Chapter 57

Sage jolted in his sleep, his eyes snapping open. His sleep left him when he found himself face to face with River, and he malfunctioned for a moment. Nothing of that seemed real to him—why would he sleep in my bed instead of his own? 

And why is he…hugging me? 

He couldn't comprehend anything, his mind was still foggy. He wondered if their position meant that River wasn't angry with him anymore. His heart began to come to life again. 

But that thought only made him upset once more. Why did it matter if River was angry with him or not when River loves Eve?

Still, he couldn't help his fluttering heart. He has loved this guy for so long to give a damn even if River doesn't love him back. He would still love him very much. He continued to admire the handsome face in front of him, but the unexplainable pain gnawing at his heart didn't go away. 

For some reason, his heart was thundering loudly as if something bad was going to happen. His stomach churned in nervousness yet he couldn't understand what it was. 

Suddenly, River's eyes opened, and their gazes locked. Sage's eyes widened, he felt embarrassed when River didn't say anything. His cheeks burned. He hastily tried to get up and leave the bed to save his face. 

However, just as he attempted to run for his escape, River's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist pulling him back. 

Sage's heart skipped a beat, but neither of them spoke. When Sage eventually turned to look at River, he was utterly surprised to see a pained expression on River's face. He wasn't expecting such a reaction 

River gently picked him and pulled between his legs and wrapped his arms around him. Sage was too shocked to speak anything, his heart was racing in his chest. River leaned in closer, his chest pressing against Sage's back. "Where are you going? Are you trying to leave me alone?" he whispered in Sage's ear. 

Tears instantly filled Sage's eyes, it's so long since he had heard this softness and tenderness in River's voice. He opened his mouth but he was scared that his voice would crack so he didn't respond. 

Why was River suddenly acting as if everything was back to the way it used to be? He wondered while blinking to get rid of the moisture in his eyes. 

"I…I w-was…I–" It felt too much, too painful, too overwhelming. River hugged him tightly, burying his face in Sage's neck, his chest felt tightened, he felt like the worst person for hurting his Sage like that where he couldn't speak before choking on tears. 

"I'm scared, Ziggy," He huffed, his muffled breath tickling on Sage's skin. Sage was taken aback, he couldn't fathom what someone like River could be afraid of. 

"What are you scared of?" he inquired softly, resting his face on River's arm that was around his chest, thinking whether it was okay or if River would push him again. 

"Of losing you," 

Sage forgot to breathe. He felt like he had heard those words from River before, as if he had seen River scared before. The feeling made his stomach drop. Why is the feeling so familiar yet so distant? 

The hair on his skin stood at the feeling of deja vu. It's as if his body is making him remember something that his mind is denying. He quickly turned to face River, and the nervousness on River's face made him scared even more.

River tried to force out a small smile for the sake of his little roommate. He cupped Sage's and joined their heads. "I want to leave this place."

"Me too," Sage almost unconsciously pleaded as if it was a muscle memory.

A throbbing pain began in his head. It felt like his mind was attempting to recall something, but his heart was resisting, denying him access to that memory. Sage didn't understand why this was happening.

River quickly pulled back and was surprised to see Sage's eyes glistening with tears. "Ziggy?" 

Sage stared blankly at him, touching his wet cheeks. When did I start crying? And why?

Observing his reaction closely, River instantly understood what this reaction meant. Sage was remembering the memories he removed that day when Sage read the subject's reports. 

With a gentle and frightened smile, River asked. "Will you come with me? Will you still be with me once we are out?" 

Sage's mouth opened wide, but he nodded profusely like a robot in case River changed his mind again. River laughed, finding his happiness really cute. He crushed Sage's in a bone-crushing hug. 

"Oh, I love you so much!" 

Sage almost fell from the bed if it wasn't for River to hug him. Did he…did River just say—!

Still, Sage found it difficult to believe and cautiously pulled back, staring doubtly at River with a thundering heart. "B-But don't you like Eve?" 

The pained look on Sage's face tugged at River's heartstrings, causing a deep sense of guilt and self-hatred to hit him. He took a deep breath bringing his face closer with a reassuring smile. 

"Ziggy…I lied about Eve because I didn't want to hurt you anymore, but it seems I only made you more upset. How could I like him? Alpha would cut off my legs," River stared at his lips, and Sage's face heated up. 

His wide eyes and stunned expression were undeniably cute for River. He immediately embraced River who gently rubbed his back, silently apologising for all the time he had mistreated Safe. 

