. I moved carefully, my sneakers squeaking faintly on the floor, keeping my distance from her—the girl from class, the one with the mermaid eyes and indifferent stare. I couldn't have her catching me following her. One wrong move, and I'd be slapped with a nickname that'd haunt me through high school—Stalker Fred, Creepy Fred, you name it. No thanks.
I'd been at Sariels High for a day and my life is already falling apart, After tripping the Baron to save her, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Was she okay? Why did she look so haunted? So when I saw her slip out of school that afternoon, I followed. Stupid, maybe, but curiosity had me by the throat.
She led me to a deserted alley behind the school, the air thick with the stench of garbage and damp brick. I kept my distance, peeking around a corner as she approached four shadowy figures. My heart thudded. What is she doing? I muttered to myself.
"Following a girl? Into a deserted alley? Damn, you are one naughty fellow," a voice whispered behind me. I nearly screamed, but a hand clamped over my mouth, muffling me.
"Ahhh, you don't want her to know she is being stalked, she might make a detour, u know?" It was Maxwell Turner, his voice low and teasing, his hand firm but not rough. "So… U good?"
I mumbled yes underneath his hand, and he gently let go of me.
"Now shall we…" I turned my head slightly to see my savior from a few hours back looking at me and smiling.
Maxwell Turner,
So many questions burned in my head did he follow me, or is this a coincidence?, why was he here?
—but I buried them. Couldn't risk her slipping away. Curiosity trumped everything, so I nodded, and we crept closer, staying low behind a dumpster. The alley was dim, the shadows shifting as she stopped in front of the figures. One stepped forward, his bulk unmistakable. The Baron—Mael—imposing and disgusting, his litter-box face twisted in a smirk.
Why is she here? Was she threatened? That animal, of course he would still threaten her, and it's because of me, I thought, my fists clenching. I didn't realize I'd said it out loud until Maxwell answered.
"It's not bcos of you, Fred," he said, his eyes fixed on the scene. "You see, Sariels High is one of the most expensive schools in this district, and those who get in here either have money, connections, or got a scholarship." His words hit like a punch. Remembering what my mom must have done to get here flashed in my mind, her sacrifices to get me here. I bit my lip, resolve hardening—I'd never let her down.
Maxwell kept going. "She is probably one of the latters.
"Scholarships?"
"Yes, scholarship. Her parents are poor, but she took the exams and got the scholarship, and came here. But u see, last month her mom—her mother got a tumor and she's dying of brain malignant tumor, and she needs money for it."
"What of her dad?"
"Her dad left."
"Way b4 the incident,with her mom " he said, not looking concerned but yet his eyes focused on the girl
"Scum bags? Not quite. He was one of the victims of Warp
Warp ? I said in a upheap tone
Yes, have u heard of it
"Just articles" I anxiously said
That damn drug haunted everything. My dad, her dad, half the world, it seemed. Never knew it spread so far and so wide, I thought, my chest tightening.
"I see, so that still doesn't explain why she is here with this assholes, what do they want with her?"
As if on cue, she dropped to her knees in front of Mael, her hands trembling as she reached for his belt, taking out his rod befor-
(Present day)....
"Ok, story's over," Peter said, slamming the journal shut.
"What, why?" Mia replied, her voice sharp with frustration.
"What do u mean why? You think I'm going to read this to my little sister, u are clearly mistaken."
"Am 16."
"And am 19 and I say no."
"I fucken hate you, join the line."
"Kids," a subtle call was heard downstairs. "Come eat dinner."
"Ok mum, we are coming," Peter replied.
"Are u srsly gonna leave me hanging here," Mia said, glaring.
"Yes… Infact I'm taking the book with me."
"Urrrgh, what is ur problem?"
Ignoring her, he hurried downstairs, the journal tucked inside his pants. Reluctantly, Mia followed.
After getting to the sitting room, Mia's mom called, "Mia, dear, help me set the table while I check the desserts."
"Ok mum."
Peter flopped onto the couch beside his dad, the Lakers game blaring on the TV. Mia passed by, stomping hard on his foot.
"This isn't over," she hissed.
"Says who," he replied, smirking.