I don't think I will ever be able to forget what I saw there. Mr Gracia lying there on the ground, lifeless. His hands and legs tied with a piece of cloth that had no traces of anything. The robe used to choke him was nowhere at the scene. His eyes were telling a story, they were trying to convey the terror he experienced but they were blank now. His forehead had the roman eleven (XI) but this time, there was something more. Something was written on the wall. It was just one letter Rache. I have no clue what it meant or who wrote it. Maybe Mr Gracia? or the killer? But why? What is he trying to convey?

But my focus was solely on the body lying in front of me. I was frozen, unable to move until someone dragged me out by holding my arm. We weren't allowed here being the kids we were but we sneaked in without notice along with Mr Moore who is handling this case. He didn't know we followed though else he wouldn't have let us roam anywhere near the scene. There was a crowd around and we exactly used the same to get closer to Mr Gracia who was killed in the house where he lived with his wife and two kids. His house was the first where the town started so there never was much rush around. The river was flowing on the back with a few trees surrounding.

I saw Mrs Gracia along with their kids who were a few years older to me sitting helplessly and hopeless at one side on the grass with tears flowing through their eyes. They were shouting something to the officers asking them questions feeling devasted. I was blank. I don't know what to think or what to say. It was disturbing. I closed my eyes briefly unable to take the surroundings. I wanted to go home and be in my comforts. This is just too much for me. The flashes from the past came in front of me being alive. I don't want to go there. But thinking that is of no help today. 

I walked aimlessly behind the person who was pulling me out. The old voices started shouting inside my head making me reckless. I was shaking with fear. The sweat was dripping from my forehead making it worst. My pupils were moving rapidly and I feared I might get a panic attack anytime. I took deep breaths to calm myself down.

"Did you see anything?" "How was the relationship between your parents?" "Did you see anyone sneaking inside?" "Did you see your mother with anyone last night?" "Maybe she was having an affair" "Maybe she was suffering depression" "That lady was so lovely. It's so tragic that she ended things this way" "I don't believe she did this" "Oh Faith, my poor girl. What happened?" "Are you okay?" "How did this happen?"

I jerked the hand with full force and covered my ears by both hands as I sat on the ground closing my eyes shut. I wanted to disappear right at that moment. The tears started flooding through my eyes when the flashes from the past covered my head making it shut completely. I have experienced this trauma in the past when my mom lied there on her bed lifeless. The police officers everywhere around the house clicking pictures of whatever they thought might be a clue. The people around asking me and dad questions not bothering about the trauma we have been going through. The five-year-old me sat in one corner of the room along with my grandmother. 

I found myself at that same state again. The questions, the crowd, the lifeless body and the grieving people around. It's so hard and I want to go away.

"Faith, are you fine?" Emily's voice was calming when she sat near me holding my body with her arms. Edmund was equally shaken by seeing the whole surrounding but I can say he was coping with it better because he didn't have a traumatized past experience. I shook my head from side to side.

"No, I am not. I want to go home," I cried still not moving my hands from the ears. The eyes were still flooding with tears. Emily hugged me tightly.

"It's okay. You are fine. Take deep breaths," Edmund said sitting close to me with his hand over my shoulder. I looked up at him with the tears flowing through my eyes. I did as he said as they both looked at me with concern. I had shaky hands which were held tightly by Emily and I was glad for that. I found myself calming a little. 

"I am sorry to have dragged you both into this," I said shaking my head and sniffing. Edmund let out a sigh.

"That's what friends are for. So you could drag them along with you in any shit and not feel alone," he said with a small smile on his face. I chuckled through the tears. Emily hit him hard making him fall on the floor. I looked at her with terror. Edmund was equally confused as he got seated with help of his knees and rubbed his arm where she hit him with a complaining face. 

Emily had a frown on her face which got converted to some dramatic expressions as she wiped her invisible tears and looked at Edmund with a look of gratitude and love.

"You are such a jerk but too sweet sometimes," she said and pulled him closer for a hug. I let out a laugh shaking my head. I was glad for the distraction as I was feeling much better now except for the noise and sirens around.

"Are you okay?" Emily asked hugging me again as she pecked lightly on my head. I smiled and hugged her back tightly. 

