He came up with a creative solution for the Zach problem that I never would have thought of—one that didn’t involve killing or evencompelling. It would have been so much easier to make Zach forget what he found, but William wanted to make a point. He was showing me he could be better.
And the only thing he got from me were accusations.
Now I’ll never even get the chance to apologize.
“Lorena, you okay?” asks Zach. “You seem… disappointed. Does it bother you that I know?”
“Not at all. I’m just a bit tired.” He’s still surveying me a little too intensely,and to distract him, I ask, “By the way, what’s up with you and Tiff? Are you together?”
It works. Zach looks around uncomfortably, releasing me from his stare. “No, we’re just friends.”
I get the sense there’s more, but I’m not trying to pry into his secrets. I’m only trying to protect mine.
“I’m gonna go,” I say, my gaze drifting to the computer screen. Zach was searching some kind of news database that looks similar to the encyclopedia software, only he’s reading stories written by reporters who went undercover.
“Did you really skip the field trip to do research?” I ask. “You could’ve done this any other time.”
Zach shakes his head. “I stayed so I could sneak into the main office and forge a student file for Will.”
“What?”I blurt. “How?”
“I took my intake form, covered up my name, and made a photocopy. Then I wrote in his name by hand. Hopefully no one will look at his file too closely.”
“But—why?”
“What if another student comes snooping around and scoops my story?”
Something tells me therewassome compulsion after all. Still, it was a clever idea on William’s part.
“Smart,” I say. “See you tomorrow.”
As I head to my room, I should be dancing with glee instead of sulking.I’m free.I protected my friends and the entire school. The threat of William Pride is over.
So why do I feel like Elizabeth after her visit to Pemberley?
Like I’ve completely misjudged William.
And now he’s gone for good.
THANKSGIVING BREAKis next week, and the vampire is still not back.
The only thing Director Minaro said was: “William is taking time off for family reasons.” I wonder if he compelled her before leaving Hanover, or if he actually phoned in an excuse for his disappearance. And I bristle at the thought of him calling and not asking to talk to me—even though I know how ridiculous that sounds.
Every day, I have to fight the temptation to visit his room. I worry that if I go and find that none of his things are there, he will really be gone.
Which would be a good thing,I keep having to remind myself.
The vampire’s friendship overture wasn’t real. It was a means of survival because he thought he was alone in the world—in his own words, we hada symbiotic arrangement.
The best thing he could have done was take off.
So why can’t I accept that?
ON FRIDAYnight, the dining hall is emptier than usual. Some students already left for break, and the rest of us take off tomorrow. The school is providing shuttles to the airport and train station.
“Do you think Will’s coming back after break?” asks Tiffany. Since Trevor already went home, it’s just the four of us tonight.
“He might need more time,” says Salma, and I hate that I’m playing with her emotions.
