Beneath the Surface
Abbie woke to the soft tickle of dawn slipping through a gap in unfamiliar curtains, brushing against her face. Groggy and disoriented, she took in the roomâa bedroom that wasn't her own, dimly lit and cluttered with things that distinctly didn't belong to her. She shifted under the thick, old quilt, and that's when she noticed the figure on the floor.
Kai lay sprawled on the carpet, one arm flung over his head, his face relaxed in a way she rarely saw. He looked less... dangerous. She almost laughed at the thought, but the laugh died on her lips as memories of last night slunk back into her mind, cold and cutting.
She pushed herself up quietly, trying not to disturb him. Every movement felt weighted, heavy with guilt. Her gaze flicked down to her hands, and she froze. A thin, crusted stain marked her left cheek, and her stomach churned as she realized it was blood. The edges of her fingernails ached from where she'd scrubbed and scrubbed last night, trying to erase it allâthe sight, the feeling, the moment she became someone else. It hadn't been enough.
Silently, she rose from the bed, careful not to let the springs creak. The floor was cool against her bare feet as she tiptoed across the room. She glanced around, noting Kai's room felt a bit like himâcareless and half-organized. Clothes littered the floor, and his dark jackets hung lazily over the back of a chair, blending into the room's shadowy corners. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she reminded herself she needed to leave, needed to get out before anyone saw her. She couldn't face his family, couldn't handle any more questions or scrutiny.
Moving like a ghost, Abbie picked up Josette's clothes. She quickly slipped into her acid-washed jeans and the black turtleneck. With a final glance back at Kai, still lost in sleep, she slipped out of his room, padding quietly down the stairs and out the front door.
The chilly morning air hit her like a shock as she stepped onto the sidewalk, and she couldn't help but take a deep, grateful breath, as though she were purging herself of the whole night. The streets were empty and still, the whole town wrapped in early morning silence, and for a moment, Abbie felt invisibleâuntethered from her actions, from her guilt. But the moment didn't last.
When she got home, the familiar weight of her guilt settled back around her shoulders. She crept to the bathroom, unable to shake the feeling of grime clinging to her skin. She stared at her reflection, and her stomach twisted at the sight. There, stark against her pale skin, was the faint remainder of a bloodstain on her cheek. She grabbed a cloth, scrubbing furiously, almost punishing herself, as though the stain went deeper than just skin.
After scrubbing her cheek until it was raw, she changed into clean clothes. The clothes that usually made her feel like herselfâfelt foreign, like armor she didn't belong in anymore.
Abbie hesitated at the top of the stairs, gripping the railing. She could hear the faint clatter of dishes from the kitchen, her mother's low humming drifting up. Normally, Abbie would have found the sound comforting, grounding. But today, it only made her feel more alien, more separate from her own life. She took a deep breath and forced herself to descend the stairs.
"Good morning," her mother greeted, looking up from her newspaper. Abbie forced a nod, trying not to linger. She grabbed a banana and a bottle of water, mumbling a rushed goodbye as she headed for the door. Her mother's puzzled expression lingered behind her, heavy as a shadow.
The school hallways felt tighter, more oppressive than usual. She could feel the eyes of her classmates skimming over her, but they didn't knowâthey couldn't know. Her heart hammered in her chest as she navigated the crowd. The whispers, the stares, all seemed sharper today, though she couldn't tell if it was real or just her own paranoia.
She wasn't sure if it was her paranoia or if there was a palpable sadness among her peers. It took a few moments before it hit herâtoday marked two years since the gym teacher's tragic death in a fire.
Abbie spotted Kai across the hall, deep in conversation with Jo, his expression relaxed, as if nothing had happened last night. She took a steadying breath and approached, trying to keep her voice casual.
"Hey, guys," she said, giving them a slight nod. Jo's smile widened immediately, her gaze flicking back and forth between Kai and Abbie with a mischievous sparkle.
"Uhm... could I talk to Kai in private?" Abbie asked, glancing at Jo with an awkward smile, feeling strangely self-conscious under her gaze.
Jo's grin only seemed to grow, and she arched an eyebrow knowingly. "Of course, you lovebirds," she replied, her voice dipping conspiratorially on the last word. Abbie ignored the implication, feeling her face warm, and grabbed Kai's arm, pulling him toward a more secluded area. They ducked into a small, dimly lit janitor's closet, the faint scent of cleaning supplies filling the air.
Kai leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, watching her with a slight smirk, seemingly unbothered by the cramped, quiet space. "So, what's on your mind?" he asked, his tone light, as if they were simply chatting about a forgotten homework assignment.