"A little better," I said being in her warm embrace which always makes me feel good. I feel protected and it gives me a feeling that someone out there is looking out for me. Someone cares and loves me. The only other person who makes feel the same is Aiden and I miss him today.

Because he has the extra talent of giving speeches which somehow calms all of us, three reckless kids.

"I shouldn't have brought you here. I know everything and I still didn't try to stop you," Emily said in a low voice. I pulled back and looked at her face.

"Me neither," I heard Edmund who looked guilty too. Now I feel bad. I was the one who was being reckless and these two are blaming themselves. They shouldn't be. They were just helping me out and being with me like a true friend as they didn't want to leave me alone. I feel bad for dragging them in this mess.

"Relax. It's my fault. I know better than anyone," I said but they still kept looking around with fear in their eyes. 

"Let's just get out of here. I can't look around anymore," I said getting up and dragging them along with me.

"Yes," Edmund said adjusting his round glasses and got up along with us. 

We started walking out of the area and crossed a few houses coming on the way. I kept my bicycle at Emily's house so now I have to walk way up to my house. I didn't keep the track of the time but the sun was setting already behind the mountains making it dark around. I haven't even informed anyone at home but I don't think they will pay attention to my existence as Mr Gracia works in factory so officers will be around our home as well for their investigation. 

I was walking with my own thoughts as Emily and Edmund remained silent as well. All of us were shaken to the core and were trying to look good for the sake of each other. To give each other some strength. Just as we crossed the square, one police car halted in front of us making our hearts to thud loudly yet again. Please let this not be Mr Moore or anything related to the sneaking in the crime scene. We looked at each other with nervousness. 

The door got opened and we were relieved to see it is not Mr Moore. But an officer around the same age as he got out of the car and walked towards us closing the door behind.

"I suppose you are Ms Faith Anderson?" he asked with raised eyebrows. My heart continued to thud inside my chest and I looked at Emily and Edmund standing beside me who looked worried.

"Yes," I said looking back at the officer.

"Your parents are worried for you," he said making me relieved. So that was the thing. I have never felt this relieved until now.

"Yes, I forgot to inform them about my whereabouts," I said with a shake of the head looking guilty. The officer looked in the direction of Gracia's house and then at us.

"You kids shouldn't be here in this area," he said further and the three of us exchanged a look.

"We were nearby and happened to be here at this time," Edmund said sounding convincing. Emily looked at me but I was plain. This dude knows my parents and I don't want him to doubt me in any way.

"That's fine for now. Let me give you three a ride home," he offered us and we three threw a confused look at each other. I agree he might know dad. I mean who doesn't but ride to home? That's a little out of way.

"That's fine I guess. We will manage," I said with a nod and giving him a small smile. He shook his head gently and looked at us.

"Ms Anderson, it's not safe right now for you to walk all the way up that hill. So let me take you and your friends home," he said and he was basically right. With conditions this worst, I don't think any of us should walk home alone. It's not safe in any way so going with him is not a bad option.

"Sorry, but what's your name?" I asked. He let out a soft chuckle as I guess he remembered he hasn't introduced himself yet to us. 

"Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce myself," he said and I was right, "I am William Evans and..." he was saying when Emily cut him with a noise off making us all confused.

"Oh, dad talks about you. I know him, Faith," she said looking at me. Now I feel even better hearing about him from my trustworthy source. There is no harm in going with him and he is definitely not the killer.

"Dad?" William asked with a frown. Emily chuckled lightly.

"Lucas Moore. I am his daughter," she said and the look on his face changed to a wide smile. A smile of recognition. Emily is in for some scolding it seems unless she asks Willam to shut his mouth.

"Oh yes, I work with him. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms Moore," he said and offered the hand for a formal handshake which Emily took gladly.

"Same here," she said.

"Please get in the car," William said gesturing towards the car and looking back at me. I nodded at looked at Edmund and Emily for approval. They nodded at me as we walked towards the car. 

Edmund sat at the front in the passenger's seat while I and Emily got comfortable in the backseat. 

