Castle High

34. Cross-Hairs

“Get out of the way, fool!”

The harsh, admonishing voice of a driver on the road – rang out as Jake scurried off the road and unto the pavement ahead in haste. Ever since yesterday, he hadn’t exactly been in the right frame of mind. A confirmation wasn’t needed to affirm that Andrew’s hunch was right. Something indeed was amiss with Shelby’s demeanor these days, and the thought of his own potential hunch being right, sent an endless supply of frosty cold chills down his spine.

No, it couldn’t be so.

It was just too hammering to comprehend. The horror and destruction that could re-descend would be decimating in comparison to what happened last year. It couldn’t be the same person behind the J.C. escapade. Something within him was assuring him nothing was wrong, and that he was only being as paranoid and naïve as usual. But the signs, the signs did nothing to soothe his agitated being.

His assumption was that there was indeed a personality, a figurine behind the J.C.’s fiasco, and that the person’s ploy didn’t end with the dissolution of J.C. In fact, he believed that it was only the first phase in a grand scheme. A lot of people had been compromised for an unknown agenda – Mr. Silverman at Castle, Darren Hoffman at Jungle Camp, and the thought that Shelby could be the next person was just too hammering to handle.

And it was all – his fault.

He dragged her into it back at J.C. by feeding her with what he thought was going on. He had a choice to leave her out of it, despite her protests – it was still his decision to make but yet, he made the wrong one and she was going to pay, or was already paying for it. Whatever it was, he had to find out and he had to do so quickly.

“Mr. Marshall.”

A familiar voice knocked him out of his trance, and he turned around to see the Principal studying him intently with concern embedded in her stare. “Doing fine this morning?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled weakly, taking cognizance of his surroundings. He didn’t know he had walked into the school compound already, and was heading slowly towards the large entrance of the main building.

“You sure?” Serena asked, curiosity twinkling in her stare. “You look quite – fazed.”

“I’m alright, ma’am.” Jake replied in an assuring tone. “I just stayed up longer than I usually do, last night.”

“Okay,” She nodded in comprehension, and proceeded to walk past him towards the main building. “So your dad is still not interested in the board, right?”

Jake shrugged, calling after her retreating figure. “I don’t think so. He just has so much on his plate right now.”

“I understand,” She nodded, pausing briefly and throwing him a backwards glance of comprehension. “Well, just let me know if he changes his mind any time soon.”

With that, she vanished into the large crowd and out of sight. It was at that moment, he wondered where Shelby was. The principal was indeed just arriving at that moment and Shelby was supposed to accompany her. Whirling around, he saw a bemused Shelby whisking through the large crowd headed his way.

Something was indeed wrong.

He halted, so she could catch up with him and the moment their gazes locked – he couldn’t help but notice a hint of fright in them.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” She gave him a weak smile, as her hands remained clutched on the straps of her bag. “It’s been a while, you know. What’s up with you?”