Abbie took a deep breath, glancing around as if to make sure no one could overhear. Her voice dropped to a whisper, the words feeling foreign and heavy on her tongue. "About last night..." She hesitated, biting her lip. Talking about it out loud made it all feel unbearably real, and she struggled to keep her composure. "If... or when they find the boy's body, what's going to be our alibi?"
Kai tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "We can come up with something later," he replied nonchalantly, shrugging as if they were discussing something trivial.
A wave of frustration surged through her. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to keep her voice low. "Kai, this isn't a game," she hissed. "People will notice he's gone. We need something solid before they start asking questions."
Kai's eyes flickered, his smirk fading for a moment. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But if you keep acting like this, you'll just draw more attention," he said, his voice edged with something she couldn't quite identify.
She swallowed, her throat tight. "I know," she admitted softly, looking down. "It's just... I didn't think I'd feel this way. It feels like something out of a nightmare." Her voice wavered slightly, but she caught herself, straightening her shoulders. "We need to figure this out."
Kai nodded slowly, watching her with a strange mix of curiosity and something softer, though it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. "We'll figure it out," he said, a hint of reassurance creeping into his tone, though he still sounded detached, like the whole situation barely affected him.
A thick silence settled between them, the gravity of last night's events hanging in the air. Abbie swallowed hard, breaking the silence. "I wanted to say so much more last night. I just... I couldn't. But we don't have much time now either." Her voice dropped to a whisper, urgency slipping into her words. "Can we meet after school to really talk about this?"
Kai shrugged, a hint of boredom flashing across his face. "Sure," he replied, his tone flat. It was as if he was entirely unfazed by everything, and it made her stomach twist. She couldn't tell if it was confidence, apathy, or something darker.
They stood in the silence for another beat, the tight walls pressing in on them, amplifying every small sound. Finally, they both glanced toward the door, exchanging a wordless agreement. Kai went first, slipping out of the closet quietly, and Abbie followed a moment later, her mind spinning with a thousand thoughts.
As she stepped back into the bustling hallway, she forced herself to blend in, to look calm, though every instinct in her screamed to turn back, to pull Kai aside again and demand answers, demand emotions, demand something. But for now, all she could do was wait.
After Kai slipped away, Abbie made her way over to Jo, who was waiting nearby with a sly grin on her face.
"Ooh, you two were in there for quite a while," Jo teased, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
Abbie raised an eyebrow, thrown by Jo's sudden interest. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jo leaned in close, glancing around as if sharing a huge secret. "Oh, come on, Abbie, I know about you and Kai," she whispered, her voice carrying that knowing tone that made Abbie's stomach twist with both nerves and confusion.
Abbie's eyes widened. "Wait... did Kai tell you something?" She kept her voice low, not sure where this was going.
Jo chuckled and shook her head. "Nope, I didn't need him to. I heard you both sneaking in last night, whispering about, you know... clothes, being 'naked,' and all that," she said, making little air quotes. "So yeah, I know you two did it."
For a second, Abbie felt a rush of panic, trying to gauge what Jo was really hinting at. One part of her assumed Jo was talking about the murder, but the other halfâthe half that hadn't slept in two daysâcouldn't be sure. Abbie decided to play along in the safer direction. "And by 'it,' you mean...?"
Jo rolled her eyes, smirking. "The dirty, obviously. You two are so dating. I bet you were just making out in that janitor's closet, weren't you?" she giggled, nudging Abbie playfully.
Relief washed over Abbie, even as a spark of an idea began to form in her mind. Jo thought they were a couple, and honestly, that was a rumor Abbie wouldn't mind spreading around right now. In fact, it was a perfect cover for last night's "missing time." If the cops asked, well... a pair of teenagers sneaking off would be a lot easier to explain.
She straightened up, giving Jo a confident smile. "You know what, Jo? You're totally right. We're... dating," she said, letting the words roll out casually.
Jo let out a delighted squeal, clapping her hands. "I knew it! I knew you two were perfect for each other!"
As Abbie made her way to her next class, her mind spun, solidifying the plan. If anyone started asking about last night, she had her alibi. She and Kai were "together"âat least for the sake of appearances. Let people think what they wanted; it was better than the truth.
Throughout the day, Abbie tried to keep her head down and focus on her classes, something she usually never bothered with. But things weren't normal. There wasn't anything remotely normal about being wrapped up in a murderâand a strange, violent transformation. She kept replaying last night, her mind a mess of questions: What did this mean for her future? Would she lose control again? And if Brian's body was discovered, was she looking at prison?
One thing was clearâshe needed to understand her so-called "condition." But where could she even start? This wasn't the kind of thing she could find in a normal library, and it wasn't like she had anyone she could ask for help.
At her locker later, Abbie was startled when Harmony appeared beside her. "Hey, where have you been all day?" Harmony asked, a twinge of hurt in her voice.