"Why are you not saying I love you back?" River asked in a grumbling tone. 

"I love you too!" Sage laughed, feeling extremely happy that he was having a hard time containing it. "Hey stop! Ha ha ha!" He giggled happily as River tickled him. 

He stopped laughing when he heard a strange sound of rustling. "River, What's the noise–mmf?" He was about to break free of the hug to ask what the noise was when River kissed him hard. Sage's heart raced at the unexpected kiss, and he felt butterflies in his stomach. However, when River's tongue touched Sage, those butterflies went from being surprised to frightening. Sage felt something cold transported into his mouth. He became extremely anxious upon realising that River was trying to push something in his mouth. 

"Mmhmm—-!" He struggled but River's hold tightened on him, making it impossible for him to move away. River pressed on, using his tongue to press the pill farther into Sage's mouth. Sage was fighting against the incursion, and his breathing became laboured. He felt the shock and dread as he swallowed the pill uncontrollably in the middle of his distress.

When River was sure that Sage swallowed it, he slightly loosened his grip. Detaching his lips, Sage's heavy-lidded eyes stared at him. He couldn't understand what just happened. River, though, observed him without any emotion as Sage gasped for air feeling his chest heave from the effort. 

At last, with betrayal and perplexity in his voice, Sage barely found the breath to ask him. "W-Why...?" 

But before River could reply, he fell unconscious, his eyes closing. 

Feeling a great deal of regret and guilt, River instantly pulled his fainted body into a protective embrace. "I'm sorry but you can't remember anything Ziggy." 

1 WEEK LATER ~

"L-Lia…No!" Alpha cried out in his sleep. Eve sighed helplessly and pulled him closer, Alpha's trembling body settled down after a moment. Nestled safely in Eve's arms, he instinctively buried his face in Eve's neck for comfort. 

Eve threw his arms around Alpha and kissed his cold shoulder tenderly, hugging him dearly. "Why can't you forget Lia?" He called out to a sleeping person and an empty room. 

"How could I forget someone I don't even remember in the first place?" 

Eve smiled as a cold, soulless tone whispered against his neck. "You're awake?" he asked. 

Alpha gazed up at him who kissed his forehead. When their eyes met, Alpha swore he felt hypnotised, he didn't just see affection in Eve's eyes but thousands more emotions there. Some were good, and some shouldn't be there. 

Many things had changed in their life. It has become quieter, more settled and more calm. He no longer pressured Eve to tell him about Lia, but the past still haunted his dreams from time to time. But when he woke up, none of them talked about it. It was a topic they both chose to avoid. 

They have grown more detached from Sunford, and rarely leave their dorm. And Eve likes it that way. 

He believes it's a waste of time for them to go out. Often, Alpha would express his desire to go outside but Eve always convinced him otherwise and that makes Alpha irritated. 

Alpha would say he wants some fresh air. Yet Eve would not have it. He would tell that the outside world is too dangerous, and nothing bad would happen to Alpha as long as he's with Eve. 

And this disagreement frequently turns into furious and angry sex. 

However, the story is much more complicated than Alpha thinks. He wasn't aware of the insane things going on in Eve's mind. 

Eve believed that isolating Alpha from others would be best for them. He doesn't want anyone to see or even come closer to Alpha in order to keep him safe. Or maybe that's just what he was trying to convince his heart. His possessiveness has lost all boundaries, he prefers it when it's just them and no one else. 

He would observe Alpha's every small change or wherever he goes or talks to. He would made sure Alpha was near him as close as he could keep him. 

The powerful feelings they had for each other were so overwhelming that Alpha found himself engulfed in a conflict situation. On the one hand, he is intolerant and even furious by the heaviness of Eve's possessiveness and doesn't like continuously being watched. On the other hand, he was unable to deny the sense of security Eve's presence provides him. 

He wanted space, but he was also afraid that something bad would happen if he left Eve's side. So, even though he was having an uncomfortable internal conflict, he couldn't bring himself to leave Eve. There was something about it that made him feel safe and protected, even wanted, despite the possessiveness.

"Would you like to shower together?" He was snapped back to reality at Eve's offer. 

He simply shook his head and settled his head on the pillow from Eve's arm. "I wanted to sleep more." 

He was expecting Eve to nag him but his cheeks flushed when Eve leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek. Something unsettled him in the pit of his stomach but he stayed calm. 

