the items in her bag, searching for the money. Her hands shook as she handed the note over, snatching the popsicle. Her free hand tapped over herself. Her beanie was on straight, scarf wrapped carefully around her neck.
Her feet stomped along the sand, the grains forcing away from her. The beach was never busy. Families sometimes came to throw around a ball or build a castle. But nobody dared to step near the water. Even her secret admiree seemed to avoid the sea, her skin wrapped in an oversized hoodie.
Chappell stopped. This was her last chance to turn around. This might become her worst decision. Or it might not. Nerves began to creep up on her, making her body freeze.
"Can I help you?" Chappell stared. She knew that it was a deep, blank stare that she could not break out of. The girl stared back, her shoulders tense. Every emotion in her head coiled back, leaving her to grow red in the face.
"Uh, hi."
The girl's eyebrow rose, as did the same the redhead felt. Her hand flew forward, a knee-jerk reaction leading her to offering up her popsicle.
"Oh, thanks." The confusion was still obvious in her voice. She took the stick, examining the ice. She then began to move, making space on her picnic rug, "Do you need to sit down?"
Chappell shook her head up and down, placing herself down on the floor fast enough to make her dizzy. She pulled the scarf down, creating more room to breathe. Also falling was her stomach, the pit growing deeper.
"I never got, uhm- What's your name?" Chappell adjusted her hat, rolling a strand of hair in her fingers.
"Oh, call me Iggy." A slight smile opened on her face. "And you are... Chappell?"
She gapsed, eyebrows raising. Until she looked down and saw that she still had the tote bag tagged with the name. "Yeah."
Iggy smiled, beginning to lick the popsicle. Her face changed a little. "Thought it would be strawberry. Hm."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I can get you one if you want?" Chappell's hands now kneaded against one another.
"No, don't worry! I prefer tutti-frutti anyway." Her smile grew again. Chappell couldn't tell how much further the smile would stretch. She looked happy, if a little off put by the redhead's sweaty palms.
Iggy turned her head, capturing the waves as the sun began to set behind them. The early June light was dull against the pale blue ocean. A soft breeze blew across from the Atlantic, salty and refreshing.
"You're not from here, are you?" Chappell spoke once she had collected herself.
"No, actually. I go to the college nearby. Yeah, I've just come here for a few weeks before I go see family." Iggy's smile charmed her. It burnt a hole straight through Chappell, exposing herself for the world to dissect.
They sat there for a little while longer, Chappell fidgeting into a new position every five minutes or so. They asked each other small questions, barely getting more than ten words out at a time. Chappell couldn't admit it, but she felt as though this had been a much longer friendship. Centuries old and just as comfy after a lifetime of not meeting.
Notes:
i have just relasied how annoying these short short chapters are but i promised myself to keep the fic really short so I can balance it with school so my apologies! i would rather have made this longer like a normal book buy whatever i hope you are enjoying it things will go crazy soon
Chapter Text
The beach was growing to be a place Chappell was fond of. She could look past its troubled past, the one she put so much research into. Because where the life ended at the shore, life began anew in the sand dunes.
It had been four days, and Chappell had kept count. Four days since she had met Iggy, four days sin e something she knew was life changing. She had visited her twice since on the beach, staring out across the water as they sat crosslegged on her picnic rug.
It was at the beach where Chappell returned again, on her bike with the pink tassels. They were an accessory her childhood bike had, until a boy wearing a football jersey tore them off. She had left them off throughout high school but put them back on once the rest of the town had gone off to college.
She kicked the standout, letting the bike stand on its own as she scanned the area. Her eyes looked down the beach, not a soul in sight.
"Is this your usual ride?" Her voice came from behind. Chappell spun around as her heart sunk. Iggy wore a stripy crop top and loose sweatpants. Seeing her made Chappell's cheeks glow red, but she would just blame that on her hair, trapping the heat.
"Yeah, I can rev the engine real loud, and I clean it every week."
"You're starting to sound like a basic white guy."