Abbie avoided her friend's eyes. Guilt gnawed at her. Harmony was so sweet and innocent, always buzzing with plans for her bright, sunny future. Abbie, on the other hand, was spiralingâwrapped up with the Parkers, entangled in secrets, a murderer trying to keep herself together. "I've just been... busy," she lied, a forced smile on her face.
Harmony studied her, clearly unconvinced. "Right. It's just... it feels like you're dodging me lately." Her tone was laced with quiet disappointment, the kind that stung.
Abbie felt a pang of guilt but forced another weak smile. "No, not at all! Just a lot on my mind." She tried to sound casual, hoping Harmony wouldn't probe any deeper.
Harmony nodded, still unsure, but she let it go. "Alright. Well... see you later." She walked off, glancing back once, her expression still clouded with confusion.
Watching her friend leave, Abbie's chest tightened. If she kept this up, distancing herself and acting cagey, everyone would start to notice something was off. And if the boy's disappearance came to light... well, she couldn't risk that attention.
She took a deep breath, heading toward her last class of the day. It was only a matter of time before people started asking questions. For now, she just had to hold it together.
After school, she was supposed to meet Kai. She just hoped he'd have answersâor, at the very least, that he'd help her come up with a plan.
Abbie stepped into the retro-style diner, its chrome accents gleaming under soft neon lights that hummed with a faint buzz. The scent of frying oil and coffee lingered in the air, blending with faint tunes of a Madonna song playing from an old jukebox in the corner. She spotted a booth tucked away from the main crowd and slid in, pressing herself against the cool, vinyl seat as she tried to get comfortable. A young waitress with a bright red lipstick smile soon appeared by her side.
"Just a water, please," Abbie said, her voice steady, but her hands felt cold. The woman nodded, swaying off to grab her order.
A few minutes later, the bell above the door jingled, and Kai entered, drawing a few looks from students seated nearby. Abbie caught snippets of their whispers, "Why's he here?" one murmured, while another just looked on with an eyebrow raised. Kai smirked at the attention, then slid into the booth across from Abbie.
"Did we really have to meet here?" he said, a teasing glint in his eye. "I thought we were onto something with that janitor's closet."
Abbie rolled her eyes. "Listen, I think we could actually use this whole 'dating' rumor as an alibi. Your sister basically handed us the idea."
Kai cocked an eyebrow, feigning deep thought. "Not a bad plan. Covers up a few things we did, for sure." His lips curved into a sly smile. "But you know, if you just wanted an excuse to date me, you didn't have to go to all this trouble." The playful gleam in his eyes made her face flush.
Just then, the waitress returned, placing a tall glass of water in front of Abbie. "Here you go," she chirped, then headed off to another table. Abbie reached for the glass, but her grip faltered, her fingers pressing tighter without realizing it. A sudden snap echoed through the air as the glass shattered in her hand, shards scattering across the table with splashes of water.
"Oh my god, I'mâI'm so sorry!" Abbie stammered, staring down at the mess, cheeks flushed. The other students nearby turned to watch, eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Kai chuckled, unphased. "Strong grip, huh? You're not nervous around me, are you?" His voice was a teasing murmur. "Come on, let's get out of here."
Relieved, Abbie rose to follow him. As they stepped toward the door, she overheard a snippet from a nearby conversation. "Has anyone seen Brian? I haven't since the party."
Brian. That disgusting rapist name was Brian. The name sent a jolt through her, cold and sharp, rooting her to the spot as if shackled. Her stomach twisted violently, and her breaths turned shallow, each one a struggle. The lights of the diner dimmed and blurred, casting a strange, almost mocking glow as the voices around her faded to distorted echoes. She stumbled outside, barely aware of her surroundings, until she felt the evening air hit her skin, thick and heavy.
Kai was still beside her, but he seemed distant, his gaze distracted. Abbie's fingers tightened around her shirt, nails pressing into the fabric as her chest seized, breaths coming in rapid, broken gasps. Her vision swam, the ground shifting beneath her, and all she could feel was the weightâthe suffocating weight of what she'd done, pressing down, cold and relentless.
She tried to speak, to call for Kai, but her voice was just a hoarse whisper. "Kai?" she managed, eyes darting to his silhouette. He was standing right there, only a few feet away, but he seemed miles apart. Her hand reached out, desperate for something to hold onto, to ground her, but her strength was fading.
The world spun around her, her heartbeat thundering in her ears, drowning out everything else. Her knees buckled slightly, and she pressed herself against the cold bricks of the diner's outer wall, trying to steady herself, to force the panic back. But it was like fighting an ocean waveâshe couldn't breathe, couldn't think.
"Help," she whispered, her voice so small it barely escaped her lips, her fingers scraping against the brick as if it could anchor her.
"Please."