Just One Bite »ᴄɵᴍᴘᴌᴇтᴇ«

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SIX

As the assembly ended, Vivian wasn't quiet sure how to act or what to think. And she was sure that she wasn't the only one. Sitting in the sixth-form centre with Lizzie, Willow, Dane, and Matt, Vivian thought about the twenty deaths that had been committed in the past month by the same person, in and around Bugbrooke. They were sure it was the same person because they'd all died with their throats ripped out and had all been drained of blood. But twenty deaths in less than a month? By one person?

The sound of a fist thumping into a wall made most in the room jump to see Alex and Rikky trying to calm their younger brother down who looked to be in a fit of rage. They were murmuring quietly to him when the lady who watched the sixth-form called out Dee's name in caution, but it was Alex who responded and said that Dee would be fine once he had some fresh air. The office worker looked doubtful, but said nothing more. Moments later, the three Dager brothers stood and left the room. Vivian didn't miss the glance Dee gave her. She couldn't see what had been in his eyes, but it felt as though he was worried. For her? Vivian glanced away, looked at the table, feeling the embarrassment of what had happened last Sunday in the shop wash over her.

"I can't believe they didn't tell us sooner," Dane grumbled, turning back to those at the table.

"I can't believe I haven't seen it on the news," Lizzie replied.

After a moments silence, she spoke again. "Do you think that person managed to get to Damon and Ashley? And that's why they still haven't come back?"

Nobody wanted to answer. And Vivian couldn't blame them. There had still been hope in those around her of Damon and Ashley coming back for the new year. This seemed to kill it a little more. Lizzie's question made Willow wrap her arms around herself as though there was a cold draft. There wasn't, and Vivian knew that this type of cold couldn't be cured with an extra jacket.

A couple of minutes passed in silence, it was almost as though the room was paying their respects to the dead who'd died a painful death.

Vivian wasn't quiet sure what to think. Except, she wondered about Dee's reaction to the news. Had he already known? Did he know who was committing the murders? Was that why it angered him so much? Vivian shook her head to get rid of the questions. But her stubborn mind kept Dee's black hair, vibrant blue eyes with black slits for pupils and handsome, sharp feature's in her mind, refusing to let go. But thankfully, Matt spoke to her.

"Come on, Vivian, we've got a lesson."

The rest of the day passed quickly, as did the others. But then Friday came. Exiting the shop with the milk that Piper had asked for, Vivian wasn't prepared for a hands and arms to wrap around her. One hand covered her mouth, the other held her arms and body immobile. No matter how much she tried to move, she couldn't.

Breathing coming quicker as fear made her stop fighting, for fear that he would do worse, Vivian held still and prayed that this wasn't the man who they'd talked about during assembly. Glancing around and... Kave? Suddenly Vivian's heart pounded so fast she was afraid that she might pass out. And god knows what he might do to her then. Oh, god, her head swam, and she was starting to feel light headed. Where was Kave? He never left her apart for in school or when she entered a shop.

"Hush, hush, child," the voice was what people thought an angel would sound like. Light. Beautiful. But this one also held sin. He moved his hand away from her mouth. "Stay quiet now, we wouldn't want to alert anyone, now would we?"

Vivian gulped, feeling that the question he asked was rhetorical. "Wha–" Come on, Vivian, she scolded herself. "What– What do you want?"