Page 235 of Soul So Dark

BOWEN (5:26PM): I might have something you want to see later

Knowing Bowen, I’m sure it’ll be something either completely horrifying or completely stupid. Every time I think he’s going to drop another clue it turns out to be a total letdown.

ME: (5:27PM): Hint?

BOWEN (5:27PM): I never got you back for that video of your girl

I let out a guffaw right in the middle of the street, which then immediately turns to disgust. After all this time, I really hope my efforts don’t culminate in Bowen sending me a homemade porno with whichever idiot he’s currently dating.

“DALLAS!” Shelby practically leaps from her chair when I finally make it through the crowd to the table.

“Wow, you’re tan,” I marvel after squeezing her for nearly a whole minute.

She glances down, admiring her golden glow. “I know, it’s a lot sunnier down there.”

It’s probably better I live in the Midwest, where my pale complexion won’t be incinerated year-round. Maddie and Carter order a few bourbon flights and we spend the next hour and a half hearing about Shelby’s adventures in emergency medicine while simultaneously trying to learn Spanish and the local customs.

“I would’ve learned more Spanish beforehand, but I thought I’d be going to Thailand until this space opened up last-minute. It was so embarrassing. I accidentally called this sweet old lady with congestive heart failure a goat on my first day in the clinic.” She shoots me a look. “I should’ve just taken you with me, now that you’re basically fluent.”

“I amnotfluent in any sense of the word.”

“Fine, I should’ve takenAlexwith me,” she replies with a devious grin.

“I should’ve taken Alex with me—” my voice hitches as I mock her. “Dream on!”

If only Mrs. Johnson could hear how good my Spanish is now…

“So,” I change the subject, “what’s the plan now that you’re back?”

“My lease is up in a couple of months, so I have to decide whether I’m staying or finding a new place. Oh yeah, and my mom said she saw Austin’s mom at the annual benefit for the humane society.”

“Thatguy!” Maddie chuckles, taking a swig of her maple cask pour.

“What’shedoing?” I ask.

Add Austin to the list of people I haven’t heard about in a long time.

“You mean since you broke his face?” Shelby snickers.

“Naturally.”

“Well, you basically guaranteed he never came to our house again after that. Not that I’m complaining, I was getting really annoyed that he just came over to eat our food and use our Wi-Fi. But my mom said he was up in New York for a while, but that he’s not anymore.” She shoots a skeptical look around the table. “Apparently, his mom got really vague and didn’t say anything after that, so my mom wondered if something happened and things didn’twork outhow he thought they would.”

I have to agree with her interpretation, it’s not like Austin’s mom not to brag on him every chance she gets. For a brief moment, I feel bad for Austin, but I think I’m more disappointed in how our friendship deteriorated further and further to the point of epic ruin.

And fuck him for the horrible things he said about Alex.

I’m still thinking about it while I’m walking back to my car after dinner. I didn’t mean to stay out this late, but it’s just as well. The extra time to stay hydrated has tempered my buzz, and the balmy late summer air doesn’t hurt, either. I slow my pace when I turn onto the street where my car is parked in front of a line of Victorians. I bet this is what my old house on campus looked like before it was sold to a hedge fund and became a student slum.

These are lovely homes, but I like the modern design of the Enclave. There are trendy restaurants, swanky coffee shops, and local, independent boutiques in every direction. The lights and people and energy make everything feel alive no matter what time of day. Our apartment is the perfect mix of cozy and modern and, above all else, it’sours.Not to mention the flowers. The purple mariposas came back this year, blooming as bright and beautiful as ever. And when they do, it feels like a sign that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

I cross the street and start fishing around in my bag for my phone. But as soon as I lift my head, I flinch and stop short. A dark figure stands at the head of my car, leaning against the door. A jolt of electricity shoots straight through my heart when I see his face and I have to remind myself to breathe. Now, the street seems darker and much emptier than before.

“What are you doing here?” I choke out.

I don’t remember whether he responds, because it all happens so fast. He takes a step toward me, then another, but before I can move, he lashes out. He’s too strong and I can’t get away.

And in an instant, everything goes silent, and then so incredibly dark.