"And what if I was?" Chappell smirked. Iggy rolled her eyes and began to put her leg over the bicycle. She shuffled back to perch on the back carrier as Chappell placed herself on the saddle.
The wind was whispering in her ears, pushing her hair backwards. She had clipped it up today, afraid it would blow into her face. The roads were empty still, allowing for them to do wild turns down the roads.
The town's little shop had always been run by the same family. Chappell had thought the attendant was old when she was younger. But now, fifteen years later, the same woman still refused to retire.
Abandoning the bike in the rack, the pair dashed into the store. Chappell debated which drink to pick up whilst Iggy poked around the gummies. They tossed the plastics onto the desk, Iggy tapping her foot on the floor as the attendant picked through the items. Chappell tapped her card as soon as she could, and they were ready to go before the reader could even say 'approved'.
They were watching the old doors slithering open as Chappell heard her name being. called from across the parking lot. The door to the squat car slammed, Elia stood at its side.
"I tried calling. Did you even get my texts?"
"What? Dude, can we talk in the morning?" Chappell gave her little time to reply as Iggy began leading her back to the bicycle. She pushed off from the floor as the tassels itched at her hands. Elia's face was calculating; Chappell knew that she was an excellent decoder. She gave the impression that she was three steps ahead of her already.
They got back to the beach in silence, placing the rug down and attempting to get comfortable. Iggy then ripped open her can of worms.
"So, who was that? She didn't seem too impressed."
"So, that's just my friend." Chappell felt the urgency in her voice, an urgency she did not feel about getting Elia out of her life. "She's helping me with my project."
"Oh, I like... projects?" Iggy ran a hand through Chappell's hair. The small shake that ran down her spine wasn't apparent to the other. "Go on, tell me about it."
"People go missing in this town. They die in those waters, and only half of them come back." The waves peeled, almost beckoning. She would never go in. "I'm going to stop that."
"Wow, that's brave," another hand, separating curls. "How are you gonna stop them?"
Chappell shrugged, "Once I finally figure out what kills them. It can't just be a shark. It's gotta be something..."
"Bigger?"
"No. People would know about that. Something smarter."
"Well, you seem smart. I bet you'll stop them soon."
A wave crashed. It then retracted. Chappell took out another bite to chew on. All that was left to do was to stare out into the ocean, letting Iggy part her hair with her fingers. She couldn't keep only hanging out with Iggy on this treacherous beach. The next time would be different. She would come back to her house. She really hoped that she would come over.
Notes:
ps - I am an ao3 noob so please if you feel as though i should add/change a tag please do comment and tell me! I'm pretty sure I've tagged everything as needed but my additional section is very empty and I'm sure I could add more :)
Chapter 5: IT'S NICE TO HAVE A FRIEND
Chapter Text
There was a sinking feeling in Chappell's stomach as she approached the library. She was putting the bicycle by the rack, peering into the window. Elia was early, on purpose. She rubbed her palms over her hair, smoothing it out of the way. A heavy breath parted her lips as she forced the door open.
Chappell let her purse slip off of her shoulder as she took the chair opposite her friend. The brunette did not break her focus from whatever she was reading. Her head cocked to reveal her unamused face as she finished typing and set her phone down on the desk. The way she looked back up reminded Chappell of seeing her mother after a disappointing call from school.
"So?"
"I'm sorry that I didn't see your texts sooner. I would've helped if I knew-"
"I know you would've. But that doesn't change the fact you blew me off in front of her! Who even is she?"
Chappell took a few moments before opening her mouth. "Her name's Iggy. She's just visiting, it's not a big deal!"
An aggressive hiss of teeth came from the librarian's desk. Elia continued in a used voice. "I know you, Chappell. I know you think it's more than that."
Deep down, a part of Chappell knew she was right. The high school boys that sweet her off her feet only to drop her suddenly. Elia had been there with tissues and a good movie every time.
"No, I swear. I'm not gonna get too attached. Just a summer fling, right?"
