Somnia Moon

Chapter 12: Framed

"Where's Zoe?" Alex asked, seeing Holly, who was wearing a black leather jacket with metal spikes jutting out of the shoulders, sat alone on the red velvet sofa in the decrepit reception area. She assumed Evan was at the library again, but where could Zoe be?

Holly shrugged. "She's probably with her girlfriend."

Of course. Alex had chosen to forget that when Christina had pulled Zoe aside she had actually be asking her out on a date. "You mean Christina?" she questioned, tone dark and splintered with anger.

"No, I mean Rowen. Who the hell do you think?" Holly said in her usual sarcastic manner. Alex glared.

"So, what, she just expects us to wait whilst she's on a date with that fucking psychopath?"

Holly tilted her head, frowning. "Psychopath?"

Realising she'd let her anger push her into saying something she shouldn't have, Alex opened her mouth, unsure what to say. "I...just don't trust her."

"You don't trust anyone." Holly muttered. "So, unless you're planning on sitting here for what could be hours, why don't we go and actually do something?"

"Ok...Like what?"

"Well, I don't know, why don't you come up with something for once?"

Alex thought for a moment, suddenly becoming aware of how dependent they were on Zoe for thinking of a suitable plan. "Um...well, we could go check up on Evan and see if he's found anything interesting."

Holly rolled her eyes. "Great. Books. So exciting."

"Well, I just don't think it would be a good idea to do anything dangerous without Zoe."

"What,you don't think I can handle it?"

"Um...well, I mean..." Alex had absolutely no idea how to respond.

"Well, come on, then. Let's go find that shy little geek, if that's all you can come up with." Holly stood up and walked towards the exit, ending the discussion.

They halted just outside the hotel, watching as Rowen walked purposefully down the Town Hall steps and continued forwards, seemingly heading towards the main path. Without her blazer, she seemed somehow less intimidating , with her sleeveless white shirt tucked in to her smoothblack skirt making it obvious just how slim she was.

"Where do you think she's going?" Holly wondered.

"I honestly don't care."

A pause. "Hey, we should follow her."

Alex shot her a look, wondering if she'd heard right. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Come on ! We might be able to find out what she's planning." Holly began walking, but Alex grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"Are you crazy? We can't follow her! We'll end up dead."

"Well, you can't honestly expect me to sit in some library and leave her alone to do whatever evil thing she's planning. You want to see her suffer, don't you? Now's our chance to start doing something to stop her."

Alex hesitated, the possibilities running through her mind. "But what if she sees us?"

"I think executing us for just happening to walk along the same path as her would be pushing it a little, don't you?"

"I wouldn't put it past her."

"Whatever. I'm going, no matter what you say. If you decide to stop being a pussy, you're welcome to join." Holly walked away before Alex could do any more to stop her. Alex stayed where she was for all of three seconds before her curiosity got the better of her and she hurried to catch up with her younger friend. After all, she could hardly let her go on her own, could she?