Chapter 4: Finding Secrets

"Fuck!" I curse.

My eyes were fixed on hers and I was as good as paralyzed, too shocked to move but time waits for no man. So I did what an average guy would do; picked up my wasted breakfast and disposed of it and walked up to her. I take a deep breath.

"You're late. Get in." She says while starting the engine, her face now straight and serious. We reached school and before I could say anything else, she grabbed her things and went off.

We didn't talk, not until some days later.

"You coming for the party tonight?"  She folds her hands with her weight on one leg.

"Uh...-"

"Great! I'll text you the time and location." She flips her hair in my face and I sigh heavily, running my hands through my hair and close my locker. How could she? Sigh.

                                         ***                               

As I approach the entrance of the house hosting tonight's party, a bouncer stationed at the door holds up a hand, blocking my path with a firm yet friendly demeanor. His expression is apologetic as he explains that the party is at full capacity and they're unable to accommodate any more guests.

I try to plead my case, mentioning that I was invited by a friend, but he shakes his head, indicating that he can't make any exceptions.

Disappointed but understanding, I reluctantly step aside, watching as the door closes behind me, shutting me out from the festivities within. Resigned, I turn to leave, hoping to find another way to enjoy the night--

"Evan! You made it." A voice called from behind and I turn back slowly to see the face of Cammy Rivera once again.

"Hey, Cammy," I wave my hand at her still maintaining my demeanour and position, "nice home  party."  I place my hands in my pocket now and slowly walk to her. The bouncer, ready to push me back once again, was stopping abruptly by Cammy.

"He's my guest, Brad. Relax your muscles." She stares him down while holding my hands.

"Tell that to Jackson, he's the one I answer to." The bouncer retorts. Cammy hits him across his jaw and down his groin.

"I hope he tips you for your hospital bills now, dick." She spits.

We walk past the noise they call music and all the people on ground floor and up the stairs. It was a spiral staircase, making it more romantic. So it seemed.

"So, you were just gonna go back home?" She faces me . We were in a  room, alone.

"Well, not anymore." I smile.

"What changed your mind?" Her brows furrow in confusion.

"I--"

We were interrupted by a knock on the door and i nod my head at her. She heads for the door and opens it revealing Jack Reynolds.

"The fuck you doing here, F-variant?" He says, scowling pretty hard at me, while Cammy's grip remains tight on my wrist; if only it could calm me down. I sigh deeply which earns me a look from Cammy. She looks right from me to Jackson as if sensing I was about to do some rash.

"I was about leaving anyway." She releases her grip on me and folds her arm, watching me walk towards the door. I stop at Jackson's side and give him a side glare. "Your party couldn't have been more terrible, dick head." Those were the last words I said that night which came out to him as a  huge shock as I nudge him with my shoulders while heading out.

It rained heavily that night as if the heavens were resonating with my heavy heart. All I could hear was my thoughts, louder than thunder , and maybe master than lightning. It was a crazy night and of course , I had a cozy nap.

                                             ***

This  morning was quite the daily routine; wake up, have my bath, eat breakfast, what else? Ugh, school.

Walking about the hallway, I sight Marcus ahead and I quickly turn around in time to see Cammy. It was like she's everywhere. She walks up to me.

"Hey Evan." She says.

"Hi." I give a small smile.

"Uh, I just wanna say I'm sorry-" I cut her off.

"Nah, it's fine." I wave my hand, "I'm over it, it's nothing."

"Oh, really? Okay then." Just then, her eyes shifts from me to over my shoulder and I was curious to turn back.

"Evan." Shit, it's Marcus. At this point, I didn't even know how to act; Normal? Angry?

"See you later, Evan." Took me few seconds to realize Cammy had left with those words she had said.

"Hey, Marcus. How you doing, buddy?" I try not to maintain eye contact which I was already failing at.

"Seems like we've both been avoiding each other." I didn't say anything. I wasn't going to say anything, I tried not to say anything and I ended up not saying anything.

"Look, I'm sorry about what I said the other day, okay? It was just so annoying watching you get bullied by Jackson." I blinked at this point. "It's fine if you don't wanna talk." He begins walking away.

"My dad won't be home this weekend maybe we could do something fun."  Shit, the words flew out of my mouth in an instant. He turns back smiling.

"You mean "crazy" you mf? We both laugh and then shake hands. "I wasn't gonna walk away anyway, I just wanted to do something dramatic."

"And I just wanted you to say "crazy", crazy "  I laugh.

                                               ***

"So what's your dad always doing in that big lab of a thing? Marcus asks, chewing loudly.

"I don't know, science, he never really gives me any real stuff. He just says he's doing it for the greater good of mankind." I take a sip of the already finishing soda.

"Mhm."

"What?" I ask, confused.

"Nothing, just that people who say those stuffs are the villains in stories or movies." He states.

"So what you saying?" I furrow my eyebrows, munching down the remaining chips in the snack bag.

"I don't know, maybe it's some deep or some sort. You've never been there?" He asks inquisitively.

"His work lab?" I shift uncomfortably in my couch.

"Yeah, dummy! Of course his work lab." Marcus waves the potato chop in his hands.

I stare at it as if trying to figure out what it is. "Well, I've never been there nor seen it. Hold on," I sit up, "Now that I think about it, he never talks about it around me. So does my mum. It's like his work place is a ghost."

"What's the company's name?" He asks, looking at me.

"I don't know, but wait. I stand up and head to the counter, looking for one of his newspapers. I pick it up, staring at it till I notice Marcus beside me.

"This isn't even a newspaper. I mean, it's like a handout. Is this earth material? Oh fuck it, Evan."

"Relax dude, it's my dad we talking about, okay? He's not an alien or whatever you're thinking." I say more to myself.

Marcus walks about my sitting room aimlessly, even more concerned than me.

"It says here that they're pulling off an experiment today. This is today's date."  I look at Marcus.

"Do you see anything that says anything about the location of the company or it's name?" He asks.

" " Project Astoria"  An experiment carried out by Shadow demons, testing out how well humans can adapt to the dark fusion in order to make them shape shift and take on human form. But if not prepared well, it can either kill or give you powers that may later kill you or turn you into something darker. " I turn to Marcus, " This isn't real man."

"Only one way to find out, Evan." Marcus says dramatically.

"The hell if you think we're going alone." My voice spooks him for a second. He smiles.

"No, we aren't. That's why we're calling Jackson. His father works there too right?" He says, compelling me to do the impossible.

"Oh, goodness. Just hope you're not wrong about all this."

As soon as I cut the call, a knock on the door was heard and we both turn our head in the same direction. I walk towards it as stealthily as I could and then peep through to see Cammy. How did she...?! Oh damnit.

I turn back to see Marcus smiling and I smack my head. I open the door and just as I was about closing it, a hand pushes against the door. It was Jackson.

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