Chapter 164: A Betrayer’s Confession
Chapter 164: A Betrayer’s Confession
Dana's POV
I held onto the letter I had taken from Damian’s dressing table, my fingers tightening around the edges as I stared at Alex and Kyle. They both watched me quietly, waiting, but I couldn’t bring myself to say a single word.
Without speaking, I turned and walked out of Damian’s dormitory. Even in silence, Alex and Kyle followed behind me like shadows.
“Do you have any idea who might have kidnapped him?” Kyle asked hesitantly.
Maybe it was the confidence in my tone that made him think I knew something, when in reality, my mind was completely blank.
“Not really,” I muttered, still walking.
“And Zade is still on suspension,” Alex added from behind. “There’s no way he would’ve done something like this.”
I didn’t respond. I wasn’t in the mood for conversation, not anger was slowly taking over me.
After everything that had already happened in Archlight Academy, it felt dangerous to handle this situation on our own. Too many incidents, too many secrets, too many close calls.
“It’s best we report to the school authorities,” I finally said. “We can’t take matters into our own hands this time.”
“Staff room quarter?” Alex asked.
I nodded once. “Yeah. It’s the only place I can think of right now. We don’t have a single clue who did this, so we need help from every corner we can find.”
When we reached the staff room, I knocked.
“Come in,” a woman’s voice responded.
I pushed the door open gently. A teacher sat at the first table, adjusting her glasses as she looked up.
“Good day, ma’am,” we greeted.
“Good day, students,” she replied, closing the file she had been reviewing. “How may I help you?”
I placed the letter carefully on her desk.
“Ma’am, yesterday we discovered our friend was missing. We searched everywhere, but we didn’t see him,” I began, trying hard to control the rage in my voice. “Only for us to find this note. He’s been kidnapped.”
The teacher’s eyes widened as she picked up the letter, reading it slowly and thoroughly.
“This is bad,” she murmured when she finished.
She stood, reached for a large notebook on the shelf behind her, and placed it in front of me.
“Take this. Fill in the details of the missing student on this page,” she instructed.
I nodded, taking the book and writing everything as clearly as I could. My hands were shaking, but I reminded that I had to be strong for Damian.
“Thank you, ma’am,” I said as I handed the notebook back to her.
“You’re welcome,” she replied. “Don’t worry, students. I’ll report this immediately. We will get to the bottom of this.”
We all thanked her before leaving the office.
The moment we stepped outside, Alex let out a frustrated groan.
“This is so bad,” he muttered.
“So what now?” Kyle asked, sounding restless. “Are we really supposed to just sit and wait?”
“Of course not,” I whispered under my breath. “We’ll look for him too. Whoever took Damian, they won’t get away with this.”
We were barely a few steps away from the staff quarters when someone called my name.
“Dana! Dana!! Dana!!!”
I turned and sighed heavily when I saw Marcus running toward us. He looked filthy. Sweat, and dirt, he look like he had been dragged through a construction site.
Well, that’s what two weeks of punishment ceaning the school environment would do. And honestly? He deserved it.
I folded my arms, glaring at him.
“Yes, Marcus. How can I help you?” I asked, eyeing him from head to toe with undisguised irritation.
“Dana, please,” he began quickly, guilt written all over his face. “I know what I did was wrong....”
“Wrong?” I cut in sharply. “What you did was evil, Marcus. How could you join forces with Zade to kidnap the entire school?”
He reached out to touch my hand.
“Dana, please....”
“Don’t touch me.” I snapped, jerking my hand away.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice cracking. “I didn’t think things would go that far. We only thought it would be a normal petition. Something harmless. I didn’t know it would escalate.”
“You’re always thinking nonsense,” I barked. “And look where it got you. Have you forgotten what Mr. Khandi told you in the library? About being a beta and your destiny? Yet you let Zade and his father manipulate you again.”
“Dana, please,” Marcus pleaded desperately, his eyes shining with something close to humiliation. “I’ve learned my lesson. I promise.”
“Good. Go learn more lessons with Zade,” I said mockingly. “Since that seems to be your hobby.”
“Dana,” he whispered again, reaching for my wrist.
“Marcus!” I shouted. “We are not friends anymore. I don’t associate myself with betrayers and Zade’s followers.”
I pulled my hand from his grip and turned away.
His voice broke behind me. “Please don’t go.”
I didn’t slow down. I didn’t stop until his next words cut right through me.
“I know where Damian is.”
Alex and Kyle gasped loudly behind me. “What???”
I stopped mid step and turned slowly to face Marcus.
“How did you know Damian is missing?” I asked in a whisper.
Marcus swallowed hard, trembling. “Because I know where he is.”
The rage that burst inside me was immediate and uncontrollable.
“You kidnapped Damian?” I shouted at him.
“No! No, I didn’t!” Marcus said quickly, stepping back as if afraid I might attack him.
I walked toward him. “Then how do you know where he is, Marcus? How?”
He kept retreating, fear flooding his eyes.
“Talk....” I demanded. “Because if you don’t, I swear.”
Marcus raised both hands, his whole body shaking.
“Dana, Damian wasn’t kidnapped by just anyone,” he said slowly, his voice dropping to a trembling whisper. “I overheard Zade’s friend talking yesterday. And he said Damian is with Zade.”
Zade?
The same boy who has been suspended?
The same man who had caused chaos again and again?
Kyle stepped forward. “Marcus are you sure? Don’t you dare lie to us.”
“I’m not lying!” Marcus cried. “I swear I’m not lying, I heard everything. Damian was taken last night and....”
“And what?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
“They said they need Damian for something big.”
Marcus looked at me with desperation. “Dana please, I didn’t know who else to tell. I know I messed up before but, I’m not lying now. Damian’s in danger."