The Memory Thief | ONC2020 [AMBASSADOR PICK]

Chapter 8

The day dragged on, as Kit's accusation echoed through Liliya's head. Betrayal stung so deep inside that she hadn't even been able to tell her mum what was wrong, despite her asking numerous times. Disappointment clouded her mind, so that she didn't even know who to be angry with anymore.

Once her mother was back in bed, Liliya left the house to walk around the block and clear her head. Her feet almost mechanically took her onwards, as her mind raced in circles, coming back every time to Kit's words.

He's the prime suspect in the Memory Thief case.

Are you listening to me, Liliya? You need to stay away from him!

She shook her head, clearing it of Kit's intrusive voice. Hot tears stung in her eyes. She kept her head down so that passers-by wouldn't see them.

How could this have happened? The first guy to have piqued my interest in over a decade, and he turns out to be a criminal? How bloody stupid is that?

Her feet stomped against the pavement. She ran her shoulder into someone else's, but couldn't bring up the energy to look back and apologise. They shouted something after her. It didn't matter.

All this time he's been spending with me, has he been hiding such a huge secret? All this time, was he nothing more than a psychopath?

Her head filled with images; the way he smiled at her when she made a dumb joke. The way his eyes would light up every time he said something flirty. The worry in his eyes when she told him she'd walk home alone. It wasn't the face of a criminal.

Her steps faltered when she had to stop in front of a traffic light. She looked around at the numerous shops and restaurants on either side of the street. Somehow, in her haze, she'd walked all the way to the south of the city. Nyron's pub wasn't far away.

The light turned green and she crossed the road to continue her walk. Was it a bad idea to go see him? Was he really that dangerous?

She hesitated only for a moment, then scoffed at herself.

No, this whole thing was ridiculous. It wasn't true. It couldn't be true. That sweet boy with his delighted smile and his old-fashioned earring. That innocent boy who still believed in Cloud Kingdom. He would never do anything as horrible as steal people's memories. He wouldn't.

The police were making a mistake. Pinning a series of horrible crimes on the wrong guy. And Kit, Kit was facilitating it, ruining her chance at love over a misjudgement. Distrusting the one guy she's liked in years. And Nyron... Whatever he'd done to get onto the police's radar, that was a stupid move, too!

Her fists were balled by the time she turned into the pub's street. Enough was enough. It was time she sorted this out. She'd go inside, give him a piece of her mind and set this straight.

Pain shot through her arm when the door didn't budge after pulling on the handle. Trying again, she noticed the sign hanging just above the handle: We Are Closed. A scoff escaped her lips. Just because you haven't opened up yet, doesn't mean you're not here.

She walked around the pub and tried the side door – unlocked! With a triumphant push she entered the pub.

It was dark inside. He hadn't even taken the time to turn the lights on yet. But if the side door was open, Nyron must've been around. Since he wasn't behind the bar, Liliya figured she'd check in the back. As she got closer to the door leading into the back, she could hear him. He was talking to someone. Was someone there with him?

She held her ear against the door, but she still couldn't make out the words. Both hands on the doorknob, she pushed softly. The door gave a quiet groan and Nyron's words intensified, echoing through the empty room. They weren't English. In fact, they sounded a lot like...