I was looking out of the window as Mr Evans drove the car on the almost empty street of the town. It was dark by now and the road to my house was pretty scary when I look at it now. I didn't notice the surrounding when I came here some time ago as I was occupied with the thoughts. The people around were already inside their homes making the streets deserted. 

All of the houses here have a yard of their own where they grow their own vegetables or flowers so there is some distance kept between the two houses which seems big when something like this happens as no one gets to know anything. Just look at this now, Mr Gracia was killed but not a single soul saw anyone around. The theories are that he vanished behind in the forest which is on the other side of the river but those are just the assumptions.

I looked back at Mr Evans who was driving in the silence. He took the turn and proceeded upward the hill to get me to my house first. Emily and Edmund live inside the town so he will drop them later. 

"Mr Gracia. Why him?" I asked filling the silence suddenly. Mr Evans looked at me briefly from the side of his eyes and focused back on the driving.

"Why him? We got no clue," he said in a low voice shaking his head. The road was dark with lamps in between. The crickets were doing best to fill the silence which surrounded this dark haunted forest around. It looked creepy and made me shiver with fright.

"So all people in factory and dad should be on the threat, right?" I asked again. I am worried for dad. First George and now Mr Gracia, both of them are related to dad. They were close to him so now doubt dad must be on the list. That thought was scary but it can be a reality as well. Who knows what that killer has on his creepy mind.

"Maybe everyone around the town. Who knows what psycho thinks," Evans said with a shrug but he was right. No one knows what a psychotic mind will think and if he kills people randomly then anyone can be the next. 

"True," I said more like talking with myself.

"Don't worry. Hopefully, we will be able to find him sooner," Evans said putting an assuring smile which made me smile too.

"Hmm..." I said. He made the turns on the curvy road and stopped on the porch of our mansion.

He looked back at me with a smile. I smiled back and looked at Emily who hugged me and waved a bye. I got off the car and shut the door behind. I waved at Edmund and Emily again as they did the same.

"Alright then. Take care and don't roam around," Mr Evans said and I nodded at him.

"I will drop your friends to their houses now," he said starting the engine. I noticed there were a few cars parked around. Dad must be having his meetings maybe.

"Sure. Thank you very much," I said nodding at Mr Evans. 

"No problem. It's my duty as kids shouldn't be roaming around alone when a killer is out there," he said. I nodded again not knowing what to say.

"Bye, Faith. See you tomorrow," Edmund said waving at me. Emily followed him and waved again.

"Bye," I said as they drove past me taking a U-turn and going off the gates. The security people closed them again.

*************

I couldn't sleep for the whole night. Whenever I would close my eyes my mom and Mr Gracias would appear in front of me. They wanted to tell me something but I couldn't understand. The smiling faces from the articles I saw at Emily's house would start laughing loudly at my stupidity. They would tease me as to how pathetic I am and my eyes would open wide every time.

I turned in my bed and looked at the window. It was closed because the rain was heavy tonight. The dim light of the lamps outside was making the glasses lit but the outer view was blurred because of the raindrops hitting the glass of the window. The only sound in this silent night besides the ticking of the clock. The droplets stayed on the glass making it look beautiful. I turned again in the bed sleeping straight and kept staring at the ceiling. No matter what I do I can't rub that picture off my mind. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I opened my eyes again to look at that white ceiling.

The shadows of trees outside were visible along with the droplets stuck on the glass. If you look with my eyes then those looked creepy and scary. The trees moved with wind and rain as it hit them making the shadow dance in that yellow lamplight. The shadows were moving and moving until they stopped dancing making everything black.

I felt a little fear when the shadow changed it's shaping suddenly. The trees looked different. Where did the leaves go? What shape was it? I kept staring at it carefully trying to figure out what it was and too scared to look out of the window. It was a big round shape nothing else. I felt like someone was watching me through the glass window but that's impossible as I live on the first floor. No one can reach here unless he or she is an experienced climber but who would want anything from me, right? I was just thinking randomly. The thing I do when I want a distraction. But it freaked me out when the shadow moved a little making a sound this time.

