Chapter 3

Alexis quickly weaved through the crowds of students. Loud chatter and the slamming of lockers echoed through her ears. She couldn't wait to pop her earphones in and drown out the sounds of the world.

Her week had been filled with sleepless nights. Her nightmares had extended in length. Rather than running from an unknown figure, she began to start her dreams at the beginning of the altercation.

Her dream-self wandered into the woods to meet someone. From her acute sense of direction, Alexis assumed it was their usual meeting place. She saw the silhouette of the man in the woods. In the beginning, she's happy to see him. She throws herself into his arms and kisses him. But, then she notices how tense he is and the fire in his eyes. She wasn't sure what was more terrifying: being attacked or watching the person she thought she loved turn into a monster.

She'd woken up each night drenched in sweat and tears with her body shaking uncontrollably in fear. Twice that week, she'd awakened to her father restraining her arms and yelling for her to wake up. Her grandmother and sister would be by his side with worried frowns. All of them had been woken up by the sound of Alexis' blood-curdling screams.

Wednesday night, the first night, Claire had taken her downstairs and made her a hot cup of tea. "What's bothering you, honey," she'd asked once the steaming cup was in Alexis' hands.

Alexis couldn't form the words. She couldn't describe the silhouette of the man or the horrifying form he'd transformed into. She couldn't describe the unbearable pain she felt when he attacked her – both emotionally and physically. She couldn't describe his voice or the words they whispered in the last moments before he killed her. She broke down in tears at the kitchen table.

Claire held her close. "It's alright, baby," she whispered in Alexis' curls. "Let it out."

The following night, Aaliyah lay in her bed with her. She curled her body around her sister in hopes their embrace would keep the nightmares away. Aaliyah quickly fell asleep, but Alexis didn't. She stayed awake for the rest of the night, simultaneously trying to understand the sequence of events and erase the explicit images from her mind.

Thankfully, her morning hadn't been too bad. Most of her teachers had lectures planned. All she had to do was take notes and listen.

During lunch, she stayed as quiet as she could. Her acquaintances noticed the bags under her eyes. Some of the cheerleaders asked her why she hadn't been sleeping, and Alexis told them the truth. When they pressed for answers about the nightmares, Zach came to her aid and changed the subject. She mustered a tiny smile and lay her head on his shoulder.

When she finally got to her math class, she was a bit relieved to see a substitute standing in front of the classroom. She was sure their teacher had left some bullshit assignment for them to do. She didn't expect it to take much time.

She wandered to her usual table.

Dom was already sitting in his seat. "Hey," he greeted her.

"Hi," she replied.

He held out his hand. A pack of spearmint gum with a prewrapped stick poking out.

Alexis accepted the treat. "Thanks."

Dom nodded.

The two listened to the substitute's short spiel and explanation of their work. To Alexis' relief, the directions were to continue working an assignment she'd already completed. She was free to do nothing for the rest of the period. She had just lay her head down when Dom's voice rang.

"Are you alright," he asked.

"I'm just tired."

"Do you want me to leave you alone for the rest of the period?"

Alexis considered his question. She could admit she was surprised he even asked. Most days, he'd just keep talking and she'd tolerate it. Some days she'd entertain conversation, and other days she ignored him. He'd begun comparing her to Russian Roulette; he never knew what he was going to get. If they had work, today would've been a day she ignored him. But since there were no other distractions for her mind, she guessed social interaction would suffice.

"No," she said. "I'd like you to talk to me."

Dom smiled. "What would you like to talk about?"

She shrugged. "Surprise me."

"Who's your favorite musical artist?"

"Tough question. There is a three-way tie between Kendrick Lamar, H.E.R., and Kehlani."

"The holy trinity."

A smile tugged at Alexis' lips. "Amen."

He chuckled. "What's your favorite movie?"

"I don't have a favorite movie, specifically, but I'm always down for anything made by Spike Lee or Jordan Peele."

"Favorite television show?"

"Criminal Minds, hands down." She paused. "What's with all of the questions?"

"I've just been thinking about how I've known you for two weeks now, and I barely know anything about you."

Alexis picked her head up. "Why do you want to know?"

Dom's voice grew small. He averted his eyes. "I thought we could be friends. Moving to a small town like this during senior year of high school hasn't helped my social standing. A lot of people are stand-offish, and I get that. With everything going on in the woods, I understand it's hard to open up to new people."

