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With a delicate touch, Harper's hand caressed the silver doorknob, coaxing it to yield to her will as it obediently began to rotate.
In Sulphur Springs, Louisiana, darkness had descended upon the town. The recent tornado had left its mark, wreaking havoc on various establishments, including Sulphur Springs High School. The medical facilities were bustling with activity as students sought treatment for their injuries and ailments caused by the destructive storm. However, for Harper, the pain she felt was not physical but rather emotional. Her beloved, who was once just a crush but now her partner, lay in the hospital, fighting for his life. It was only natural for her to return after a few hours, yearning to be by his side, to experience his presence once more. The longing within her was overwhelming.
Harper opened the door to reveal her boyfriend, all sorts of wires hooked up to him as his chest, struggled to fall up and down at a steady pace. His face was adored with an air mask, making Harper's heart wrench. She closed the door softly and approached the 17 year old, it was only that, that made her eyes water. Slowly, Harper lowered her hand to brush against Griffin's fingers. It was a delicate touch, but it was almost like she could feel Griffin's body slightly relax.
Griffin's lips quivered in disbelief as his eyes began to flutter open. A name escaped his trembling lips, barely audible, "H-Harp?"
In response, Harper's eyes widened ever so slightly, a hint of surprise dancing within them, as she swiftly uttered her words.
"It's me, Harper. Are you alright?" The 17-year-old inquired, her heart brimming with hope.
Griffin expressed his pain, stating, "No, It hurts so bad."
Harper desperately tried to offer comfort, her voice trembling, "Don't give up, Griffin. I promise, things will get better and-"
"You might as well just let me go," Griffin whispered, his eyes filled with a haunting emptiness as they locked with Harper's. In that moment, her heart shattered, tears cascading down her face.
"I will never let you go," Harper whimpered, her chest heaving with sobs that tore through her. Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, followed by the creaking of the door.
"Miss Dunn, there's someone here to see you," a doctor announced. Harper wiped her tear-stained face and made her way towards the exit. As she turned the corner, she was met by Savannah, a tall blonde figure standing before her.
The doctor hastened his departure, leaving Savannah shattered as her words dissolved into a torrent of tears.
"Sorry, Harper. I didn't mean to hurt Griffin. It's on me. "With her emerald eyes swollen and bloodshot, she desperately covered her mouth, attempting to stifle her cries.
Harper's arms stretched out, wordlessly beckoning. Savannah's heart broke, and she moved closer, tears streaming down her face. The golden-haired beauty enveloped Harper in a warm embrace, while Harper's arms encircled Savannah's delicate neck.
In a hushed tone, Harper reassured, "Don't worry, Savvy. I'm not mad." With tenderness, she gently pecked Savannah's cheek, causing a surge of emotions to overwhelm her. Savannah clung to her even tighter, finding solace in her embrace.
██▓▒░⡷ the next day⠐⢾░▒▓██
The following day arrived, and Harper found herself consumed by thoughts of Griffin throughout the entire night. As a result, she had a restless sleep and didn't get much rest. The school had announced that classes would be canceled for the rest of the week, with a slight possibility of resuming the following week. Being in the vicinity of the Tremont Hotel was difficult for Harper, as it would bring tears to her eyes. Therefore, she sought solace at her friend's house, accompanied by Bailey Moody. And who was this friend? None other than Ransom Daws, Harper's ex. Currently, Harper sat at the kitchen counter, mindlessly scrolling through TikTok, while Ransom and Bailey stood in the kitchen, attempting to cook Ramen noodles on the stove. However, it primarily consisted of shouting and laughter since the 17-year-olds were not quite aware of what they were actually doing.
As Ransom stirred the noodles on the stove, Bailey's eyes darted towards Harper. Slowly, she approached her, placing her hands delicately on the counter before her.
"You've been awfully quiet," Bailey remarked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Harper, engrossed in her phone, responded without looking up, "Let's just get takeout."
A mischievous chuckle escaped Bailey's lips, causing Harper to crack a smile. Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the room.
Ransom gasped, his voice filled with disbelief, "How can you two order food while I'm clearly cooking. There are people out there starving-"
"We don't need a mom lecture. No one ordered anything," Bailey interrupted, her tone firm as she made her way towards the door.
"Not yet," Harper added, a hint of mischief in her voice. Random rolled his eyes, exasperated by their antics.