I took a deep breath as the light coming from outside got dimmed making the room a little dark. Something or someone was in between. It's definitely not the trees but something else. I heard the similar sound again coming from the window as if someone was trying to open it. I wanted to see but I couldn't move. The shadow was moving around the window with the scratching noise getting louder with passing time.

With the thudding heart, I finally managed to peak to the side and my heart skipped a beat. My breathing became abnormal. There was someone in my window looking right back at me. The head was moving right to left. I didn't know what to do so the first thing I did was to scream out loudly. I was in shock. In the utter shock of my life. Never ever I imagined something like this to happen. It has always been my nightmares but I was wide awake today.

Another scream left mouth and I could see that man, yes it was a man no doubt about it now, I could just guess that he was smiling wickedly when the light fell on his uncovered face in between when he moved his neck. It sent shivers throughout my frozen body. I couldn't see his whole face. His back was facing the light covering his face with the dark. I could just hear his laughter as he punched and scratched the window again and again like a maniac laughing loudly.

I screamed and started crying loudly when the door got opened with mom and dad running towards me with fear written on their faces. I pointed by the window and the look of terror on my parents face told me all. I wasn't hallucinating but it was reality. They can see that man too.

That weird thing jumped off the window after giving us a devilish laugh. Dad shouted for security guards who saw the man in black too but he was faster as he vanished in the woods with the guards running after him. I breathed heavily as mom got seated beside me and pulled me in her arms making me calm. I put my head on her chest and started crying loudly. Dad came back after a few moments and kept looking at us with disbelief. It was hard to register what happened just a few moments back. Who was he? Why he wanted me? Am I the next one? I'm just too scared.

I hugged mom tight without letting her go as I kept on crying being in her arms. Her warmth filled inside me as she kept her arms around me patting my back gently.

*********

I was in no mood to attend any of the lectures today. Mom asked me to take off but I can't stay at that house. I am shaken from head to toe and I just wanted to get away those damn woods at any cost. Emily and Edmund had different lectures and Aiden had his football practice which left me alone again even when I didn't want to be. I didn't tell them about the night incident as it might freak them out as well. But Emily and Edmund did notice something by looking at my face which was turned into white. My eyes held the same scare I experienced the night before. Dad said he will search the whole woods and town to find out who the creep was. I winded everything up saying it was the shock of seeing Mr Gracia and thankfully they believed me. It was a good thing that none of them had any lecture with me at least before lunch.

We all have math though after lunch and I am worried that I will need to tell them everything. I don't want them to make more worried because of me. They are already going through a lot already.

I found a place on the bench from where I could be visible to the crowd walking around the school. I looked around for one time in all of the corners to check if no one is watching me. The voice of that wicked laugh is still ringing in my ears. That image of that man in my window trying to unlock it. I shivered remembering it. 

I took out a notebook and pencil from my backpack beside me to draw what I saw. I wanted to remember every detail whatever I saw yesterday. Sure it was dark and my mind wasn't in the state to do anything but he was close to me. There might be something which I missed. 

I drew the window of my room from the angel which I was seeing it. I was good at drawing sketches so that made it better to draw as I remembered the picture in front of me. I drew the hooded shadow which was touching the window with his one hand on the window sill trying to unlock it. His other hand was invisible to me stating he was holding something with it. Mr Evans who came today at home after dad called him told that he used the ladder from the garden storage to get up. Why me? Because my room was closer to the porch. He might not know who lived in there but he just climbed the first window he saw. 

A sudden flash of that face again made me remember that I clearly saw his one eye but just for a brief moment. He didn't look familiar but I don't know. It was for some seconds so I can't exactly tell anything confidently. I drew the eye and that wicked smile as I remembered them in my memory. Looking at the complete sketch freaked me out. I still don't believe what I experienced just a few hours back. I took a deep breath and kept the sketch to the side as I looked up in the dark cloudy sky which hinted at the possibility of the rain today. The girls and boys looked cheerful as they walked around making their way somewhere or the other which was a contrast to how I was feeling. It was calming outside unlike the storm inside me.

"What's that?" I jerked hard as my heart started thudding and my breaths becoming uneven. I took deep breaths to calm my senses down as I looked around with anxiety. Anything and anyone can scare me now. Aiden sat beside me taking the notebook and looking at the sketch and back at me. 

