34. The Sin Of Pride

*Last night*

**Cameron**

Small rays of moonlight managed to break through the trees. Cameron stepped over a broken branch. Together, he and Tommy made their way deeper inside the park. One moment, they came across a homeless woman sleeping on a bench. Fortunately, they slipped by without waking her.

"How much further until we get there?" Cameron asked. Tommy turned left at a large bush and he followed suit. The midnight air sent a chill down his spine.

Tommy shrugged. "Just a few more metres. Tired already?"

"Yes. Can we leave now?"

Cameron chuckled while Tommy scoffed. "We're almost there. I'm sure you can hold out for a few seconds."

His companion ignored him. Tommy had led them off the path to an area more deserted. A bug flew into his face. As he swatted it away, he opened his mouth to make a comment. Before he could say anything, one of their phones rang.

Tommy placed a hand on his hip and answered his phone without checking the caller ID. "Hello? Go on. Shit, again? Twenty minutes, tops. Good."

He turned to Cameron. "I have to go, trouble at the mines."

The mines... that could only mean one thing. Cameron raised his eyebrow. "Is it the stones?"

Tommy's hand reached up to touch his pendant. "Yes, sadly. It shouldn't take long."

"When should I expect you back?"

"Tomorrow afternoon if everything goes the way it's supposed to."

"Aw." Cameron tilted his head to the side. "Leaving me here to be all lonely without you."

"Cut the crap. You have Denis and Manuel to keep you company." Suddenly, Cameron's face became drained of all playfulness. "Don't tell me... are you and Manuel still not talking?"

He had his answer when Cameron looked in another direction. "No, but he seems to be talking to every other person just fine," Cameron responded. "Which isn't fair! I mean it's not like I want his attention but ever since he caught us doing, you know, he barely looks me in the eye anymore. The only thing I ever get from him is a 'good morning' and that's it."

Tommy frowned. "Do you want me to talk to him? He's been acting weird around me too, but I didn't mind."

If Tommy had a word with Manny maybe then everything would go back to the way they were. However, he didn't want Tommy to do it alone. They were both involved, therefore they both needed to talk to him and try to resolve the issue, no matter what it was.

Cameron shook his head, a smile gracing his sharp features. "Nah, I don't need you to talk in my stead. When you get back here we can talk about it some more."

Honestly, he was tired of tiptoeing around Manny. Might as well confront him instead of waiting for him to speak to them.

"So I guess I can go home since you'll be busy and won't be able to show me where the dead body dropped."

Cameron straightened his jacket, prepared to leave when Tommy stopped him by placing an arm over his shoulder.

Tommy snickered. "Not so fast. Use your nose. The spot is right ahead, just a few more steps and you'll be there."

With that, Tommy disappeared. An owl hooted in the distance. Cameron scoffed but did as he said.

In doing so, he found himself under a tree with branches that were thick, but few. Hundred of dark leaves made up the canopy.

He looked down on the grass. One thing was for sure, this wasn't where the person died. Not only that, but Cameron sensed negative energy coming from his surroundings. Tommy was right, what killed that man was no human.

And this would hardly be the last time it feeds.

**Rosé**

*present time*

I wanted for him to say something, anything that could get Margo off my back. I knew Margo. She had never been this confrontational in the past.

She was too busy trying to look good in front of Alyssa to do something in public that would jeopardize her reputation.

Maybe that's why she dragged me out here. I'm just about tired of being brought to isolated places against my will.

The arm where Margo gripped me still hurt. I gazed at Denis hoping that my eyes portrayed my pleas. Come on, show me that the person inside you meant what he told me last night.

Denis looked at Queenie, then at Margo before finally settling his gaze on me. He lowered his head, using his tongue to wet both his lips. What he said afterward filled my heart with disappointment.

"Rosé, you can handle a little interrogation, right?"

Margo turned to me and smirked. "See? Why even bother? He wants nothing to do with you, no guy does."

"Your boyfriend is a bloody asshole!" I yelled. "He came on to me as soon as the teacher turned her back on us! Why the hell would I want to lay a finger on his rotten ass dick?!"

The smile dropped from Margo's face in less than a second. Queenie hit her giggles behind her hands. "Don't talk about my boyfriend like that," Margo said.

I threw my hand in the air. "Oh, no. What are you going to do? Beat me? You're his girlfriend so of course your ass would be rotten too."

That was the final straw for her. Margo marched up to me and hit me in the stomach with her fist.

"Stop! That's too far, Margo!" Denis took a step forward.

I held my stomach, ignoring the pain while my anger built up. "Stay out of this, liar!" I said. He stopped in his tracks, face distraught. The power inside me made an attempt to rise to the surface.

But I held it back.

I couldn't allow Margo of all people make me lose my cool.

That didn't mean I would take her assault laying down.

My backhanded slap sent her head spinning to the side. She gasped. Trembling fingers touched her bruised cheek. I barely had a chance to react when two hands wrapped around my throat. She smirked, squeezing like her life depended on it.

I allowed her to push me back until my butt hit the wall again. Margo gasped as he felt a knee connect to her groin. I grinned. "You like?"

The next thing I knew, I lost my footing. My neck was free from her grip, but only because she used her arms to push my shoulders back.

Someone yelled. I couldn't make out what they were saying.

All I could focus on was the wind in my hair and the sky that was now at my feet. Gravity pulled my body downward. It was like an out-of-body experience. I could feel the impact of the fall before I made contact with the ground.