DEAD INSIDE

(34)

I woke up with a start to someone banging loudly on the door.

"What the f*ck..." Gregory growled next to me.

One look at our entangled limbs made me feel self-conscious all of a sudden.

When the banging resumed he angrily pushed the duvet to the side and got out of bed. I didn't want to be the person on the other side of the door.

"Can you grab me a sweatshirt in my dressing?" He half groaned, half asked so I got up and headed to the sliding door not far from the sofa and slid it open to reveal a walk-in dressing that was surprisingly well-organized: casual clothes first, then sports equipment, suits and...

No way! I thought as my entire body started shaking uncontrollably.

Right there, in front of me, stuck between a Dark Vader and a Spiderman costumes was a killer clown outfit, complete with the mask.

Deep breathe, Ali... I instructed myself. He doesn't know you know so you're in no immediate danger...

I picked the first hoodie I saw and hurried out of the dressing on wobbly legs. I handed it to Gregory who was frowning at something Karl had told him. I didn't stop to listen what was going on however, and hurried to the sofa where I had left my bags.

I took one in each hand and made my way back to the door where the two Black Devils' leaders were still in the middle of a heated conversation. I tried to walk past them but Gregory stopped me.

"What are you doing?" He asked absent-mindedly before putting his hands on my shoulders and staring at me apologetically. "It can wait... There's something you need to know, first..." Why did he sound so nervous all of a sudden? Did he somehow know that I knew?!

No, that wasn't possible.

So what?

"Ok..." He mumbled. "Don't freak out but there was an accident..."

"A-an accident?" I dropped the two bags as dozens of possibilities flashed through my mind.

"Marla and Marvin went running together this morning and stumbled upon a fight that degenerated..." He said.

"How b-bad?" I stuttered.

"Marla tried to separate two juniors but got pushed, tripped and fell onto her back..."

"What?!" My ears started ringing. My sight was suddenly blurred by the tears that were now streaming down my face. "Tell me she's going to be ok..." I muttered. "Tell me she's going to be ok..."

"She's in surgery..." He answered with his eyes anywhere but on me.

"Marvin?"

"He beat the guy up to a bloody pulp and is now sitting in jail..."

"Why?" I asked but stopped. What was the point?

"Why what?" He was frowning.

"Nothing..." I muttered. "I have to go..." I bent down to pick up my bags but had to pause when a wave of dizziness shook me. Gregory put his hand on my shoulder, probably to stabilize me but I jerked away from his touch. I didn't know what game he was playing at...

Wait a minute! I thought.

"So that's what it's all about!? You're just avenging Vanessa!" I exclaimed in disbelief and I clenched my hands to stop them from shaking.

"I don't understand what you're talking about..." He said, his pleading eyes making me flinch.

"You're a good actor, I have to give you that..." I scoffed.