"What's wrong? Are you okay? What's this?" he fired his questions and stared at my face impatiently with concern. He waited for me to calm down without moving his gaze away from my face.

"Faith, just tell me what's going on," he said again with worry clearly visible on his face. He moved to my side and closer to me. I started shaking as a few tears slid through my cheeks. I looked up at him through moist eyes. Aiden put his arm around me and pulled me closer letting me cry for more time. I needed to get this out. I wanted to tell Emily in the morning when I first saw her but I didn't feel like making her day worst again. My eyes searched for Aiden but I got to know from Edmund that he is busy with his practice as interschool competition is soon starting.

But as I am letting that fear and that feeling go away from me in the form of these tears I feel better. Aiden's grip around me tightened as he held me closer to him. I didn't bother if anyone is looking at me crying or us like this and I am sure he didn't care about it either. I sniffed and moved my head away from his chest and looked at him again. He wiped my tears gently as his blue eyes spoke volumes to me conveying his worry and fear and anger. 

"He was in my window and I not imagining but mom and dad saw him as well," I said holding his shirt in the fist of my hand, "You can confirm with the guards."

Aiden's eyes were hard not conveying anything. He looked at the sketch in his hand looking carefully at it and then back at me.

"Was it this?" he asked. I nodded and wiped my face and nose as I moved a little away from him. The students walking near held their gazes on us and it made me slightly uncomfortable. I don't understand why can't people mind their own business. 

"Yes," I said. Aiden let out a deep sigh and looked at the sketch again. His orbs moved rapidly scanning the whole page of that notebook. I saw him gritting his teeth but he didn't say anything.

"He was laughing creepily and scratching on my window trying to make it open," I said further and felt Aiden's hand over mine. It gave me warmth and strength I needed at the moment.

"It was..." I said and stopped unable to go ahead with that picture painted in my mind.

"It was scary and..." I was still trying when a sob left my mouth making me stop. Aiden pulled me again towards him by throwing his arm around me. I shedded a few tears putting my head over his shoulder. He tapped on my shoulder comforting me.

"Shhh..." he said in a low voice, "It's okay."

"Did Mr Anderson inform anyone?" he asked as his cheek rubbed on my head. I nodded lightly wiping my face by hiding into his arms which were protective and comforting. I wanted to hide from those staring eyes which were glued on us and whispering something.

"Yes, Mr Evans came today who is in the police. He works closely with Mr Moore," I said moving my head away a little but staying closer to him. 

"I thought Mr Moore will come over but then Mr Evans said he is already busy with Mr Gracia and George case so he came over instead," I said looking down and rubbing my hands over my skirt. 

"But wouldn't it be some kind of lead to the murders?" he asked the one question which was on my mind making me confuse. It felt good that I wasn't overthinking anything.

That might be the killer even though we aren't sure about it. And it was going to be a lead to unwrap the mystery but instead, Mr Moore chose to ignore that? But then I thought he might have found some evidence which is important and urgent to be looked at.

"Yes, it is but he said Mr Moore was supposed to go somewhere," I said. Aiden didn't look convinced at all by the answer. He closed the notebook and kept it to the side.

"Strange," he said plainly. I let out a sigh.

"Maybe they don't believe us and think we are making stories," I said with a shrug. Aiden shook his head and took out a handkerchief from his school blazer's pocket.

"Making stories? Why would anyone do that?" he asked offering me that handkerchief. I took it and wiped my face and nose.

"The people who got murdered are from dad's factory who were close acquaintances of dad so that is one reason maybe?" I said sniffing. Aiden gave me an unbelievable look. Well, it's just my theory which I reached at after thinking whole way down here by not paying attention to the lectures.

"So they are pointing out at Mr Anderson?" Aiden asked again raising his eyebrows. I let out a deep sigh again stretching my legs and looking ahead. Surprisingly, I felt much much better now after talking with him and letting everything out.

"I don't know but every day someone shows up for inquiry," I said shaking my head gently. Aiden let out a sigh but his hand rested on my arm. I shamelessly put my weight on him as I rested in his arms.

"Did you see anything else? Anything that needs a mention?" he asked again. I looked up at him being confused as to what exactly he is asking.

