Chapter 8- Fading Deludes

(please be aware that this chapter contains extreme themes of violence, abuse, mental illness, torture, drug abuse and use, and maybe suicide. if this is triggering to you please be aware.)

SEVEN YEARS AGO,

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013.

THE BRONX, NEW YORK.

8:24 PM.

I lay on my bed, drawing in my notebook while Jaylen messages someone on her phone next to me.

"Jay, what're you drawing?"

"Nothing, Len."

She shrugs, wiping her eyes before yawning.

"Alright. You know where Jordan is?"

I shake my head nonchalantly.

"Nope."

I hear a knock on my bedroom door and shut my notebook.

"Come in!"

The door opens with a creak, and a tear streaked Jordan comes in wearing sweatpants and a large hoodie.

We both look at her, and Jaylen gasps.

"Jordi! What happened to you?!"

She shakes her head, crumbling to the floor in a heap of sobs.

She just breaks right in front of me.

I slide off my bed, jumping onto the floor and holding tightly onto her.

"Jordi, wha-what happened to you?!"

"N-Nick, h-he hit me,"

Nick is my triplet sister's 19 year old boyfriend. We're all 14.

Jaylen gasps again.

"Why did that bastard lay a hand on you?!"

"I-I don't know...everything was going well...with his cocaine addiction you know...and then...and then he came back high...and when I refused to sleep with him he hit me. He hit me really hard."

She pulls up the sleeve of her sweatshirt, revealing a large purpling bruise.

My mind goes blank.

I pull away from Jordan's hug, standing up.

"Where were you?"

"I j-just got back from the club—Jay?! What're you doing?"

I calmly stand up, pulling on an outfit.

They both look wide eyed as I open a drawer, filled to the brim with torture devices.

Torture weapons.

I pull out my favorite black handled knife, that my dad gave to me when I was eleven for my birthday.

I tuck it into its sheath, before putting a gun in its holster.

"Jayden!"

Jaylen jumps up, reaching out to take the weapon from me, grabbing the knife's handle when I grab her wrist, squeezing onto it.

"Let it go."

"But—"

"Let. It. Go."

She shakily lets go of it, and I unclamp my hand around her wrist, smiling down at my hands while I clench and unclench them.

"Perfect for choking."

"What?!"

I turn around, and my sisters jump back a little.

My eyes are filled with the need to kill, and my mouth is stretched in a large smile.

"I'll be back, guys. Don't wait up."

"Wait! Please, let me come! I need to make sure you don't hurt him!"

I glare at Jordan.

"No."

"Please—just let me—"

"No! No, no, no!"

I start panting, sliding past them and out the door.

Jaylen looks mortified and Jordan looks determined.

"I'm going, and I'm going to make sure she doesn't hurt someone."

"But Jordan, what if—"

"She wouldn't hurt me, Len. I promise."

****

(YOUNGER JAYLEN'S POV)

As soon as both of my sisters left, I decided to look around Jayden's room.

I pull open one drawer, immediately shutting it.

My heart rate picks up.

Bottles.

Bottles and bottles and bottles of pills.

Anti-depressants.

Ecstasy.

Meth.

LSD.

I get a sick feeling when I open the next drawer that's simply filled with needles.

Empty and full.

The next one has guns, the other knives, and when I open the second to last one, I see the drawings.

Dead bodies.

Headless people.

Organs.

Demons.

Eyes watching a person.

Disturbing things.

I dig through them, and they date back to 2007.

When she was 8.

I shove them back in the drawer, pulling open the last one.

My hand flies over my mouth.

Letters.

It's filled with letters that have red splotches over all of them.

And by the horrid smell it's definitely blood.

My eyes scan over all of them, and I start to question Jayden's sanity.

But one in particular catches my attention.

It's addressed to Sage John, but was never sent.

Dear Sage,

I don't know how to write you a letter but I need to reach you. I need to talk to you. I don't know what I just did. I don't know. But I'm panicking. And you're the only person who could help. I killed someone Sage. I murdered someone. I got so scared...I buried them under our cherry tree in the backyard. I don't know what to do. What if the police are already after me?! I think they're watching. I think he's watching. Eyes. I feel them. Do you feel them?! I need help. Please help. Reach out to me when you can.