"Why are you so cute?" Eve whispered, making his blush deepened. "But I wish you could be more obedient." 

Alpha stared at his smile, although it seemed hearty, it hid many intentions and possibly even evil. 

Eve got out of bed, but hesitated a little before going into the bathroom. He turned to face Alpha with a serious look and said in a warning tone. "I would like to find you right here when I come back." 

He didn't leave until Alpha sighed and nodded. "Fine, just go." 

Eve smiled. "I love you too." 

Lying in the bed Alpha's mind was surrounded by the mystery Eve and this place held they were locked in. When he heard the sound of the flowing water, he rose from the bed. 

He pulled out Eve's bag which was securely tucked under the bed. He had noticed how cautiously Eve takes care of it. He keeps it so safe it's almost suspicious. And his instinct told him it contained something significant. 

He opens it, dragging his hands deeper but finds just normal things. However, as he dug further he discovered something that made him shudder. 

A large amount of pills and drugs that were in excessive quantities. 

His heart raced as he felt like he was doing something he shouldn't. But as he looked farther, he found something completely unexpected…

…a glass jar full of paper rings and stars. 

He was confused because the malicious side of the drugs didn't match these childish things. And why was Eve keeping these things anyway?

Like a curious cat, he felt pushed to take those colourful little stars out of the jar. And he did exactly that. Though they appeared to be simple folded paper, they made him be tempted to find some clues on them. 

He unfolded the first start, and sure there was something written on it. 

"Will is sorry." The paper almost fell from his hands. 

Panic struck him as he felt dizzy reading those words. It was a runny handwriting, as if a child who just began to learn writing wrote it. 

He opened another star, and just like the previous one there was a message written on it as well. 

"Lia forgive Will." 

He kept on unfolding them. 

"Will love you so much." 

"Talk to Will." 

"Hug Will." 

"Will is hungry." 

"Lia and Will." 

Alpha throws the stars and the jar. Fright twisted his guts and he breathed heavily. His heart hammered and his head throbbed. Fear filled him just as the sound of the shower stopped. 

He gulped and looked between the mess in front of him and the closed bathroom door which could be open at any second. 

His heart advised him to run away before he got caught. So, he quickly left the dorm leaving the jar and the widely spread drugs on the bed. 

Once in the hallways, he heard some rumours while making his way around the campus. It was a student asking if someone had watched his roommate who's disappeared for a few hours now. 

"It's the month's sacrifice soon. Alpha must have taken him, dude." 

Alpha heard them, and even though he had no idea where that student might be he was getting accused of kidnapping. But he would like to definitely catch the real killer this time. He decided to wait and observe the situation but suddenly he caught sight of River walking down the hallway. So, he changed his plan. 

He thought about discussing the things he found out in Eve's bag with River. He was about to yell for River but when River turned into a hallway he lost him. He hurriedly quickened his pace to catch up on him. 

 🐇🔪🐇

River stepped closer to his next victim, the body of a guy with a large X carved into his stomach. He reached for his knife, but hesitated as he stared at the lifeless form in front of him. He could not ignore the feeling of dread and nausea rising up inside him and before he knew it, he was overwhelmed by the disgusting sight. 

He tried to steady himself and take control of the situation, but his hands were shaking as he reluctantly drew his blade and slowly sliced open the chest. The sight of the bloody flesh and organs within sent him over the edge and he stumbled back, desperately trying to suppress the urge to gag.

He was a surgeon, he had dealt with this. But he wasn't a murderer. 

He then sliced open the stomach and stared in horror. He felt like throwing up. Taking out the liver he carved a big X on it before putting it aside. Next, he cut the limbs and scattered them around other sprawled-out parts on the cold table. 

Taking a deep breath, he took off his gloves and mask. "Fucking finally." he stared at the body he prepared for the month's sacrifice. 

However, he froze when he went to dispose of the bloody gloves and found Alpha standing there. And his expression didn't seem good. 

"I'm fucked," Fear paralysed him on the spot. 

Alpha was fuming, his eyes turning cold and lifeless and once again he began to feel extremely chilly that he stopped feeling for some time now while he was with Eve. 

"So it was you." 

Four words yet they made River flinch. 

[Alpha and Eve's dorm]

Eve smirked at the opened bag and scattered out things. "You sneaky little kitten. I'll wait until you come running back to me." 

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Thoughts on the chapter? 

Do you think River is in danger, or Alpha for finding out the truth?