“Just go.” Hazen leans on his desk and hangs his head down. “There’s nothing for you here.”
“You wouldn’t have done that.” My voice is back. I’m not sure how to use it. “There’s something off here. This isn’t you.”
“You have to go,” Hazen said, after he looks at his watch. “Don’t come back here.”
“No. I don’t believe you.” I dig my heels in, determined to stand my ground and make him tell me the truth.
“You really need to go. I have to be somewhere.” Hazen grabs his blazer and throws it on, tucking his shirt into his pants.
“It’s after class. You don’t have to be anywhere.” I said, sitting on the one chair in the room. He’s gonna have to pick it up and throw me out of the room.
“Then stay, I’m leaving.” Hazen grabs his bookbag and heads to the door. He opens it and walks out into the hallway, not a second later he returns. “You need to hide.”
“What? You were just trying to get me to leave.”
Hazen looks around the room, he’s breathing heavy and on alert for something. He opens his armoire, then picks me up and places me inside. “No matter what. Don’t breathe, move, or speak.” His voice is firm yet shaky.
I can only nod as he slams the armoire shut. A second later he opens it again and sprays me down with his cologne to hide my scent then slams the door shut again. I wave my hands in the air, trying to breathe in the small space while I cough. His hand pounds on the front of the door of the armoire.
I grab one of his shirts, and cough into it to muffle the noise. He’s lucky I’m even playing along. There was something about his urgency in his voice that made me comply. I take somewhat of a breath to test the air and am relieved I can finally breathe again.
I press my ear to the wood when I hear a knock on his door. It’s hard and fast. The door squeaks open, but the voices are muffled. I reposition myself, but I still can’t hear anything. I move around again in the dark and accidentally knock something over. I freeze and watch the armoire door, expecting it to fly open by the surprise visitor.
“Nothing. You’re paranoid.” I hear Hazen say as he leans back on the door of the armoire. I smell him even through the cologne.
I push aside his clothes and get as close to the door opening as possible. I can hear Hazen speak but not the visitor.
“I’ve got it handled. You don’t have to micromanage me.” Hazen said, his voice was still tense, and he spoke fast. He wasn’t doing a very good job of staying calm.
I feel my way around in the dark, taking this time to find any clues. I check each pocket I find. My hands follow each hanger, and soon I’ve reached as far as I can without moving my feet further. The last hanger holds a coat, I place my hands on the far side of the armoire and lean forward and pray that I don’t topple this thing over.
With some maneuvering I’m able to pull it toward me, the hanger scrapes against the wood, and I stop – waiting for something to happen. I can hear them talking and breathe a sigh of relief. I dive into the pockets and finally something. It’s paper. I grab all the bits and shove them in my pocket.
Hazen steps away from the armoire, and the door accidentally opens a crack. Should I close it? No, they would see or hear. I move one of his shirts in front of me as quietly as possible. Then I hear it. Her voice.
“I’m done with the shop talk.” She said.
I push the shirt away and peak out of the crack, just in time to see Alexandra wrap her arms around Hazen’s neck and kiss him.
Chapter 13
I get out of there as fast as I can when they leave, without being seen. The skin on my neck and cheeks a deep violet. Of all people to get mixed up with, fucking Alexandra. I shove my hands in my pockets and feel the papers I took from his pocket.
As much as I wanted to read my bounty, I was ripping mad at Hazen. How long had this been going on? Was he seeing her when we were together? I shake my head. I need to gather my thoughts rationally. Nothing makes sense. This was all a bad dream and I needed to wake up. I’ve never wanted to hunt more than right now.
My hands stiffen, my nostrils widen, and my mouth had that familiar taste. I try to fight it, the only target I have is Hazen. Who knows where he and Alexandra were and what they were doing?
“Arrrggg!” I scream while placing my hands over my ears. I didn’t care who heard. I didn’t care if anyone challenged me. I want my revenge.
I follow a path off into the woods. I wasn’t going back to my dorm tonight. I need to be alone. I wasn’t suitable to be around people. My anger lashes and I can’t control it. I hate this feeling, of being out of control.
Deep in the woods, I find a tree that looks comfortable enough to extend my stay here. I perch at its base and wrap my arms around my legs. I close my eyes and recall their conversation. He was trying to make her comfortable while protecting me. I shake my head. Why would he do that?
I reach into my pocket and pull out the paper. As I unfold it, I recognize the same symbols from Alexandra’s notebook. I crumple it up and shove it
