Chapter 39 Twisted devotion

Chapter 39 Twisted devotion
Hazel’ POV
The nurse’s office was just as uncomfortable as I remembered. I lay back on the bed while the nurse handed me a mixture of herbs that smelled like something that had died peacefully and then regretted it. 
I drank it anyway. Westbourne’s medicine had spoiled me. This barely took the edge off, but pain was pain. 

The nurse sent Zeke and Lila back to class. They protested like they were being sent to prison. “We’ll come back,” Lila said, glaring at the nurse like she’d fight her. “I’ll haunt you if you die,” Zeke added helpfully.
“Comforting,” I said. “Truly.”

Once they left, the room fell quiet. It hadn’t even been a week in this hellhole, and I’d already survived three death threats. At this rate, what’s next; public execution during lunch break?
I sighed. 

Principal Dane must be insanely strong to catch me like that. I really thought I was done for. Guess plot armor showed up early this season.
Mom would absolutely lose her mind if she heard about this. Good thing she won’t. A knock interrupted my thoughts. Zeke peeked inside. “Hi.” I grinned without meaning to. “Hi.”

He stepped in awkwardly, holding my bag. My face lit up instantly. “You found it!”. He nodded and dropped it beside me. I immediately dug out my phone.
“…I still don’t have Zerran’s number,” I muttered.
“Are you okay?” Zeke asked carefully.

I stared at him. I limped to school in pain. Got insulted. Watched shovel boy almost die. Nearly got dropped off a terrace by a discount Grim Reaper. Of course I’m okay. Out loud, I said nothing. Instead, I tried something stupid. “Zeke,” I said, dead serious. “Do you have Zerran’s number?”
He froze. His eyes widened. He glanced around like the walls might be listening, then laughed nervously. “Why－ why are you asking－ does he know, are you his spy－ oh God－”
“Zeke,” I cut in. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. But judging by this reaction… you do have his number.” I squinted. He gulped. Stepped closer and whispered, “What do you want it for? Zerran’s not a good guy.”
“I know,” I said calmly. “He has my stuff. I want it back.”

He hesitated. Then sighed, defeated, pulled out his phone, and sent the number. My phone chimed. I stared at the screen. Wow. Who knew it’d be that easy? I could’ve avoided so much trauma if I’d just asked Zeke earlier－ but honestly, who would expect Zeke to have Zerran’s number?
He turned to leave, then paused. “Hazel,” he said quietly. “Please don’t do anything stupid. Zerran really is bad news.”
Then he was gone. 
I stared at the number again. Finally. My painkillers. This better be worth it. I almost died today.



Dane’s POV
The second Hazel was taken away, I bolted. I took the stairs two at a time, lungs burning. By the time I burst onto the terrace level, the wind slapped me hard, and there he was. Ilyas. 
One foot already on the window ledge. “Oh hell no you don’t.” 

I grabbed the back of his jacket and yanked him down. He hit the concrete hard, the sound ugly and final. The impact knocked the breath out of him.
I stood over him, chest heaving. “Not smiling now, huh?”
He laughed. Actually laughed. A thin, cracked sound, like something breaking inside his chest. 
He rolled onto his side and tried to push himself up.

The scarf was gone now. No shadows, no mystery, just his face in full view. Burn scars dragged down one side of his cheek to his neck like melted wax. His eyes were wrong. Too calm. I walked up and demanded, “Why did you do it? Why the fck did you try to kill her?”
His grin stretched wider. Wider. Until it snapped into wild laughter, loud enough to echo off the concrete walls. 
That was it, I was in no mood for his nonsense today. 

I swung. My fist connected with his jaw hard enough to make my knuckles sting. His head whipped to the side and he stumbled back, crashing to his knees. I knew I’d crossed the line but he’d also crossed the line too.

He gagged, coughing violently, clutching at his throat. “I－ I can’t－” he rasped. “Can’t breathe－”
I didn’t buy it for a second. I grabbed his collar and hauled him close, my face inches from his.
“Cut the bullsht. Answer me.”
His eyes snapped up, feral. “She killed him!” he screamed, voice shredding. “Can’t you see that?! She should be the one getting beaten, not me! WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME?!” The shout rang out, raw and broken.

Then he went quiet. Too quiet. His mouth curled into a slow, ugly smile.
“Doesn’t matter,” he murmured. “She lives today… but she’s gonna die by my hands.” He inhaled sharply, like the thought thrilled him.
“Just thinking about it makes my skin itch like hell.” His eyes unfocused, drifting somewhere far away. His body twitched.
He’s tweaking again.

I let go of him and stepped back, rubbing my sore arm. Pain shot through it, a sharp reminder of Hazel’s weight, of how close I’d been to losing her. “Listen to me,” I said low. “Kael’s not dead. So whatever story you’re telling yourself? It’s bullsht. And I’m done tolerating this.”

I dropped to one knee and grabbed his hair, forcing his face up.
“This ain’t the first time, but it will be the last. You got that?”
No answer. I tightened my grip until his breath hitched. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Finally, he spoke－ soft, calm, terrifying. “I’ll kill anyone who threatens Kael’s life.” He leaned closer, eyes locked onto mine. “You got that, Dane?”
The nerve of this kid. 

I was about to respond when movement caught my eye. Footsteps. I turned. Lila stood there, frozen, clutching a black scarf to her chest. Her eyes flicked between us; me on one knee, fist still clenched, Ilyas bruised and bleeding, our bodies too close for comfort.
“P-Principal Dane?” she whispered. “Illy…?”

I cleared my throat and stood. Ilyas looked away from her immediately and moved to the far end of the terrace, back pressed to the wall like he suddenly remembered how to behave.

I watched the two of them for a beat. Huh. Interesting. I turned to Ilyas and barked, “My office. When you’re done. And don’t even think about skipping out, or I swear I’ll make your life a living hell.” Then I walked away. Because if I stayed another second, I might’ve done something I couldn’t undo.