With fear,

J.

I drop it back into the drawer, standing up.

I don't think Jordan or Jayden are safe.

I copy the address on the paper into my phone, and drive off.

Sage John, whoever you are, I am going to need your help.

*****

(YOUNGER JAYDEN'S POV)

I arrive at the club, and approach the bouncer.

"Hello, sir, do you know by any chance where Nicolas Wood is?"

"Ma'am I'm afraid I can't disclose where my costumers are."

"Well, he's my sister's husband and she's in labor. Where is he?"

"I can call him for—"

"No. Where is he? My sister asked that I go get him myself. She wants him to hear the news from me."

"Okay then...he is at the back. Go through the club and exit the large purple door. In that outside area you'll find him. I'd suggest go quickly!"

I nod, running inside.

He really just sold him out...I will make Nicolas's death nice and slow.

And painful.

****

(YOUNGER JORDAN'S POV)

I pull into the parking lot, running to the front where I see a bouncer.

When he looks at me he seems extremely confused.

"You're back, ma'am?"

"What do you mean?!"

"I swear you just came inside...is your sister okay?"

"My—sir, did a girl with blue and brown eyes pass through here? She was wearing all black."

He thinks for a moment, than nods.

"Yes. A young woman came through, she said she was looking for Nicolas Wood?"

"I—where is she now?!"

"Who is she to you?!"

"My sister! Nicolas is my boyfriend!"

"Aren't you supposed to be in labor?!"

"Wait—what?!"

I shove past him, running through the crowds of sweating people on the dance floor, and to the back of the club, seeing the large purple door.

I frenetically push through the door, searching around for her.

I catch a glimpse of silver in the moonlight.

A blade.

*****

(YOUNGER JAYDEN'S POV)

I spot him in the distance.

Got ya.

I sneak up behind him, pulling out my knife and stabbing his shoulder blade, laughing as he grunts and falls to the floor.

I climb on top of him, holding the blood dripping knife well above his head.

"Hello, Nicolas!"

"J-Jordan?! I'm so sorry that I hit you...it was a mistake!"

I start laughing manically.

"Jordan?! Honey, I'm Jayden! Isn't it funny you can't tell your girlfriend apart from her sister?!"

I stab him again, shaking with giggles.

"You know how much I want to...want to carve you like a pumpkin?!"

He shakes with fear, eyes widening when I raise the knife to stab his head when someone knocks into me, making the knife fly out of my hand and a few feet away.

I tumble to the cold pavement, and my panting sister looks over me.

My eyes soften.

"Jordan—"

"No! No, no, no! What are you doing, Jayden?! What is this?! You're murdering people! You are going to murder him! Does that not click in your head?!"

She holds the knife now, pointing it at me.

"You won't ever lay a hand on my Nicolas again!"

"Wha—"

"Because you won't get the chance to!"

She starts wrestling to stab me in the chest with the knife, and by now Nicolas ran the fuck away.

"I'm going to—I'm going to kill you!"

My eyes widen.

She starts laughing, pushing even harder with the knife to stab my chest.

I grab the gun in my pocket, shoving it at her face.

My finger is latched on the trigger, and when she falls away in fear I slowly start laughing, heavily breathing between each wheeze.

"Y-You think you can k-kill me?"

"Jayden, listen—"

"No! You listen to me, you little pile of sadness! This is for you! All I do is for you, Jordan!"

I walk closer to her, and stop in front of her.

Her eyes move rapidly between the gun and me, before she jumps up, trying to grab the gun from me, accidentally pushing on my hand holding the trigger, and a loud shot goes off.

My ears start ringing, and a warm splatter hits my face.

The gun clatters out of my shaking hands, and I slowly look down at the floor, where the blood collects in a pool at my feet.

"No..."

My breath hitches in my throat, and my hands fly up to my mouth.

"No! No, no, no! Jordan!"

I drop onto my knees in the blood, grabbing onto her.

The bullet shot straight through her stomach.

She's not moving.

I shake her once, and her eyes snap open.

They are pain filled.

"Jayden—"

"Jordan!"

She has a small smile on her face, and holds onto my hand.

