17. Dead to Me
Chapter seventeen
Dead to Me
DELANE
Istayed late at school so that I could finish up some of the work I never got around to.
Only five more questions, then I can go home.
I sighed. It was already growing dark outside and I was tired. If it wasn’t for Chelsea taking me out the other day, my homework would be complete, I would have never been touched by a man named Silas...
...and never met Noah.
My thoughts kept returning to the moment when Noah nearly shot his brother behind his estate. Why did he have that weapon to begin with? Was there really a reason to have so much fear of someone or something, that he had to bring a weapon to his own home?
I couldn’t shake the frustration of the entire situation.
Because I actually enjoyed some of the moments with the Hansens, even though their family situation still remained a mystery to me.
Just being around Noah and his family had put me at ease after such a horrific ordeal.
Standing in the kitchen with his mother, cooking and laughing was an interaction I missed in my family because we rarely spent time together.
They hadn’t even known me for very long, yet they had just embraced me.
Good people, my brain said.
Until six o’clock came along. When the rapist was invited back inside.
I shook my head and tried to focus on the last few math problems.
Right when I immersed myself back into inequalities, I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and lightly squeeze.
Oh my god, he followed me here.
I leapt from my seat and spun around, only to be met with the face of a friend.
“Chelsea, jeez.” My hand clutched my chest. “You scared the crap out of me.”
Chelsea stood behind me, appearing frightened. “Damn, Delane! I scared you? Hell no, you scared me. What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I shut my eyes, trying to slow the crazy rhythm of my heart. My palms were sweating and breathing seemed like an extra chore. “I’m just tired, that’s all,” I whispered.
“You look terrible!” Chelsea shouted, examining the shoddy make up job I attempted this morning before leaving the house. The goal was to cover the bruises, but I guess it wasn’t as effective as I thought. “What actually happened the other night?” she insisted.
I locked eyes with my best friend, and for some reason couldn’t help recalling a silly pact we made when we were young girls. Never keep secrets from each other.
I was about to shatter that promise.
“Yeah,” I lied. “I was fine. Someone harassed me at the bar after you left. I went down to the station that’s left of the Hansen estate because I had to file a complaint.”
Chelsea nodded, completely enthused and believing every word out of my mouth. “Shit,” she murmured.
I almost felt bad.
“Well, it was late and they offered me a place to stay.” I shrugged. “I was still a little startled and had no way to get into my house without my keys, so they let me sleep in a guest room for the night.”
Chelsea was silent. “Okay?” I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Chelsea sighed and crossed her arms. “You have yet to mention the male voice speaking to you while we chatted.”
My eyes widened and I was sure that a flicker of panic crossed my face.
Chelsea winked, affirming my theory. “You thought I forgot? Hell no. So, spill.”
I grabbed up my books and papers, standing. “Alright, you see–”
Laughing at Chelsea’s excited expression, I pushed past her and made a run for the door. She was right on my tail, but my quick dash gave me a good lead.
“Get back here Delane, you have much needed info!” she shrieked, stumbling after me.
“In your dreams!”
It wasn’t as though I could tell her about my problems anyways. I couldn’t let details about Noah or Silas get out or the safety of my friends and family could be put at risk.
I would be put at risk.
It was time to live normally.
If that was possible.
To me, it was as if the Hansen’s no longer existed.