Obsession

Chapter 28

I feel like a zombie, but I'm determined to make it to class today. I've already missed so much in the last couple of weeks. My slipping grades can't afford for me to miss anymore. I know my mom would want me to keep pushing forward. Quitting was never in her nature.

After my scare with Kai last night, I've been so angry. He has to know my mom is missing. He and his parents were questioned by police. It's been all over the news for days. How dare he come to my dad's apartment and try to stir up trouble at a time like this?

And how did he find my dad's apartment?

If I see him today, I won't run away scared. I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind. I have far greater things to worry about than his jealous rage.

"Promise you'll call me if anything gets weird?" dad asks for the third time on our drive over to campus.

I look up him and force a small smile. "I promise."

I get out of the truck and hurry to meet Rue and Anna at our new spot. When they see me coming, they run to meet me.

"I've missed you so much!" Anna cries, jumping into my arms.

"I've missed you too," I reply.

"We've been so worried about you!" Rue says, hugging me from behind. "You haven't been texting or calling like usual."

"But we understand," Anna says, pulling away and meeting my eyes. "We've been volunteering with the search party."

"Thank you. That really means a lot to me."

"We were so happy when Leo told us you were coming back today," Rue says.

"Yeah, where is he anyway? He left my house this morning at like..." I trail off when I notice both their eyes spring open wide in surprise. "Nothing happened. My dad was in the next room."

"Oh," Anna chuckles before looking around. "I don't know, I haven't seen him this morning."

No sooner do the words leave her mouth do we hear shouting coming from the middle of the quad. A crowd is starting to gather, blocking our view of what's going on. The three of us jog towards the commotion, curious to see what all the fuss is about.

"How fucking sick are you?! Her mom is missing, you piece of shit!" Leo shouts, shoving a very bloody Kai to the ground.

Despite the blood, Kai doesn't seem phased. He wipes his nose on the sleeve of his shirt and stands to his feet. That's when I notice he's wearing a long sleeve black t-shirt, black shorts and black sneakers. He's dressed almost exactly like Leo again.

"If you come around her again, you won't have to worry about the police, I'll fucking kill you!" Leo shouts, sending one more blow into Kai's jaw.

Kai stumbles backwards, holding his face. Again, he straightens up and smirks at Leo, seemingly unphased.

Anna and Rue each take one of Leo's arms and pull him backwards through the crowd. "Alright, that's enough Bruce Lee," Rue tells him.

When Leo's eyes meet mine, they fill with shame and remorse. "Mara..." he whispers, looking down.

I open my mouth to speak, but just behind Leo, I catch Kai's dark, calculating eyes. He doesn't say anything, only watches me for a few, unpleasant seconds. Finally, he turns and walks away, disappearing into the crowd.

I turn my attention back to Leo and sigh. "Leo, what are you doing?"

He squeezes his eyes shut and presses his lips together. "I'm sorry. I just...I couldn't help it. What he did last night..."