Deadly Secrets

Chapter 17: The Safe

[Revised]

Zara flew down the stairs, her knapsack bobbing against her back as she slipped the beanie over her head. To reach the next landing, she would jump the final four steps, gripping the handrail to use her momentum as a propeller onto the next flight. When she reached the ground floor, Zara jogged up to the front door and shouldered it open, grousing for its weight. The moment she stepped out into the open, an autumnal chill enveloped her, making her shiver and her teeth chatter. Fortunately, she hadn't made the same mistake as the night before.

She removed the backpack from around her shoulders and secured it in between her legs. Then, she slipped her jacket on, almost purring gleefully when it's warmth embraced her. After rubbing her arms to spread the heat along her limbs, Zara pulled her beanie over her ears and grabbed her backpack, swinging it back on.

She then began her perilous journey towards the lair.

As Zara trudged along the minefield that was the sidewalk, she kept her gaze on a three feet radius in front of her. Like in a jungle, eye contact was a big no-no, as it held several negative implications that could lead to a multitude of disastrous endings. It was especially taboo when directed towards any of the drunken groups loitering outside the buildings—their loud music and conversations drifted over to Zara, making her cringe.

Out of all the places I could live in, it had to be here.

The last thing she wanted was to be associated with those animals.

The walk was mostly comprised of the constant scanning for stink-bombs dropped by stray animals, used needles, and just garbage in general. Unfortunately, it was like attempting to complete a never-ending obstacle course. With every new block, came a fresh supply of obstructions which became increasingly frustrating to avoid.

Although part of Zara's mind was occupied with that particular issue, the other part kept replaying the events of the previous night. She even attempted to go further back down the memory lane, to a few days prior to "Day X, " to try and pick out any irregularities in her friends' behaviour. But her efforts were futile, because, at the time, her perception of them was different, leading to even the smallest of gestures being filed under "unsuspicious."

Zara felt a buzz against her thigh but ignored it, knowing from what it was from.

Thirty seconds later, it stopped.

After a minute, however, the buzz returned, more obstinately than before.

Her patience wearing thin, she pulled her phone out of her pocket, grimacing when she saw that it was a call from Saffron.

What the hell does he want?

Zara jabbed the 'end call' button with her thumb and accessed her messages. She might as well read them all at once, in case she had to fabricate a story for her absence at school that day. Zara absent-mindedly skimmed through the next 10 messages, unaware of the way her features softened at their concern. When she read all of them, she checked her missed calls inbox. There were five of them, all from Saffron.

She rolled her eyes, snorting as she pocketed her phone. It was all just a facade they were putting up to try and fool her, and she was determined not fall for it.

They aren't who you think they are, the voice at the back of her head warned.

I can't jump to con—

Stop lying to yourself and deal with reality, damn it.

Zara suddenly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, her heart racing her chest. This couldn't be happening to her again, not in public. With every negative thought that crept into her mind came that damned voice, pushing her closer and closer to the edge of sanity. Her head pounding, she raised a hand to dab at the spot on her forehead. She winced, withdrawing her hand immediately and pulling her beanie down to her eyebrows. Yes, the previous episode had, in fact, happened. It wasn't just her imagination.