The Keys to freedom

Stupidly human

The shack was quiet, with just minutes away from closing. The usual hum of late-night chatter and clinking dishes had long since faded, leaving only the faint sound of the radio and the rhythmic swish of mops on the floor. The group busied themselves with their nightly chores.

Oz couldn't help but steal glances at Grayson as she worked. He had been unusually quiet all night. Each time she passed him, his cold shoulder was impossible to ignore, and glaringly obvious to everyone around. She watched as he leaned over the kitchen pass-through and caught James as he brought back an armful of empty plates.

"So," he said, lowering his voice, "what's the play for tonight? Drinks? Brainstorming? Both?"

James wiped his hands on his apron and shrugged. "Neither, actually. I can't hang tonight. I've got a date with Evie."

He raised an eyebrow.  "You're going on a date?"

"Well, it's not really a date, considering I haven't asked her, and she doesn't know about it. But i'm planning on surprising her,"

"So, you're just going to show up at her place tonight for a date she knows nothing about?" Grayson asked with a raised brow.

"That's the plan,"

"You've got to be kidding me," Oz snapped overhearing the whole exchange. "You're bailing on the clue again?"

James frowned. "Damn Oz, it's not like I don't have a life outside of this."

"Well, it's sure as hell a bad time for you to have gotten one," she huffed.

"At least he's not sneaking around," Grayson cut in, his tone sharp.

She whipped around to face him, her eyes narrowing. "What's that suppose to mean?"

"You tell me?" He replied.

"I'm not sneaking around. And maybe you should stay out of it."

"Like you stay out of everyone else's business?" James shot back, stepping between them. "You're always budding into my relationship, and—"

"You don't have a relationship!" She cut him off. "You have an obsessive crush, James! That's not the same thing."

His jaw clenched as he bit back the real words he wanted to say to her. "Why don't you go figure out what crawled up your butt and quit being so damn difficult?"

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Difficult? Oh, I'm sorry, is it difficult to hear the truth? Maybe if you spent more time thinking with your head instead of your—"

"Enough!" Grayson barked, slamming his palm against the counter hard enough to make both of them flinch. His face was tight with irritation, his voice a low growl. "Both of you need to chill out. We have bigger problems than your petty arguments."

James still glared at her but stayed silent, as she bit the inside of her cheek, her anger held in check by Grayson's piercing stare.

"Look," he continued, his tone softer now but no less firm, "we're all tired, stressed, and dealing with enough crap as it is. Fighting with each other isn't going to help. So, knock it the hell off,"

James put his hands up in surrender, before storming off toward the back. Oz turned to Grayson and opened her mouth to say something, but he raised a hand, shaking his head.

"Not now, Oz," he said quietly, turning back to his task.

She sighed and stomped off toward Jessper who was leaning against the soda fountain, sneaking a sip of Coke from a to-go cup. Oz planted herself beside her, arms crossed.

"Let me guess," Jessper began with a smirk.

"Grayson and James are jerks," she replied, cutting her off.

"I wanted to guess," she groaned.

"Are you going to help with the clue tonight? Or is everyone abandoning ship?"

She sighed, setting the cup down. "I can't. My mom wants me home early tonight. Something about quality time,"

Oz groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "So, no James, no you, no Eric—just me and Grayson, who's currently mad at me for no good reason."

"Maybe he thinks he has a reason. Have you talked to him?"

"Not really. He's been ignoring me, up until he scolded me for arguing with James just now,"

"Why has he been ignoring you?"

She hesitated, glancing away. "He saw me talking to Pyke. And then the whole thing in the parking lot, I think he thinks somethings going on,"

Jessper raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I see. And is there?"

"Not the point," she said giving her a warning glare not to press further. "The point is I'm trying to get everyone to focus on what's matters here, and it feels like I'm the only one."

"Life's just been getting in the way, Oz," she said with a shrug. "It's no one's fault. Sometimes we have to do the stupid, human thing. But we'll get back on track."

She narrowed her eyes. "And what if, by then, someone else figures out the clue?"

She paused. "Then life moves on, I guess."

"That's not an option," Oz said firmly, her frown deepening.

Before she could respond, James appeared, Grayson following a few steps behind with his arms crossed.

"Let's go. I'm just going to drop you and Gray off at the house," James said undoing his apron, "then I'm heading back out."

"Actually, could you drop me off at my place instead?" Grayson asked, his tone casual but firm.

James blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Uh... are you sure?"

His gaze drew to Oz. "Positive."

She tilted her head with concern and frustration. "Stop it, Grayson. Don't go home just because you're mad at me."

He held her gaze, his expression tightening. "I'm not mad at you. Believe it or not, not every decision I make revolves around you."

Before she could say anything, he turned on his heel and headed for the door. She let out a heavy sigh of frustration, but followed after him, the others trailing close behind.

James pulled up to the rundown house, its peeling paint and broken windows a reflection of the world within. The engine rumbled to a stop.

Grayson sat in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed on the front door. Oz reached over to him, her hand lightly brushing his shoulder.

"Grayson, please," she said, her voice quiet. "You don't have to go in there. Just come back with me, okay?"

He stiffened, and for a moment, she thought he might listen. But then he turned, his eyes dark and clouded and she saw the familiar anger flashing across his face.

"I get it," she said. "I understand more than you think. I just... I can't stand the thought of you going in there and letting him hurt you."

But he was already unbuckling his seat belt, his eyes avoiding hers.

She sighed. "Fine, I can't make you listen to me, but you know where to fine me if you need me. I'm here for you. Always. Just remember that."

He didn't respond. He simply, opened the car door, and stepped out, not looking back. The cold night air hit her like a slap to the face.

She watched him walk up to the front door of the house, his shoulders tense, his back rigid. And then the door swung open, and Grayson disappeared inside. Oz sat there, staring at the house for a long moment, her heart heavy in her chest.