𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐌 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇, Nessa and I decided to stay back and try to gather more information from the fraternity brothers. The atmosphere in the car was tense, and I noticed Nessa choosing to sit in the back, leaving me alone in the front. Her silence throughout the journey left me wondering what I had done to deserve such coldness.
I contemplated initiating a conversation, but I knew Nessa well enough to understand that she needed time to collect her thoughts before discussing whatever was bothering her. Pushing her too soon would only lead to her becoming flustered and struggling to express herself. It was endearing, but this silent treatment had been going on for two months now, which was unusually long for her. I couldn't help but wonder if I had done something terribly wrong.
We arrived at the fraternity house and exited the Impala, maintaining our silence as we entered. Nessa had her duffle bag slung over her shoulder, and despite its apparent weight, she insisted on carrying it herself, claiming it was her "weightlifting exercise." I respected her need for independence, though I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern.
As we approached the stairs leading to our room, Nessa suddenly halted and turned to face me. Her once warm chocolate brown eyes met mine, but I sensed a shift in their tone. The warmth I had once found so comforting seemed to have diminished, replaced by an unfamiliar coolness that sent a chill down my spine.
"I'm going to take a shower. Maybe you can chat with some guys down here who might know something we don't," she suggested, quickly turning away and struggling with her duffle bag as she ascended the stairs.
"Sure, why not," I muttered sarcastically to myself, descending the stairs and beginning my search for potential informants.
Nessa's unusual behavior continued to gnaw at me, and I couldn't help but reflect on how different she had been since the shapeshifter case. She had always been quick with a joke or a witty remark, but now, that lightness seemed to have evaporated. I had tried talking to Sam about it, but even he was in the dark about what was troubling Nessa.
