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.

voice dropped to a whisper. "What are you

Charlotte froze,

I knew it.

something going

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

leaned closer as my heart

head as tears welled up in her

pressed with a hard voice. "We can't help

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

ran down my spine. "What

and her shoulders shook with silent sobs. "I no know exactly. But I see patients go down there...and

...

(Hendrix's POV)

have been resting but I

morning and I couldn't shake the feeling

my mind raced. 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

creaked open and I sat up, expecting to

But it was Ava.

fake smile on her face. "I heard you weren't feeling well so I came

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

out to touch my arm. "You look so pale, Hendrix. Maybe I can make you feel better." Her fingers trailed up my arm and I pulled away, irritated. "Ava, seriously. I'm fine. I

she didn't listen. She never

her eyes narrowed as she took in the

fake smile. "Oh,

you see 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.

felt the tension in the air. This

jaw tightened and I could see the hurt in her eyes. "Yeah, well, maybe you should back off. He's not in the mood for your clinginess." Ava scoffed and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Oh, please. You're just jealous because

of is how oblivious you are to the fact that Hendrix isn't feeling well. Maybe if

with malice. "Sounds like someone's a little

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

Angel. "Fine. But don't be surprised when

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

kept her back to me with her shoulders tense.

say. I didn't know how

away and spoke coldly.

like that, she was

...

(Angel's POV)

I couldn't stand Ava.

was always inserting herself and always trying to act

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