"It wasn't your fault. I promise you."

"But how can I live—"

"You can. And you will. I love you."

"I love you too! I'm sorry! Please don't leave me!"

"I would never. I'll still be with you mentally. Take care of Jaylen for me, and take care of yourself."

Before I can say anything else her delicate hand falls from my face, and she goes slack.

Without thinking, I grab the gun, about to pull the trigger when someone grabs my hand.

"Don't."

*****

THREE YEARS LATER,

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016.

LAKEWORTH, CALIFORNIA.

12:43 AM.

I lay in his lap in the grass, looking up at the stars.

"I don't want to die, but I don't want to live like this..."

Zane strokes my hair, looking down at me.

"What do you mean?"

"I just want to feel something, Zane. I just want to feel."

"Do you not feel anything now?"

I shake my head, moving my gaze from him back to the stars twinkling above.

"I'm numb."

"What could I possibly do to help you with that, Jordan? I want to help you...but I don't know how."

"I'd rather you not...you being here is simply enough."

Zane smiles.

"That means a lot, babes."

I release a breath, shifting in his lap.

"I never really told you what happened..."

"What?"

"About my past...I believe if you'd like to know me...to help me...you'd need the whole truth."

I sit up, frowning.

"I'm not who you think I am."

Zane grins.

"Are you a troll? Either way I'd still think you're hot."

I roll my eyes, shaking my head.

"No, you dimwit."

I look around, before scooching closer.

"I'm not actually Jordan Lukas."

"What?! What the hell is that supposed to mean?! Did you change your name?"

"No...my name is Jayden. Jayden Lukas."

His eyes expand.

"Yes. The girl that went missing four years ago. Jordan was the name of one of the triplets. It was me, Jayden, Jaylen, and Jordan. Jordan went out one night and her boyfriend abused her, then I had an attack, tried to kill him, and accidentally killed her. I faked my own disappearance, and continued to pretend I was my triplet. Jaylen never found out. My parents never found out. Jordan was always a little off in the head, so it worked out in my favor to pretend to be her."

Zane's mouth drops open in shock.

"You're Jayden Lukas?!"

"Yes...I hope it doesn't change anything. But the abuse, and the physical and mental pain I went through to just be her is killing me on the inside. Sometimes I just want to end it all. The grief and regret of accidentally killing your sister is a lot."

He frowns, running his hand through his hair.

"I honestly don't know what to say. Have you ever thought about coming clean?"

I shake my head rapidly.

"No. All that I've done and built for in these years have been too much just to throw down the drain. Take for instance, you, Dylan, Roxie, perhaps even Daisy, I can't just lose you all. They think they made acquaintances—no—friends with Jordan, not me. They'd never look at me the same."

Zane pulls me into his embrace, stroking my cheek.

"I'll always be by your side, babes. Whatever name you go by."

"You don't think I'm a lunatic for murdering my sister?!"

"You said yourself it was an accident. She wouldn't want you to feel guilty."

I smile.

"She wouldn't."

Jordan's smile lays a stain in my head. The smile I took away when I shot her. But before she died, I remember the words she said when I was crying over her body.

"It was an accident, Jay. I love you. Take care of Jaylen for me. And please, take care of yourself. You need it."

"Jordan—you can't leave me!"

Her hand falls limp from my cheek, blood soaking up around her on the pavement.

I start wailing, looking at the gun on the floor and picking it up, just about to shoot my temple when a hand grips onto my wrist, prying the gun out of my shaky grasp.

He pulls me back, streams of curses falling from his mouth.

"Hey, what's wrong?! Don't do that. Don't even think of doing that again."

His voice is comforting, deep.

"I'm Silas. Come with me."

My mind goes blank again.

Silas.

Where is he now?!

As I lay stiff against Zane, my blurry tear filled eyes snap in the distance, and my heart almost flies out of my chest.

Is that—him?!

Did he come back for me?!

When I see the gun in his hand, I realize he isn't here for me...but for revenge.

******

(DAISY'S POV)

PRESENT DAY,

MARCH 17th, 2020.

GREENWOOD, CALIFORNIA.

I shakily pick up the book, stuffing it in my locker and slamming it shut.

I draw in shaky breaths.

