Page 15 of Masked Mayhem

Just then, the faint sound of a car rumbling by outside breaks the moment. The world keeps spinning, unconcerned about my inner turmoil. Havoc and Crow exchange glances, an unspoken understanding passing between them, and I suddenly feel enveloped by something new and scary at the same time.

Deciding that I deserve more than just existing in the shadows, I hit the blunt again, a curl of smoke drifting towards the ceiling, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement.

Havoc grins, that fierce fire in his eyes igniting again, and an equal sense of hope bubbles within me that possibly together we can begin to craft something new from the ashes of my past.

six

Chased by Shadows

Whitney

Bad Bitch Energy: Damien Styles

Wakingupwellpastnoon the next day, a wave of emotions washes over me as my eyes open, realizing that Havoc and Crow are gone, no longer keeping watch like they did the night before. I can’t recall when they left or even when I fell asleep; Havoc wasn’t exaggerating about that blunt knocking me out.

As if sensing I'm awake, Boston bursts into my bedroom, hands full of coffee cups with a blunt tucked behind her ear. She thrusts one of the cups into my hands the instant I sit up, collapsing onto the edge of my bed, all bright smiles as she lights the blunt.

“Wake and bake, right?” She chirps, her eyes already glazed over with delight.

“Uh, sure. But why are you so fucking cheerful this morning?” I groan, taking my first sip of coffee, the warmth and sweet vanilla flavor awakening my insides.

“It’s afternoon, Whitney, not morning. Looks like you slept through the whole thing, like it was some bad hangover.” She eyes me playfully, a smirk dancing on her lips.

I shrug, peering at her over the rim of my cup, unsure if I should confide in her about what happened with the guys last night. I know that’s what friends are supposed to do, but I’m still navigating that territory. Growing up, I connected better with boys than girls, and after Dustin isolated me, I wasn’t allowed to get close to anyone. Boston is the first girl I’ve let in since I can remember. Even moving here, I met Havoc and Crow long before crossing paths with her.

“You fucked them, didn’t you?” She audaciously asks, pulling me from my thoughts. “It’s written all over your face, so don’t even try to deny it.”

I roll my eyes playfully, finally allowing a smile to break through. “Yeah, I did, but it... it wasn’t what I expected,” I admit, my cheeks flushing as I recall the events of last night.

“Girl, it was just a matter of time! I’m so happy for you.” She envelops me in a hug, and that’s when I freeze.

But it’s not from the awkwardness of her embrace. As I glance over her shoulder toward the window, I spot a small, folded piece of paper resting on the window seat, something that wasn’t there last night. A surge of fear rushes through me as we pull apart, and forcing a smile feels more taxing than I anticipated. I need her out of here so I can see what the note says, but I don’t want to be rude.

“So, what are your plans for the day?” I ask, desperately trying to change the subject, though the paper burns a hole in my thoughts.

“I’m going to see Lux and Donovan for a bit before work. Tonight’s a big night for them, so I won’t get to see them after.” She hits the blunt, speaking through the smoke as it curls from her lips.

I take a hit too, inhaling deeply to make the wrap light faster. But this only results in a massive, dizzying head rush.

“What about you?” she asks, grabbing the blunt from me while I offset the resulting spell with another sip of coffee.

“I’m not sure. I think I’ll just chill before work. Had a long night,” I reply, telling a half-truth. The reality is that I’m hiding in my room, terrified that my ex has found me.

Before I can say anything else, my phone buzzes, providing the welcome distraction. I reach for it eagerly, but confusion and dread return when I swipe to unlock the screen, noticing the message is from an unknown number.

I need to see you.

I read the message repeatedly, hoping for a flicker of recognition, but my heart sinks as the same five words jump out at me, igniting an extreme surge of fear in my bones.

“Okay, well, I’ll be back in time for us to leave together as usual. Don’t you dare leave without me,” Boston calls out, her voice breaking through the fog in my mind.

“I won’t,” I assure her, my smile still strained as she stands and heads for the door.

Pausing to look back, she meets my eyes, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. “If you ever need to talk, Whit, I’m always here. You’re not alone in whatever’s bothering you, okay?”

“Thanks, Boston. I’ll keep that in mind.”

The moment she leaves, I leap out of bed and rush to the window seat, snatching up the neatly folded paper. My fingers tremble as I unfold it, and my heart races even more. Slipping from my shaky hands, the paper flutters to the floor, revealing the identical five words from the text:

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