Done For

Chapter Nineteen | Secret

After ensuring that Cory was alright, Sal finished gathering their things for the night.

Everyone became shaken up after the event with Uni was shared. Everyone became on edge.

Sal quickly looked up as there was a soft knock on the doorframe. They met eyes with Ate, which caused their expression to soften.

"Hey," They said as they closed their bag. "Are you ready to go?"

Ate didn't respond, which made Sal nervous.

"Ate, are you alright?" They slung their bag over their should before standing up fully.

"Yeah, just anxious is all," Ate responded as she crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. "How the hell did Uni not have any symptoms for two weeks, but suddenly try to kill Cory?"

Sal only shrugged. "I don't know," They responded. "I was surprised he had a response, especially such a violent one. I know that the first assumption would be some kind of possession, but I sincerely doubt it. So I'm guessing that it's simply a part of... whatever it was. It may have elongated effects."

Ate only nodded. "Then we should be cautious around Uni."

Sal nodded before making their way out of the room. Ate followed closely behind.

"Um, Sal?" Ate questioned, Sal let out a hum in response. "Back when Uni had first been affected, I heard Tommy and you talking about what could've happened if Uni never "woke up". That he would've killed Cory. How do you know that?"

They sighed as they raked a hand through their hair. "Not long after Cory had gotten here, there was some suspicion after a particularly hard night. Cory was acting really weird. Uni knew Cory the most, so he knew the real extent of it. We were worried, but we thought, we knew, that it was just nerves."

Sal stopped, causing Ate to stop beside them. She noticed the other's anxiousness and reacted by grabbing their hand. It quickly tensed around hers.

"Uni... He suspected the worst. He... He, um..." Sal light sniffed before rubbing their face. "He almost killed Cory. Grabbed a knife, held it to his throat. Cory forgave him in time, but we've all stayed wary about him. And now..." They shook their head before giving Ate's hand once last squeeze and pulling away.

"Let's get downstairs. We're going to leave any minute," Sal sighed before going downstairs, leaving Ate alone in the hallway.

What else were they keeping from her?