"My clear message to fuck off on the first day wasn't stand-offish enough for you?"

He smirked. "Nah." He leaned back in his seat. "You didn't really tell me to fuck off. You were just annoyed by my presence."

"Same thing."

He rolled his eyes. "What are some of your hobbies?"

"Baking," Alexis admitted. "My grandmother owns a bakeshop on Chestnut Street. My sister and I work there."

He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like a Betty Crocker type to me."

She kicked him. "Shut up."

"What are your favorite things to bake?"

A smile tugged at Alexis' lips. "I really like making decorative cakes and cookies. I'm good at crafting the different shapes and applying the icing. Unicorn cakes are great because they drive you to Hell and back, but they almost always end up looking beautiful."

"Mmm; you'll have to bake me a cake sometime." He paused. "On second thought, maybe not. You might poison it."

Alexis laughed. "Why ever would I do that?"

"Because I get on your last nerve."

"A valid point, but I'm not fond of jail." She nudged him. "What about you? What are some of your favorite things?"

"My favorite artists are Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. I like action movies, first-person shooter games, and rock climbing."

"Rock climbing? Really?"

He nodded. "It's a nice thrill. Especially when there's no rope."

Alexis smiled. "You're insane."

"That's what my mom says. I'm like my dad in that way; we're both thrill-seekers."

"So, you must like roller coasters?"

"I love roller coasters. When I was younger, my family and I would take vacations to some of the amusement parks with the best roller coasters. My dad and I tried to conquer as many as we could."

"Which park do you think had the best set of roller coasters?"

He was silent for a moment. "I'll have to get back to you on that. I need time to think." His eyes aimlessly wandered around the room. "Do you play any sports?"

"Nah. I was never really a sports girl. My dad put my sister and I in martial arts and karate classes when we were younger. I really enjoyed participating in those sports."

"Martial arts and karate? Should I fear you?"

"Yes. I can kick your ass."

He chuckled. "But, you're five feet tall."

"I am five foot two!"

"You're still short. But do go on and tell me how you can kick my ass."

"Keep talking and I'll show you."

He crossed his arms. "When did you stop doing all the combat classes?"

"A few months ago."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Alexis hesitated. "I started having sleep issues. When you're tired all the time, it's hard to keep up with every day tasks let alone activities that depend on physical energy."

"I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "Don't apologize. It's fine."

His brows came together. "When you say sleep issues, do you mean insomnia?"

"No. Lately, I've been having intense nightmares. They occur almost every night." She motioned to her face. "Hence, the bags under my eyes."

"What are your nightmares about?"

Her brown eyes sunk to the floor. "I'd rather not talk about it."

He nodded. "I understand." He was quiet for another moment. "So, how do you go about making a unicorn cake?"

Alexis looked up at Dom's kind smile. Thankful for his choice of topic, she offered him a small smile in return.

For the rest of the school day, they talked about their hobbies. Alexis lectured him about her grandmother's recipes and humored him with all the terrible baking incidents gone wrong. Dom relayed stories of his favorite thrill-seeking stories; most of them included him almost breaking his neck doing exactly what his parents told him not to do.

Alexis wouldn't admit it aloud, but he was funny. He made her laugh often throughout the afternoon. She didn't expect his stories to be so hilarious or for his laugh to be so contagious. He'd through his head back and a loud, booming sound would rumble from his chest. When he did so, his smile would reach his blue eyes and the oceans within them would stir with gentle waves. As his laughter died down, his eyes would meet hers and Alexis would see nothing but joy.

She'd misjudged him the week before. She thought he was going to be an annoying, arrogant prick. But, instead, he was the opposite. Alexis made a note to be nicer to him. Maybe they could be friends.

As they were exiting their last period, Alexis gently nudged Dom. "So, can I get your number," she asked.

He smiled. "Has the ice wall finally fallen?"

She rolled her eyes. "For today." She held out her hand. "Give me your phone."

He eagerly handed her his phone.

In exchange, she gave him hers. She punched her number into his phone before handing it back to him.

"Since, we're on a phone number basis, does that mean you'd maybe like to hang out sometime?" Dom asked. "We could go see a movie or browse around the mall. Or maybe you could give me a tour of the town."