"Right," Elia nodded. "I forgive you, so long as it's 'no attachment', okay?"
Chappell tried to smile, but it bent at her lips and made her feel like a fool. No attachment.
"Okay, now, let's talk about him." Chappell took the state newspaper clipping from her bag. Elia turned it took read.
'NEXT MAN CLAIMED BY THE BLUE LAGOON'
'On Tuesday night, police were called to Pony Beach after a dog-walker discovered a dismembered arm. The forensic team identified this as Hunter Scott, a local mechanic.
This continues the pattern of deaths in the north coastal area. Since 2004, around 120 people have gone missing from the town. The majority of victims have washed back up on Pony Beach, but some end up further along the coast.
Local police have been working hard to arrest and prosecute who they believe is the perpetrator of this horrific killing spree. However, after holding several possible suspects in jail, the deaths continue.
Press reports continue to stress that the killer must have had little to no connection to their victims. This has made it incredibly difficult to identify a killer...'
Chappell looked back up at Elia once she had finished reading.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" The brunette asked. "It's nothing new. They got their numbers wrong, too."
"I know, it's all bullshit. But it just made me think, it's in the state newspaper. There's more attention on the case. We could use it."
"What, like a plea for help?"
"Maybe," Chappell tapped a nail on the table, "We need something to help us."
Elia pulled her phone out, hesitating as she opened something.
"My uncle. I could ask him if he would put our information out on his radio show."
Chappell nodded, "I can make a new account and make a few posts too. Would that help?"
Elia nodded, already pulling her chair away as she ran to the door. Chappell could see her stepping back and forth as she pressed the phone to her ear. Chappell's mind let itself wander. To the beach and to Iggy's side.
No attachment. Easy, right? She would leave in a week or so and Chappell's life would be unchanged. She could feel heeself laying her head on the girl's shoulder.
No attachment.
Chapter 6: BANANA SPLIT
Chapter Text
The exterior of the diner made the place seem pleasant inside. Iggy had chosen this place for that reason: it didn't look bad to begin with. The menus stuck to their hands and every booth had holes with stuffing poking out.
The milkshakes were placed in front of the duo, one chocolate and one strawberry. Chappell took a scoop of the whipped cream, letting it melt in her mouth. Despite the state of the building, the milkshakes were still as good as they were when she was young.
Her head rested on her arm, eyes focused on all of Iggy's details. There was something else hidden in her nostalgia - the thing Elia told her to avoid.
The pair ate in the quiet ambience of a family diner. There was a family at the end of the room, children yelling and biting crayons. The radio playing the local station, made up of a playlist of five songs. A waitress loudly gossiping about her boyfriend from the rival high-school.
"Is your town always like this?" Iggy spoke up, balancing the spoon between her fingers.
"Like what?"
"It's like, everyone knows everyone but, too well. Like, you don't want to know that much."
"Yeah well," Chappell began, "Most people have a dead cousin that I've quizzed them about. Not really the best place to be in."
Iggy provided a confused look as a response. At that moment, the radio shifted, beginning the advert she had written.
"A new search is being conducted on the Pony Beach murders. If you have any information that may be of use, please contact bluelagooninvestigators@outlook.com"
Iggy's face shifted. Chappell's mind jumped to its detective mode, analysing what she thought.
"Is that what the tent on the beach was?" And when Chappell nodded, "Really? That's... not good."
"Yeah, and I wish I just knew who it was. I wish that one little piece of evidence could just yell me what is going on! I just-"
"Wait." Iggy slammed her hand on the table, "You're the one investigating all of this?"
"Yeah, no one else is going to."
"But why? Why would you put yourself in that danger?"
Chappell felt the confusion cover her face, "I'm not in danger. I'm fine, I promise."
"That's not what I meant." Iggy's face was losing its light fast. "You really think that looking into some stupid mystery is gonna work out for you?"
"It's not stupid!" Chappell's voice projected, silencing the room. "It's just... I can't watch another life get taken. Something's gotta give!"
