Page 22 of Little Nightmare

“How you don’t count yourself.” He clapped his hands. “Hurry up.”

I follow after him. “Me? I’m nothing I’m barely?—”

“Late.” Ace shook his head. “Traffic was light, what was the hold up? Anything I should know about?”

“Question.” I held up my hand. “Do you get offended when your body gets sick? Like if you sneeze are you pissed just because your immune system isn’t strong enough to keep the germs at bay? Furthermore, if I sneeze on you is it more intimidating than pulling a knife?”

"Science.” Ivan clapped his hands. “I mean, make your hypothesis and run with it, Raven. You are studying international business. All dealings are about social and economic not to mention?—”

"She’s going to be late to class if she doesn’t eat soon,” Ace interrupted. “And I still have to show her around where she’ll be staying.”

I internally rolled my eyes. “I know what the townhomes look like.”

“I added some needed upgrades.” Ace held out his hand to Ivan. “I’ll be in touch.”

"Dude, you’ve known each other for years, stop with the handshakes.” I shoved past him. “And I’m hungry.” And heartbroken. And already exhausted. Mentally. Physically. “Let’s go.”

To his credit, Ace nodded while Ivan winked at me and walked off. I fell into step toward the married life townhomes, feeling nothing but the pain of regret and crushing sadness.

Would Louis and I eventually have gotten married if my dad approved?

Would we have been living in one of these townhouses on campus?

My stomach sinks.

My phone went off in my pocket. I checked it.

A text from Ace.

“That should be your class schedule along with the passcode for the townhome, it will change every week, and only you and I will have the specific code. We can’t be too careful.” We approached the modern two story townhome. It was gray brick and white paint with some exposed wood on the outside. It was in line with at least a dozen others. Each had a fire pit in the back and outdoor living to encourage a safe and familial feel on campus.

The five families took meal time very seriously—and pushed it on every single human in existence—daily.

“I’ve also already spoken to all of your professors and added more security throughout campus. Until we catch the culprit or find out more of what happened and why, your every move will be followed.”

"Can I at least pee in peace?”

He typed in the code to the door. It made a cheerful chime then opened. “No. Actually. I’ll be waiting outside and listening.”

"Hilarious.”

"Did you think I was kidding?”

"No. You have zero sense of humor, and If I didn’t know you were a little bit of a man whore when you were in college I’d say you were going to die a sad virgin clutching your rosary.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You were too young to know anything about me in college. They could have just been rumors. Maybe I’ve never seen a naked woman.”

“Then a naked man. Good for you. Either way you’ve seen tits, I’d bet my life on it.”

"Vulgar,” he snapped. “Even for you. Now, all your food was purchased today. You’ll eat all your meals here.”

"And when we go out…” I waltzed into the kitchen opened the fridge and grabbed a water. “Are you going to taste my food before I eat?”

He blinked. “Good idea, I’ll add that to my list.”

"I was kidding.”

"I’m not. I didn’t think they could poison you, but it’s easy to pay people off when they only make minimum wage.” He pulled out his phone and started furiously typing, his fingers sliding across the screen like another superhuman ability.

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