Alexis opened her mouth to respond. Before the words could leave her lips, a familiar arm was around her shoulders. The arm tugged her against a broad chest. Alexis looked up at her best friend's frown.

"Another time," Zach spoke for her. "She's pretty busy on the weekends."

Dom raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend," he commented.

Alexis once again tried to speak, but Zach made a sharp turn into another hallway. She tried to yell an apology to Dom, but her voice got lost in the crowd. She glared up at Zach. "What the hell was that," she asked.

"Who the hell is he," Zach snapped.

"His name is Dom; he's the new kid." She shrugged off his arm. "What's your problem?"

He glanced over his shoulder. "I don't like him."

"You don't know him! I barely know him! He's only been here for two weeks!"

"I don't care. I don't like him."

Alexis examined the fire in her friend's eyes and the distinct line on his lips. A smile threatened to appear on her face. "What? Are you afraid of a little competition?"

Zach's eyes darted to her. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Alexis shrugged. "Nothing."

"There is no competition."

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

Zach growled.

Alexis couldn't help but to smile. She watched him storm a few paces ahead of her. She followed him to his car. With a smile, she climbed into the front seat. "You're cute when your territorial," she teased.

Zach shot her a glare. "Shut up."

She giggled. "You didn't deny it!"

Zach's icy glare was fixed on the road. "I'm not entertaining this."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not," he said firmly.

Alexis' smile dimmed. They had this teasing match in the past when it came to other boys. Each time, Zach usually laughed with her and rolled with her jokes. He knew the other boys didn't stand a chance against him. Alexis may not have voiced her feelings, but she knew Zach was aware of how she felt. In a similar way, she acknowledged his emotions towards her. They didn't need words to communicate. Their actions filled in the blanks. At times that was more than enough.

She stayed quiet during the short ride to the police station. Once Zach was parked, she set a hand on his shoulder. "I was just kidding," she reminded him.

"I know," he sighed. "I'm sorry for snapping at you."

"I'll give you a pass today. Next time, I'm drop kicking you."

Her friend laughed.

She offered him a tiny smile before hopping out the car.

The pair entered the bustling police station. Phones were ringing off the hook. Officers were racing around with piles of paperwork and folders in their hands. In the corner, Alexis noticed an older couple weeping. She followed Zach to the very back of the department to their fathers' office.

Xavier's desk was the first one they saw when they entered. Zach's dad, Michael, was perched on top of the desk. The brown-skinned man was staring off into space. His mouth was pulled into a stern line. His partner was sitting in his chair with his head in his hands. He didn't dare look up at the two teens.

"What happened," Alexis asked.

"Another body turned up this morning," Michael replied. "It was found three miles east of town on the edge of the main road."

"It's getting closer," Alexis commented.

"Unfortunately," Michael murmured. He nodded to his son. "Did you bring the things I asked for?"

"Yes. They're in my car."

Michael moved from his post. "I'll help you bring them in." He brushed past Alexis and shut the office door behind him.

Alexis wordlessly went to her father's side. Cautiously, she wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder. "Are you okay, daddy," she whispered.

His shoulders heaved up and down from his deep breath. "No," he answered honestly. "This one…he…he was only a kid…" His voice lowered. "He was just a goddamn kid."

Alexis' eyes went to the crime photos on the desk. A young boy, no more than eight or nine, had been viciously mauled. His face was unrecognizable; most of the skin on his face had been torn off. His torso was twisted and bloody, and his joints were bent in unthinkable ways. Tears filled Alexis' eyes at the sight. She hid her face in her father's shoulders.

"His parents are missing too," Xavier murmured. "We're expecting to find their bodies soon." He slowly raised his head. His weary gaze went to his daughter. "I want Zach to stay with you tonight. I won't be home until late. He'll be able to help if you have another violent nightmare."

Alexis nodded. She pecked a kiss at her father's cheek. "Don't work too late. You need to take care of yourself too."

"I'm trying, baby girl." He kissed her temple. "Try to get some rest tonight."

Alexis nodded. She spared one last look at the gruesome crime photos before she headed out the door. She raised an eyebrow at the police officer rushing towards her father's office. Momentarily, she paused near the doorway to hear the news.

"Detective Coleman, we've found the parents. Some of the deputies found freshly dismembered body parts in the river."