Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Chapter 19 Plans

The next day at school I am forced to hang out with Mark in the library and talk about our Spanish project we have together. It's my free period, and as much as I tried to avoid being with Mark, I couldn't.

He's not exactly the kind of guy I feel comfortable around.

After we discussed the project, however, we somehow ended up discussing another topic that I'm not too comfortable about.

"I don't have any parents." Mark says in a sad tone.

"Well, you're not alone in that one, Mark. I don't have any parents either." I reply.

"T-they were murdered right in front of me." He continues to tell me about his parents and the details, and it makes me wonder why he's telling me everything. I'm still a stranger to him as we don't really even know each other.

But maybe he's just that kind of person.

"I'm struggling to find the words to say but...in a way, I can relate. My dad murdered my mom, and then I grew up with an abusive dad." I say.

Why am I telling him this?

I'm not really sure why I would tell him about my family, maybe in a way, I was just trying to make him feel that he isn't alone.

"I'm sorry." Mark murmurs quietly.

And for a moment, silence passes between us, neither one of us daring to open our mouths. In times like these, there's really not much to say. No amount of words can change what has already been done.

"Hey, let's not talk about depressing stuff anymore, alright? We should just get back to work." I say.

He just nods in agreement, and we continue on with our work.

However, I can't help but feel a little bad for him. That would be horrible to witness, and I think that experience would scar anyone. However, I can't help but feel that there's something....off about him. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, I don't know. I just get this odd feeling around him, and I'm not sure why.

You know what they say, paranoia will destroy ya.

* * *

"Hey weirdo, enjoying being weird?" I hear Olivia's shrill voice from down the hallway, and turning the corner, I see her picking on Mark. Shontell walks next to me, and huffs in exasperation.

"Oh, look Shontell, it's the Bitchy Bunch in their national habitat." I say as I near the group. Shontell chuckles beside me, and I smile at Olivia's face. She looks upset by my presence.

"Ugh, could you just mind your own business?" Olivia mutters.

I just roll my eyes and say, "You know, I notice that you haven't taken my advice."

"What advice?" Olivia says as she crosses her arms over her triple D's.

"The'use glue instead of lipstick' advice, remember?" I reply.

Shontell laughs quietly while Olivia just snorts and rolls her eyes.

"Whatever. I'm not afraid of you." Olivia hisses as she narrows her eyes at me.

"You're not? Well, you should be." I say shrugging.

"Pfft! Why would I be afraid of someone like you?" Olivia says, laughing as she twirls a lock of hair around her finger.

"Eh, let's just say I live with powerful people. Not only that, but I don't tolerate people being mean to each other. If you're irritated by me now, you haven't seen nothing yet." I tell her.

"Ugh, whatever. I'm done with you." Olivia says as she turns on her heels and walks down the hallway, her friends following her like dumb sheep.

Shontell high-fives me and Mark sheepishly thanks me with shy eyes.

But why did I feel like Mark was just acting?

Stop. Being. Paranoid.

* * *

It was no surprise to me when I see none other than Olivia chatting with Ace near the parking lot under the big green shade tree.

Neither of them have seen me yet, so I decided to listen in.

I know, you shouldn't eavesdrop. But I'm just that kind of nosy person. It can be quite fun actually....

"Uh...do I know you?" Ace asks, looking rather uncomfortable.

"No...not yet, any ways." Olivia replies.

When silence falls between them Olivia speaks once more. "So...any hobbies you like to do?" Olivia says suggestively while winking.

A sly smirk spreads across Ace's face.

"Why yes, yes there is, actually." He replies.

"Really? I bet I can just guess what a guy like you would involve himself in." Olivia says, her laughter sounding like one of those annoying fire alarms that happen to go off at 3 in the morning, waking everyone up.

She also pulls her shirt down a but more in an attempt to show off her boobs that look exactly like another butt on her chest.

"Well, you guessed it! I like to deal drugs and hurt people in my free-time." Ace says, smirking while he clasps his hands together.

"Omigosh, SAME! I love doing that in my free ti--wait....ahaha w-what?" Olivia cackles nervously. "You like doing w-what?"

"You heard me." Ace replies shrugging.

I bite my lip to keep myself from laughing.

Okay, I think it's time to make an appearance....

I come into Ace's vision, and when Ace spots me, he mouths "thank God."

"Hello Ace." I say happily.

"Wait....you know her?" Olivia says, dumbfounded.