What do I do?!

What am I meant to do?!

Jordan isn't Jordan.

Jordan is Jayden.

Where is the real Jordan?!

As soon as I see Dylan's class door open, I run over to her, grabbing a hold of her arm.

"Talk. Now."

"Huh?"

"Come with me, please, Dylan, I feel like I can trust you."

She shrugs, and I pull her out to the back of the school.

"Jordan isn't Jordan."

The words fly out of my mouth before I can word them correctly.

Her face is apathetic.

"What."

It wasn't even a question, just a statement.

"If Jordan isn't Jordan, Daisy, then who the fuck is she?! Jackson?!"

I sigh.

"Her name is actually Jayden Lukas, and she believed she killed her sister seven years ago and has been pretending to be her ever since! I heard it! She was talking to Silas! She is working with Silas!"

Dylan looks like she's resisting the urge to laugh.

"Jordan...and Silas?! Girl, I've been friends with her for three years, you'd think I'd know who the hell she was."

"Obviously you don't."

She looks at me.

"You don't believe me."

She frowns.

"Listen—"

"No. It's fine. Crazy Daisy like usual. Always making things up because she's insane."

"No, Daisy. It isn't like that. It's just—Jayden Lukas went missing seven years ago. That would be impossible."

When I try to walk away she grabs onto my arm, and pulls me backwards.

"Today. After school."

"What?"

I breathe out, and she makes an unsure face.

"I think you're into something. And I wasn't going to tell anyone...but I just talked to Silas."

"Wha—Dylan!"

"I know...I know. I didn't want to believe it. I really didn't. But...but he told me where she was, Daisy."

Her face is disgruntled, and I take it upon myself to fully turn back around, my eyes wide.

I hold onto her shaking hands as she seemingly starts to get terrified, her breaths coming out shallowly.

"Who, Dylan?"

"He...he told me where Jordan was."

******

(DYLAN'S POV)

THIRTY MINUTES EARLIER,

10:52 AM.

"Excuse me!"

I yell out, and our history teacher moves his head over to me.

"Yes, Dylan?"

"Can I go to the restroom, please?"

I bat my eyelashes, and he looks away with a small smile.

"You're silly, Dylan. You don't have to ask. I'm not in charge if you have to go. Only if I'm teaching something."

"Thank you!"

I stand up, purposely bumping Salem's face with my ass before walking towards the classroom door.

When I look back to him he looks like he's about to explode.

When we lock eyes he simply gives me a very obvious non-genuine smile.

I give him one in return, exiting the classroom.

"I won't be too long, Mr. Green!"

"Take your time, Dylan. I'm not a teacher who'll time you for two minutes. Do your business."

My heart melts.

Such a gentlemen.

I wonder if he's into twenty year olds that go to a high school?

Probably not but whatever!

As I skip over to the bathroom, I feel a hand on my arm, and get dragged into a closet.

"Woah! I'm being kidnapped!"

I start laughing, holding up my hands in fists.

"You wanna fight?! Show your face!"

"Will you shut the hell up for a change?!"

I freeze, immediately dropping my hands down.

I turn on the light, before moving my head over my shoulder.

I narrow my eyes.

"Oh, it's the hot cheeto!"

"Cheeto? Nice to know you think I'm hot though."

I twirl my hair around my fingers.

"I mean, I'm not gonna lie, Mr. Stone, but I kinda need to piss."

He rolls his eyes.

"Very irrelevant at the moment, Dylan."

"Not to me! I mean...unless you want me to pee on your head."

"My—what?"

"Your head! Just imagine! Me, and you—"

"Oh hell no!"

I shut my mouth, running my finger across it as if to zip it.

"I got it! Zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket! Sorry. Go on."

"Is this serious?"

"I'm serious, but to me it seems—"

I wave obnoxiously and hold out my hand.

"Hi, serious! I'm Dylan! You know, in my free time I like to screw guys, screw girls, screw guys, and screw—"

"Please be quiet. You're getting on my last nerves."

I put my hand over my mouth in mock shock.

"Oh no! I'm really pushing your buttons?!"

I push my fingers against his abdomen, making annoying beeping noises each time by finger comes in contact with him.