The pair quietened down. Chappell wanted to return to the emotions she had felt all but five minutes before. It was not something Chappell could understand: what about this had made Iggy so upset. But it didn't phase her, Chappell had too much ambition for the night ahead of them.
"So," Chappell had finished her milkshake, now waiting for Iggy's to finally move past halfway. "Would you like to come back to my place?"
Iggy looked up again, poker face still active.
"We could watch a movie? We could do our nails?"
Iggy looked as if she was calculating, whather this was a good idea.
She did. She did think it was a good idea. Chappell wanted to believe that she wanted this too. When Iggy finally nodded, Chappell wanted to believe that she was agreeing to this because it meant something to her. That she wasn't just doing it out of pity.
"OK, come on. Let's go."
Chapter Text
Chappell was already a giggling mess by the time she got to her front door. She had struggled to get the key in it's hole as she tried to make conversation with Iggy.
They were now stood in Chappell's front room. The couch was short and draped in Bohemian fabrics. Potted palnts were shoved in every corner of the room and yet fake vines framed the television. The kitchen did not match this vibe at all. Mahogany cupboards did not seem to match her pastel appliances. Chappell had not invited many people over and it was only now she realised how strange they paired together.
Iggy placed herself on the couch, looking back up at the redhead, expecting something. Chappell handed her a soda from the grey refrigerator as she darted to the other room. She brought back a large blanket and the bag of gummies she had left unopened on her nightstand. Her nail Polish collection was already there on the coffee table. She hoped that Iggy wouldn't notice that it was what Chappell had been driving of ever since she suggesting going to the diner.
It took eight minutes for them to land on a movie to watch. Chappell had attempted to suggest all of her favourites, but all Iggy had to say was "OK."
About halfway through 500 Days of Summer, Chappell rested her head against Iggy's shoulder, her arms wrapped around her knees. She didn't once think to consider what the message of the movie was as she got cosier.
She sat up again once the film finished, moving to close the blinds. "Can I do your nails?" Chappell smiled.
"Oh, sure." Iggy flexed her fingers. Chappell got to work straight away. She had to pretend that she hadn't been scrolling as many nail art posts as possible for inspiration. She shaped the nails until they were flat and short. Chappell removed a few shades of blue before she put a bottom coat on.
They turned out just as she had wanted them to. She had even managed to sculpt a tiny starfish on Iggy's ring finger. The entire set had a oceanic theme.
"Do you like them?" Chappell's face was full of hope.
Iggy let a short smile open on her face, "Yeah, they're cool."
The pair locked eyes, Chappell's focus now deeply settled in Iggy's eyes. She couldn't help but think that she was seeing something deeper. Something more to Iggy that she was yet to dive into the depths of.
She shuffled closer, placing a hand on Iggy's shoulder. Chappell needed to know waht she was getting herself into. There was so much more to Iggy that she hadn't learnt yet, she needed to get closer.
Their lips were connected. It had taken her by shock as Iggy pulled her closer, tugging at her heartstrings. She let Iggy take the lead, falling into the rhythm of their lips. How had she known? Chappell knew what she felt but she thought she had somewhat of a poker face.
The moment was over as soon as it started. It rushed past like a dream and Iggy smirked and turned back to watch the final act of the film. Chappell tried to savour that moment, questioning everything around her. That felt like a rush of fantasy that her mind had tricked her into. But it was real, and it was going to be Chappell's obsession forevermore.
"So, what did you think?" Those were the first words uttered since the kiss. The credits began crawling across the screen, not that Chappell needed to ask her tohughts either. Her mind had been caught up, her eyes had kept flickering back to gauge Iggy's reaction every twenty seconds.
"I didn't get it. Why did he even bother chasing after her? He knew it would end badly."
"Yeah well," Chappell scratched at the back of her neck, "He thought it was worth it."
Iggy scoffed, making something shake inside of the redhead. "Well, I guess some people aren't that smart."
Chappell felt the night slip out of her grasp. The perfect night was ending. Iggy picked herself up, not even bothering to look at Chappell as she went to the door. "Thanks."
