Chapter 32: Chapter 32

"Jake, Tobias, wake up." I say quietly, shaking their arms. They've been sleeping on me for just over two hours and honestly, I can't feel the nerves in my shoulders anymore.

I've spent the last two hours pouring through my brain for a solution to fix the whole situation without making it worse for Jake and Tobias. I know they're innocent . . .

I can see the truth in their eyes and hear it in their voices.

Jake groans beside me and stirs before his eyes flutter shut once again, his body growing heavy. I sigh and turn to face Tobias who's completely out cold. If it wasn't for his chest rising steadily up and down, I'd think he was dead considering he hasn't moved an inch since falling asleep.

"Seriously, the library is going to close soon. We need to leave," I tell them firmly. Neither of them move an inch and I sigh heavily, biting my lower lip.

"I guess five more minutes won't hurt." I mumble, feeling bad for them. When I eventually glance down at my watch and realise it's ten minutes till closing time, I know I have to step up my game —

"The police are here," I say bluntly, a small smirk playing on my lips. Jake's eyes immediately fly open along with Tobias and both of them jump to their feet, eyes wide with panic. They stagger a little before reaching out and steadying themselves using the bookshelf. I watch, struggling to contain my laughter as they glance around, eyes wide and alert.

"Damn, I'm going to hell." I laugh jokingly, standing up and stretching my arms above my head. Both of them glare at me unhappily, eyes heavy with sleep. Jake yawns and stretches, rubbing his eyes. Tobias continues to glare at me and I shrug my shoulders at him —

"My shoulders were minutes away from falling off due to lack of blood and the library closes in ten minutes." I explain, rubbing my sore body. Jake reaches out, pulling me towards him and draping an arm over me.

"Sorry Muffin," he mumbles, his voice heavy with sleep. I turn to face him, looking up into his eyes that are exhausted and bloodshot.

"Is there anywhere you can go to get some sleep?" I ask, my eyes flickering between both of them. They shake their heads in unison.

"We don't trust anyone, especially when the police are after us. We can't go home with the police camping outside the door." Tobias explains, running a hand through his dishevelled hair.

"I figured it out whilst you two were sleeping," I respond, leaning back against the wall.

"You did?" Jake questions and I nod —

"We have to play detective and find the real killer before the police catch up with you two." I reveal, knowing it's not going to be easy.

"How are we going to do that?" Tobias asks.

"We ask around and figure out who the witness is that saw you and Tobias leave the crime scene. Maybe they also saw the killer enter the alleyway with Dylan just before you did. That proves that you both didn't do it. I can't give you an alibi because you two were actually there so if I'm proven wrong, I'll be charged and I can't risk that." I mumble quietly, placing a hand over my stomach.

I close my eyes and inhale deeply, feeling my head spin with dizziness. It's been a long day and it's taking a toll on me.

"We don't expect you to give us an alibi Emily," Jake frowns, taking a step forward and placing a kiss on my forehead. A wave of emotions washes over me and I slump against the wall, feeling emotionally and physically drained.

"Michelle and Myra expected me too," I tell them quietly, looking down at the floor. Jake and Tobias remain silent for a few moments and I look up to find Jake's jaw clenched angrily —

"They shouldn't have done that, they have no right."

"They only want to keep us safe," Tobias hits back, reaching over and placing a hand on Jake's arm. Jake turns towards him, shaking his head in protest.

"That doesn't mean they can try and pressure Emily into giving us a false alibi. I don't want her or my baby in danger and because of you, they now are. You messed up Tobias." Jake tells him firmly. Tobias blows out an aggravated breath, knowing Jake is right.

He messed up by going after Dylan and lying to Jake about it. . .

"Where is Ivory by the way? I haven't seen her all day." I question, changing the subject. What's done is done, we can't take that back.

"She didn't come home last night?" Tobias asks suddenly, his voice serious. I shake my head and his eyes widen slightly.

"Shoot," he mutters, turning around and pulling his phone out of his pocket. I glance worryingly at Jake who looks equally as confused. He turns towards Tobias and grabs his arm, turning him around so that he's facing him.

"What's going on with Ivory?" Jake asks, plucking Tobias' phone out of his hand. He glances at the screen and his frown deepens —

"Why are you ringing Jane? What the hell is going on?" Jake questions, his voice rising with anger. Tobias swallows the lump in his throat and snatches his phone out of Jake's grasp.

"Tobias?" I question, the skin on my arm tingling in fear. I shudder, wrapping my arms around myself in an attempt to warm up.

"I forgot to tell you this last night," Tobias mutters, running a hand over his face.

"Ivory told me she was going to see Jane last night. She'd overheard me and you arguing and she was angry that Jane cheated on me. I let her go without thinking about it, I guess she hasn't been home since." Tobias explains quietly.

"You allowed Ivory to be dragged into this mess too? Where the hell is she now?" Jake whisper-yells, shoving Tobias' shoulders hard. Tobias stares down at the floor, appearing like a puppy with his tail between his legs.

"She's probably with Ben or something, I'm sure she's fine," I reassure Jake. She often spent nights at his house in secret due to how over protective Jake and Tobias are.

"If she isn't okay, that's on your shoulders too." Jake says coldly, his eyes trained on Tobias. The pair of them stare at each other intensely, the air between them growing thick with tension. A voice cuts in, interrupting us —

"Excuse me, I'm going to have to ask you to leave, the library is closing in a moment."

My head shoots towards the librarian who's cautiously watching at all three of us, keeping her distance. I give her a brief smile in response.

"We're leaving now, aren't we boys?" I say firmly, grabbing a fistful of their hoody's and dragging them out of the bookshelves and towards the exit. They don't protest but remain silent the entire way.

"We need to get out of here before she calls the police," I mumble quietly at both of them who are still glaring at each other in a stand off. I shake my head, blowing out a deep breath —

Boy, do I have my hands full with both of them.