Page 29 of The Sea Witch’s Son (The Villains of Wolf Hollow #1)

Chapter 28

MELODY

The college is more haunting at night.

The sharp glow of moonlight creeps through the arched windows, sending shadows screaming in every direction. The sound of dripping water fills the entryway, the pitter patter of rain against the roof adding to the gloomy atmosphere.

Adjusting the straps of my backpack, I duck into the corridor that leads to the sports facility. I glance over my shoulder every few feet, checking to make sure the halls are as empty as they seem.

The glass doors of the sports performance room greet me, the automatic lights flickering on overhead. I glance around the empty weight room, taking in the sterile equipment patiently waiting for the sweaty bodies to arrive.

My feet guide me past the spectator area and down the stairs to the right. The harsh lighting continues to flicker as I walk into new sections, the faulty lighting adding a level of anxiety for the task ahead.

The floor drops into a small set of stairs that takes me to the lower level. Two distinct doors stand on either side of the hallway, each one sponsoring a single letter. Casting another glance over my shoulder, I quickly take the one on the right.

There are no automatic lights in this area, so I slip out my phone and cast my flashlight around the room. The light dances off metallic lockers, the rows of benches leading to the bathrooms and shower stalls running along the far wall.

Urinals hit my eye as I walk further into the men’s changing room, shining my flashlight along the lockers until I find the varsity section.

Dropping my backpack to the ground, I pull out a miniature camera. It looks like something you can buy for outdoor activities, a tiny square that connects to an app on my phone.

Clipping it onto the end of my book light, I carefully slide it through the slit near the top of the locker. The light illuminates the interior, offering me a grainy image through the live feed on my phone.

The bland wall of the locker stares back at me and I shift the camera until I can see the items sitting below. A bundle of spare clothes, a cap, some goggles and a towel rest peacefully at the bottom. I zoom in on the clothes, studying the cheap cotton material .

After a moment, I pull out the camera and move on to the next locker. I repeat the process over and over until I find the one that I’m looking for.

A smile hits my face when I spot the perfectly folded dress shirt and dress pants. A suit jacket takes up most of the camera’s vision, but I can just make out the glint of a gold ring buried inside the pocket.

Taking note of the locker number and location, I start packing up my things. The door suddenly swings open and I drop to the floor, quickly sliding under one of the benches.

The light from the hallway disappears when the door slams shut. I hold my breath, listening to the scuffle of feet as they draw closer.

BAM!

The guy’s foot smashes into a locker and I barely hold back my scream.

BAM! BAM! BAM! A rapid fire of furious kicking and swearing gets released, the sound echoing through the empty changeroom.

My ears are ringing by the time the guy stops. His heavy breathing fills the room, the harsh sound masking the thundering beat of my heart.

I don’t think, I don’t breathe as I wait for him to leave. Every ragged breath feels like it’s being pulled from my chest, suffocating me from the inside out.

The panic has me in a chokehold, the fear of being caught overriding the need to breathe .

After what feels like forever, the guy finally turns and shuffles further into the room. The strong scent of chlorine fills the room as he opens a door and slips through.

I gulp down a breath, gasping for air as I scramble from my hiding spot. Snagging my backpack from the ground, I’m about to hightail it out when a splash sounds from the pool.

Pausing with indecision, I turn and slowly creep towards the door.

Even through the narrow window, I can see the underwater pod lights illuminating the dark arena. Shadows slink in every corner, barely casting enough light for me to see the figure staring at the glistening water below.

“Finley?” The gasp slips out before I can stop it.

He’s wearing the same blue and yellow shirt he wore when we first met, but the easy smile and kind eyes are long gone. His arms are crossed, pulling the shirt tight across his broad back and offering a glimpse at the distress rippling below the surface.

I slip through the door before I can think about what I’m doing. It slams shut with an awful screech, announcing my presence and eliminating any element of surprise.

“It would seem my entrance has yet to improve.” Ignoring the pinch in my chest, I wander closer, “Something I need to start working on.”

“Melody.” His lips press into a painful smile, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m not sure, honestly.” Looking down at the water, I feel a chill race through me, “Just wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“Ah, I see.” Another tight smile, “Seaborn put you up to this.”

“What? No. Not at all.” I take another step closer, “You just look like you need a friend right now.”

“Is that what we are? Friends?”

There’s an edge to his voice, a sharp sting that brings me to a halt.

“It doesn’t matter what we are. I just wanted to see if you were okay.” Peering up at him, I can’t fight the twinge of guilt, “If this is about what happened this weekend-

“Why didn’t you want to kiss me?” He suddenly steps forward, bridging the gap between us, “Since you brought it up.”

I frown at him, “We’ve already had this discussion.”