Bailey placed her hand on the doorknob and turned it, unveiling a young man of seventeen years.
"What do you need, Kaden?" Bailey inquired, her voice laced with curiosity, as she leaned against the door, trying to maintain her composure.
A mischievous glint danced in Kaden's eyes as they darted past Bailey, scanning the scene behind her. Suddenly, the sound of Harper's infectious laughter reverberated through the house, causing Kaden's lips to curl into a sly smirk.
"Harper's here?" he questioned, his voice dripping with intrigue.
Bailey's eyebrow arched in confusion as she asked, "Yeah, why?" The air crackled with tension as Kaden chuckled, his hands connecting with Bailey's shoulders, gently pushing her aside as he confidently stepped into the two-story home. Bailey stumbled, her anger simmering beneath the surface, but she quickly regained her balance, her face etched with determination as she closed the door behind her and followed Kaden into the depths of the kitchen.
Ransom's gaze momentarily left the meal he was preparing, locking eyes with the unexpected visitor. "Kaden? What are you doing here-" he began, his voice laced with suspicion.
"How are you holding up?" Kaden inquired, his attention now shifting towards Harper. Harper, momentarily taken aback, looked up from her phone, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"Fine," she replied simply, her tone guarded. But Kaden paid no mind to her response, swiftly taking a seat beside her, his presence demanding attention.
Kaden's smirk grew wider as he responded, "I didn't ask about your look, I asked about how you're doing." Harper placed her phone on the table and shot Kaden a puzzled expression, but quickly dismissed it with a sigh.
"I'm okay, bro," Harper replied.
A chuckle escaped Kaden's lips, "You're so transparent, Babes. I can see that you're not really alright."
Ransom and Bailey, observing from afar, raised an eyebrow in unison.
"Fine. I'm just really worried about Griffin," Harper confessed, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"What is it that worries you?" Kaden inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.
Ransom interjected, his voice dripping with annoyance, "Dude, your selling. She already told you she's sad-"
"Shut the hell up, Daws," Kaden interrupted firmly. He then gentled his gaze as he refocused on the young girl before him.
"Answer me, Harper," Kaden demanded softly, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.
"I'm like, seriously freaking out right now! I just can't bear the thought of Griffin dying. He's like, my absolute favorite person in the whole wide world, you know? He's not just my bestie, he's my everything! If he doesn't pull through, I seriously have no clue how I'm gonna survive." Tears welled up in Harper's eyes, her heart heavy with emotion.
Kaden's voice dripped with mockery as he taunted, "Oh, is Harpies about to cry?"
Bailey's face twisted in disgust as the scene unfolded before them. Harper fought valiantly to suppress her sobs, but the floodgates of her emotions burst open, overwhelming her. Before her true friends could console her, Kaden swooped in, encircling her with his arms, gently caressing her trembling form. A silent exchange of glances passed between Bailey and Ransom, revealing their shared understanding. It became evident that Kaden's twisted game extended beyond the school walls, as if his sole purpose was to provoke Harper's tears, just so he could offer his embrace.
"You're such a good girl for letting it all out," Kaden murmured, his hand gliding sensually over the silky fabric of Harper's shirt. Harper inched closer, drawn to his touch. Bailey and Ransom's eyes widened in astonishment. Suddenly, the blonde forcefully cleared her throat, causing Harper to retreat from the comforting embrace of the boys. Bailey approached them, tenderly brushing her thumb against Harper's cheek, wiping away a tear that cascaded down her face.
"Just a moment," Bailey smiled at Harper, then firmly grasped Kaden's hand. With determination, she guided him down the hallway and out the door. As they found themselves surrounded by the embrace of nature, Kaden abruptly withdrew his hand from the seventeen-year-old, his face contorted with irritation.
"Who's got you pressed?" Kaden snapped.
"You! Why the hell would you do that to Harper?" Bailey snapped back.
"I didn't do anything," Kaden retorted.
Bailey scoffed, "Don't play dumb. You hugged her and freaking good girl'd her."
"She could have told me to stop or pushed me away," Kaden argued.
"No, she couldn't have. It's not easy for girls to reject the praise of a teenage boy," Bailey spat. "Trust me, I've been there!"
"Well, it looks like I'm doing something right then," Kaden smirked.
"You're no expert at this. How did you even know Harper was here?" Bailey questioned.
