Chapter 81 Chapter Eighty-one

Chapter 81 Chapter Eighty-one
Bella

“You look like the whole world is falling apart on your head,” Nina said quietly after our third lecture. “You haven’t said a single word since you got in.”

I shook my head and turned my face toward the window, blinking rapidly so she wouldn’t see the tears already pooling in my eyes. The campus blurred outside, students laughing and walking like their lives weren’t crumbling.

“Bella…” Nina’s voice softened with worry. “Is everything okay? You really don’t look well.”

I quickly wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand and forced myself to face her, plastering on the weakest smile I could manage.

“I’m good,” I lied. “I think I might be in my luteal phase or something.”

Nina gave me a deadpan look. “Don’t shit me with that flimsy excuse. Come on.” She stood up and grabbed my bag before I could protest. “You’re going home right now and you need to rest. I’m actually scared you might break down any second. Let’s go.”

She helped me up like I was made of glass and might break if not handled with care. She looped her arm through mine as we walked out of the lecture hall. 

I let her lead me, too drained to argue. Every step felt heavier than the last. My body was here, but my mind was still trapped in the moment during and after I sent that text.

Nina didn’t push for answers until we were outside, walking toward the parking lot. Then she spoke softly.

“It’s Gray, isn’t it?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Just hearing his name made my chest ache so badly I had to stop for a second and breathe through it.

I opened my mouth to answer her, but the words died in my throat. Nina wasn’t even looking at me anymore. 

Her eyes were fixed on something on the wall behind me, her expression slowly shifting from concern to disbelief.

“That’s his back…” she murmured, squinting. “Kinda looks like his bike too. I could be seeing things.”

When she said, “It’s Gray, isn’t it?”, the question wasn’t really for me.

I turned slowly, dread crawling up my spine with spider legs. My eyes landed on the large notice board near the exit, the one usually reserved for campus announcements and lost items.

I didn't even to squint like Nina. It was a printed poster, it was grainy, yes, but clear enough. A dark photo taken at night.

I took in the figure standing over a man on his knees clutching his throat with a knife protruding out of it.

The figure had his back to us, but that physique, the powerful build and dark aura, it was there. I could swear it was Gray. I knew that silhouette better than my own shadow.

His hair gave everything away. But even so, no one could really prove it was really Gray. 

There was another photo placed directly below, the figure on his bike, leaning forward intensely. If a picture ever spoke, this one said he wasn't trying to run away. He was overwhelmed and confused and furious all at once.

I could tell all these even without seeing his face in the black and white photo.

What the hell was this? I didn’t realize I had turned until the words left my mouth. 

“Nina… what is this?”

Nina’s voice was strangely flat, almost indifferent, like she couldn't be bothered.

“That’s Professor Kelvin on the ground. And the news says he’s dead.”

I nearly pissed my pants. Dead?

I had been so fixated on Gray’s back that I hadn’t fully registered the man kneeling in front of him and the knife protruding from his throat.

Professor Kelvin. The same man Gray had gotten suspended because of me. Now he was dead.

“Oh my God…” I whispered, my legs threatening to give out from under me.

No, he didn't. He wouldn't….

Nina grabbed my arm to steady me, but her eyes were still glued to the poster. 

“They’re saying it happened late last night. Someone posted the pictures anonymously this morning. It’s spreading like wildfire on the campus group chats.”

I felt like I was going to be sick. This was my fault.

I had pushed him away with that message. I had blocked him. I had left him alone when he was already hurting. And now this…

Gray had warned me he was dangerous. He had told me he would break things, break people if they came near me. 

And now a man was dead. Because of me? Tears burned my eyes as the guilt settled on me.

My hands shook so badly I had to clutch them together.

“Nina… I think I broke him,” I choked out. “I told him we had to end it. I blocked him. And then this happened…”

Nina pulled me into a tight hug, but even she looked shaken.

“Bella… if this is really Gray, then things are about to get really bad. Like, police-level bad.”

I buried my face in her shoulder, my mind screaming one name over and over.

Gray. Where was he right now? Was he okay? Or had I just pushed the only person who ever truly fought for me straight into hell?

Suddenly we heard a masculine voice shouting in the distance.

“It's gonna be an eye for an eye, bitch. One sibling for the other.” Dylan was frothing at the mouth and heading towards us with a knife. 

He looked like a man possessed by a malevolent spirit. His eyes were bloodshot and unseeing.

He broke into a run, aiming straight for me. Nina reacted first. She shoved me hard behind her, positioning herself as a shield.

“Bella, ruuuuun!” she screamed.

My legs wouldn’t move. Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. God, what was happening today?

The screech of tires tore through the campus walkway. Sparks flew as a sleek black Audi swerved violently, heading straight for Dylan. The impact was sickening, a dull thud as the car clipped him, sending him flying to the ground.

Ah, fuck. Gray. He slammed the car into park and climbed out of the driver’s seat like a demon whose leash had torn loose.

His eyes found me instantly. Dylan groaned on the ground, twitching but not seriously injured. I didn't want to think like an insensitive bastard, but I was sure he was just dazed and winded.

“What are you doing?!” I yelled at Gray, my voice cracking with panic.

He didn’t answer. In two powerful strides, he reached me, swooped down, and lifted me clean off the ground, throwing me over his shoulder, me and my bag combined.

“Nobody touches you, Bella,” he growled. “I promised you that. Whether or not we’re on speaking terms, I keep my fucking promises.”

“Gray, put me down! Have you seen the posters?” Everything I said was useless. He wasn't even listening.

He opened the back door and deposited me onto the seat with surprising care, then slammed it shut. 

In seconds, he was behind the wheel. He reversed smoothly, then floored the accelerator, speeding us away from the scene.

I twisted around to look through the rear window. Nina stood frozen, staring after us. Dylan was slowly pushing himself up from the ground, still clutching the knife.

He looked like he was going to chase after us for a minute there.

Gray was officially mad. Completely, terrifyingly unhinged.

What was I to do?