"Mark or anything?" he asked again clearing himself. I tried to remember the flashes in my head but apart from his one eye, his face was covered with darkness and hoodie and then his hand scratching my window or his voice filling the silence, I couldn't remember anything more. Not anything that was useful enough.

"I don't think so as it was dark and I was scared," I said looking at him again. Aiden gave me a nod followed by his sweet smile which made me feel happier.

"It's ok. Calm down now. It will be ok," he said patting my arm and gave me a quick peck on head, "He won't come now as he knows it is being guarded closely." I nodded at him but...

Hold on, how does he know it's guarded now? Did I mention? The two police officers and dad's security came just in the morning. I threw a confused look at him. He raised his eyebrows.

"How do you know?" I asked with a frown. Aiden looked taken aback for a moment as he moved his gaze around shifting in his seat.

"Hmm..." he started letting out a sigh, "Common Faith, Mr Anderson or that police officer no matter how much he believed the story won't just sit and do nothing." He shrugged his shoulders sounding calm. I kept looking at him.

"Some precautionary measures are needed and you are the only daughter of Mr Anderson," he said and I chuckled. Of course, that was pretty obvious to know. He has known my family for ages now so that can be guessed. 

"Seems like you know my dad better," I said and looked ahead as a small smile played on my face. Aiden chuckled as well.

"Of course," he said and let out a sigh. 

I moved to the side when the bell rang stating the lunch break but I still stayed closer to him. Aiden moved his arm away from me. I was surprised when he asked me about my weekend plans and just some random stuff maybe in an attempt to get off my mind from the incident and it actually helped as in the next few moments I was talking about anything and everything. Aiden just stared at me with a small smile as he kept hearing my nonsense.

"Wow it's fancy to see you here," we moved our gazes to the side to see Edmund standing with a smirk on his face as he looked back at Aiden. He moved his gaze around dramatically and halted on Aiden yet again, "Jake or Tyler aren't around?" Emily was standing close to Edmund. I didn't see Rose anywhere. She might be with her best friend, Bella.

I saw Aiden's body toughen as he gritted his jaw. He shook his head and got up taking his bag which lied next to my bag on the side. I was quick enough to grab his wrist as Aiden stopped and stared at me with blank eyes.

"Wait, don't go," I said almost pleading him. Aiden let out a sigh.

"What happened? Were you crying?" Emily came running to my side by pushing Edmund who was standing in way. She sat beside me and moved my open hair which came on my shoulders. I was about to give my explanation but she already reached a conclusion making me frown at her. She is so reckless and then people say I don't use my head and just act.

"What did you do?" Emily gave Aiden a glare. He rolled his eyes and was about to open his mouth to defend but I jumped in.

"He did nothing. Someone tried to break in my room yesterday," I said as Emily and Edmund threw a terrifying look at me.

"What?" They both almost shouted. I looked around as some students gave us a look but ignored and made their way back. In the meantime, Aiden managed to get the notebook and turn the pages around.

"Here," Aiden said showing the notebook to Emily who took it and stared inside with scare and concern. Edmund moved to Emily's side in no time to peek into the notebook as well.

"Holy shit," Edmund almost shouted. I looked at Aiden who was just glaring in nowhere with crooked eyebrows. I let out a sigh and moved my gaze back to Edmund and Emily who were looking back at me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Emily said with hurt visible in her eyes. I felt bad and guilty. It's not like I kept things just like that but I didn't want her to make worry even more. I opened my mouth to make her understand the same but was cut by the jerk.

"Aren't you coming, Wright? Tyler is waiting for today's match," Jake said with his ugly smile and put a hand on Aiden's shoulder. Aiden looked slightly uncomfortable as he moved his gaze to match mine.

"Match?" I asked being confused. I knew Tyler holds some fighting matches in his little club and gambles but why is he waiting for Aiden for the same?

"Your girl looks bad. What happened? Did you broke up finally making her available again?" Jake said making me pissed. I have no fear today and I can happily punch him. After all he is not his own kingdom.

"Shut the fuck up," Emily shouted getting up. Jake threw an impressive look at her. 

