How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 39: An Old Friend

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice cut off our conversation, "Adrian, is that you?"

A teenage boy stood before us, his skin ebony coloured and his black hair short cropped military style. He was built, with arms of rock hard muscle that flexed as he held out his hand, "Long time no see, brother." His grin was cheeky.

Adrian stood stock still, his penetrating emerald eyes on the boy. His arm was limp by his side.

A moment dragged by.

"Adrian?" I murmured, shuffling awkwardly. This seemed to wake him from his stupor for Adrian quickly took the boy's hand, nodding solemnly.

He said nothing.

"So, I moved into town recently," the boy announced, grinning charmingly as he took my hand, "Name's Mason."

I felt Adrian suddenly stiffen beside me.

"Charley, don't you have violin class to get to?" he asked unexpectedly, his voice grave. His jaw was locked, a muscle along it suddenly ticking and his eyes were still on the boy, gaze distrustful.

I was bewildered by the sudden change in atmosphere.

I frowned. "No, I don't play the violin, remember?" I replied coolly.

He tore his gaze away from Mason for a split second to direct me a glare. I cast him a questioning look in return.

I turned to Mason with a smile, "I'm Charley, by the way."

A cheeky grin played on his face as he watched our exchange, "So you two friends?"

"Yes," I replied, and since Adrian didn't seem to be in the mood to exchange pleasantries, I added, "So, how do you and Adrian know each other?"

"Oh we used to go to school together when we were kids," Mason replied, head cocking to the side as he smiled at Adrian, who only stared back at him with shuttered eyes. "He had to move away when he was twelve or so. It's only too bad. We were just getting to know each other."

Somehow, the words sent chills down my spine.

I turned to Adrian, suddenly unsure, "You... moved away?"

"He had to," Mason replied in his stead, "This kid... he just couldn't stay out of trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Curiosity truly had killed the cat.

Mason's eyebrow cocked in surprise and he glanced at Adrian, whose gaze had suddenly dropped to the floor.

"She doesn't know? Oh Adrian," he tsked, "If only she knew the things you've been hiding from her."

Adrian's gaze lifted and beneath his shuttered eyes, I sensed the hatred that stirred as he stared at the other boy.

"If you're here to threaten me," his tone was chillingly cool as he spoke, "I'd suggest you stop trying. It won't work. Not this time."

It suddenly felt as if the temperature had dropped by ten degrees, the tension so thick I could slice it with a knife. A moment passed before laughter filled the air. It was Mason. I stared in confusion as Adrian's fists suddenly clenched by his sides.

"Does he still cry like a baby every time he gets into a pool?" Mason suddenly asked me, grinning from ear to ear, "Or act like a paranoid freak every time he walks by a lake? Bury himself in a book like a fucking coward when he can't handle reality?"

The air rushed out of me just as Adrian's eyes widened, what looked like fear suddenly flashing in them.

"Oh, you still do, don't you?" Mason murmured.