Page 88 of Boots & Scars

"What?" I snapped as I stepped off the ice, trying to mask my concern with irritation. "What is it?"

"Is Everly here?" she asked, looking around like she half-expected Everly to materialize out of thin air.

"Does it look like she is?" I shot back, my voice sharper than intended. "Why?"

"I've been trying to call her," Holly said, worry lacing her words. "But it keeps ringing and ringing. It's not like Everly not to answer, even if it's a quick text."

I clenched my teeth, feeling the weight of my own guilt press down on me. I'd fucked things up more than I realized. “Aren’t you supposed to be with your mom?”

"And every time I check her location, it comes back to campus," Holly continued, ignoring me. "Which doesn't make sense because I've tried her dorm, I've tried the library, River Styx. This is the only other place she'd come to."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. If Everly wasn’t answering Holly, something was definitely wrong. She was always so reliable, so predictable in her habits.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath. My mind raced through possibilities—where could she be? What had happened? The image of her hurt expression flashed before me again, and I felt a fresh wave of regret.

Holly looked at me expectantly, waiting for some kind of solution or reassurance that I didn't have.

I clenched my fists, trying to steady my voice. "Let me see your phone," I demanded, extending my hand.

Holly huffed, clearly frustrated, but she dug into her pocket and handed it over. I unlocked the screen and my blood ran cold. Everly's last known location wasn’t just on campus—it was pinned right at the edge of the frat houses.

"Here," I said, shoving the phone back at her, my heart pounding.

"What?" Holly's voice quivered. "Where is she?"

"Stay here," I ordered, yanking off my skates and slipping into my shoes with urgency.

"That's not going to happen," she retorted, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'm Everly's only friend. I'm coming with you."

I glared at her. Why the fuck were women so damn stubborn?

"Where is she?" Holly repeated, eyes boring into mine.

"The frat house," I muttered through gritted teeth.

Hollyand I raced across campus, our footsteps pounding against the pavement. My heart hammered in my chest, not from the sprint but from the fear gnawing at my gut. Everly was in trouble, and it was my fault. I should’ve been there for her instead of pushing her away.

We reached the frat house, the lights inside glowing dimly, casting shadows on the lawn. Music thumped from within, muffled voices blending into an indistinct roar.

I grabbed Holly's arm before we went in. "Do exactly what I tell you," I said without looking at her. "And for the love of God, don't get into trouble. I'm only here for her. If I have to choose, you're never going to win."

"Understood," she muttered, a defiant edge to her voice.

The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere hit me like a wall. It wasn't the chaos I expected. The place was eerily quiet, and that only made the dread tickling the back of my neck worse. Holly stayed close, her breath quickening as she scanned the room.

"I think I hear something upstairs," she whispered, her voice barely cutting through the tension.

Then, a loud thump echoed through the house, followed by a slurred voice yelling, "Fucking bitch!"

My blood ran cold. Everything else blurred out as I bolted for the stairs, my heart pounding louder than the music. I didn't look back to see if Holly followed; it didn't matter. I had to get to Everly.

I took the steps two at a time, driven by an urgency I'd never felt before. Each second stretched into an eternity until I reached the top. The sound of struggle grew clearer, leading me to a door at the end of the hallway.

I didn't hesitate.

I tore it open.

Inside, six frat boys surrounded Everly. She was bruised and bloody, but she didn't stop fighting. Her spirit blazed even in her battered state, and I had never been more in awe of anyone in my life. My little killer hadn’t given up.

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