"Oh, you're welcome, did you have a nice time?"
"Hm, yeah."
The door slammed. Chappell could have burst out crying right there and then, but Iggy's spell had worked it's way into her soul and kept her caged. That was what love was, right?
Notes:
this fandom is so lovely thank you for bring so supportive <3 I know how small of a fandom we are but it's so nice to have some interaction with you all :)
Chapter 8: DAYDREAM
Chapter Text
The slow breeze blew up from the ocean as Chappell knocked at Elia's door. Her small apartment was one of Chappell's favourite places. She loved being able to relax into the room, taking her place to gossip like two old ladies.
Elia's smile greeted her at the door and led her to the couch. Gordon Ramsey was on the television screen, barking orders at shaky chefs. Chappell pulled her favourite cushion over her lap as two diet sodas were brought out. They sat together for a while, enjoying each other's company.
"So, how have things been going with your uncle?" Chappell looked up at the brunette.
"Hmm, not the best. He's had a couple prank calls from middle schoolers, one angry aunt call in and someone giving him riddles."
Chappell sat up a little a that, "Riddles? We can solve riddles, what was it?"
"Oh, God," Elia shook through her memories, remembering each word, "No, something about the water. Yes, and the moon." Chappell looked at her dumbfounded. "I didn't expect you to get it either."
Their attention turned back towards the screen, Chappell imagining what the moon meant.
"How are things with you and Iggy going?" Elia glanced over, her eyes fixed on Chappell's flushing cheeks.
"Good, they are going really good. She's coni g round tomorrow, actually. Do you wanna join?"
"No." Elia did not hesitate or feign politeness, the soda can crunching slightly in her grasp. "It's alright."
"You know, I wanted to ask you a favour," The redhead edged closer to the end of her seat, pulling closer to Elia. "I want help redecorating my spare room."
"Oh, you're finally redoing that? Why, are you making it a study?"
Chappell shook her head. "I want to surprise Iggy with it. I want her to feel at home in this town."
Elia smiled, but anyone could see how crushed her soul was at that. Except, of course, Chappell. "What did I tell you?"
Chappell stood on her feet, feeling an alien anger inside of her, "I'm allowed to be nice to my friends!"
"But it's more than that, isn't it? You love her, and it's so obvious!" Elia stayed seated, her voice projecting as though they were mountains apart.
Chappell scoffed, "It isn't that big of a deal! It doesn't have to be exclusively her room, Jesus, I didn't think you'd get mad."
"Me? Mad? This is all on you, Chappell. I'm just aware of what's going to happen when you realise that all of this is for nothing!"
A silence sliced through them. Like a pasue in a cat fight, all the pair could do was stare back at the other before fighting again. Elia meant nothing by what she just said, Chappell reminded herself. She didn't need to worry about that, because Iggy and her were something. They had to be something.
But she backed down. Chappell took her things from the floor, looking around at the room that now chilled her spine. Fifteen seconds was all it took to change Chappell's view on the entire room. Now it felt soulless and pained her to stand inside of. "Tell me if you get any other evidence. I'll see you around."
Elia did not respond, her eyes trailing the redhead as she snuck out the door. Chappell had stolen something that made that room feel alive.
Now without anywhere better to go, Chappell turned down Spite Lane and headed straight into her guest bedroom. She tore away the the old bedding and set out a plan of action. She just hoped that Iggy really did love the ocean as much as Chappell believed.
Old blue bedsheets were snipped and sewn at to make jellyfish that hung from the ceiling. The furniture was all deep cleaned and polished so the wooden grains were obvious. Old magazines she had found whilst cleaning were chopped and collaged on to a welcome card. Chappell only left one thing in the drawers: her favourite bra.
Would that be enough to win Iggy over?
