Chapter 95 Run away

Chapter 95 Run away
He looked at me, his eyes steady. "The hospital's CCTV cameras captured someone entering Tyler's room the night before he died."

My blood ran cold. "Who?"

"We don't know yet. The footage is grainy. But the person was wearing dark clothing, a hood, and they stayed for about five minutes." He paused. "The doctors believe Tyler was suffocated."

I stared at him, my mind reeling. Suffocated. Damian or Marcus must have gone in to finish the job. 

"I don't understand," I said. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you were the one who pulled the fire alarm and went to Tyler first. Before Tyler died he told us you were the one who helped him." He leaned forward. "Do you remember anything before pulling the fire alarm? Any one you could have seen or caught a glimpse of when he was getting attacked?" 

My hands were shaking. "I told you, I just found him in the hallway. I pulled the alarm because I was scared. I didn't see anyone."

"Calliope..." 

"I didn't see anyone."

He studied me for a long moment. Then he closed his notebook.

"Okay," he said. "If you remember anything else, let me know. Here's my card." 

He gave me his card, then he stood up and walked out of the room.

I sat there, frozen, my mind spinning.

Someone had killed Tyler to send a message to Romeo. And I knew who it was. I didn't know how long I could keep doing this. How long I could keep protecting their identity when they were possibly the ones who did it. 

Tyler had to get justice, I thought. I had to do something. 

I pressed my hands to my face and tried to breathe.

\----------------------

The police officer's words echoed in my head all through my classes. Tyler had been suffocated. And with the cryptic message we received, I knew Damien and Marcus had a hand in it.

Someone had gone into Tyler's room and killed him.  I knew who it was. I knew who had sent them. And I'd stood there, in that room, and said nothing to the detective.

The guilt was a physical weight in my chest and it was heavy and suffocating.

\-—————-

I had drama club after school, but I only attended because I had half hoped it would take my mind off things. 

Mrs. Patterson had gathered everyone in the auditorium to discuss the fall production. The spring play was still fresh in everyone's minds, but she was already thinking ahead, already planning the next big thing.

"We need to decide on a classic," she announced, clapping her hands. "Something timeless. Something with depth."

A chorus of voices erupted. Someone shouted "Romeo and Juliet!" Someone else countered with "A Midsummer Night's Dream." A third voice called out "Our Town again!" and was met with groans.

Mrs. Patterson held up her hands. "Enough! We'll take a vote. But I want thoughtful arguments, not shouting matches."

The debate that followed was surprisingly passionate. A lot of people argued for Shakespeare, basically  anything that would let them wear period costumes and speak in accents. Someone proposed a modern adaptation of Medea and was booed off the stage.

I sat in the back row, oblivious to the noise and, my mind elsewhere.

Suffocated.

I couldn't get the word out of my head.

"Calliope." Kieran's voice was soft and careful. He'd appeared beside me, his expression unreadable. "You okay?"

I blinked, pulling myself back to the present. I could scarcely believe Kieran was standing next to me. "What? Yeah. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"I'm just tired."

He studied me for a moment, something flickering in his eyes. "We haven't talked. Not really. Not since the play."

"Kieran..." 

"I'm not trying to pry. I just..." He paused. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay. I've been watching you for a while." 

I was touched. Regardless of everything that happened he still cared for me like a friend would. 

"I'm fine," I said again. "Really."

He nodded slowly. "Okay. If you ever want to talk..."

"I know."

He walked away.

I sat in the back row, watching the debate continue, and tried to focus on anything other than Tyler's face.

\-——————————-

The twins were in high spirits when I got back.

Emma was running around the playroom, her arms outstretched like she was flying. Ryan was building a block tower with intense concentration, muttering to himself about structural integrity.

"Calliope!" Emma shrieked, launching herself at me. "Mommy says we're having a party!"

"A party?"

"For our birthday!" Ryan looked up, his eyes bright. "We're going to be six!"

I smiled, a real smile. The twins always found a way to lift my mood. "Wow!!! Six is a big number."

"The biggest," Emma agreed.

Mrs. Vanderbilt appeared in the doorway, her expression softer than usual. "I thought we might throw a small celebration," she said. "Nothing too elaborate. Just family and a few friends."

"I'd be happy to help if you need my help with anything," I said.

She nodded, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. "Good. We'll discuss the details later."

She walked away, and I sat on the floor with the twins, helping Ryan with his tower and listening to Emma's plans for her "princess party."

For a few hours, I forgot about the police. About Tyler. About the weight of everything pressing down on me.

And it worked. Only for a little while. 

\-—————————

The annex was dark when I finally got back.

I opened the door, my hand reaching for the light switch, when I heard a sound from the bed.

I froze.

"Calliope."

Romeo's voice sounded from the bed. 

I turned on the lights.

He was lying on my bed, shirtless, his bare chest pale in the dim glow. He looked tired. His dark hair falling all over his face, a bit longer than before now. His light brown eyes looked a little brighter with the light, almost amber. 

"Romeo..." 

"I'm sorry," he said. "For not texting you back. For disappearing." He paused. "I was just so sad. After my father and I argued. I couldn't stop thinking about my mother."

I crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, my hand finding his.

"I know," I said. "I heard the two of you arguing."

He sat up slowly, his eyes meeting mine. "I hate him sometimes. My father. I hate him for what he did. For what he didn't do." He paused. "But I also hate myself. For not being strong enough to protect her."

"Romeo..." 

"I was just a kid," he said, his voice cracking. "I couldn't have done anything. But I still feel like I should have."

I reached out and touched his face, my fingers brushing his cheek. "You were only a child. You couldn't have saved her."

"I know."

"So I know you want to blame yourself, but it's not your fault."

He looked at me, really looked, and something in his expression shifted.

"Neither is Tyler's death. You're not supposed to blame yourself for that either," he said.

I flinched.

"Calliope..." 

"I know it's not my fault. But it feels like I could have done more. Maybe I could have saved him."

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. I pressed my face to his chest, feeling his heartbeat under my cheek.

"Sometimes I wish I could just run away," he said. "Leave all of this behind. My uncle. The pack. The fighting. Just walk away and never look back. Imagine a life like that."