Mixed Messages ~ {d.w}

➵Thirty Eight

Everything was just a blur.

How could Alice have simply just left?

"What do you mean, Todd? Alice couldn't have possibly left! I thought you were watching her! Surely someone as idiotic as you can do one simple task!" I shout at him, storming past him and towards the Cave. I knew Tim was in there. He was still attempting to go through Alice's computer. He was a moron to think he'd find anything no matter how hard he tried.

Jason is quick to tail me, marching right behind. He's angry as well. "Me?! You're the one who brought her here! Lizzy probably ran out because of you anyway!" he says. That sentence rings a bell in my mind. That Alice left because of what I said.

"What was she doing?" I sharply turned towards him, catching him off guard.

Jason blinks like an owl before answering. "On her phone. She looked really upset and was probably fighting with someone," he explains. Alice was talking with me and left because of what I said. "What are you thinking?" he asks.

I glare at him. "None of your concern," I snap, continuing down my path. My costume was in the cave along with others. I was going to need it I was to find Alice.

"Wait for a second," Jason tries to stop me but I wasn't going to. "Damn it! I said wait!"

I was sprinting down the Manor's halls faster than I ever had. I just had to find Alice. I barge into the cave, creating quite the noise. It didn't falter Tim while he was working. He simply gets to entranced by computers. I heard Jason's footsteps behind me.

"Damn it, Two-bit! Wait! Alice is gonna be fine!" he tries to reassure, "I'm sure she has good training-"

I whirl around to face him, mask already on. "How do you know her name?" I ask, glaring at him. I had no time to stop but I did need to know how Jason knew her. I throw my shirt off, slipping on the costume and cape.

He glares at me but I ignore him. "She told me while we were out that her name was Alice."

"Oh really? Just earlier, didn't you call her Lizzy?" I start tying the laces to my boots and strapping in an array of weapons.

"It was a nickname," he tries to cover it up but I know he's lying.

I stop and glare at Jason. So far, Alice hasn't told him. He has a right to know but it isn't my place to tell him. I wouldn't defy her. "What are you hiding, Todd?"

"Nothing-"

"Why would Jason be hiding something?" Father suddenly waltzes into the room with Grayson behind him.

Grayson grins and walks over to Todd's side while Father makes his way over to me. "Echo is gone. I'm going to go and find her," I declare, attempting to head over to the computer to search for traces of her.

"I know. She left while she and Jason went for ice cream at a parlor in town," Father casts a look to Todd. Was Father mad at him? I certainly am.

Todd looks defeated. "I didn't do anything!" he defends, "she snuck out after excusing herself for crying her eyes out!" He looks at me, pointing an accusing finger at my chest. "Something the devil spawn is responsible for!"

Father and Grayson look at me as well. I glare at them all. "It was not my fault she left. If Todd was any good at his job, I'm sure Echo would be here safe and sound!"

Todd throws his hands up in the air, frustrated. "ENOUGH WITH THAT! You think I'd be any good at watching my own sister and making sure she doesn't leave! For Christs' sake! ALICE is MY SISTER! Not your girlfriend, not your best bud- no! She's my sister!"