I smirk, looking into his eyes which are filled with irritation.

"Like this?"

"Dylan, I'm telling you, if you do that one more time I'm going to—"

"Boop!"

I press my finger against his nose.

I raise my fiber to do it again when he pins me against the wall, smirking down at me.

"You really like to be aggravating, don't you, Miss Harlow?"

I look at both of my wrists then his face with a shrug.

"I guess so. But aren't you kinky."

I start giggling, and he pulls away, dropping my arms.

"I have to tell you something important that I'm sure you'd love to know. You just can't tell anybody, okay?"

"You should've went to someone else with this, I tell everyone—"

"But you won't this time. Because if you do, Dylan, you're going to fucking regret it. And you'll fucking pay for it."

"Wow. I'm so scared. Will you give me a big hug?"

"You really make me want to slap you."

"Then do it! I'm down!"

I move my hair from my face, presenting my cheek.

"Or kiss it. Or lick it. Do something."

"I don't know how they put up with you."

"I don't know either, Sci-fi. I mean, I'd rather drown in a puddle than hang out with me. I'm annoying as hell. But sorry. Continue."

"Thank you. So you know your best friend Jordan?"

I nod eagerly.

"Yeah! Love the girl!"

"She isn't who you think she is."

I smile.

"Is she Bob the Builder?"

"What the—no! Her sister, Jordan, is with me."

"Uhh...I'm confused?"

I'm sure you are. So you see, our friend Jordan isn't actually Jordan! Her name is Jayden Lukas, and has been pretending to be Jordan for seven years! Isn't that funny?"

I start laughing, grabbing onto his arm for support.

"It actually is! I'm dead!"

"I will tell you where she is, and if you knew what was good for you? You'd go. After school. By yourself. I'll be there."

He hands me a slip of paper, and I take it from between his two fingers, unfolding it.

I squint at it, before stuffing it in my pocket.

"Thanks."

"You're not going to question anything...that I just said?"

"Nope? I believe you. I feel I don't have a reason not to...you haven't lied so far, sci-fi. At least I don't think so."

He smirks.

"Not to you."

"Well of course, we all know you love me."

His eyebrows furrow.

"Right..."

He moves his dark auburn hair from his face, and my eyes follow his every move before I blink a few times and focus on his face.

"Good. And if you come across any of them? Don't tell them I talked to you. They'll slaughter me."

"Zane won't."

I make a face.

"Why?"

"That's a story for a different time."

I shrug, then squeezing him tightly in a hug.

"Bye, bro!"

I clear my throat.

"Don't mind that. I have to get back to class."

While I was exiting the door, I give him a small wink.

"Even though you're a little crazy...I never did mind ya, Silas. You aren't that bad."

******

(DAISY'S POV)

FIVE HOURS LATER,

8th PERIOD, THE LAST PERIOD OF THE DAY.

Me and everyone else wait outside of anatomy class, and I can't even dare to look in Jordan—no—Jayden's eyes without feeling like I'm going to explode.

I haven't talked to anyone else today besides Dylan.

I know that they know something's up.

None of them bothered to ask what though...they can probably tell I look like I'm going to snap.

Everyone else is in their classrooms, me and the rest of my class are just waiting for Mr. Shaw to come.

That name just sounds so familiar...and the guy had features similar to someone from the past.

And he looked to be around the same age as he would be now...but I'm not going to pay it any attention.

He's just an anatomy teacher...not who you think it is, Daisy.

He wouldn't be able to find you again...you wouldn't be able to find him again.

I get snapped out of my thoughts at footsteps, first faint but then louder, and I lift my head from the floor to straight ahead, seeing him coming in the distance.

All of the kids start chatting again, some even yelling out to him.

"Hi, Mr. Shaw!"

He approaches the classroom, and waves to us all.

"Hello, students. Kesha, Jaxon," his eyes move over us all as he takes his classroom keys. "How are you all?"

"Good!"

Some of them respond, and Jaylen rolls her eyes.

"Does no one here like ever have a bad day? Jesus Christ you all are like little days of sunshine."

"Not everyone is goth and pessimistic like you, Jaylen."

Roxie says, and Jaylen snarls at her.

"Pixie looking bitch."

