Apex

21 | microcosm

When I begrudgingly nodded, Brenna and Syd told me everything they claimed to know.

First, Brenna talked me through what happened at Cabin 13 on San Juan Island, and then Syd described how nervous Allie was of seeing Conrad Kane while on set yesterday. The only revelation that caught me off-guard was Conrad's secret relationship with Gretchen England.

Conrad was a straight-shooter, someone who I would've never expected to mix business with pleasure. His relationship with Gretchen would undoubtedly provoke criticism, but at the end of the day, they were rich and influential people. They would still find a way to come out on top.

But secret relationship aside, I was still failing to understand why on Earth Allix would be so reckless. That wasn't the girl I knew, and that was why I was - no, scratch that - am furious with her. I would've tried to help her even if she didn't want me to. I would find a way to help her, anyway.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Why would she go inside the trailer? That doesn't make any sense."

"I already told you what I think," Brenna answered. "Conrad knows we were at the cabin, but he didn't do anything about it. He's probably going to try and blackmail us-"

"Conrad doesn't need to blackmail you," I interrupted hastily. "He hasn't done anything wrong!"

Sobering up, Syd placed a steady hand on my shoulder. "We can't know that for sure, Dakota. Also, didn't you say that one of the other producers thinks there are going to be accusations of sexual harassment?"

"That was last month," I answered. "There haven't been any."

"But Mike wouldn't make that up," Brenna insisted, lowering her voice considerably. "That's not something anyone should talk about lightly."

Struck by the gravity of her words, I reconsidered my defensive position. I refused to be ignorant in the face of injustice; turning a blind eye was what so many people in the film industry did for far too long. That won't ever be me, though.

When I looked at Brenna, I knew I would defend her in any way, shape, or form. "Okay," I surrendered. "Okay, you're right. Mike wouldn't make that up."

The corner of Brenna's mouth curved up into a smile. "Good. Now I don't need to fry you."

After begrudgingly accepting that it was in my best interest to clear the air with Allix, I left the two of them to make heart-eyes at each other.

It didn't take me long to find Allix; in fact, she was the one to find me, stealing me away from the prying eyes and into the corner of the lush garden. Hydrangeas that were the same vibrant blue of her eyes bloomed around us.

"There's something I need from you," Allix declared in a silvery voice. She was swaying in place, her hair wavy from the humidity.

"That's a first," I retorted, my gaze skating across her features. The moonlight only enhanced the paleness of her skin, with veins like tiny blue rivers running beneath the surface.

"I want a cigarette," she said and chuckled as I failed to contain my shock. "I'd go out and buy a pack, but my parents would find out. Everyone working at the convenience store or gas station is a snake. Anyway, I know you have one."

"I don't," I admitted, relieved in an instant. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to deny her something she claimed to want. "I'm trying to break the habit."

"Liar," Allix sang, stepping closer to me. Close enough for me to inhale the woodsy amber of her perfume.

"Check." I held my arms out airplane-style, and she scowled like a bitter TSA agent.