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.

to a

name, Charlotte froze, and

I knew it.

was something going

and her eyes filled with tears. "I am not...I am not work for him,"

my heart raced.

as tears welled up in her eyes. "I...I cannot...I cannot talk about

"We can't help you if you

between us and her breath came in quick, shallow gasps. "He...he doing things in the basement.

chill ran down my spine. "What kind

her shoulders shook with silent sobs. "I no know

...

(Hendrix's POV)

should have been resting

been distant since morning and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something

on my bed and stared at the ceiling while my mind raced. The center was dangerous. That much I knew. But Angel's plan to confront

door creaked open and I sat up, expecting

But it was Ava.

glided into the room with a fake smile on her

back against the headboard. "Ava, I'm not in

"You look so pale, Hendrix. Maybe I can

listen. She

doorway and her eyes narrowed as she

her a fake smile. "Oh, hey, Angel. I was just checking

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.

in the

the mood for your clinginess." Ava scoffed and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Oh, please.

how oblivious you are to the fact that Hendrix isn't feeling well. Maybe if you actually paid attention

smirked as her eyes glinted with malice. "Sounds like someone's a

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

Angel. "Fine. But don't be surprised when he comes to me for

she could

to me with her

know what to say. I didn't

and spoke

that, she was

...

(Angel's POV)

I couldn't stand Ava.

act like she was the only

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