Dealing with the Devil [Yandere x Reader]

Chapter 51 - Torn

I left the principal's office, my thoughts a swirling storm of confusion and worry. The hallways, usually a bustling maze of laughter and chatter, felt stifling, the faces around me blurring into an indistinct mass.

My steps were unsteady as I made my way back to class, the weight of the morning's revelations pressing heavily on my shoulders.

When I finally slipped into my seat, the familiar surroundings did little to calm my racing thoughts. I glanced around, noticing the curious glances from my classmates, their whispered conversations clearly about the missing student.

Jake Roberts.

His name echoed in my mind, a persistent reminder of the unsettling encounter with Officer Daniels.

I tried to focus on the lesson, but my attention kept drifting, the teacher's words fading into a distant hum. As I doodled absentmindedly in my notebook, my phone vibrated softly in my pocket. I glanced at the screen, and my heart skipped a beat. Two new messages.

The first one was from an unknown number, but I recognized it immediately:

Jake.

"We have to meet outside at the back of the school at 8 pm."

My breath caught in my throat.

Jake?

But how?

He was supposed to be missing. Fear and confusion twisted in my gut as I read the message again, trying to make sense of it.

Before I could process what this meant, another text buzzed in:

Baby

Wanna come with me to celebrate your book being out?

A warm feeling of pride and joy surged through me, momentarily pushing aside the unease. Today was supposed to be about celebrating my book release, a milestone I had worked so hard for.

Crap, so much was happening I forgot about the celebration, I thought, guilt gnawing at me.

For a moment, I sat there, staring at my phone, torn between two very different worlds. On one hand, there was Christian, my constant, my anchor, wanting to celebrate my success. On the other hand, there was Jake, his cryptic message pulling me into a web of mystery and danger.

I didn't reply to either of them. Instead, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and tried to focus on the class, but it was no use. My mind was caught in a whirlwind, trying to piece together this strange, unsettling game.

What did Jake want from me?

And why tonight, of all nights?

The rest of the day passed in a haze. The school buzzed with rumors about Jake's disappearance. I could hear snippets of conversations as I walked through the halls, students speculating about where he might be, what could have happened to him. Each passing comment only added to my growing sense of dread.

By lunchtime, I couldn't stand the constant chatter. Everywhere I turned, I heard his name, saw the worried faces of his friends and teachers. The walls seemed to close in around me, and I needed to escape. I made my way to the library, seeking solace among the rows of silent books.

The library was a refuge, its quiet atmosphere a stark contrast to the chaos outside. I found a secluded corner and sank into a chair, my head in my hands. I stayed there for what felt like hours, lost in my thoughts. The clock ticked steadily on the wall, each second bringing me closer to 8 PM.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, I still hadn't made a decision.

Should I meet Jake and uncover whatever truth he was hiding?

Or should I stay with Christian, celebrate the release of my book, and pretend that everything was normal?

Deep down, I knew I couldn't avoid this decision forever. Sooner or later, I would have to face the consequences of whatever choice I made. For now, though, I remained in the quiet sanctuary of the library, trying to find a way through the tangled mess my life had become.