Forbidden Equations: Love In the Dark
Episode 4: "Bones in the Quarry"
Lila’s sneakers slipped on wet gravel as she and Damien picked their way down the steep slope. The diary’s map led to a collapsed section of the quarry, where jagged rocks loomed like broken teeth.
Lila Evans
(pointing) "There—the X marks that crevice."
Damien crouched, prying at loose stones with a tire iron. Dirt gave way to rotted fabric—a faded Omega Phi sweatshirt. Underneath, yellowed bones glinted in the rising sun.
Damien Black
(voice hollow) "Vanessa."
Lila’s stomach lurched. A rusted locket lay tangled in the ribs. She pried it open. Inside, a photo of Vanessa and a younger Damien smiled back.
Lila Evans
"We need to call the police—"
Tires screeched above them. Noah and two campus security officers climbed down, flashlights cutting through the mist.
Noah Reed
(fake concern) "Lila? Thank God you’re safe! We got an anonymous tip that Black kidnapped you."
Officer
(hand on gun) "Step away from the remains, son."
Damien Black
"These are my sister’s. Reed’s frat buried her here."
Noah Reed
That’s insane. Why would we hurt Vanessa?"
Noah Reed
"He’s manipulating you. Look what he ‘conveniently’ found after six years."
Officer
(radio crackling) "Dispatch, we’ve got a 10-54 at the quarry. Possible homicide suspect in custody."
Damien’s eyes locked onto Lila’s.
As Officer cuffed Damien, Noah pulled Lila aside.
Noah Reed
(whispering) "I’ll make this go away if you swear to never see him again."
Lila Evans
(jerking back) "You’re bluffing."
Noah Reed
(smile chilling) "Test me."
Police Station | 10:00 AM
Through one-way glass, Lila watched Damien sit motionless in the interrogation room.
Detective Ruiz
(flipping a file) "Black’s got a record—assault, theft. His sister’s case was closed as a runaway."
Lila Evans
"Because evidence was hidden! The diary proves—"
Detective Ruiz
"Diaries aren’t evidence. But his prints on her locket? That is."
Her breath caught.*Noah planted it.*
Omega Phi Frat House | Midnight
Lila picked the lock to Noah’s room. His desk drawer held a folder labeled *VC.* Inside: Vanessa’s student ID, a drug-test receipt (positive for Rohypnol), and a photo of her unconscious at a party.
Noah Reed
"Looking for something?"
He leaned in the doorway, holding a baseball bat.
Lila Evans
(backing up) "You drugged her."
Noah Reed
"She threatened to expose our ‘study aid’ ring. A few pills to calm her down... but she stopped breathing." He shrugged. "Accidents happen."
Lila Evans
"You’re a monster."
Noah Reed
(advancing) "And you’re about to have an accident too."
Glass shattered. Damien burst through the window, tackling Noah.
Damien Black
"Lila, grab the file! Go!"
She fled as fists thudded behind her.
Lila slammed the file onto Ruiz’s desk.
Lila Evans
"Noah killed Vanessa. And he’s selling date-rape drugs to students."
Ruiz scanned the contents, face darkening.
Detective Ruiz
"Officer, bring Reed in. Now."
Through the chaos, Damien emerged from holding, bruised but free.
Damien Black
(hoarse) "You came back."
Lila Evans
"I told you. Someone should’ve risked it for Vanessa."
He kissed her fiercely under the flickering station lights.
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