Duskwood: the man behind the mask

37. Heroes and villains

The sun has already appeared in the sky, and, with it, the moment of truth is approaching. No one has been able to rest inside the hut, but that is not the problem: they would not have been able to sleep even if they wanted to. Alan said they would meet in the morning, so they have little time left before he calls again to summon Jake and Gabe.

The last conversation with him was quite difficult for everyone. The sound of the forest, and that moan of pain at the end... Could it really be MC? Was he hurting her at that exact moment to teach them a lesson? Jessy knows those are the same questions everyone else is asking. They all fear the same thing, and their worry is doubled because they can't be sure that the plan they have made will work.

"You'll come with your second-in-command, and if I see anyone else, I'll shoot you both without hesitation... By the way, your girl sends her regards."

Jessy can't help the same shiver from before running through her skin as she remembers that last sentence, or the sound that came after. She glances in Jake's direction and sees him seemingly focused, almost calm, as he answers the others' questions alongside Gabe. However, he constantly checks his phone and that gives him away. He is anxious, although he tries hard not to let it show.

The tension is almost palpable. No one agrees with the last part of the plan and they haven't stopped arguing, but time is running out. The only one who seems oblivious to everything is Richy, busy at one end of the room with the tracker they will use... And that's when Jessy looks up and freezes: Hannah is huddled in a corner of the stairs and watches them in silence.

Jessy can't be sure what exactly has alarmed her, but there's something about that way of looking. It's almost like she is... stalking them?

Jessy: Lilly, are you sure it's a good thing that Hannah is listening to everything we're talking about?

She looks at her sister and takes a moment to respond, but then smiles sadly:

Lilly: We cannot leave her aside, she has already suffered enough. Plus, I think this helps her know that we trust her and want her to be part of the group again. At least she has remained calm.

Jessy: Okay... I guess you're right...

---

They think I'm stupid. They think I don't realize anything, but I know everything. They don't want me, they want her. That whole thing about them looking for me was a lie, a disgusting lie. Since I got here, they haven't cared about me at all. They push me aside and throw me out when they want to talk. And because? Because they can't fool me like they fooled Lilly.

My poor Lilly... They played with her head, they manipulated her, and that was their worst mistake because I will never forget it. Never. I won't forgive them for using my sister against me. They used her naivety to drive her crazy and make her believe what it was not. Jake, our brother? That's the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard. But they don't fool me.

If it were true, that guy wouldn't have been so surprised. He says he's friends with Jake, and he didn't know we're "siblings"? Don't make me laugh... He didn't know because it was a lie, that's all. They think I didn't notice, but of course I noticed. That's why they push me away and try to keep me away from him: because they know they can't manipulate me.

She knows it too. As soon as she realized that he was looking for me and cared about me, she let herself be kidnapped. She did it on purpose to be the center of attention, the damsel in distress who must be saved. But it backfired because when it came time to choose, Jake chose me. He saved me and not her... haha, that must have hurt her.