Page 33 of Brick Wall
“Just sit down,” she orders, and I can’t think of a good reason not to. I sit down on a bin directly across from her.
She’s so pretty.
“Take a deep breath.” Her voice is so calming. I take a deep breath. “Good, and another one.” I do again. “Good boy.”I am a good boy.“And again.”
I take another large breath and feel better already. I feel more like myself.
I look down and realize we are holding hands. She squeezesmy hand briefly and then lets go. She has a cute little blush on her face, and I can’t help but miss the warmth of her hand.
Why did she let go? Fuck.
I take another breath in and out, and my awareness slowly returns.
“Wait, are those stupid idiots here? They told me the camp would be empty today.”
“I’m not sure,” Annie states, but there’s a bit of uncertainty in her voice. “I’ve been here for a few hours, and it’s been quiet. I haven’t seen or heard anyone, well, besides you.”
I hum as a response. Weird.
“So, is this place haunted?” I need to know.
“What?” Annie huffs out a big belly laugh. “I’m sorry.” She’s laughing uncontrollably. When she calms down, she clarifies, “I wasn’t expecting you to ask that.”
I shrug.
“Haunted by my brothers is more like it.”
It’s quiet for a beat as we sit across from each other in content silence; at least, that’s how it feels for me.
Annie clears her throat. “How did the gala go?” Her voice is shaky but there’s a smile on her face.
“Great.” A huge grin I can’t control takes over my face. “We raised a lot of money, more than expected, and it’s not all accounted for yet. Our best gala to date.”
“That’s good,” she says with another smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Thank you so much for being there,” I say, meaning every word.
“My brothers loved teaming up with you.”
“Just your brothers?” I tease.
“Yes.” Her shoulders tighten up and her smile disappearscompletely. I wasn’t expecting that reaction to my harmless question. After a moment of silence, Annie quietly says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Her shoulders droop down, and her voice is small.
Where did my belly-laughing, bright-eyed girl go? I miss her.
This Annie looks so sad and defeated. What happened?
“Didn’t know what?” I prompt.
“About your girlfriend.”
Wait. “I have a girlfriend?” I speak my confusion out loud.
“Yes?” she says with a little uncertainty. “The woman you went to the gala with last night?”
I didn’t have a date. I went with my sisters, but then it dawns on me—the hyena.
“Did she say anything to you later on?” I sharply ask.
