Bitter Heart √

Twenty Five

I grinned lazily. "But you did let me sleep." I pointed out. "That's so sweet of you."

He rolled his eyes and I opened the door, getting out of the car. It felt too cramped up in his car and the view outside looked fresh and welcoming. There was a tiny pond ahead, almost shrouded with bushes. This tiny secluded spot, in my not so clear opinion, was somewhere behind our school.

It was surprisingly less sunny today. And as I walked ahead and sat down on the nearest boulder settled a bit away from the pond, I noticed that nobody was out here except for Alex and me.

It was a quiet place.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw that Alex was still in the car. Then I took out my phone and switched it on, the screen flashing to life.

The first thing I saw was a missed call from Hanna. It was probably the first time she had ever called me since we always talked over texts. It was kind of sweet that she called.

I came across two more missed calls and saw Caden's name over them. One was timed a few minutes ago and the other one was from last night.

I hadn't called him back. Not when my phone's battery died right as I came back home. It wasn't like I was looking forward to it anyway. Talking to Caden, I mean.

Wiping my palms over my jeans, I switched off my phone and slid it back into my pocket.

I'd call him back soon, I told myself. He'd probably called to ask me about last night. I had texted him first after all. Though every time I thought about last night, the word death seemed to flash before my eyes every single time.

Whose death had Blake meant by that?

Even if I had wanted to know more, Blake hadn't told me anything else. And I was stuck here, stuck in between all those thoughts. Who died? And how?

It would be so much better if I stayed away.

And I could. Stay away, I mean. Maybe Blake hadn't been lying when he said there was nothing between him and my parents. Maybe this wasn't even related to me at all. Maybe it had all just been that. An unfortunate accident.

I looked ahead at the stagnant, clear water. Cupping my hands, I filled them with the cool water and splashed it on my face, the cold water trickling down my chin.

I'll stay away. I'll stay away and it'll all be fine.

•••••

I couldn't stay away, apparently.

Not when the exact moment I reached back home, after spending the majority of the day with Alex, there were a series of voicemails left on the house phone. Pressing the play button, I was a bit confused when I heard Mom's voice.

"Skylar, listen carefully." There was this weird urgency lacing her voice, something that I couldn't have ignored. "In the attic, there's a locker in there. Do not let anyone near it."

I couldn't help but frown at that, wobbling a little on my feet as I took off my boots. What was she even talking about? The attic? Wasn't our attic sealed shut ever since I was twelve?

"Keep it safe, Sky. Lock all the doors and windows, okay?" A loud shuffling noise came from her end before she spoke up again. It was surprising because she sounded worried. "Please be safe, honey."