TO MAY_Abe:
"I didn't think it'd be this nice talking with you," Vanessa said with a soft smile, walking beside June while Dana trailed just slightly behind them.
"I could say the same," June replied, a genuine smile spreading across her face, one that made it seem like whatever misunderstandings they'd once had were finally settled. For now, at least.
The three of them wandered through the dormitory area, where only a handful of students passed by. The morning air was cool and soothing against the skin, the kind that made everything feel momentarily calm.
"I just wish Elaine and Gwen were here," June added, releasing a quiet sigh as though reminiscing about the time they'd spent together.
She didn't notice the hardened expression that slowly crept across Dana's face.
Dana's jaw tightened, her brows knitting together briefly before she masked it with a bright smile that made her eyes sparkle unnaturally.
"Hey, June," Dana said cheerfully.
"Yes?" June answered, slowing her steps. Vanessa glanced between them, curiosity stirring, Dana rarely sounded this… animated.
"Why don't we go meet Gwen?" Dana suggested dramatically. "The more the merrier."
"Oh, that sounds nice," June said thoughtfully, "but she's not around."
Dana frowned. "Not around?"
"She went somewhere. Said she'd be back soon," June explained, realization dawning as she spoke, Dana stepped closer, close enough that June stopped walking altogether. Vanessa lingered a few steps away, watching carefully.
"You have pretty eyes," Dana murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair away from June's face, her gaze locking onto hers.
And just like that—
Flashes. Broken images. Disjointed moments crashed into Dana's mind, faster than she could comprehend them. Faces, shadows, places that made no sense. Her breath hitched.
"I… I have to go now. Bye, June," June said suddenly, stepping back and walking away, completely unaware of what had just happened.
"What?" Vanessa asked, moving closer to Dana, noticing the confusion and irritation flickering across her face.
Dana scoffed softly, clicking her tongue in annoyance. Her eyes darkened with intrigue.
"Can nothing ever be straightforward in this school?" she muttered.
"What are you talking about?" Vanessa pressed, now genuinely unsettled.
"It's nothing important to you," Dana replied dismissively.
"Seriously, Dana," Vanessa snapped. "We can't be in this together and you keep leaving me in the dark saying it's no imp—"
"I'll need your lock-picking skills later tonight," Dana cut in calmly.
Vanessa inhaled deeply, forcing down her rising irritation.
"For what?" she asked cautiously.
"Of course there's a room that needs to be broken into," Dana said, clearly tired of the questions.
"Which room?" Vanessa probed.
Dana sighed deeply, wondering how Vanessa could be so impossibly slow—though she admitted it was her fault for never being specific.
"Mr. Hance," she said.
Understanding dawned instantly on Vanessa's face.
"I pray we don't get caught," she muttered.
---
Elaine sat stiffly in the sitting room, her discomfort obvious as she tried to wrap her head around the two guests, intruders, if she was being honest, currently seated in her house.
Her mother served them light refreshments with polite ease.
"Thank you, ma'am," Horace said warmly.
"Oh, just call me Heather," her mum replied with a tired smile. "I'm too young to be 'ma'am.'"
That instruction clearly included Allan, who sat quietly nearby.
"I'll leave you all to your business," Heather added, turning to leave, but not before shooting Elaine a brief look that nearly made her forget how to breathe.
"What are you both doing here?" Allan asked.
Elaine's mouth hung awkwardly open—she'd been about to speak.
"Are you alright?" Gwen asked immediately, worry creasing her face as she stood, ready to examine him.
"Well, I think he is," Horace said calmly, taking a sip of tea. "Elaine, your mum sure knows how to make wonderful tea."
"Y-yeah, thanks," Elaine replied, her voice lower than intended. Nervousness curled tightly in her chest.
"How can you be sure he's alright?" Gwen pressed Horace. "That's not even possi—"
"I'm fine," Allan said flatly, cutting her off.
Normally that would have irritated Gwen beyond reason—but this time it didn't.
"No," she said sharply. "That's not what I want to hear. You could easily just say that." She turned to Elaine. "Is he alright?"
Elaine blinked, startled. She pointed to herself to be sure.
"M-me?"
"Yes."
"Y-yes," Elaine confirmed.
Horace looked ready to say I told you so—until Elaine continued.
"But… I'm not sure he was last night," she added hesitantly. "He was acting like he'd come down with a cold, and his hands were changing into, um—"
Gwen slowly turned to Allan.
Allan was already staring at Elaine.
She shrank slightly under his gaze, feeling like a tattletale.
"So," Horace drawled, breaking the tension, "how are you?"
"I figured something out," Allan said calmly.
It wasn't enough to fully explain—but it wasn't nothing either.
Silence settled over the room. Some kind of quiet communication passed between them—one Elaine wasn't part of.
"Elaine," Horace said suddenly, "how are you feeling?"
"Feeling?" she echoed, confused.
"Yes. Have you forgotten what you're hosting?"
It clicked.
"Oh… that," she said quietly. "It's been fine for two days straight." The question made her realize that she had totally forgotten about the dream and Allan hadn't told her about it either.
"How many days do you have before the nine days are up?" Gwen asked.
Elaine froze.
The fear she'd been avoiding rushed back. She stuttered, struggling to answer.
"Five days," Allan said for her.
"That's rea—"
"Let's talk about that later tonight," Allan interrupted.
"Later tonight?" they all echoed.
"We'll be visiting HERBERT WILBUR tonight."