Oopies. He got Caught.

He stepped into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind him. Glancing around, he noticed the stalls and a lone sink. He gently tapped on each stall door, but silence greeted him. 

The stillness of the bathroom was unsettling—no chirps, no chatter, no laughter, just an eerie quiet. Relief washed over him, granting a fleeting moment of clarity. 

He secured the bathroom door, determined to prevent her from barging in. Though a nagging thought lingered that it might not deter her, the action provided a semblance of comfort and control. 

He fished his phone out of his boot, his palms clammy with anxiety. Who should he reach out to? His mother or the police? What could he possibly say? That he had been taken by a vampire? 

A bitter laugh escaped him; no one would take that seriously. Taking a deep breath, he dialed his mother's number, the weight of homesickness crashing over him, leaving him dizzy. As the phone rang, he recalled scenes from movies where vampires could hear from afar. 

An idea sparked as he glanced at the sink. He turned on the faucet, the rushing water drowning out the sound of the ringing phone. Silas held his breath, his heart racing with anxiety. 

Relief flooded him when he finally heard her familiar, formal voice. His throat tightened, and his eyes stung. "Hello, who is this?" she asked. 

He wanted to respond, but the words eluded him, overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. He felt small and voiceless. 

The silence stretched on until her voice softened. "Son. Is that you?" Taking another shaky breath, he managed to whisper, "Yeah, Mom. It's me."

She speaks again, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Silas? Where are you? I've been searching for you for five days. Your friend Levi is hurt and in the hospital. He was saying some strange things, talking about getting—"

"Hold on. Did you just say Levi is in the hospital? He's not dead?"

"Yes, that's what I said."

A wave of relief and bittersweet joy washes over him, quickening his heartbeat. He leans back against the wall, wiping away the burning sensation at the corners of his eyes. His throat feels heavy, weighed down by unspoken words, yet his heart is lighter than it has been in days, knowing Levi is still alive.

She continues, "Son, are you alright? Where are you? I can come get you."

Hope and fear clash within him. Every fiber of his being longs for her to come and take him home, to a place where he can feel safe. But he knows he can't say anything; Keira isn't human. This situation is beyond her control. He won't risk bringing his mother into danger, into the lion's den where she could be caught in the crossfire.

He'll find another way out. His throat tightens. "Mom, I love you."

"Son, please tell me where you are! Don't hang—" He cuts the call abruptly, not catching her final words.

He would rather ensure her safety than face the guilt of her death—or worse.

He deletes her number, not wanting anyone to trace it. Better to be cautious and paranoid; he slips the phone into his boots. Turning off the sink, the sound of running water fades into silence.

He walks back toward the bathroom he just exited, opening the door to a rush of cold air that hits his face. His complexion turns pale and ashen, his body feeling like ice.

It's Keira.

He realizes she has been listening in. As he meets her gaze, he sees a twisted delight and a knowing expression in her eyes.

She approached him, each step sending Silas's heart racing as he instinctively took a step back. The air was thick with silence, so profound that it drowned out even the sound of his own heartbeat.

His back hit the cold tile wall, and he could feel beads of sweat forming under his shirt. He lifted his chin, his eyes locked onto her, tracking her every movement, uncertainty gnawing at him.

A sly smile crept onto her face as she clapped her hands, catching him off guard. "Well, well. I was wondering who you'd call. Didn't peg you for a mama's boy."

His brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"

She shrugged nonchalantly, crossing her arms. "You're clever enough to keep your location a secret. It would be a shame if I had to kill her."

His eyes widened in shock. "Wait, you knew I had the phone?"

With a teasing grin, she replied, "Of course. Did you honestly think I was just napping in the car? That's a pretty foolish assumption."

She shook her head, extending her hand toward him. The confusion etched on his face was evident, prompting her to sigh dramatically. "Hand over the phone. It's mine."

For reasons he couldn't quite grasp, irritation surged within him. He was done listening to her, even if it meant risk pissing her off. "No."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Excuse me?"

He swallowed hard, his palms slick with sweat. "You heard me. I said no."

In an instant, he felt a tight grip around his neck, and before he knew it, he was propelled forward, his body colliding with the sink. Pain shot through the side of his face as she held him firmly in place.

His heart raced even faster, the realization dawning on him that he was trapped. Her grip was unyielding, leaving him powerless against her strength.

She moved in closer, her gentle figure pressing against his back. The sound of her heavy breathing filled his ears, and he felt his body tense up from her proximity.

He attempted to shake off her grip, but it was futile. Her voice came through clenched teeth, sharp and commanding. "You might believe you have a choice, but you don't. I suggest you start paying attention to me and discard any thoughts in that pretty head of yours if you want to avoid pain."

Silas remained silent, his lack of response a quiet act of rebellion. He felt her hands tighten around him, a slight ache forming at the back of his neck.

Her presence loomed over him, her breath brushing against his skin, making him feel trapped. With a hint of irritation in her tone, she asked, "Do you understand me?"

Through clenched teeth, he replied, "Yes. I… understand…"