"A friend told me. But I could have found her myself," Kaden replied.
"This isn't some adventure like Dora The Explorer, Kaden," Bailey said. "Just go, and don't you dare pull that crap again," she added. Kaden simply gave the girl the finger before walking away. Bailey rolled her eyes.
██▓▒░⡷11 hrs.⠐⢾░▒▓██
Kaden obediently followed the doctor's instructions, traversing the brilliantly illuminated hallway, filled with the cacophony of beeping machines and animated conversations.
The night had descended upon Sulphur Springs, Louisiana, casting a shadow over Kaden's heart, still heavy with resentment towards Bailey for shattering his cherished moment with Harper. Harper, the one he had always adored, the one whose image in her homecoming dress had etched itself into his memory. The mere thought of her now, entangled in the clutches of Griffin, pierced his soul with sorrow. And so, he found himself at the Sulphur Springs Hospital, embarking on a crucial and meaningful visit.
Finally reaching his destination, Kaden gently pressed his hand against the doorknob, cautiously opening it. A mischievous smirk adorned his face as his gaze fell upon Griffin Campbell, lying there, almost lifeless. Kaden approached the boy with measured steps, his eyes scanning over the wounds that marred Griffin's body and the disheveled state of his hair.
Griffin's eyes fluttered open, his voice trembling as he whispered, "Harper?"
"No," Kaden's voice rasped, devoid of any warmth. He unburdened himself of his backpack, rummaging through it with urgency. Finally, his searching hands seized what they sought. With a flick of his wrist, he revealed a minuscule bottle, its contents shrouded in enigmatic liquid.
"You're not Harper?" Griffin's body tensed, his senses on high alert. The world around him seemed hazy, almost out of reach.
"No, I'm not," Kaden replied, his voice filled with authority. "I'm the doctor. Open wide."
Griffin hesitated, his trembling mouth barely parting. With utmost precision, Kaden poured the concoction into his mouth, sealing it shut with a gentle press of his thumb.
With a soft utterance, Kaden declared, "There we go." Griffin's face contorted in discomfort as he gulped down the liquid, causing his body to twitch involuntarily. A mischievous smirk danced on Kaden's lips until a voice shattered his eerie demeanor.
"Kaden?"
Startled, the young boy spun around, only to find Savannah Dillon standing in front of him, outside the cramped room. Without wasting a moment, Kaden swiftly grabbed his bag and made his way out, shutting the door behind him in haste.
Kaden's piercing gaze locked onto Savannah's figure as he posed the question, his voice laced with suspicion. "What all did you see?"
Savannah's eyes widened, her voice quivering with uncertainty as she responded, "All of it. What were you doing?"
A sly grin crept across Kaden's face, his tone dripping with deceit. "Nothing," he claimed, his words laced with a sinister undertone.
Savannah's brows furrowed, her voice filled with accusation. "That didn't seem like nothing. It looked like you poisoning him."
A wicked chuckle escaped Kaden's lips, his smile widening. "To you, it did. To me, I was offering him a nice drink," he taunted.
Savannah's voice trembled with conviction as she reached her conclusion. "You poisoned him."
Kaden's irritation flared, his voice cutting through the tension. "I wouldn't keep assuming things if I were you. You're the reason he's where he is now," he asserted firmly.
Savannah's retort caught in her throat, her realization sinking in. He was right. She was the reason.
Kaden let out a soft chuckle, his voice dripping with authority, "Listen, you better keep your trap shut about what you witnessed tonight, got it?"
Savannah's eyes locked with his, but she remained silent, not uttering a single word. Annoyed by her silence, Kaden forcefully stomped on her foot, causing her to let out a piercing scream.
"Yes, I won't," Savannah's voice trembled as she whispered.
A sly grin crept across Kaden's face, his eyes gleaming with a twisted satisfaction. "I always knew you were on my side," he sneered, his words laced with venom, before turning his back and vanishing into the shadows. As Savannah watched him disappear, a mischievous smirk played upon her lips, concealing the hidden truth concealed within her right hand.
It was crossed.
