That night, Elaine lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
She just couldn’t seem to get her mind off what had been announced.
“He was last seen on Thursday afternoon,” she repeated quietly, clutching the bedsheet closer to her chest.
That’s not true.
She had seen him on Thursday night with Allan, and now he was missing.
She really wanted to act as though she knew nothing, but the feeling of guilt was strong.
What if something really bad happened to him?
She asked herself.
Like the boy Allan had nearly killed with a ball.
Elaine, it doesn’t concern you.
“Lay low.”
The words echoed in her head, mocking her.
Somewhere far from the dorms, Gwen walked through the midst of tall, dense trees.
Even the moonlight failed to break through the canopy, leaving her swallowed by darkness.
Her steps were light and composed, the only sounds being dried leaves and twigs crunching softly beneath her feet.
The quietness of the night, the gentle swaying of trees, the distant hooting of owls, and the chirping of crickets stood in complete contrast to the inferno burning within her.
She stopped suddenly.
And in perfect sequence, someone dropped down from one of the trees behind her.
“Isn’t it a little too late for a walk?” a male voice asked.
“Where’s the fucker you call a friend?” she asked in a monotone voice as she turned around.
Her hood shadowed most of her face, leaving only her nose and lips visible.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” he answered, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Seeing the enraged look on hers, he added, “If you want to see him, you should come tomorrow.”
His tone was light, teasing, completely unconcerned by the human volcano standing before him.
“Horace, do you think I’m joking?!” she snapped.
Grabbing the front of his shirt, she slammed him hard against a tree, sending startled birds flying from the branches overhead.
The act only seemed to amuse him more.
A smirk formed on his face.
“Always the same,” he murmured with a smile.
He paused, watching her fury grow, feeding on it like gasoline to a flame.
“Well, I really don’t know where he is,” he added finally, as if trying to calm her down, though his grin suggested otherwise.
“Bullshit. What do you mean you don’t know where he is?” she asked sharply.
“I last saw him yesterday evening,” Horace said lazily.
“After that, he just disappeared as usual.”
“But then…” he drawled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
“I’m not so sure about that either.” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Gwen’s eyes narrowed.
Slowly, she released his crumpled shirt, scanning his face for deceit.
But that same smug smile lingered, the one she always found infuriating.
He was playing with her.
He always was.
“Why are you asking?” he asked, staring down at her.
Watching her breathe in and out, clearly trying to calm herself.
“Is it about Derek?”
“You know,” Gwen stated, glaring at him.
Lifting his hands in surrender, Horace shrugged.
“I just happen to know everything that goes on around here. Besides, you shouldn’t stress yourself over something so irrelevant.”
“Stress myself over something irrelevant?!” she repeated, her anger flaring again.
“Yes. Like coming out this late when you should be getting your beauty sleep. We wouldn’t want you developing ugly bags under your eyes.”
Before she could react, he briefly cupped her face.
She slapped his hand away instantly.
Turning sharply, she began walking off, her steps quicker and heavier.
Horace followed.
“Why are you following me?” she snapped without looking back.
“I thought we were going for a walk,” he replied, his tone dripping with mischief, already done with the whole Derek conversation.
“I’m heading back to the dorm.”
“You can go back to hanging on trees.”
“It sounds weird when you put it that way.”
“Isn’t that what you were doing?”
“Maybe.”
He shrugged lazily and continued walking beside her.
Eventually, they emerged from the shadows of the forest into an open field where the moon shone brightly upon them.
Its light caught Gwen’s white hair, making it shimmer with a silver glow.
Otherworldly.
Ethereal.
“I’ll be heading back now,” Horace said.
His gaze lingered on her side profile.
“I don’t care,” she replied flatly.
He turned to leave, but her next question stopped him.
“What do you want from June?”
Her eyes were calm now as she looked at him.
There was something almost pleading in them. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“I don’t understand,” he said with feigned confusion.
“Why are you suddenly interested in her? I know you want something. Or you’re planning something.”
A short laugh escaped him.
But his expression changed almost immediately.
The smile vanished like sunlight behind clouds.
“What do I want from June?” he echoed.
“Can you give me what I want if I tell you?”
He paused, watching her body tense ever so slightly in anticipation.
Then he smiled.
Relaxed.
Carefree.
“I just think she’s pretty. Cute too. Oh, and she blushes all the time.”
“It’s not your first time seeing her. Why notice her now?” Gwen snapped, stepping closer.
“And don’t you dare do anything with her.”
“Do anything with her?” he repeated.
“Gwen, I really don’t know what you’re referring to, but stop. It’s embarrassing.”
He chuckled.
“Though I’m sure it’s nothing she hasn’t done before.”
“Now that you’ve mentioned it, my head is full of images. How her pretty face would turn red with embarrassment, her pretty legs sprea—”
“Do you think everything’s a joke?!” she hissed.
“No, I don’t.”
His voice softened slightly.
“I just think you should work on that temper. It’s not very ladylike.”
“Maybe learn a thing or two from June.”
“And if it makes you feel better…” he paused.
“I don’t plan on doing anything with her.”
Gwen clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
She ground her teeth, forcing herself not to hit him.
“Do whatever you want,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Just don’t cross the line.”
And with that, she vanished into the shadows.
Horace chuckled to himself.
“You know,” he murmured, still staring into the darkness where she’d disappeared, “there’s no line I can’t cross.”
A fond smile lingered on his lips.