Page 133 of Stroke of Fate

“Now, we go find some answers,” I tell him.

Levi will only continue to beat himself up about this. He needs proof that he’s not the terrible person he’s making himself out to be in his head right now.

Unfortunately, Plan A didn’t work out, and Plan B requires more effort, but we’re finishing this today.

He points to the paper in my hand. “I thought that was our answer.”

“No, it was only one kind of answer. There might be another way to find out what happened.”

He looks at me with raised brows, but I simply take his hand and lead us out of the library.

I don’t even know where to start looking, honestly. This campus is enormous, and she could be anywhere. Kristen might not know anything, but it’s worth a try, and at this point, we have nothing to lose.

When I veer left outside the library, Levi follows, but after ten minutes of aimlessly wandering, I’m less hopeful than I was when the idea first came to me.

“Bear, as much as I love the view from back here, are you going to fill me in on what we’re doing?” Levi asks from behind me, and the tease in his voice makes me grin despite being on what feels like a futile mission.

Coming to a stop, I turn to explain. “The night Sadie was at Static, she was with a girl. A friend, maybe. I think she might be able to help us.”

“And the plan is to find her amongst thousands of students on a campus with two separate buildings?”

I groan. “Don’t sound so doubtful. We will find her.”

“Fine, lead the way, Teddy Bear. But first, tell me what she looks like because she could be anyone.”

I give him as many details about Kristin as I can remember, but it’s not much. I know my description hasn’t helped when Levi starts pointing out every short brunette he spots, making it even harder to keep track of the ones I notice.

After thirty minutes with no luck, I pause at the door of one of the many lecture halls, leaning against the wall, feeling defeated.

“We don’t have to keep looking,” Levi says, stepping closer to me.

“I just want to know what happened. More for you than me,” I admit softly, frowning at the floor.

“Hey,” he tips my chin with a finger, forcing me to meet his amber eyes. “I want to know too, but not like this. Not when it’s making you miserable. You’re worth more to me than the truth, Bear.”

I open my mouth to respond, but the door we’re standing beside suddenly opens, and students begin spilling out.

My eyes are immediately drawn to one girl ducking her head as she tries to slip out unnoticed. But there’s no mistaking her. Not when her face is the one I’ve been searching for the past hour.

Call it fate, luck, or coincidence—whatever it is, I’m not questioning it. And I’m not about to let her slip away.

“Kristin!” I shout loud enough for her to look over her shoulder.

When her eyes lock on mine, they widen, then widen even more when she sees Levi next to me. She looks around like she might make a run for it.

“We only want to talk, please,” I say, softening my tone so she doesn’t feel threatened or, worse, scared we might do something to her.

Her shoulders slump, but she nods slightly and walks back the way she came. Levi and I quickly follow.

The room is empty except for the lecturer, who glances at us curiously before grabbing his briefcase and walking out.

“I don’t have a lot of time. I need to get to my next class.” Kristin says, hugging her books to her chest like a shield.

“We’ll keep this short, then,” Levi says, folding his arms and staring her down. “Tell us what happened Halloween night.”

Kristen’s pale skin turns even paler as tears pool in her dark brown eyes as she looks between the two of us.

“I’m sorry,” she chokes out. “I didn’t send it. She did.”

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