“Well, I would like to hear it again.” He leans down until we’re nose-to-nose, “Why didn’t you want to kiss me, Melody? Was it because you were holding out for someone else?”

I go to take a step back, but my foot slips on the tiles. My arms flail and Finley is quick to grab me.

Except this time, he isn’t quick to let go.

“You lied to me.” Those brown eyes, once so warm and kind, stare at me with a cold fire, “You said there was nothing going on between you and Seaborn.”

“There is nothing going on between us.” Yanking at his grip, I try to pull my arm away, “You’re hurting me. Let go. ”

His grip tightens, “You made me look like a fool. I defended you and you made me look like a fucking fool.”

“There is nothing going on between me and Marlin.”

“You’re still lying.” He laughs, a harsh sound that grates every nerve, “After everything we’ve been through, you’re still fucking lying.”

“Been through? Finley, we barely know each other.” Prying at his grip, my discomfort quickly gives way to anger, “I don’t know what your problem is, but you need to-

“I saw your underwear.” He pulls me closer, digging his nails into my flesh, “It was tucked in his pocket like some sort of a sick prize.”

My mouth goes dry.

“I can explain-

“That’s all you are to him. A prize.” He lifts a notched brow, “You know that, right? Marlin doesn’t give a shit about you. He’s just using you to get back at me.”

A fire lights under my skin, “I didn’t ask for your opinion, Finley. Not now, and not on our date.”

“He’s using you, Melody. Why can’t you see that?”

“The only thing I can see is a man who won’t let go of my arm. ”

My shout echoes around the silent arena and it suddenly dawns on me that we are the only people here.

Finley finally releases me and I stumble back, angry and confused as to why I felt the need to comfort someone who clearly doesn’t want to be comforted .

“I thought you were different.” He says quietly.

“And I thought you were a nice guy.” I snap back, rubbing the sore spot on my arm, “Looks like we’re both disappointed.”

He turns and looks back out over the water. Something dark and twisted crosses his face before disappointment takes its place.

“We could have been so good together. I could have saved you from the monsters of this town.”

“I don’t need to be saved, Finley.” I blow out a frustrated breath, “I want to be seen as a capable person, not a woman in distress.”

“But you are a woman in distress.”

“Excuse me?”

Those brown eyes lock on mine, “Who do you think lives in Wolf Hollow, Melody? Criminals. Fugitives. Twisted minds like Marlin Seaborn.”

“That doesn’t mean I need to be saved.”

A hysterical laugh leaks from his mouth, “Have you seen how many girls are in this town? You keep saying you don’t need to be saved, but what happens when you end up alone with one of those guys? What happens when you end up alone with me ?”

The humid air suddenly feels too claustrophobic. Hitching my backpack over my shoulder, I start backing away slowly.

“I’m not interested, Finley. Let it go.”

“I let Josie go. I let her walk away and the next thing I know she’s in a mental institute because of what he did to her.” Another laugh sneaks out, “He broke what was mine. So I’m going to return the favour.”

His eyes are wild and crazy, and a thread of fear goes through me.

“Finley.” There’s a nervous edge to my voice, “Marlin doesn’t care for me. You said so yourself.”

“Maybe I was wrong. Maybe losing you will be enough to drive him over the edge. Make him foolish enough to believe the next girl who comes along will be the fairytale he’s been waiting for.”

A slow smile spreads across his face, “Maybe you’ll finally see what I see. A girl who needs to be saved. ”

I don’t think. I run.

My shoes slip over the damp tiles, but I propel myself forward, racing for the closest exit door. A rough hand grabs my backpack, but I slip off the straps before he can pull me back.

Full-blown panic hits my system as my shoes scramble along the pool deck, desperately trying to grip the slippery tiles.

Don’t slip. Don’t slip. Don’t slip.

Adrenalin hits my bloodstream as I go charging for the closest door. Grabbing the handle, I go crashing into it, using my bodyweight to fling the heavy thing open. I lunge for the entrance, freedom almost within my reach when Finley grabs my hair.

I cry out when he yanks me backwards, ripping out chunks of hair in the process. My feet finally lose their traction and I crash to the ground, feeling my skull bounce painfully off the hard tiles.

There’s blood leaking out of my mouth when I roll over and start crawling on my knees. He’s on me in an instant, wrapping those strong arms around me and lifting me into the air.

“Put me down!” Screaming and kicking my legs, I start attacking him with every bloody tooth and nail.

“I’m sorry, Melody.” He almost sounds remorseful as he walks us to the edge of the pool, “You should have chosen the prince.”

The glistening water draws closer and I start fighting harder.

“Don’t do this. Finley, don’t do this-

The air gets sucked from my lungs when he jumps.

Taking us into the cold water below.