Page 194 of Ominous: Part 1
I frown, glancing over my shoulder. Thin trails of light seep through my closed blinds. I drop my gaze to my phone, buried around my sheets. I snatch it up and toss down the book. Before I say a word to Sebastian, I check the time, and my messages.
It’s six in the morning.Shit.It’s six in the fucking morning.
But for some reason, I’m not exactly perturbed by Sebastian’s unwelcome, early morning entrance.
Despite the early hour, I’m smiling as I read the texts I ignored all night, busy and involved in other things, thinking after Eli let me know he got home, he’d be going to sleep.
Him: I didn’t shower. I still smell like you.
Him: It’s driving me fucking crazy.
Him: You must be asleep baby girl. I hope you sleep so well. Text me when you get up.
“Read it.” Sebastian drags me out of my bliss, shoving his bright phone screen my way. Reluctantly, I tear my eyes from my own, clicking the screen off as I take Seb’s phone instead, the metallic case cold beneath my fingers, and sink down onto the bed. “Why the hell are you up?”
“Why are you reading the fucking news?” I mutter under my breath, ignoring his question.
And itisthe news, the headline bold and in red letters. Just as I’m about to ask Sebastian why the hell he came in here so early over a news article, I actually read the title. Above the photo of a blonde girl wearing a dress and jelly sandals, standing in front of a lake.
I swallow the knot in my throat. It’s the same photo on the missing posters. The same one I saw in Dom’s room.
I force myself to read the headline again, not really believing it.
Missing Trafalgar Student’s Remains Found
I drop my gaze to the tiny text of the article but in the near darkness of my room, my eyes strain against the dimness of his screen. “Turn on the light.”
Sebastian, still standing, pulls the dongle by the fan. Pale orange light floods the room.
I blink, my head spinning as I scan the text, scrolling down with my thumb.
Remains found by police in Lake Wisteria has been confirmed as that of Winslet Landers.My throat feels dry. I force myself to keep reading. 17-year-old declared missing last September. Vanished from her home. No suspects. Still… none. No cause of death released. No information on the state of the body. Family has been notified.
“Wisteria is behind her house.” Sebastian’s voice drags me away from his screen.
I want to throw the phone across the room, and I don’t know why. I settle with dropping it like it bit me. Like it’s physically painful to hold.
Unease settles in my bones, and I think of Dominic, and when he found this out. Was it last night? Will he come to school today? We haven’t really spoken since the library, last week.
I create a stack of pillows behind me, my movements frantic even as I lean back on them, pulling the covers on my body, resting one hand on my torso, and gripping my phone in my other hand, my fingers sweaty.
Sebastian plucks up his own phone, pockets it, then lies horizontal on my bed, his legs hanging off, a forearm over his brow, his fingers drumming a rhythm only he can hear against my comforter. He’s in pajama pants and a baggy T-shirt.
“What thefuck.”It’s not a question. I didn’t even know the girl, but… is Eli upset? Does he know yet?
I click on my screen, hoping Eli is awake at the same time I want him to be sleeping.
Me: I miss you.I almost don’t send the message, my thumb hovering over the button as I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, despite the somber news.
Then I smile hard enough to make my face ache and send it with a little thrill skipping in my heart.
“Dom’s dealer is my friend,” Sebastian says with groggy words.
I frown, lowering my phone to my sternum, the screen up so I can see if Eli texts me back. Then I laugh a little, to hide my nerves. Seb and I haven’t spoken about the parking lot bullshit. It’s still surprising, thinking of Dominic getting coke from a guy who knows my brother. He probably lives in a trailer too. I assumed Dom’s dealer would be in a penthouse somewhere, wearing silk robes and smoking cigars. Maybe flying in private jets from Colombia to deliver lines to Dom personally.
I don’t know much about drug dealers, I suppose.
“He’s a dick.” Sebastian clears his throat. “Dominic, I mean. You should stay the fuck away from him.”
