"Because nearly 15 students witnessed him brutally beating Mr. Aiden like an animal!" he replied then pursed his mouth.
"This is ridiculous, Harry was harassing me that evening, which is why Vincent attacked him because... Oh!" I paused my yelling for a moment.
"Now I understand, those who testified are probably his friends! The ones who were involved in harassing me that night!" I said folding my arms.
"Why didn't you report this? Nowadays, you can easily file a harassment case," Mr. Harvey approached me.
"I was trembling that day, and I still can't sleep because of that night!" I replied.
"And also, I had no idea it would go this far!"
"I suggest you should inform the police about this. It could help Mr. Vincent Frost," he placed his hand on my shoulder.
We were sent back to our homes, and before that, we made a stop at the police station. I approached the cell where Vincent was being held.
He looked at me and smiled, as if he saw a glimmer of hope. He rushed toward me and gripped the bars.
I held his hand, and a tear rolled down my cheek. "I'm sorry, whatever you're going through, it's all because of me!" I sniffled.
"No, it wasn't your fault. It was Harry's fault!" he reassured me.
"Listen to me!" I leaned closer to the bars and whispered. "Did you... kill him?" I asked, watching his expressions carefully.
"I really wish I was the one who did it. I would proudly show off my handcuffs for taking down that jerk! And you don't need to apologize for anything. I would do it over and over again without any regrets!" He said confidently, not even blinking during the conversation.
Willow looked at him with a pained expression on her face, but she chose not to express her pain through words.
"Then I promise, I'll do everything in my power to get you out of here!" I let go of his hand and stepped away from the prison bars.
I went to Mr. Newton and explained what had happened that night.
"Ms. Fernandez, are you sure you're not making this up to protect your friend?" he asked skeptically.
Willow approached us and said, "I have a friend who was recording our videos that evening. When we heard the noises, she had her camera on and I think she was still recording when this happened!"
"If that's true, ask her to bring in the video. It might help clear his name, but I must warn you, it will only make a small difference in his position," he declared.
"What else can we do to prove his innocence?" I pleaded.
"Nothing. You're just kids. Let the police investigate and do their job," he said with a smile.
We had no choice but to leave. "We have to do something!" I whispered under my breath.
"And we will, but we can't rush. It'll only make things worse for him," Christine suggested.
"Now, you were going to tell us something," she asked.
We met at a cafe and settled at the last available table for some privacy. I started explaining everything to them - how I was targeted by him, how he's been haunting me, and all the details.
Christine's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the heck?" she exclaimed.
"If I hadn't witnessed your suffering this morning, I would find it hard to believe," Willow said, rubbing her forehead.
"I think you should seek help," Christine suggested.
"Do you think I'm crazy?" I squinted.
"No, not at all!" She grasped my hands. "What I mean is, you should consult that woman who warned your mother about this... this mess!" she replied.
"I believe you're right!" I bit my lip. "Will you accompany me?" I looked at both Willow and Christine.
"Of course!" Willow reassured me, holding my hand.
"I'm sorry, but I won't be able to join you. My aunt is in the hospital, and I need to visit her. But please, keep me informed about everything!" Christine said.
"Also, make sure you're back home before the lockdown!" she added.
"Alright, mom!" Willow smirked.
"Oh my God!" I glanced at the time on my phone. "I almost forgot, my mom will be home in the evening!"
We decided to pay a visit to Seraphina at her home or should I say, a small, mysterious place filled with strange herbs and ancient books. As we approached, Willow squeezed my hand for support.
Seraphina looked up from her counter when we entered.
"What now?" she sighed, clearly annoyed and in not in the mood to see me.
I stepped forward, my voice trembling. "Seraphina, please, I need your help." Tears welled up in my eyes.
She gave me a concerned look, then nodded in agreement.
"Alright, come sit. But this better be important."
Inside, the shop was dimly lit, with the air thick with the scent of incense.
Seraphina handed me a glass of water and motioned for me to sit on a couch. Willow stayed close, her presence comforting.
I took a sip of the water, trying to contain myself. "Seraphina, I can't handle this anymore. You know that I’ve been marked by him, and I need to find a way to break free. Please, help me."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "It's not that simple sweety! Tell me everything." Her accent was calmer than before.
I explained the situation, my voice breaking as I recounted the events. Willow held my hand, her warmth giving me strength.
"I thought I could ignore it, but it's consuming me. I need to know how to get umarked."
Seraphina leaned back, considering my words. "You can't just remove a mark like that, it's not an ink mark. It's not a curse you can lift with a spell. But..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "I can teach you to harness your inner strength, to fight back. You can learn to resist him, to protect yourself."
I looked at her, spark of hope lighting up in my eyes. "Even if I fail?"
Seraphina nodded. "Even if you fail, at least you'll know you fought with everything you had.
As they say, it's better to be martyred than die drowning in shit."
She smiled faintly. "Strength isn't just about winning. It's about facing your fears and refusing to be controlled by them."