Chapter 3
Joke was on Mrs. Mence. I wanted to join the campus paper, the Howler. If only to understand who was messing with me. Even if I suspected two people, my roommate and Anubis. Putting my green hair into a messy bun, I dressed for my interview. I entered Toccarra’s closet again since she wasn’t back from California. And she hadn’t returned my messages. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one upset about our fight.
To beat all her leaving last weekend meant she was pledging to a House. Something she hadn’t shared with me as we both discussed we wouldn’t be joining a sorority. As soon as she was sure I wouldn’t join, she went to sign up. I felt so betrayed by someone I thought had my back. If I had known she was joining, I may have joined a House, and I wouldn’t be on strike two.
Then I was slapped again. Walking into the office of the Howler, the first thing I saw was their storyboard. In the middle, there was a picture of me from last weekend, hiding my titties.
“You’re not printing that,” I said to the girl studying the board.
“Of course, not. We’re not a gossip rag. I was covering the lack of political protest on campus, but someone erased my board last night and replaced it with this shit. Is that you?” She did a double take.
No one else had green hair. She introduced herself as Kate and took me to the editor’s office. Harry Hadley of the Howler waited for me behind a desk. It was a mouthful. A graduate student, he was plump but in a cute way, like a football player. Edenvane didn’t have a football team.
Joining the paper wasn’t as straightforward as an interview, he told me. “We’re not just looking for writers. Anyone can fire up a chat bot these days and string words together. We need someone who can bring something unique to the table.”
“Like what?”
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Get us some dirt on the Skulls, and you’re in.”
It caught me off guard. I’d heard fleeting rumors about secret societies. Who hadn’t? Folks said that the Skull Society was an elite circle of students who dabbled in everything from witchcraft to crime. And that was in college. Out of it, we were talking about the deep state, illuminati bullshit. Hearing the editor of the Howler mention it had been rich.
“This has to be a joke.” It was a question. I felt like I was being set up once again.
Harry shook his head.
“You can’t be serious?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I would think you, of all people, would be suspicious. You grew up in their town. You’re one of the famous lottery winners. They picked you for something.” Harry spoke of the Edenvanes as he scratched his chin. “They shut down the press in Crestwood because of the story that leaked about the society.”
Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t take him seriously. “Where would I even begin?”
“At the top. People say that they saw you with Anubis. Few can get close to him. And check out the archives at the library if you think I’m joking.” Anubis, the captain of the Rowing team, would be at the river, he told me.
“Alright, Sherlock,” I said as I was leaving. I’d already figured that much.
Fuck. I had a bone to pick with the bad guy anyway, but also, he was my best lead.
Making my way to the river, I tried to decide how I’d approach him. Chew him out or butter him up for intel? However, the scene that soon unfolded before me was an echo of the party’s aftermath. The flicker of police lights, the flash of an ambulance and a crowd of onlookers, their faces marred with concern, surprised the hell out of me. Couldn’t be another party since it was the afternoon. Someone had gotten hurt.
Amidst the commotion, I found Anubis. Not a victim, thankfully. He was a central figure surrounded by his team and a few officers giving a statement. Even soaking wet, a towel draped over his shoulders, his presence was commanding. I hesitated, unsure whether I should approach the scene, considering all the trouble I’d been in. I didn’t want to be connected to any more problems. But I watched him scan the crowd, his face a mask of shock and horror. As soon as our eyes connected, he hastened toward me, his strides long and purposeful.
Pulling me into an embrace, he murmured into my hair, “It’s your roommate.”
Everything paused. His words sank in deep, stabbing me in the heart.
“She was in the river… I pulled her out, but it was too late.”
The reality of the situation set in, shock turning to questions turning to grief. Anubis’ embrace was the only thing holding me up.
I left the scene in a daze. Police were searching my dorm. They questioned me and I answered them the best I could. And then I had to leave while they continued searching.
“For a suicide note,” one of them said.
I had nowhere to go. Anubis steered me to the basement of the building. To the laundry room. It was then I realized he was still with me. Laying my head down on the cool wood of the table, I listened to other students clattering in the background.
“There’s been another suicide.”
“The river denial.”
“The pressure around here is just too much.”
“Has to be a murderer.”
“Enough,” Anubis finally shut them up.
When the room cleared out, I raised my head. “Is it true? A suicide river?”
“Happens every year,” he replied, his words hard.
“She didn’t kill herself. She went to California for a party. Pledging to a House, right?”
Shrugging, Anubis had nothing to add. “I didn’t know her. Sorry. And sorry about the party. I thought you knew about it.”
“Pauper’s party? Sick shit.”
“Everyone loves it. All us assholes leave for the long weekend to pledge and all who stay behind take over the Houses.”
“I thought you’d be there. I went looking for you, about my hair,” I said, fighting tears.
“About your hair?” He sounded confused.
“Never mind.”
“I’m so sorry, Suede,” he said, rubbing my back. “Sorry for the party. I had no idea you would get caught up in any trouble. I gave you my pass. The hosts were supposed to make sure no one bothered you.”
I remembered no one even giving me the time of day. His words made too much sense. He leaned in and kissed my forehead and then made his way to my lips. The bad guy was being so sweet and, in my grief and utter shock, I bent into him. I opened my mouth and let him give me one for the books. My hand crawled up into his wet hair as our tongues mingled.
“I’ve got to get to class,” he said into my mouth.
He left me breathless. But I was still suspicious.
“You shouldn’t be alone tonight,” he added as he pulled away.
I lifted my shoulder.
“After class tonight, come out with me. It’s Thursday, and there’s always a party.”
“Another party,” I said, shaking my head.
“This is a proper party. Meet me at the Boat House at dusk.”
I nodded my head but didn’t know if I’d go.
Not able to go back to my dorm, I headed to the library. Margrett had noticeably cut my hours after she saw my green hair, but I still had access to everything. I headed to the top floor to open the school’s archives. It was all on microfiche. I found information on the Skull Society right away. It was no secret, not back in the day, anyway. According to the information, they disbanded in the early 1900s. And there was nothing else. A quick internet search provided nothing as well. But I looked up the rumors about the river.
I learned the Edenvane River was called the River Denial because students threw themselves in. There was always a note. But rumors circulated that these students, who didn’t get into the House they desired, were disposed of. Murdered. Pushed into the river at the Pauper’s Party. The college and the cops denied such outrageous rumors. Hence the name.
I knew for certain Toccarra hadn’t been at that party. The memory of everyone rushing into the river replayed in my mind. Getting back to my dorm, I found Toccarra’s lovers being questioned, both of them. I heard one of them deny my story that she had flown out to California. I filed that information away for later. I asked a detective if I could get anything from my room. She guided me through and let me pack a bag after looking at each thing.
“We found a note,” she informed me flatly.
My breath hitched in my throat.
“In her closet,” she added.
That made little sense. I was still wearing Toccarra’s cream cashmere sweater. But I kept that fact to myself.
“Do you have anywhere to spend the night?”
“Yeah,” I said, full of confidence.
“Good, you shouldn’t be alone tonight.” She echoed Anubis’ words.
I’d grabbed my little black dress from my closet. “Do you mind if I change really quick?”
She let me. I guess I’d be meeting Anubis after all.