The Hunt

15

Dan asked me to be ready at midnight. Their Chief wanted to meet me again. I reluctantly agreed.
I went down my window holding my longest bedsheet. Dan had his hoodie on, with the hood hiding his face. He had asked me to wear the same. We tiptoed through the fence.

This time, the route was different, and much more confusing. We went through colonies and backyards until we reached a house, a dilapidated one.
We climbed down its basement, opened a cupboard door and lo! We reached the bunk.
I walked towards the Chief with Dan beside me. I saw Lynn and Ed, their eyes filled with disappointment.
I honestly didn't understand their fixed gazes on me. And the silence which prevailed was unnerving.

"Why was I called here?" I chose to break the silence.
"Ask it to yourself." Ed replied.
"What? How would I know?"

I felt Dan's hand on my shoulder.
"Remember the day when Lynn took you to the Drama club?"
Dan's face clouded any hint.

"I clearly remember that. But what's that got to do..." My voice trailed off.
Yes. Something unusual did happen that day. Lynn had held my hand for such a long time.

I already got my answer.

Lynn had the power to understand feelings, by firm physical contact. And she had quite a bit of time for that. She must have understood that I have been threatened by the Red Eyed. So she knew so much from the beginning.

"We had kept eyes on you. I'm sorry I had to keep that from you. But it was for your own safety."
Dan kept his eyes down.

"About a month ago, our boys got track of that mysterious Red Eyed guy. Unfortunately, HE found them first. They were badly injured, all three of them."
Chief made the events clear.

So the three of them weren't actually DEAD, at least.
"So did the Red Eyed guy hurt you? Or asked you something?"
"No."
Chief's eyes focused on me with disbelief.

"Didn't do anything to you?"
"Nope."
"But he has beaten our guys so bad." Lynn spoke from the side.
I had no answer. This was surprising.

Why did he let me go?

I was too lucky, twice. But this wouldn't happen thrice, I knew.

"I want you all to cut threads with me, or else, you can get blackmailed. I don't wanna become your weakness guys."

My words struck them hard. But all they could do was nodding. Dan's expression became unreadable. But he seemed to have grasped the gravity of the situation. He agreed.

I bid goodbyes to Chief and Lynn. Dan walked ahead, me following him. From now on, these guys would just be the schoolmates I study with. I wouldn't know anything more than what I should.

I climbed up my bedsheet. Dan didn't come up this time. He waved and mouthed 'Good night'. I waved back. I kept my watch till he entered his backyard. Then I turned inside.
Only to see HIM waiting.

A pair of red irises glowed in the dark. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness around, I could see his silhouette becoming more prominent. He was sitting on the chair with his legs crossed and his gaze fixated on me.

I wish I hadn't turned at all.

********ATTENTION PLEASE*********

A small chapter this time😁
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