How Could You Forget The Sun

XVI

ANA’S POV

Trin had decided that, since she had the pardon of the murderers, she was going to stay and keep me company. I admired her bravery, but I also wished that she would put as much distance between her and these people as she could. Her heart was too kind to simply leave me here. Besides, she was keeping me the company I lost with Donavan.

I had to end things with him because of, well, everything. These people were cruel, murdering, annoying, and actually some were fun to be around. If this was how my life was going to be for my last few weeks, then I do not feel that anything would work out well with Donavan. I felt bad, sure, but I did not feel much of anything for him anymore, either. I guess it does not matter anymore.

Trin was thriving, despite the circumstances. She was not holding grudges against any of the people for their murdering and killing, which she was initially horrified of. Trin even helped Jeff with some of the cuts he got while out doing the unthinkable. Hoody had warmed up to her most, and was now speaking openly, yet not a lot.

After a week of living like I had, she had become a bit used to Jeff’s pranks, Laughing Jack’s bitching, having her cheesecakes stolen by Masky, and making sure to play only the safe games with Sally. Sally, at first, had hated Trin for some odd reason. After a talk with BEN Drowned, she ceased her torments.

Today, though, I was incredibly worried for my ginger-haired, white-dressed, friend. Today, the Slenderman was returning to check on us and make sure Jeff and Laughing Jack had not killed me yet. Honestly, I would be just as concerned that Dr. Smiley or Sally would do something.

I was sitting on my kitchen counter, watching Trinvilla hand-make the dough for the bread she would soon be baking. The air’s aroma was already tinged with strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate from the various cupcakes and cookies she had made. I was chewing on a white-macadamia cookie that she had just pulled out of the oven.

The others did not mind her cooking mostly because they could steal a few treats without her so much as raising an eyebrow. Laughing Jack always pushed the limits, hovering around like a fly while she was baking. He was in the kitchen shadowing her now, munching on a chocolate-mint cookie.

“How do you not get fat?” I finally asked him as he threw his eleventh brownie into his jaws.

“I kill people, dearie,” he snarled at me. “It takes exercise.”

I sighed, leaning back and resisting going for a second cookie. I was finally regaining weight, and I was now terrified that I would gain slight fat, as I had before. Meanwhile, Masky and Hoody were chewing on a small cheesecake that Trinvilla had made just for them. I had no idea where Toby was, but when he disappeared, about five brownies went missing.

“I’m sorry they’re stealing all your food,” I apologized to Trin, watching as Sally’s small hand plucked a gingerbread man from a small basket on the counter.

“I don’t mind cooking more,” Trin brushed it off, handing Laughing Jack a bowl to lick and Sally the spatula. “Baking lets me relieve stress, anyways. It’s fun.”

I nodded, eyeing the dough. “It is until you make your third batch of poppy bread because we’ve discovered that Jane liked poppy muffins.”

“Hey!” I heard Jane’s voice protest. “It’s good. I’m glad we didn’t kill her; she has a talent with this baking stuff.”

Trin blushed at the compliment and walked over, slapping a curious hand dipping near her prized Dulce de Leche cookies. A disgruntled Jeff popped into sight and trudged off, looking thoroughly pissed. I stifled a chuckle, but Jane let her laughter out loud to bounce on the walls.