Chapter 16
God comes after day seven with the Perfect Words to bring anyone into heaven
Xavian
Yeah, that's going to be a no.
I started speed-walking like my life depended on it, weaving through the dimly lit hallway and putting as much distance as I could between me and those two. Selene and Hazel. God, they were... a lot.
I didn't stop until I was at least two or three hallways away. I Looking back a couple of times to make sure I wasn't being followed but I didn't think I need to.
This school's Is quiet. weirdly quiet Even the softest footstep echoes like a scream in these hallways, there was background noise you usually hear in a hallway actually there wasn't really that many people at all I heard literally nothing But my own thoughts.
I exhaled deeply, shoulders dropping. A moment of peace. Finally.
*They were gone.
Those two girls are insane unpredictable weirdos. They're letting anyone into this college at this point. Well, I guess that tracks; they let Travian in. And a whole model giving everyone the opportunity some idea that was, huh.*
But at least I could finally think straight with those two gone.
Trouble clearly follows them like stink on shit. Both of those girls were strange, erratic, and way too dangerous-looking to be hanging around.
That's not something I should be involved with. Not now. Not when everything around me is already crumbling.
I needed to focus. Zelina's suddenly gone missing just poof, like she was plucked off the face of the Earth. And now... Quinley's gone too. The only two people I'm actually close with. The only two people I really know in this godforsaken school who are the ones who got me into this mess in the first place.
Well Speaking of this school what the hell is going on here? There are police officers, cameras, guards, all this surveillance and nonsense... yet someone still managed to rob me clean in the middle of it.
How does that even happen?
I stopped walking and rubbed my temples with both hands. My head was pounding.
I need a break... before I break.
Right now, I need to find my two idiots. Wherever they are.
After a few more minutes of aimless walking, I spotted a corner at the end of the hallway. Pale fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting weird shadows along the tile floors. As I approached, I felt something.
A gust of wind brushed past the back of my neck light but cold and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of something... a dark blur? That darted a split second through my peripheral vision, whipping past just outside my line of sight.
I froze.
My head whipped to the side, eyes scanning.
Nothing.
Empty hallway. No sound. No movement. Just... the hum of the ceiling lights and the faint buzzing of a nearby camera.
Maybe I was just imagining things. Probably just stress. No sleep, no food, and no idea where my friends are yeah, that'll do it.
I turned my head back forward
Hazel
Boo.
I nearly shrieked. My heart jumped clean out of my chest.
I stumbled backward, wide-eyed, staring at her like she just crawled out of a horror movie.
There she was. Hazel.
Standing way too close, that stupid grin on her face like she'd just pulled off the world's funniest prank. She stood relaxed, hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly as if waiting to see if I'd drop dead from shock.
Hazel
was proudly smiling
To answer your response from earlier...
Yeah, that's going to be a yeah.
Xavian (internally)
What the hell is this chick a ninja?!
Did she teleport?! I walked a good distance. The floors are loud and squeaky and I checked behind me 14 times. No way she followed me I would've heard it. No footsteps, no breathing, nothing. Her presence was like... invisible. Like a ghost.
She was completely undetectable until she was literally in my face.
Is she some kind of ninja?
Xavian
Oh, uh... Hi.. you again. I did not see you coming.
Hazel started grinning smugly, brushing imaginary dust off her shoulder
Oh yeah, don't feel bad, sweetie. Most don't.
Xavian's eyes narrowed.
...What does that mean?!
Hazel tilting her head innocently
Use your contacts clues, please, and answer that yourself.
Anyway are we going to find we friend now, or what?
Xavian
we who the hell is we
"I already said no. I appreciate the offer, but I really don't need your help with this. It's a personal issue."
Did you really follow me just for that?
Hazel wrinkling her nose, putting a hand on her hip.
First off eww. I'm not some kind of stalker. Why would I follow?
I went to orientation, saw something interesting, and decided to be a little generous. So yeah, I ran through the whole school just to find you.
You should feel lucky, you know? You've got a bad bitch like myself running around looking for you. Be grateful.
Xavian
I crossed my arms, nearly walking away in shock at the audacity of this chick.
judging from what happened earlier even if I did I wouldn't get too far.
listen I didn't ask you to run and find me.
Hell, I didn't even ask for your help with any of this. I think I rejected it pretty clearly.
But I guess...
You did reject my rejection.
(I pauses, blinking as something clicks.)
Wait
You said you ran through these loud-ass halls... but I didn't hear or see anything.
Not even a squeak. And this place is huge. That should've taken you way longer to find me. So just how the?
Hazel pressing a finger to My lips without warning
…and spoke in a softer, more mature, almost motherly voice.
Shhhh. Shhhhhhh.
"There's too much going through your head, right? You need to calm down, okay…"
(She winks, stepping back.)
You're adorable, but you worry too much.
Remember what I said earlier? Context
Xavian
Clues. Yeah, I get it. But that doesn't help.
And your weird ASMR voice or whatever is not helping either… okay, it's helping a little, but that's not the point.
Hazel shrugged placing one hand on her right cheek shaking her head with a playful smirk
All you need to know is
I'm really fast.
And you're really slow.
I mean yeah, you'd expect that from your physique
(she gives him a once-over, teasing)
but you're also slow in the mental department too.
But that's not the point.
Xavian(internally)
Hold up did she just call me fat and dumb? And are those boots she's wearing, Travian?
She rocks on her heels. Her expression shifts less playful now, more serious, but not heavy. She keeps it light, like she's laying out a puzzle instead of a plea.)
But let's focus on the facts, yeah?
You're walking around this place pissed off, overthinking, heart pounding in your chest
(She taps her own lightly)
like it's a bomb waiting to go off.
You've got people missing. People you care about.
And you're doing all this alone. Which, don't get me wrong, mad respect... but that's not going to get them found any faster.
Xavian (folds his arms, wary)
You act like you know what I'm going through.
Hazel
I don't.
(She shrugs no pretense. Just honesty… or something like it.)
But I know how this kind of fear works. It turns people inward. Makes you think if you let anyone else in, you're going to lose control of the outcome.
(Beat.)
But you're already losing control. Aren't you?
(That hits. Hazel doesn't press. She just starts walking, slow and calm, like she knows he'll follow even if he doesn't want to. She runs a finger along the wall absentmindedly, eyes forward.)
Hazel
Here's a theory.
Maybe I didn't find you by chance.
Maybe I watched how you moved. Noticed the way your hands twitched like you were calculating exit points. Heard the way your voice shifted when Quinley's name came up.
Maybe I saw something worth chasing.
(She stops. Turns. Looks him dead in the eye.)
Hazel (softly)
Or maybe I just wanted to make sure someone like you didn't break before you had the chance to do something that mattered.
Xavian (blinks, visibly shaken but recovering quick)
You're manipulative.
Hazel (smiling)
You're a coward.
(She lets that hang. Her posture relaxed. Not pleading never pleading but open. Letting him feel like he still has control.)
Hazel
Let me help. You don't have to tell me everything. Just enough.
(Beat.)
We'll pretend I'm just along for the ride.
Xavian
And if I say no again?
Hazel
Then I'll still walk beside you.
I'll just stop talking.
(A pause. Then a mischievous grin.)
And you'll miss that. Trust me.
(Xavian exhales through his nose. Frustrated. Not defeated — but cornered in a way he almost respects. He looks at her. Looks away. Looks back.)
Xavian (muttering)
You're lucky I'm desperate.
Hazel
(grinning, already walking ahead)
Desperation's just opportunity in disguise.
End of chapter