lights out » d.h [INACTIVE; INCOMPLETE.]

Our Little Secret

Time freeze. Those are the exact words to describe how everything felt when I heard Joey's name. Everyone grabbed their things and rushed to the parking lot while I hesitated, slowly making my way there. My thoughts were messy, as well as my footsteps.

"If you can hurry the fuck up!" Dan yells.

I kept quiet, constantly looking back. We were just near the parking lot, when I saw an exit sign to my right. A man in grey sweatpants and a navy blue hood. His hair was a mess, his breathing was audible, and the knife in his hand was hanging. It was Joey.

"I found you... I finally found you..." he breathes out, his steps growing closer in my direction.

This might be my chance to have a normal life. Leaving with Joey, going back home with an innocent name. No more worries about my life. But... I wouldn't be with my friends. Sure, it's most definitely a hard life, but these people are the closest to family I ever had, including Dan. I'm a new person, would I be able to survive through the norm with an insane mind set?

"What are you doing here,  Joey?" I growl.

"You're asking me what I'm doing here?! You disappeared! Missing for months! With no explanation or goodbye! I track you down for weeks upon weeks to find you bolting down a hotel hall with Dan! So don't ask me that bullshit Bella! You're coming with me, this isn't the life for you," he grabs a hold of my wrist, tightly.

I can't trust him. Anybody can be the Nobody. It could be a trap for all I know, so I do what I was taught best; self defense. I manage to get out of his grip, twisting his arm and throwing him to the ground.

"Bella! What the fuck!!" He groans.

"Don't even think about following me if you know what's good for you. You never saw me here, got it?!" I scream into his face, picking up my suitcase and walking towards the exit.

"I know about your stalker! The anonymous person! I know about them!" Joey groans out, sitting up.

My head quickly turns back, ignoring the callings of my name.

"How do you know?! You haven't been around for shit. Explain yourself before I leave you on this floor," I bend down to his level.

"Arabella! Don't make me drag you to the van with my bare hands!" Dan yells, jogging back to my area.

"Shut up, Dan. Joey knows about the Nobody. He knows about them. I wanna hear what he has to say," I look up to him, then back to Joey.

Dan slowly nods his head, bending down to my level, "explain yourself Joseph."

Joey nods, "It started back when I left to see my grandmother. She started getting letters addressed to me. At first they were just pictures of dolls. Old, antique, cracked dolls. Then it turned to dark poetry. Then riddles. I ignored it, assuming it was Dan trying to scare me. It wasn't until my Nan and I were mailed a dead rat with a tea bag wrapped around its neck, with the name 'Arabella' on it, that woke me up to reality. I was trying to talk to you about it Bell, but you were also acting strange. You were working late at the job you hated and continued dates with Harry. I slowly noticed the anonymous riddles on your side table. They were identical to mine, same paper and everything. I was going to tell you the night you went missing, but I never saw you since."

Fear was running through my body. Joey looked absolutely scarred after his story. Dan looked furious and do I dare say frightened?

"D-Dan..?" I place my hand on his shoulder.

He slaps it away, standing himself up. He places his hands behind his head, pacing around, mumbling to himself.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier Bell... I didn't want anything happening to you.." Joey frowns.

My eyes grow glassy, "am I the target then?"

"I'm supposing, but that rat could of meant anything," Joey bows his head.

"Do you know anyone who has it out for you, Arabella?" Dan interrupts.

I think, shaking my head, "no, I don't."

"Think harder dammit!" Dan raises his voice.

"I'm fucking try to! I can't think of anybody okay!" I scream.

"Guys calm down. We have to think about this. Who's most innocent and close towards Bella that can possibly have it out for her?" Joey asks.

Dan looks at me with sincere eyes. I catch his drift, almost as if I can read his mind.

"Fuck no! It's not him! I know Harry! He wouldn't dare—"

"Then who else Arabella?! He's been fucking you for how long now?! He knows you like the back of his hand. He randomly appeared in town. Maybe you have some sort of connection to him because he seems to be the only reasonable person to be secretly out for you," Dan folds his arms.

"I gotta agree with Dan on his one Bell," Joey rises, dusting off his pants.

My eyes grow back watery, "can't be," I choke out. Dan and Joey respond with silence.

"Everything okay? We thought we lost you guys!" Harry runs in the hall, puffing out a breath.

"We're fine. Joey's joining us, get the van ready so he can follow us. Got it, Edwards?" Dan says sternly.

"Alright, but I wanna know how Bell is doing," Harry folds his arms.

"She's doing great. Nothing to concern you so do as I fucking say," Dan takes a step closer to him.

Harry presses his lips, nodding. With that he left to go start the van.

"Listen to me, the both of you. Joey you're going to follow us from now on. We'll figure out a plan later but for now we need to think things through. Keep that knife of yours Joe, we might need it later. As for Arabella, no more love time with Harry. I want you by my side at all costs you hear? This will be our little secret," Dan whispers.

We both nod, following Dan along with our things.

"Hope you guys like camping, you're gonna be seeing a lot more trees from now on," Dan leads, smirking.

A night to camp. The best way to expose an enemy's target and the best way to get away with murder.