"Even if I am available, you won't be having any chance, dickhead," I said gritting my teeth and clenching my fish as I stood on my feet. Jake let out a loud laugh and I saw some students stopping nearby to watch the show.

"You didn't bring her over, Wright. Tyler would have loved to meet her," Jake said smirking uglily at Aiden. Aiden had his jaw gritted as he moved his tough gaze towards Jake but Edmund beat him to it. 

"Shut up you, prick," He shouted. Jake looked at Edmund as the expressions on his face toughen. He gave Edmund a death glare. 

"Watch your mouth, Harris," He said in a warning tone. I won't lie but the sudden change of expressions on his face made me scared a bit. I thought he might even punch Edmund. I saw the same fear in Emily's eyes but Aiden stayed the same. Unaffected to Jake's open threat to his only best friend.

"Else what?" Edmund shouted going a little forward. I wonder what happened to him suddenly. He is always so calm and scared then how did he gain the courage to speak in front of someone like Jake?

"Else you want to see? Will a little scared boy be able to take it?" Jake said and took some step to grab Edmund's collar tightly. It was so sudden that it took everyone off guard. The students around made some worried sounds but no one came to offer any help in any way which was expected. Edmund struggled in Jake's tight grip to free himself but Jake was way too strong. He kept on tightening his grip by pulling the collar and tie of Edmund's shirt making him choke. I and Emily looked at each other and to the surrounding to grab something which can stop Jake.

"Jake, get your hands off him," Aiden said finally moving forward and giving a glare to Jake. Jake looked at Aiden with surprise but instead of letting Edmund go, he tightened his grip more giving a smirk to Aiden. A challenging one!

"Woah, Wright, the anger won't be good for you," he said chewing on his bubblegum which he thought made him look cool maybe but that disgusted me even more. Aiden held Jake's wrist tight in his grip and glared at him.

"Get the fuck away from him," he said when Jake refused to let go. Aiden punched on Jake's elbow making him whin. Jake stumbled back leaving Edmund and held his hand with a pained face. I and Emily smiled while Edmund coughed hard recovering from the shock.

"You have to pay for it, Wright," Jake shouted and looked around. We saw some teachers on their way coming towards the crowd. Jake was about to run for his life but Aiden held his collar in his grip. Jake struggled in his grip. I didn't think Aiden would be stronger than Jake.

"Also, one more thing. Faith is not a toy that Tyler could play with. I love her and have no intentions to stop," he said. He said it! For the first time. I might have looked stupid to people around but I was smiling widely hearing him. I knew he had feelings for me of course and that he loves me but he finally admitted it today. Jake actually did something right in his life for the first time. 

I looked to the side when Emily poked me. I smiled looking at her as she hit me lightly on my head by shaking her head gently. I know we both are equally crazy and have the talent to smile and tease even in serious situations.

"You better stay away from all three of them," Aiden said ahead pointing at Edmund, Emily and me. Jake looked past Aiden at us and turned around making his way outside by shoving the people on way. 

The teacher reached us and asked four of us to come to the principal's cabin. All of us except Aiden tried to make them understand the situation. But they settled to leave us with a warning and 4 days of suspension. I don't know how am I going to explain this to my parents. We exchanged worrisome looks but had no other way around. Aiden ignored Edmund as it was kind of awkward for them and that was seen with the way they were trying to act with each other. Emily and I found it cute and tried to tease them a bit gaining glares from both of the boys but when have we cared about it. We still giggled.

Aiden offered to drop all of us to our homes and we agreed readily. After dropping Emily and Edmund he took a turn on the hills when the rain started pouring heavily making the woods roar loudly by passing wind. It was kind of stormy weather. The anxiety filled me yet again with the thought of another night here but I have to. The guards opened the gates for us.

I looked up at my window as I got down from the car. The next time I am not going to get scared. The people scare us because we give them the right to and I refuse that. Enough of getting scared. It's time to get our hands a little dirty in the mess ahead.

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🥀 a u t h o r ' s  n o t e 🥀

So that was all. As promised, updated on Friday.

Let us know what you all think about this one.

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We will be back with another update soon.

Till then, bye.

Loads of love ❤️