The Campus Killings {#LGBTQ #HORROR}

Chapter Twenty

"You have to calm down a little."

It was the day of the audition and at lunchtime, Jake found himself comforting a panicking Willa — she was hunched over the table, her breath trembling.

"I just don't understand why she's not picking up." her voice was thick, "Did I say something wrong?"

Jake rubbed her back, "I'm sure she's just busy, she'll be at the audition, I guarantee it."

"Yeah, she's probably been roped into another one of her class projects, you know how it is." Raleigh offered, biting the apple he held in his hand.

Brody commented, "Manuela Vestita, loyal to a fault."

"Thanks, guys." she smiled weakly, dropping her head into her hands, "Fuck, I'm so on edge today." her head lifted suddenly, her smile fading, "What if she's hurt?"

Amrit then spoke, his voice cold, "What, by the killer?"

"No, I— I don't mean that." Willa seemed a little alarmed at the concept, however, "Last night, we talked, she was upset about something."

Eilidh cocked her head, "Upset?  What about?"

"Does it matter?" Willa countered, a little defensively, "Sorry." she sighed, rubbing her face, "I've gotta— there's something I need to do."

She pushed free of the table, grabbing her lunch before disappearing from the room rapidly — Jake watched after her with a saddened look, knowing exactly where she'd be going.

"There's something up with her." Eilidh noted, "Everyone's so strange these days."

Amrit commented, "Surely that extends to you too?   You're hardly a people person."

"Look, Sherlock, I get that you're getting a kick out of this, but not everyone you see is the damn killer." she retorted harshly.

He cocked his head, "Defensive, aren't we?"

"Yeah, when a dickhead like you is—"

Brody cut her off, "Eilidh, we talked about this."

The air seemed to turn sour as Eilidh's face fell a little, visibly withdrawing from the conversation at her brother's chastising.

"Sorry about her." he offered Amrit, "You're going through a lot, I get why—"

Amrit shook his head, "Don't worry.  It's not like I care what she thinks of me."

Jake noticed Eilidh clench her fist, biting her tongue to hold back the venomous remark surely on the tip of her tongue.

Ever the mediator, Raleigh swooped in to alter the subject, "So we'll all be there after class, yeah?  To support Willa."

There was a pleading desperation to his voice as he looked at Jake, wordlessly asking him for help to de-escalate the situation.

"I'll be meeting her backstage shortly before, but I'll be there," he replied stiffly.

Eilidh grumbled, "I'll see you there."

Promptly, she grabbed what was left of her lunch and left, leaving Amrit to comment, "She's acting suspicious."

"That's just how she is." Brody shrugged.

Amrit tilted his head, "You really don't take notice of her behaviour much, do you?"

"What're you talking about?" the other man asked, "She's my sister, I don't have to notice every little thing about her."

Amrit countered, "Well, she's hiding something.   Whatever it is, I'll find it out."