"Goth-whore."

Jaylen whacks Roxie, and Roxie attempts to chuck a book at her head when Mr. Shaw intervenes.

"Girls, enough with the fighting. And please don't insult each other like that, it isn't nice."

Jaylen's face is stony as she looks at him.

"Thanks for the life lesson, teach."

"Of course, Jaylen. Glad I could give you one."

"Aren't you proper."

Roxie says, smiling.

Mr. Shaw smiles back.

"I try."

He opens the classroom door, motioning for us to go in.

"Go on, children."

"We aren't children, Mr. Shaw. We're only like seven years younger than you."

"Which is a decent amount, Kesha. You guys are my school children."

Dylan makes a face.

"You have actual children?! Aren't you like nineteen?!"

"Twenty five, but I don't have children."

"You must at least have a girlfriend."

Dylan replies, and he shakes his head gently.

"I don't disclose my personal love life with my high school students, Dylan."

*****

We all sit at our desks, me next to Dylan.

Mr. Shaw stands at the front of the class, and smiles at all of us.

He first takes off his sunglasses before he starts talking to us, placing them on his desk.

My eyes widen significantly.

He...he's Shane?!

Oh god, my suspicions are correct.

I resist the urge to hide my face.

It's really embarrassing...that I've seen my teacher naked.

Also embarrassing that I used to date my teacher until he moved.

Fuck...how am I supposed to face him?!

"Hello, guys and girls, welcome to anatomy and physiology class! I am your teacher, Shane, but you can call me Mr. Shaw because it'd be quite strange if you not to. I mean...unless you'd like to, I'm not one to judge my students. In this class we will learn about the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms. If you hate dissecting things then I feel bad for you, because we do that a lot in this class! Any questions before we begin?"

I raise my hand with a smirk.

He turns to me.

"Yes, Daisy?"

I try to hide my surprise that he still remembers me even with all of the stuff I changed.

"Can I call you Shane? I'm sure you remember me."

He returns the smirk.

"I remember you, Daisy. Don't think I forgot. And sure...if it makes you more comfortable."

Dylan gives me a look at the corner of her eye.

"Don't tell me you slept with him."

Everyone goes silent, and Zane's eyes widen from across the room.

Shane blinks a few times, seemingly trying to hide a smile.

A random girl gasps.

"What?!?!"

"She slept with the teacher?!"

"Eek!"

I block out everyone's voices and look at Dylan straight in the eye.

She smiles awkwardly.

"Oops."

"That's enough now, guys. I didn't do anything with Miss Saunders and we all know that. Right, Daisy?"

I smile.

"Yep!"

Everyone's whispering calms down, and I catch eyes with Zane from across the room.

He cocks his head to the side and I shake my head rapidly.

Salem looks like he's about to burst out laughing, so does Roxie.

Jaylen and Jordan share a look.

I glare at Dylan.

"Sorry! But did you?"

She whispers that last part and I nod slowly.

"He is my ex-boyfriend."

Dylan resists the urge to start laughing before focusing her attention back on the board.

"Now if that's all we can start our lesson for today."

****

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER...

I'm sitting in anatomy class, wondering why I actually agreed to help them with a mission in school, the place where all this shit started.

But of course...I cannot say no to anyone.

I'm helpless.

My head in resting in my hand while I sit next to Dylan, who seems just as bored but isn't showing it.

"Psst, Daisy."

My eyes drift shut, and I start to lightly snore, my lipstick smudging onto my hand.

"Daisy."

"Holy fudge balls, Mr. Shaw has some delicious abs."

Dylan's eyes widen, and Shane moves his eyes from the board over to where I'm sitting, raising an eyebrow.

Dylan tries to wake me up, shaking me a little while I continue to mumble and basically drool on myself with a drunk looking little grin on my face.

"Daisy!"

"He could run me over with a tow truck and I'd say thank you."

"Umm...Daisy."

A smile tugs at Shane's lips as he fully turns around, crossing his arms while the other kids try to hold in their laughs.

Dylan looks so embarrassed.

"I would let him rail me."

"Daisy, wake up now!"

It was too late for that.

Shane pushes off from the board, walking over to my desk with a devious look.

