Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 33

(Angel's POV)

Cylan and I had been watching Charlotte for days.

It started with the little things.

The way she glanced over her shoulder every time she walked down the hallway and how she always ended up in places where she shouldn't be.

Like that time last week when I saw her near Dr. Nixon's office.

She told me she was lost.

But she wasn't.

I knew she wasn't.

Then there was the time at breakfast when she sat far away from us, her eyes kept darting to the staff table. She barely touched her food and her hands were shaking.

Charlotte wasn't supposed to be here. She'd told us how she'd applied for an art school but somehow ended up at the center instead. A mix-up with her application had brought her here and no one was helping her. But recently, she'd been acting strangely, even more than before.

Now she was just pacing in the common room with her eyes glued to the door as if she was waiting for something... or someone.

Cylan and I shared a glance.

We needed to confront her.

800

"Charlotte," I said and crossed my arms as I stepped in front of her pacing path. "We need to talk."

She looked up and her eyes widened with panic. "Talk...about what?"

Cylan moved closer and stood behind her like a wall, making it impossible for her to escape.

"You've been acting weird," I said firmly. "Sneaking around. Watching people. Are you spying for the center?"

Charlotte's face turned pale and she stepped back while she shook her head hard. "Non! I...I am no spying on no one!"

"Then why are you always where you shouldn't be?" Cylan cut in with a harsh tone. "Why were you near Dr. Nixon's office last week?" Charlotte's breath caught and she looked between us with her eyes darting around the room like she was searching for an exit.

"I was lost!" she said quickly and her voice shook. "I...I no know where to go."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Charlotte, you've been here long enough to know this place like the back of your hand. Don't lie to us." Her hands trembled and I saw the fear in her eyes. She was hiding something. I knew it.

her voice dropped to a whisper. "What are you afraid

froze, and her face lost all

I knew it.

was something going on with

filled with tears. "I am not...I am not work for him," she

closer as my heart raced. "What

her head as tears welled up in her eyes. "I...I cannot...I

hard voice. "We can't help you if you don't tell us

and her breath came in quick, shallow gasps. "He...he doing

down my spine. "What kind

and her shoulders shook with silent sobs. "I no know exactly.

...

(Hendrix's POV)

have been resting but

morning and I couldn't shake the feeling that

The center was dangerous. That much I knew. But Angel's plan to confront the staff and dig deeper felt reckless. We needed a way

and I

But it was Ava.

on her face. "I heard you weren't feeling well so I came to check

against the headboard.

on the edge of my bed. Her hand reached out to touch my arm. "You look so pale, Hendrix. Maybe I can make you feel better."

listen.

her eyes narrowed

a fake smile. "Oh, hey,

he's not well, Ava? He doesn't need you hovering over him right now." Ava's smile faltered for a moment but she quickly recovered. "I'm just being a good friend. Hendrix needs someone to take

the tension in

well, maybe you should back off. He's not in the

forward. "Ava, the only thing I'm jealous of is how oblivious you are to the fact that Hendrix isn't feeling well. Maybe if you actually paid

smirked as her eyes glinted with malice.

the fire in Angel's eyes and before I could stop her, she stepped right up to Ava

and narrowed her eyes as she brushed past Angel. "Fine. But don't be surprised when he comes to me for comfort.

reached out and grabbed Angel's hand before she could storm out

back to me with her shoulders tense.

what to say. I didn't know how to

pulled her hand away and spoke coldly. "You

like that, she

...

(Angel's POV)

I couldn't stand Ava.

always trying to act like she was the only one who cared about

playing a game. She didn't see what I saw and she didn't feel what I