Page 8 of The Villain

South.

All I can tell is that she’s pale, likes wearing baggy jackets that conceal her body, and has dark blue hair.

What kind of name is that?

I go into my bedroom and boot up my computer to do some digging. I end up frustrated. The only mentions of South in Tera’s diary are how amazing she is and how she would be lost without her. I’m a little jealous.

Then again, where was the amazing South when Tera was having a mental breakdown?

I don’t trust this. She leaves Tera hanging when she needs her the most and now she’s here following me because Tera asked her to? Or paid her? What’s her angle?

Is she using me to get back in with Tera? If so, she can fuck right off. I’m not letting one more asshole back into Tera’s life. I’ll hack her account and drain any money Tera gives her for the rest of her life.

Following me to keep me safe. Me. How insane is that?

She’s a civilian. She sucks at following me. And she has no idea what kind of trouble she’d be in if anyone else caught her playing pretend bodyguard.

Whatever bullshit this is, she needs to go.

It’s time to change this around and see how she likes being followed daily. If she can’t handle the pressure and bails? Too bad, so sad.

03. Into the Void

South

He called Tera and she said he hung up on her. Then she told me that was the first time he’d contacted her in months. She’s sad because she loves the guy like a brother and he cut her out so he could lick his wounds. Tera was probably terrified that he was cutting her off for good.

I’m pleased because he did as he was told and he’s taking more steps away from being sad all the time. He gives her his emotions and leaves me locked out with his blank mask. I can accept anger. I’d actually prefer it.

Now I want to see it.

But he hasn’t said anything to me and his expression hasn’t changed.

Every single day for the last week he has gotten the drop on me but he never approaches and I don’t break my ban. The hairs on the back of my neck say he’s back there glaring at me right now. I have to stifle my smile. He’s good now that he sees me. I’m enjoying this game too much I think.

I always end up buying him a random drink and leaving it on the same table every day. He’s lucky I have the money for it because this habit of his is expensive. I don’t spend money on frivolous things like this for myself but I don’t really mind spoiling him. Now I have to figure out what he likes to drink. I thought it would be a fun game to guess but seeing him eye the cup like it betrayed him after his first sip is beginning to annoy me.

I write something on his cup today. It isn’t breaking the ban if I don’t speak to him. This is just like the groceries or the coffee. Another step in pushing him out of his depression. If he has his support closer to home he’ll be more at ease.

Call Tera more. She misses you.

I look at my barely legible writing with a frown. Maybe this will be enough of a push. I don’t want to do too much and overwhelm him.

I also don’t want our game to stop.

Shade

I can’t help but feel intrigued. I don’t like it, but it’s there.

She makes it easy to spot her. She has zero subtlety following me. She barely pays attention so it’s easy to slip behind her. She never calls me on it.

The woman acts like I’m not even there.

At first I thought she wasn’t aware I was following her. The daily gift of a drink and the fact that she finds me to show it to me before she sets it down says otherwise.

She’s fully aware of me and it thrills me as much as it worries me.

How long has she been doing this? Not two weeks. Longer than that for sure.

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