He leans over slightly, and my I open one of my eyes at a large whiff of strong cologne. Sexy.

I already know it's him, and curse myself in my head.

Rail me?! I would let him rail me?!

Oh no, no. No, no, no.

"Miss Saunders, are you feeling alright?"

"Shit." I drop my head on my desk, banging it loudly. "Oh fuck me! That hurt like hell!"

Shane—Mr. Shaw gives me a smug grin, and I can see all the other girls ogling him.

"Later, doll."

He says that all low and husky, making me feel hot all over.

He walks back to the front of the room, smirking at us all.

"Now that Ms. Saunders got the point across that I have some delicious abs, we can get on with the lesson." He looks at me one last time, discreetly winking. "See me after class, Daisy."

Well, shit.

I drop my head down on the desk again.

He's really going to be the death of me.

I didn't think Shane was going to be back...but by the looks on his face I know it's for good this time.

He can play it dirty, but I can play it rough.

*****

AFTER CLASS...

4:37 PM.

We all get up to leave class, and I stay sitting at my desk as Dylan gets up.

"Hey, girl. Meet me when you're done, okay? We have to go find Jordan."

I nod, pretending not to see Jayden/Jordan as she walks by.

Dylan blows a kiss, and I watch Jayden approach Shane.

"I'm supposed to have detention with you after school today..."

He smiles at her.

"Don't you even worry, Jordan. It seems to me that you're just having a bad day. Get home and get some rest, possibly. Then maybe you'll feel better."

Her eyes expand a little.

"No detention?"

"Nope. If you ever need someone to talk to I'm here, never hesitate to ask."

"Okay...that means a lot."

She smiles before quickly hurrying out of the room, and Zane walks past my desk before pausing.

"I'll see you later, Daisy. I'm sure we have a lot to catch up on."

He smiles wryly at me and Dylan before sliding out of the class, winking to Shane who half waves in return.

"See you tomorrow, Zane."

"Yes, see you then, Shane. Our names rhyme, LOL."

Everyone leaves, so it's now just me and Shane.

Me and Shane.

I'm going to have to get used to that.

I stand up, walking up to him at his desk.

I sit on the desk, smirking mischievously.

"What is it that you needed to talk about, Mr. Shaw?"

"I just wanted to catch up, Daisy. How are you doing? You and Zane as well?"

"As a thing? Not really working out...like...I like him...but I don't know if the feelings mutual. You get me?"

"Yes. You seemed troubled throughout my class, is something bothering you?"

I shouldn't tell him, I shouldn't tell him, I shouldn't—

"I need your help."

He moves his eyes from the paper to my face.

"Yes?"

"Me and Dylan...we're going somewhere later tonight. I don't know if it's safe...and if you'd come I'd feel much better..."

"Why not ask Zane? Or Salem?" He smirks at me. "You have options. What makes me the one?"

"I don't want to trouble any of them."

He chuckles.

"And you'd love to trouble me."

"Oh come on! I don't know how to word this!"

"I'm just kidding, sweetheart. Of course I'll help you."

I nod, watching as he puts his things in his bag.

Shane stands up, motioning for me to come.

"Come on, now. Unless you'd like to stay here?"

"Oh no!"

I jump down from his desk, following him out of the classroom.

"Did you get taller? Or did I get shorter?"

He smiles.

"I got taller."

"I see...I'm like up to your stomach."

He laughs and I roll my eyes.

"If I looked like you I feel like I could be mistaken for your little sister or somethin'."

We walk out of the school, and Dylan stands leaning against the wall.

"Where's everyone else?"

"Oh. They left. I told them I would wait for you."

She moves her eyes from the parking lot to over to where I am.

"Holy moly! When the hell did you get yourself a bodyguard?!"

"A bodyguard? Thanks, Dylan. I'm just your teacher."

"So you are secretly dating?! You're holding hands!"

I look down, immediately unlatching my hand.

"Nope."

She starts laughing, before she chokes on air.

"I'm high, I'm sorry." She pauses. "I meant I'm sigh, I'm sorry."

Shane laughs.

"I'm not high, I promise you! I don't vape! Definitely!"

She shoves a hot pink juul in her pocket before taking out a lollipop.