Chapter 9: CAMARADERIE
Chapter Text
Chappell tugged at Iggy as she stepped through the front door. She dropped the pizza boxes on the dining table. They had been from the expensive pizzeria from the other side of town, Chappell insisted that she paid for it fully for her guest. Iggy had said once that she shouldn't buy the biggest size or put that many topping on, but she was complicit after Chappell told her that it would just be better this way.
Sliding open the patio door, Chappell offered Iggy a lounger facing her pool. She never looked after the pool, always needing more maintenance than expected. But she had put that effort in for her. Chappell placed the pizza on the next lounger along, leaving her with nowhere to sit.
The early evening sky was beginning to deepen into twilight. Chappell had crossed her legs and was now looking up at Iggy, slowly chewing at the tip of the pizza slice. She let out a small sigh, lips curling into a smile as she looked at what she had in that moment. The biggest crush on a girl. She hoped that soon she would have the guys to show those feelings truly. She prayed that Iggy liked her that way too. That she didn't see Chappell as a toy.
Once a few more slices of pizza had disappeared, Chappell's attention turned to the neon pink lilo floating on the waters. It was wide, enough for two people. The perfect place, Chappell thought, for them two to lay down. She knelt at the side of the pool and after a few attempts, had pulled the float to the side.
"Wanna lie on it with me?" She smirked, looking back up at Iggy. The girl pushed her sunglasses up, framing her braids. She shook her head.
"Why not? I promise it's more comfy than it looks."
"I just wanna sit here and watch you. Is that not allowed." Chappell's stomach knotted as an equal grin beared Iggy's teeth.
Chappell dragged herself on to the lilo, pushing herself into the middle of the pool. She threw out a few conversation starters but Iggy shut them down with that same grin. The redhead then decided to pull her own sunglasses on, pretending to fall asleep to cope with how she felt.
Her body nearly threw itself off of the pink plastic. A sharp jet of water attacked her arm as she lost her place. She heard the crash as she entered the water, the weight dragging her down by her head. She heard a second crash in front of her, though muffled. Iggy's braids split like tentacles from her head. She dragged herself through the water, closing in on Chappell.
Iggy held Chappell, pulling her closer and closer until their faces were close to touching. The redhead gasped, a bubble brushing past both of their faces. Iggy led their way into the kiss, stealing the air from Chappell's lungs. She held on tightly to back back of Iggy's head, holding her like a sailor begging for his life.
Once Chappell was released, she immediately pulled herself to the surface, gasping heavily. Her head was reeling, unsure whether it was due to emotions or oxygen deprivation. She could feel that warmth in her cheeks as the blood throbbed in her veins.
Dragging herself to the edge of the pool, she watched as Iggy emerged, breaking the surface tension. She rose like a mermaid, all the knowledge of the oceans in her stature. Her hand slammed down against the water, spraying Chappell in the face.
"Hey," she spoke through giggles, trying to splash her back. She huffed out, "Do you wanna go inside?"
"Why would I?" Iggy looked through her, smiling as if she hadn't been the one that had led every kiss they had shared.
"Well, I have a huge mattress. Is that not enough?"
Iggy blinked, shrugged, and dipped back under the water. Her rippled silhouette reared Chappell, sweeping at her hips.
"Well, we don't need a mattress, we can get on the lilo."
Iggy ignored this entirely. She struggled to understand her. She was so eager to play with Chappell - but when she played back it was entirely different. She pushed herself up, sitting on the edge.
"Are you sure? You don't wanna lose your chance with me," The redhead meant it as a joke, in truth it was her with the fear of missing out. The only thing she was ready to admit was how down bad Iggy made her act.
Maybe she was just playing hard to get and all the presents really did mean something to Iggy. Maybe none of this had been in vain. All Chappell could hope was that the next time was all she needed to win her over.
Chapter 10: DOWNSIDE
Chapter Text
This was the day that made Chappell's palms sweaty every time she thought about it. She checked over the room over and over, straightening every detail out. She had even done her makeup properly today. This needed to change everything, Chappell could not let this ruin her relationship with Iggy.
