Page 75 of Dig Your Grave

I nodded, cheeks flushing.“He’s… we helped each other through this.”

Mom’s gaze softened.“I see.You can introduce us properly later.”She gave my hand a final squeeze, then allowed the detective to lead her away.

I turned to Anubis, heart fluttering.“They’re going to be okay.The watchers can’t use them anymore.”

He nodded, relief in his eyes.“That’s a huge weight off your shoulders.”

We stood in the station corridor for a moment, ignoring the bustle of police, our hands finding each other’s.The brand under my sleeve itched, but for once, I felt no terror.We’d emerged from the darkest tunnel.Perhaps we truly were free.

In the next two days, the story broke wide.Major news outlets picked it up, sensationalizing “Secret Cult at Elite College.”The police charged the Dean with obstruction of justice and accessory to kidnapping.Sophie remained hospitalized, though rumors said she was cooperating with authorities, possibly turning state’s evidence.The old order of the Skulls was in shambles.The new order, disrupted by the chapel raid, scattered or faced arrest.

Toccara’s name filled every headline.A posthumous apology from the city’s police admitted they’d labeled her death a suicide without thorough investigation.Now, new evidence, the logs we leaked, proved watchers were on the scene that night, implicating them in her drowning.Toccara’s mother gave a tearful interview, praising the Undercurrent for unveiling the truth.My guilt eased slightly, knowing Toccara’s family had closure at last.

Kate’s phone messages overflowed with tips and interviews.She became a minor celebrity in journalism circles, though it was a double-edged sword.She needed police protection.Meanwhile, I found myself flooded with emotions: relief, exhaustion, sorrow for Toccara, and a new yearning to figure out my future.

Anubis and I lingered in the city for a bit, staying at a rental house, waiting for the dust to settle.My mother insisted on returning to her tour with Rock, but we parted on better terms than ever before.She actually promised to call regularly, a vow I hoped she’d keep this time.Part of me believed she would, after the close call we’d endured.

Finally, late one evening, Kate texted both of us:

Kate:

“Campus calmer now.Some watchers out on bail, but most threats neutralized.Police hold caretaker’s cottage as evidence.You can come back for your stuff.Stay safe.–K”

I breathed out a shaky sigh, turning the phone to Anubis.“Looks like we can return to campus or at least pick up our things.”

He studied the message, lips pressed thin.“It’ll never be the same.Edenvane changed forever.But maybe… it can become something honest at last.”

I managed a small smile.“Let’s see.”

A few days later, we finally stepped onto Edenvane’s campus again.The vibe was surreal.Gone were the rumors.Now, gossip flared openly about the disbanded Skulls, the hidden crimes, the arrests.Some demanded the college rename buildings.Others insisted we bury the scandal quickly to preserve Edenvane’s reputation.The administration was in disarray, with the Dean under house arrest pending trial.

Anubis and I made our way to Eden Hall first.The courtyard where we once faced the watchers at dawn was quiet, newly installed cameras overhead, a sign the “new security measures” replaced the old.Students milled around, giving us curious or respectful nods.Word traveled fast: we were key witnesses.

He squeezed my hand.“Back to the caretaker’s cottage?”

I nodded, heart fluttering.“Yes, or what’s left of it.”The police had it sealed off for evidence, but we’d been given permission to retrieve personal belongings.I felt a pang at the thought of rummaging through the place where we first plotted our infiltration.

The caretaker’s cottage door bore a police seal, a detective waiting outside.He recognized us, nodded, peeled the tape.“Fifteen minutes to collect your things.Officially, this is still a crime scene.”He stepped aside to let us in.

Inside, the dusty space seemed eerily still.The desk where we pored over Toccara’s logs.The trunk stuffed with old ledgers.Police tags labeled everything.My heart tightened.

Anubis walked around slowly, picking up a stray scarf, some notebooks, a duffel bag.I found the battered laptop we used.Broken now, but the memory of our nights here resonated.The caretaker’s cottage had been our refuge and our war room.

We packed what we could.The detective reminded us of the time.I cast a final glance around.“So many secrets we uncovered here.”

Anubis’ gaze lingered on the spot where we’d once fallen asleep in each other’s arms.“And we survived,” he murmured.“Toccara’s story will live on, and the Skulls’ hold on this place is broken.Nothing will erase the brand on our shoulders, but maybe it’ll remind us how far we’ve come.”

I swallowed a lump in my throat.“Yeah.A scar that shows we fought back.”

He turned, pulling me into a gentle embrace, our possessions clutched awkwardly between us.“Suede… you realize we’re free to make our own choices now.About classes, about life.”

I met his eyes, a soft warmth blossoming in my chest.“Then let’s stay.At least for a bit.Finish the semester, maybe help rebuild the campus.Write a real story for the Howler.And after that…?”

His lips curved in a slow, genuine smile.“After that, we can go wherever.Together.”

Emotion clogged my throat.“I’d like that.”

The detective coughed, reminding us of his presence.We pulled apart, cheeks flushing.Gathering the last items, we stepped outside.The caretaker’s cottage door shut behind us, the police seal replaced, a relic of a dark chapter we’d left behind.

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