Chapter 65 Chapter 65
The school buzzed with excitement for the upcoming one-week wilderness camp. Flyers were everywhere, and the hallways were filled with students making plans, comparing packing lists, and shopping for new gear. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood—except for the quiet tension that still lingered after Mia’s death.
In the bustling shopping mall, Molly and her crew moved through the crowded stores like they owned the place. Molly held up a pair of hiking boots, turning them in her hands while Claudia and Amy laughed beside her.
“These are cute, right?” Molly said, striking a pose. “Perfect for looking hot while pretending to rough it in the woods.”
Claudia giggled. “You’re going to make Ryan carry your bag the whole time, aren’t you?”
“Obviously,” Molly replied with a smirk. “That’s what boyfriends are for.”
Amy picked up a bright pink water bottle. “What about Harper? Think she’ll show up looking all mysterious after that rooftop thing?”
Molly’s smile tightened.
“She better not. If she does, I’ll make sure she regrets it. That little stunt she pulled? She’s going to pay for it on this trip.”
The three of them laughed again, tossing more items into their baskets—cute camping clothes, snacks, and anything that would make them look effortlessly cool in the wilderness.
Meanwhile, back at the Blackthorn house, Harper was in her room, standing in front of her mirror and adjusting her outfit. She had chosen a simple white top and jeans—comfortable enough for shopping but cute enough to feel good in. Her phone buzzed on the bed.
Catherine’s text: Where are you?? I’m already at the mall entrance! Hurry up!
Harper smiled and quickly typed back: On my way, five minutes.
She grabbed her bag and turned toward the door.
It opened before she could reach it.
The One stepped inside with that familiar smirk on his face.
He leaned against the doorframe, eyes slowly scanning her from head to toe.
“Where are you going looking all good?” he asked, sitting casually on the edge of her bed.
Harper paused, adjusting the strap of her bag.
“Well, I’m going to shop with Catherine for the upcoming trip,” she said.
He raised an eyebrow.
“What trip?”
Harper gave him a look of disbelief.
“Uhm, the school trip? Didn’t you sign your name to attend?”
The One leaned back on his hands, clearly unbothered.
“I didn’t. I don’t do silly school trips, whatever that is.”
Harper shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“Well, it’s a pity. Would have been nice to have you there.”
He tilted his head, studying her.
“Really now?”
She nodded.
“Too bad I’m not coming,” he said.
Harper shrugged, playing it cool.
“Well, it’s your loss. Besides, I’ll be too busy making new friends. Probably won’t even notice you’re missing. Oh, and Manson will even be coming.”
The One’s smirk faded instantly.
His eyes narrowed.
“What?”
Harper grinned, already heading for the door.
“I have shopping to do. Byeeee!”
She slipped out before he could respond, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
The One sat on the bed for a moment, staring at the closed door.
Then he chuckled—low and dark.
“Manson,” he muttered to himself. “We’ll see about that.”
Harper hurried down the stairs, still adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. The house smelled warm and familiar—garlic, onions, and something savory simmering on the stove. Samantha was in the kitchen, stirring a pot with one hand while checking her phone with the other.
She looked up when she heard Harper’s footsteps.
“Where are you going?” she asked, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
Harper paused at the bottom of the stairs.
“To the mall with Catherine. We need to get some stuff for the upcoming trip.”
Samantha nodded, but her smile was tight.
“Be careful. And don’t stay out too late.”
“I won’t.”
Harper glanced toward the living room.
Darius was sitting in his usual armchair, staring at the TV without really watching it. His shoulders were stiff, jaw set. He hadn’t said much to her since the night everything exploded—since he learned the full truth about The One living inside Koda’s body.
She walked over anyway.
“Hi, Dad.”
He didn’t look at her.
Just gave a small grunt.
She waited a second longer, then turned away.
“Bye.”
No reply.
The silence stung, but she didn’t push it.
She grabbed her keys from the hook by the door and stepped outside.
Catherine was already waiting in her car at the end of the driveway, waving when she saw her.
“Finally!” Catherine called as Harper climbed in. “I thought you’d never escape.”
Harper buckled her seatbelt.
“Mom was cooking. Dad… didn’t say anything.”
Catherine gave her a sympathetic look.
“He’s still mad about the whole Koda thing?”
“Yeah.”
Catherine started the car.
“Well, let’s not think about that right now. We need snacks, cute hiking clothes, and maybe some bug spray just in case. This camp is going to be fun, right?”
Harper forced a smile.
“Right.”
The mall was busy as always—families, groups of friends, music playing from every store. Harper and Catherine wandered through the shops, picking up little things they thought they’d need for the trip: comfortable sneakers, portable chargers, snacks that wouldn’t melt in a backpack.
They were laughing about something silly when Harper felt eyes on them.
At first she ignored it.
Then the whispers started.
“…that’s her…”
“…the one who was at the party…”
“…Mia…”
Harper turned her head.
A small group of students from school were staring at her from across the aisle.
One of them pointed.
Her stomach dropped.
Catherine noticed too.
“Ignore them,” she muttered.
But it was too late.
Molly and her crew appeared from the next aisle—Claudia and Amy right behind her, shopping bags swinging from their arms.
Molly’s eyes locked on Harper.
She smiled—slow, poisonous.
“Well, well. Look who decided to show her face in public after everything.”
Catherine stepped slightly in front of Harper.
“Not now, Molly.”
Molly ignored her completely.
She walked closer, voice loud enough for nearby shoppers to hear.
“You know everyone’s talking about what happened to Mia, right? The girl who died in the bathroom? Soul sucked right out of her body like some horror movie.”
People nearby slowed down.
Heads turned.
Whispers grew louder.
Molly’s voice rose, drawing more attention.
“And guess who was the last person seen with her? Harper. The same girl who’s been acting all weird lately. The same girl whose boyfriend is clearly not normal.”
Catherine tried to defend her.
“That’s ridiculous. Harper didn’t—”
Claudia talked right over her.
“Oh please. We all saw how strange Koda’s been. And Harper’s always defending him. Maybe she helped.”
More people stopped.
A small crowd was forming.
Someone muttered, “She killed Mia?”
Another voice: “Demon worshipper…”
The manager of the store—a middle-aged man in a polo shirt—hurried over, looking flustered.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, glancing between the group and the growing number of onlookers.
Molly pointed at Harper.
“She’s causing a commotion. Everyone’s scared because of what she did.”
The manager looked at Harper.
“I’m sorry, miss, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You’re disturbing the other customers.”
Harper opened her mouth to speak—
A deep, calm voice cut through the growing noise.
“What’s going on here?”
Everyone turned.
The One stood at the edge of the crowd.
Black eyes locked on the scene.
On Molly.
On the manager.
On Harper.