“I suppose,” I nod, considering.
After searching through a few of the Google results, I point to the screen and lean back in my chair, more confused than ever.
Wade leans in, narrowing his gaze. “The truth shall set you free?”
“Yeah, what the hell?” I mutter, anxiety and anger welling up inside me. “Why would anyone bother keying something like that on my vehicle?”
“Looks like it’s also the motto for a bunch of colleges, but none of them are nearby. It’s not Windhaven Academy’s either,” Wade says, confusion mirroring back at me.
I shrug. “Right? At least I feel a little better knowing what it says.”
“I hate to ask, but…is there anything you’ve been hiding? I mean, something that you’d be targeted for?” Wade says, his face crumpling.
Shaking my head, I push away from the desk. “No, not even remotely. Until I got the invite to Windhaven Academy, I’ve led the most vanilla life ever.”
Wade breathes out slowly through his nose. “Well, until you can find the guy who did it, anything we come up with is all just speculation. So, what do you want to do? Go hunt him down? Do some sniffing around town?”
I chew on my lower lip for a moment. If we go out, there’s a good chance it will go nowhere. I don’t know anyone in this town yet and the likelihood of finding the guy right now is pretty damn low. Plus, there’s the whole issue with the missing kids. If there’s something out there, something mystical or supernatural, I don’t want to get caught up in it. Or worse yet, be a suspect because we’re roaming around when we’ve been told to go home.
“I never got to tell you,” I say, glancing up and looking into his concerned gaze. “Before you showed up today, I thought I saw someone out by the pond.”
Wade takes a seat on the edge of the bed, placing his elbows on his knees, and clasping his hands. “Okay…”
I stand up, pacing. “What if…what if maybe he had something to do with the missing kids?”
“Wait a minute. I’m all for a good conspiracy theory, but that’s taking a pretty big leap. I mean, what would even give you that idea?”
“I’ve never seen him before. He looked”—I break off, thinking back to the hidden, almost ghoulish appearance—“off. Like he was out of sorts. Ripped-up clothes. I couldn’t really see his face. Then when I went outside, he was gone.”
“Well, you haven’t been here long, so everyone would be new to you. Maybe they were just homeless?” Wade says. “Didn’t your dad say he has a housekeeper? What if it was him?”
I think on that for a moment. There’s a sliver of truth in there, since I haven’t met James yet. However, I doubt he’d be dressed like that. Shaking my head, I continue to pace. “No, I don’t think so. Why would he look like he was homeless? I just keep thinking about the fragments of stuff I was hearing at the school. About the water and creature…”
“Well, do you want to take it to the police? See if the guy matches the description of whatever they’re looking for?”
My fingertips fly to my face and I blow out a puff of air. “I sound ridiculous, don’t I?”
“No, not at all. Something weird is definitely going on. I get it. You’re just trying to make sense,” he says, standing up and taking me into his arms.
“No, I sound crazy,” I say, running my fingertips over my forehead. I take a deep inhalation and close my eyes. “Maybe you’re right. We should just chill here. Enjoy our night together and come Monday, if it seems relevant, then I’ll say something.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan,” Wade says, pulling me closer. “With that all resolved, what do you think we should do next?”
“Well, I could show you where I saw the creepy dude?” I say, playing coy.
Wade pauses a moment. “We could, but it’s sorta not what I had in mind.”
I glance up into his mischievous eyes. “And just what did you have in mind, sir?”
His eyebrows make their way toward his hairline and he grins. “For starters, I was hoping to meet your dad…”
“Oh, right. My dad,” I say, nodding. That was so not what I thought he was implying. “We can go hunt for him. I would think he’d be home.”
Wade kisses the top of my head and takes a step back. “Lead the way, beautiful.”
We make our way out of my bedroom, down the hall, and into the main entry. With the exception of the large grandfather clock chiming noon, the house has settled into relative silence.
“Dad? Are you here?” I call out, hoping the central location will broadcast far enough.
Wade tips his head, listening.
“Hmm, strange,” I mutter, looking around the space. “He’s always here somewhere.”
I walk over to the antiquated intercom station in the main entry, but when I push the button, all I get is static.
“So much for that,” Wade laughs. “Ya gotta love old technology.”
“Right? It worked the other day when Dad showed it to me. Oh, well, I guess I’ll take it as a sign we’re meant to grab a bite to eat and just spend some quality time together instead,” I say, walking past Wade and heading toward the kitchen.
After a quick lunch comprising turkey sandwiches and Red Bull, we find ourselves back in my bedroom.
“I’m kinda bummed I haven’t been able to meet your dad yet. On the upside, it looks like we have the house to ourselves,” Wade says, walking over to the window seat. He pats the space beside him and I drop into the cushy pillows and cross my legs.
“Looks like,” I nod.
“What should two young college kids do with such an opportunity? Skinny dip in the pond? Race around the house naked?” Wade chuckles, his arms splaying out to suggest the whole of the house.
“Hmmm…seems like you have nakedness on the mind, Mr. Hoffman,” I say, quirking an eyebrow, as my lips