"I was eating a lollipop. That was my inhaler! I have asthma!"

She starts fake coughing, letting out a cloud of smoke from her juul.

"Forget it. I was vaping, okay?! You can suspend me!"

"It's fine, Dylan. You don't need to freak out. But do you have asthma?"

"Nope. I don't even know what that is."

He gives her a look.

"I dropped out of school when I was fifteen!"

"But you should—never mind, Dylan."

She skips ahead, pausing.

"I don't have a car. I don't know how to drive."

We both turn to look at Shane who rolls his eyes.

"Fine, girls. Come with me."

We follow him to his pretty black Tesla, and we all climb in.

Dylan looks at both of us from the backseat.

"So...when did you guys meet each other?"

"I don't really know...three or four years ago?"

Dylan nods and Shane looks at both of us.

"Can someone tell me what I'm actually doing?"

******

AN HOUR LATER...

After explaining everything to Shane and our hour long drive, we make it to a forest.

"Did Silas lead me to a fucking forest?! Ratchet bastard!"

Shane points to the path, and the blood that follows it.

"It's probably across that path. You guys are sure you don't want me to come with you?"

Dylan nods.

"Even with Daisy with me I'm sure he's going to slaughter me. I don't want my anatomy teacher/ new bestie to get murdered by that hot cheeto."

Shane frowns.

"Okay...make sure to text me if anything starts to go wrong. I'll come immediately."

We both nod, climbing out of his car.

"Thanks again, Shane."

"It's never a problem."

*****

Me and Dylan trek further and further into the forest, trying to find something.

"Where are we even trying to go?"

"Bitch, I don't know! I'm just following this messed up nature trail!"

"More like blood trail! There's blood everywhere."

"How comforting, Daisy. Such a Debby-downer."

"Who even says that anymore you old cow!"

"Thanks a lot, bitch! I'm younger than you!"

"By like three months!"

We continue to fire rude comments at each other until I trip over a branch, flying to the ground at full speed.

Dylan starts laughing hysterically when the floor falls underneath her, and she goes flying into a deep hole.

"Dylan? Dylan?! Where did you go?!"

I still hear her screaming until I hear a loud thunk, then she goes silent.

"Dylan?! Girl, are you okay?! I'm coming down there!"

"No, don't! I don't know what this is or if there's a way out. Stay up there and I'll text you!"

"Is there even service?!"

"I don't know. Let me see what's down here! Stay there for a second or keep going!"

I look at my phone, beginning to text Shane when I delete it.

We'll be fine.

"Okay! Be safe!"

"I will!"

I stand up, brushing myself off and looking at a looming building in front of me.

It looks like some sort of fucking haunted mansion or some shit like that?

Here goes everything I live for.

*****

(DYLAN'S POV)

6:19 PM.

Holy shit.

This is scary as hell.

Spooky...

I walk further, walking into a spider web before letting out a shriek.

"Ewww! Spiders! Spooky spiders! Creepy crawlers!"

I shake myself off rapidly, running forward.

That was mortifying.

I round a corner, hearing a mumbling noise.

Muffled speaking.

I follow it until I come across a door, resting my hand on the handle.

I open it, and see a chair.

With a person tied to it.

And a shadow in the background.

My eyes lock on hers, bright and blue.

She has long dark hair that falls in messy waves down her back, with tanned skin...hold up.

"Jordan?!"

I run forward, approaching the girl.

Her eyes move to mine, and she looks like she's trying to tell me something.

With her eyes.

I grab onto her cheeks, blinking a few times.

"Y-You're real?!"

"Mmm! Mmm!"

She seems to be trying to say something, her eyebrows furrowing and her eyes widening, shaking her head rapidly.

Her eyes are moving from me to something behind me when—

A hand wraps around my waist, pulling me against them with a needle to my neck.

I gasp at a cloth going over my mouth, then the sound of snickering.

"My, my, my. Hello again, Dylan."

I slump against him when he inserts the needle into my neck, my eyes drooping shut.

The last thing I see is Jordan, and her eyes following my every move as I hit the ground.

But there's one more thing they catch in before I pass out completely, words on her leg that read:

You can always run, but you can't hide.