Page 66 of Dare To Fall

“Eli,” Kellan calls after me.

I ignore him and pick up my pace. I need some time alone, away from people, from the constant stares and whispers about the ‘monster.’

My steps take me to the cemetery, and I stop in front of Zoey’s plaque. I trace over the letters of her name with one finger, then sink down to sit in front of it.

“Everything is fucked up, ZoZo.” I loop my arms around my knees and tip my head back against the gravestone behind me. “It doesn’t seem to matter what I do, things just get worse. Ari hates me, and it’s not the kind of hate where she still wants to fuck me. She hates me with every fiber of her soul. It’s there in her eyes every time she looks at me.

“And now she’s spending time with fucking Garrett. You remember him, right? The asshole who got caught putting recording devices in girls’ showers. Yeah, yeah. I know there was never any proof it was him, but all signs pointed in his direction.”

I fall silent for a few minutes, pretending she’s there and replying to me. I know what she’d say. Zoey saw the best in everyone.

“I know … you’re right. All signs point at me being responsible for the videos being leaked about Ari. But it’s not the same.”

But it is the same, and deep down, I fucking know it.

I sigh and lean forward to rest my head on my knees.

“I don’t know what to do, Zo.”

My eyes land on something. A splash of color in the dirt to my right. I stretch out an arm, pluck it out of the ground and lift it. Brushing the dirt off the charms, I uncover a butterfly, a heart, and a four-leaf clover.

Arabella’s charm bracelet. Is it a sign?

“Are you telling me to talk to her, ZoZo?”

But, of course, there’s no answer to that. I pocket the bracelet and push to my feet. Leaning forward I press a kiss to the plaque.

“I miss you, ZoZo. Thanks for the chat.”

As I turn to walk toward the gates, there’s a snap of twigs behind me. I spin around and scan the cemetery, but can’t see anyone. The fine hairs at the back of my neck lift.

“What the fuck do you want?” I say the words out loud, but only silence answers me.

Maybe it was an animal. Maybe I’m imagining it. I don’t think I am, though. I’m sure there’s someone there, watching me, but wherever they’re hiding, it’s completely out of my view.

“Fine. Lurk like a fucking creeper.” I continue on my path toward the gates and back to the school grounds.

There’s a group of students crowded around the front of the dorm building when I reach it. They melt apart as I approach, leaving a path for me to walk through. Tension zips through my spine, but I keep my shoulders loose and my walk casual as I move through them toward the door.

There’s a sheet of paper pinned to the wood, and I slow as I near it. A photograph is at the top of the sheet.

I pull it off and study it. It’s a close-up of me, of my face, a look of fury contorting my features. My gaze drifts to the words beneath.

How did Zoey Rivers really die?

Maybe you should ask the monster.

Chapter 42

Arabella

Unknown number: There’s a key in your locker.

My stomach twists with trepidation at the message. Six days have passed since they sent the threat of what would happen if I don’t get Eli to react. One hundred and forty-four hours of hanging in limbo. I’ve caught him staring at me. Every time he passes my desk in class, he knocks my books off my desk. He’s lashing out at me even when I haven’t been told to do anything to him. The shittier he is to me, the more it drives away any warmth I had toward him. I can’t stand being anywhere near him. Garrett has been growly and protective, even though I’ve told him just to stay away. I’m not sure what to do to get the message across for him to leave me alone.

I weave my way through the flow of students, aiming for my locker. It’s Tuesday afternoon, and I have a free period. Whatever my blackmailer has planned, they’ve timed it perfectly.

When I open the door to my locker, there’s a key on top of my books. I slip it into my pocket just as my phone pings.

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