⟡ Behind Closed Doors ⟡

Chapter 16: The Descent

The halls of Silver Oaks High buzzed with the usual raucous energy of students shuffling between classes, but for me, the noise felt like static. My eyes darted to the empty space at the end of the corridor where Gregory usually stood, his dark hair falling over his forehead, his gaze always somewhere far beyond. But today, there was nothing. Just a vacant spot marked by the absence of someone who had become a part of my everyday life.

"April!" A shrill voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see Raven, as she hurried toward me. "You're not seriously still thinking about him, are you?"

"Who? Gregory?" I shot back, my tone sharper than I intended. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean." She said, her eyes darting around as if someone might overhear. "He's not safe, April. And you know it. You know what happened at the park last week."

I crossed my arms against the chill of the drafty hallway, my heart pounding. "He was defending me and himself. Chris and his friends were attacking him."

"Exactly! He's dangerous." She insisted, her voice lowering as if to keep our conversation private. "You need to stop hanging around him. You're just asking for trouble."

"But you don't understand," I pressed, feeling heat rise in my cheeks. "He's not a monster. He's-"

"-what? A misunderstood killer?" Raven's voice rose, drawing glances from passing students. She lowered her tone again. "You're not thinking clearly. Something's not right with him."

I sighed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You don't know him like I do."

"No, but I know what happened last week. Chris was lucky Gregory didn't seriously hurt him. He could have, April. And even worse, what if Chris is right about Kate? What if he DID have something to do with what had happened to her?"

"You know Chris is a jerk! Besides, he had it coming." I stopped, realizing I was defending Gregory too fiercely. "Look, just.. Give him a chance. You don't know what he's been through."

Raven shook her head, her expression a mix of concern and disappointment. "I just don't want to see you get hurt. I care about you."

"I know.." I said, my voice softening. "But I care about him too. And I need to figure this out for myself."

With that, I turned on my heel and headed toward the exit, the bell ringing loudly in my ears. The weight of Raven's worry hung over me as I pushed through the double doors, stepping into the crisp autumn air. Leaves crunched beneath my feet, and I inhaled deeply, hoping the chill would clear my mind. I had to find Gregory.

As I walked through the neighborhood, I felt a familiar ache in my chest. He hadn't been in school in days, and my attempts to reach him had been met with silence. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through our messages. The last one from him was vague, cryptic; I can't talk right now.

I sighed, staring at the ground. How could I help him if he wouldn't let me in?

Finally, I reached his house. I knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the stillness. Moments ticked by, and just when I was about to turn away, the door creaked open. Gregory stood there, his expression a storm of emotions-fear, guilt, and something else I couldn't quite place.

"April.." He said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Hey." I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "I was worried about you.."

"I.. I can't talk right now." He started to close the door, but I wedged my foot in the gap.

"Gregory, please.. Just let me in."