Page 79 of Dig Your Grave

He studied me, quietly for a moment.“And that’s all, right?Nothing else.No talk of the tapes or of what really happened to Thad?”

Anubis and I decided that it was best to keep quiet about his involvement in Thad’s death, and about the tapes of us together.

Chapter 30

“It’s your call.I don’t want to overshadow your voice, but I’m willing to share our experiences if it helps the campus heal.We exposed the Skulls, but people still crave the personal side.Maybe it’ll help deter any future secret group if the truth is known.”

My chest felt tight, but I nodded.“Let’s do it, then.On our own terms, with Kate guiding.But I want them to know Toccara’s name first and foremost, and the cost of the Skulls’ illusions.”

Anubis’ gaze shone with approval.“Agreed.”

We leaned in, foreheads touching.The hush of the garden enveloped us, a welcome sanctuary amid the campus bustle.The brand on my shoulder still ached sometimes, but it reminded me:We survived.

The next few weeks flew by in a swirl of final projects and press interviews.A caretaker administration, led by a newly appointed interim dean from out-of-state, launched a campus-wide “Reconciliation & Reform Commission.”They held public forums for students to speak about unethical traditions.Each session brimmed with stories of intimidation, hush money, and secret favoritism.

Anubis and I attended one such forum in the grand auditorium.Rows of students, faculty, and staff looked on as the caretaker administration’s panel explained the new policies: banning hazing in all forms, severing legacy admissions that circumvented standard requirements, and offering compensation to victims of Skulls harassment.The tension was palpable.Some older faculty bristled at the changes, but the overwhelming mood was relief.

Midway through the forum, they opened the floor to personal testimonies.A hush fell.My heart pounded, sweat prickling my palms.I cast a sidelong glance at Anubis.He nodded, encouraging me.We decided to speak up.

I rose, walking to the microphone.Heads turned my way, eyes wide.They recognize me,I thought, heat flooding my cheeks.

I cleared my throat.“My name is Suede Divore.I’m a scholarship student here at Edenvane, and… I was coerced into the Skulls.I endured branding, sabotage tasks, and harassment.I want everyone to know what it costs to keep these old traditions.”

The hush deepened.I continued, voice shaking but resolute, “Toccara was my roommate.She died because she stumbled onto secrets she wasn’t meant to see.The Skulls threatened others, too, my mother included.It’s not just about me or Toccara.So many students have been silenced for decades.”

A ripple of murmurs.The caretaker dean nodded gravely, urging me to continue.

“And that’s why,” I said, clearing my throat, “I support the changes this commission is making.More transparency, no more hidden scholarships or forced legacies.If Edenvane wants to be a truly excellent place, it has to stop burying people’s pain.Thank you.”

Applause swelled, cautious at first, then louder.My cheeks burned with adrenaline.As I stepped away, I spotted Kate in the audience, phone capturing every second for the Howler’s coverage.Anubis gave me a discreet thumbs-up from the side aisle.I exhaled, feeling lighter.No more secrets.Well, almost.

What happened with Thad was Anubis’ call.He didn’t think he wouldn’t be tried.He was an Edenvane, after all.No one would understand how much of a victim he was.When it came to the tapes, I felt he was still looking for them.

The campus vibed differently after that forum.More students came forward with smaller confessions: cheating rings, departmental nepotism, misused funds.The caretaker dean listened, promising investigations.The deeper we dug, the more we realized the Skulls had influenced countless corners of Edenvane.Unraveling it was a monumental task.

Meanwhile, Anubis and I found quiet pockets of normalcy.We studied for finals in the library’s sunlit alcoves.We shared coffee at the campus cafe.We walked by the river at sunset, no watchers lurking.Each small piece of normal felt precious.

But shadows still lingered.In unguarded moments, we both flinched at loud noises, remembering gunshots in the chapel.The brand on my shoulder itched sometimes, a phantom pain.At night, I dreamed of Toccara, floating in the river, calling for help I couldn’t give.I’d jerk awake, sweaty and trembling.Anubis would hold me until the fear ebbed.

One evening, after a particularly rough nightmare, I lay awake in his arms, listening to the hush of his steady breathing.My mind churned with guilt.We survived, but Toccara didn’t.And so many others didn’t.

Anubis stirred.“Can’t sleep?”he mumbled, brushing a lock of hair off my forehead.

I shook my head.“I keep thinking about what’s next.Even if the Skulls are dismantled, is it enough?Toccara’s gone.Her mother, her family, they’ll always bear that wound.”I couldn’t even mention Thad to him.We never talked about it.I understood.If I had inadvertently had a hand in Toccara’s death, I would be more devastated.

He pressed a comforting kiss to my temple.“We can’t change the past, but we can shape the future.You’re writing your piece, speaking out.That’s huge.”

My breath hitched.“I just hope it’s enough to honor her memory.She deserved better.Everyone who was wronged deserved better.”

Anubis’ hold tightened.“I know.But you’re doing more than anyone else was brave enough to do before.Toccara would be proud of you.”

Emotions welled up.I turned, burying my face against his chest.He stroked my hair, whispering soothing words until my tears subsided.After a while, he started humming a gentle tune, some lullaby from his childhood.Despite the ache in my heart, a sense of solace crept in.We’re not alone anymore.

The morning after my meltdown, I woke to a message from the caretaker dean’s office, requesting a meeting.My stomach swooped.Am I in trouble?Or is this about the forum?

Anubis insisted on accompanying me to the administration building.The caretaker dean, Dr.Bridges, was a middle-aged woman with salt-and-pepper hair, warm eyes, and a slightly frazzled demeanor from tackling campus crises.She greeted us in her temporary office, which still bore the faint echo of the Dean’s more imposing decor.

“Thank you for coming,” Dr.Bridges said, gesturing for us to sit.“I know you’ve both been through a lot.This is informal, just me wanting to hear from you, especially after your speech at the forum, Suede.”

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