The room's theming was envious, Chappell almost wanted it to be her room. She had spent so long learning how to use a sewing machine just to make some jellyfish decorations. Before any of this, Chappell would never have even considered using that old machine. She had planned to sell it, maybe it was some divine intervention that stopped her. It had lined up everything to that this night would happen and Iggy would finally see who Chappell was.
The doorbell rang out and echoed throughout the house. It filled Chappell with something - that nervous joy that she could only hope paid off.
It took her two attempts to get her door open, palms shaking. She drew it open slowly, letting Iggy's face soothe her nerves.
"Can I get you a drink?" Chappell fiddled with the sleeve of her knitted sweater. Iggy declined, hovering behind the couch. Chappell shifted her weight between her feet and went into the kitchen anyway, giving herself a cold can of cola.
"So, what's this surprise?" Iggy watched as Chappell swallowed the cola hard, noting how she winced as she finished it. She beckoned her forward, following her to the door. Pushing the door open, Chappell led her in as Iggy stopped in the doorway.
Her face was lost - "What about this room?"
"It's yours!" Chappell widened a smile, unsure if it even looked human, "I made it up for you so you can stay whenever you want from college!"
A breath mixed with a laugh left the girl's lips. The redhead kept staring at her, decoding her. But whatever she was finding was wrong - it could not be true.
"No. No you didn't. You're joking right?"
The words so simple yet the cut through her.
"All you've done since I've been here is love-bomb me, what do you want? Are you crazy?"
Chappell stuttered, Unable to find the words that would change her ship being sunk. "But you - you kissed me?"
"You didn't give me a choice! All you did was make me do whatever you told me to! Are you serious? Do you seriously want me to stay in your freakshow town?
"Then fucking go!" Chappell's voice rose beyond her, the emotions rising above her. "You could've walked away at any point of this! But no, you let me lead myself on. You think you're the serious one? I was ready to do anything for you!"
Chappell began to storm out, ripping one of the jellyfish decorations from the ceiling. She heard it ripping the paint as it gave way. She stopped. "Get out."
"I will. But I want to know one thing. Why are you so obsessed with all the murders in this town?" Iggy's tone had shifted. Chappell turned around, looking at her again. She looked up and down several times, trying not to upset herself more.
"Because I care! Because everything I've ever done was because I care about my friends and family. All I wanted to do was show you that I care!"
Iggy faced away from the copper haired girl. Her stomach git the floor as she turned back around, her face reformed. A scale pattern began to frame her face and her eyes had become redder. It was at that moment that Chappell realised that her half-hearted guesses about mythology had been correct.
Iggy had been the monster all along.
Chappell's voice rose again, incoherently releasing her rage at her. At some point of her emotional blackout - she must have told her to get out, because Iggy hissed some curses at her before slamming the door.
The rage carried Chappell through to the room that was supposed to be hers. It lifted her arms as they began to toss and rip and throw whatever they could grip. It kept her moving even whilst her tears began pouring. By the time she had finished, the room was unrecognisable. Her journal had been scribbled through and her makeup had been scrubbed clean. Now all that was left was Chappell's sore red cheeks and late night TV.
She knew that she couldn't do this alone - she had some serious apologies to make. There wasn't much time before her emotions caught up to her again and the guilt and regret swallowed herself. Her fingers struggled to tap the correct buttons but they finally reached who they needed to reach.
"Chappell?" Elia Clarke's voice was cold, still reeling from their arguing. But one sniffle as she held back tears notified her that this was more. "Oh my god, do you need me to come over?"
Chappell had barely managed a response before the rustling of Elia's movements began. The call ended with Elia promising to get there straight away. She just prayed that she could keep her head above water.
soapysquidd on Chapter 6 Tue 05 Nov 2024 07:45AM UTC
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hrts4julienbakr on Chapter 6 Tue 05 Nov 2024 11:56AM UTC
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SaliiMoor on Chapter 6 Wed 06 Nov 2024 07:53PM UTC
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hrts4julienbakr on Chapter 6 Thu 07 Nov 2024 06:52AM UTC
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