Puppy Dog Eyes

Safe Side

Damon's POV

"Why are we here?"

"This place helps me relax, I've been coming here since I was little." She sits on the bench near the pond.

"Still thinking about your mom?"

"No, I'll get over it. Come sit." She pats the spot next to her, signaling me to stop standing awkwardly behind her.

"So, you're not upset?"

"Nope."

"Alright." I look at her skeptically as she places her hand on my thigh.

"Hey, you wanna know what will make me feel better?" Her eyes droop with a half smile.

"What? No! Okay first of all we're in public, second of all you're clearly still in denial about your mom." I grab her hand and put it on her leg.

"Oh c'mon it's getting dark out now, we won't get caught. Don't you wanna experience stuff in new places?"

"Lylah." I warn, taking a shaky breath as she scoots closer towards me.

"Hm want me to stop?"

"...No."

I'm such a disappointment .

Her lips graze my neck before biting down into the skin. Her hand reaches for my zipper just as my phone vibrates in my pocket.

"Hello?"

"Hey Damon, is Joaquin with you?"

"No ma'am, haven't heard from him."

"What? He told me he was on his way to visit you a few days ago, I figured he's been sleeping over. I really need to speak with him."

"He won't answer my calls either, sorry."

"It's fine I'll get in touch with him eventually." She sighs and hangs up the phone.

"I'm getting a bad feeling, last time someone went missing they ended up dead." I run my hand over my face in frustration.

"I'm sure he's fine with his new friends, remember?" Lylah rubs my back, trying to comfort me.

"I get he's avoiding me but why would he ignore his mom?"

"Hm that's a good question."

Something isn't right with that guy.

I pull Lylah off of the bench and start walking down the trail.

"Um hey I think we're going the wrong way." She tugs on my sleeve.

"I'm sure it's all one big circle, it's fine."

"Damon seriously, let's be on the safe side and turn around."

I drop her wrist and stand still in place, gawking at the scene in front of me.

"No! Don't look, Damon turn around!" She quickly yanks my shoulders, making me face her.

"Please tell me I'm hallucinating." I choke.

"Damon everything is going to be okay, just stay calm." She holds my face in place as she talks. I nod numbly and focus on her face.

"Please just... just get him down. We have to get him down."

"Promise you won't go crazy?"

"I promise."

I take a few deep breaths before turning around to face Joaquin. She guides me towards him and I help her pull the rope from the branch and lower his body.

All I could do was stare at him.

My best friend wasn't avoiding me, he was dead.