The Lost Boys found boy

Part4

When I came to, I found myself stretched out in the middle of an unfamiliar road. There were no buildings or anything that resembled downtown. All I could see was the dirt next to the street, the ocean behind my back, and a steep, rocky cliffside in front of me.

Oh, and Mallory's corpse was sprawled out next to me. Her throat had been lacerated and with the exception of blood stains on her clothing, she had been drained dry. I leaned over and took a whiff of her open wound.

David. It smelled just like him, thick of smoke and a hint of whisky.

I sat back on the ground and closed my eyes out of frustration. What did I do wrong back there? Why did David treat me like he'd never seen me before? What was the matter with HIM?

I heard gravel crunching nearby. I opened my eyes and looked over my shoulder, surprised to see a car with its headlights on pulling up to the road. Unlike with David, this one made no attempt to try and hit me. The driver kept the engine running as they stepped out of the car. To my surprise, it was Max, and he wasn't pleased.

"You're lucky I came upon you before anything bad could happen," he said as he noticed Mallory's body. With a heavy sigh, he ordered me to take the girl and put her body in the trunk, where we would properly dispose of it later. I didn't hesitate. There was so much I wanted to ask of Max. Yet he was silent with me during the whole ordeal. From finding a place to dump Mallory and on the way back to the university, Max was quiet. He was mad and disappointed; you could see it on his face. I didn't care. I wanted answers.

It was an hour before dawn when Max pulled into the West Remote parking lot of the school. That was when he berated me.

"After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me? You endanger yourself by leaving the campus? For shame, Jasper! I expected better from you."

I snapped back, "What you've done for me is trapped me here! You know I'm haunted by memories of the past, yet you continue to do nothing to help! I had to get answers for myself, and when I saw an opportunity to get them, I took it!"

Max actually smiled remorsefully as he unlocked the doors to his car, because he knew I was right, or so I wanted to believe.

"You are much safer staying on campus grounds," Max insisted as he stared ahead at some of the family student housing buildings in the distance. "David's not like you. He doesn't listen like you do—under normal circumstances. I'm willing to forgive the stunt you pulled tonight if you promise me you will never leave here, unless I tell you that it's okay. I can't imagine what David would have done to you had I not been there by chance."

I repressed the urge to openly object. I was extremely frustrated over everything that happened tonight. Instead of answers, I was left with more questions. So what if Max "rescued" me? I wanted to stay and talk to David, see what was going on with him.

"I want to see my friends," I maintained before opening the door and pulling myself out of the car. I didn't even bother closing it behind me as I spirited away into the night, fuming, and full of utter disappointment.

No matter what, though, I was determined to get through this tribulation.