"Yep! She's my girlfriend." Ace says as he throws his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to his body.

Girlfriend? I think I like the sound of that....

Olivia narrows her eyes at me and shoots me daggers, but I just smile at her radiantly and say, "Who stole your bowl of sunshine, thundercloud?" Ace gives a small chuckle and Olivia just rolls her eyes in response.

"Well....I see. I must be going now." She says, her tone sounding uncomfortable. And once again, she walks away. If she was a dog, she would surely have her tail tucked between her legs, and I laugh lightly at the thought.

"So I see you met Olivia." I say as I try to take Ace's arm of my shoulder.

But it won't budge.

His arm is so heavy.

I laugh nervously.

"Oh that's her name then. I just referred to her as cake face. I think cake face suits her better." Ace says as he starts to walk with his arm around my shoulder.

I try to wriggle away, but Ace's arm on my shoulder holds me tight.

"You know, I like that confident side of you. You sure ticked her off at that comment." Ace tells me.

"Yeah, I've been dealing with her on a daily basis, so I've been practicing." I tell him.

"I like that sassy side you have." Ace says.

"Well, you may like it now, but it will be a whole different scenario when I use it on you later." I say, laughing.

Ace just laughs as I awkwardly tug at his arm again.

Annnd no budgy.

Eh, whatever. His arm is warm and he smells good any ways....

* * *

Third Person POV:

There was a chilly draft that seeped through the dark, moldy hallways. Shadows were cast on the wall by the dim figures that roamed the night. These figures only seek to reign destruction and pain on their victims.

Deep, dark voices are spoken.

The floors creek as a man makes his way to his leader, his Boss.

He slinks down the hallways like a leopard in the cover of night with the determination to cause harm.

His eyes read malice and destruction, his intentions are sinister, and his shirt is stained with the blood of the innocent.

His features consist of black hair, pale skin, and purple contacts that make him look like a man of mystery.

Figured out who he is yet?

He is no other than Mark. His motives have been of deceit the moment he approached Dakota. And behind the scenes, an unknown force is plotting against Dakota.

Mark nears his Boss. The unknown man is facing the wall with his hands behind his back. His brown hair contrasts with the nice suit he wears, and a thick cigar hangs from his mouth, creating smoke. The smoke is thick and resembles that of the storm cloud that is about to rain down on Dakota.

"How is the plan working?" The unknown man, Mark's Boss speaks. His voice is rough and deep, and it cuts through the dimly lit room like a knife.

Even by his voice you can just get an idea of the type of man he is--Evil. Powerful. Arrogant. Prideful.

His voice alone strikes fear in the hearts of many.

In his hands he holds wealth and confidence. His features are of good qualities, and his looks and wealth alone draw so many women to their death bed.

"Good, so far. I'm getting her to trust me." Mark replies with his head bowed in respect.

"Soon the truth shall be known. It will be shouted from every rooftop, and it will be naked and exposed just like the day of birth." The unknown man says, his voice low and raspy.

He carefully takes the cigar from his mouth and blows donuts into the air as he smirks.

Yes. The truth will be known indeed. He think to himself.

"When will I do it, Boss?" Mark asks timidly, as to not provoke his easily angered Boss. His Boss is like a ferocious, merciless lion when angry, so all of the unknown man's men have found it best to act meek in his presence.

Nobody wants to face his powerful wrath.

"Don't question me. You will do it when I instruct you to. For now, keep doing what you're doing. You will do as I say when I command it." The unknown man tells Mark.

"Yes, of course, Boss." Mark says respectfully.

Taking another puff of his cigar, the unknown man says, "Yes, the truth has been hidden for far too long, and it is nearly time to expose it."

"Of course." Mark says quietly.

The unknown man is like a beast. Nobody can tame him. His composure is intimidating, and when he snaps, a painful death usually follows suit for the perpetrator. And as the time nears for him to make an appearance, one can only imagine exactly the kind of disaster a powerful man like him can bring.

And poor Dakota can never seem to catch a break from it all.

Mark slinks back to his dark hiding place in the tall grass that disguises his true appearance and continues to wait for the right time to pounce.

For it's only when the little gazelle nears the hidden danger at the right time when the predator strikes.

And when the predator strikes, the prey gets trapped into the jaws of death.

Few survive.

So one question remains:

By the time the little gazelle notices the predator hidden in the grass, will it be too late?