██▓▒░⡷the next day⠐⢾░▒▓██
The morning air in Sulphur Springs carried a gentle breeze, whispering secrets of the night. Savannah's heart raced as she witnessed Kaden's actions, a sight that shook her to the core. It was her duty, her moral obligation, to inform Harper of this treachery. After all, she had caused harm to Griffin, and withholding such harmful knowledge would be a grave injustice. With determination in her steps, Savannah climbed the steps of Harper's porch and tapped on the door with a delicate touch. In an instant, the door swung open, revealing a young boy of fifteen.
Topher's face lit up with a smile as he greeted Savannah. In response, Savannah reciprocated the friendly gesture.
"Come inside," Topher beckoned, his voice filled with anticipation. Savannah complied, crossing the threshold into the house, and Topher swiftly closed the door behind her.
As Topher disappeared into the depths of the house, Savannah navigated her way towards the living room. There, she found Harper and Austin, comfortably seated on the couch.
"Savvy, I had no idea you were coming," Harper exclaimed, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Savannah nodded, her face serious. "There's something incredibly important I need to tell you," she declared, her voice filled with urgency.
Harper and Austin exchanged bewildered glances, their curiosity piqued as Savannah settled herself between them.
"You know Kaden, right?" Savannah inquired, her tone laced with a mixture of concern and dread.
"Of course, everyone knows Kaden," Harper replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Good, because I have some devastating news. I mean, really devastating," Savannah revealed, her words hanging heavy in the air.
"Alright, spill it!" Harper demanded, her voice filled with urgency.
"So, last night, I was at the hospital and guess who I saw? Kaden," Savannah began.
"And?" Austin interrupted impatiently.
"And," Savannah mimicked, "he was actually poisoning Griffin," she concluded, her tone dripping with seriousness.
Harper's eyes widened, "Are you absolutely certain?"
"Yes! He made Griffin drink this suspicious-looking concoction," Savannah explained.
"Seriously?" Austin questioned skeptically.
Savannah nodded vigorously, "He specifically told me not to tell you, but I couldn't keep it to myself."
Harper spoke up, her voice tinged with concern, "Savvy, I really hope you're not lying because if you are-"
"I'm not, Harper. Why the hell don't you believe me?!" Savannah exploded in frustration.
Harper let out a sigh, "You're right. I'm sorry. Tonight, I'll go see Griffin myself and find out the truth."
"Good," Savannah replied before getting up from her seat.
"You're not staying?" Austin questioned, puzzled.
"No, My cousin is coming over today," Savannah exclaimed, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as she made her way towards the door.
"WE LOVE YOU, SAVVY," Harper shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
"I LOVE Y'ALL TOO, POOKIES," Savannah's voice trailed off as she exited the house, the door closing behind her with a flair.
Austin let out a heavy sigh, his voice filled with concern, "Darling, I would be terrified if I were you."
"Do you really think Kaden poisoned Griffin?" Harper questioned, her voice filled with worry.
"I honestly don't know, but Kaden is not someone to mess with. I know you hugged him and can't remember much, but I've heard he's been acting strange ever since his breakup with Karlee," Austin explained, his tone filled with caution.
"But Kaden broke up with Karlee," Harper exclaimed.
"That's cap. It's the other way around," Austin retorted.
Harper raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Karlee dumped him?"
"Yes. And Harper, Karlee didn't want people to know about this, but she moved away because of it. She said Kaden was doing things to people she loved," Austin revealed.
Harper's eyes widened in shock. "Really?"
"Yes," Austin confirmed.
At that very moment, Harper's phone vibrated. Without delay, she retrieved it from her pocket and unlocked the screen, only to be confronted with a message that sent shivers down her spine.
🅚🅐🅓🅔
How's my little sunshine doing?
Harper and Austin shared a brief moment of eye contact.
██▓▒░⡷13 hrs.⠐⢾░▒▓██
The cloak of darkness had descended upon the town, shrouding it in an eerie stillness. True to her word, Harper ventured towards the foreboding Sulphur Springs Hospital. With each step down the desolate corridor, her heart pounded in anticipation. Finally, she reached her destination - her boyfriend's room. As she pushed open the door, a scene of torment unfolded before her eyes. Kaden, with a sinister intent, forced yet another vile concoction into Griffin's defenseless mouth. Harper's voice erupted like a volcano, brimming with a fiery rage that could not be contained.
"KADEN, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Harper screamed, her voice piercing through the air. Kaden's heart skipped a beat, causing the bottle in his trembling hands to slip and shatter against the unforgiving floor.
Kaden stammered, desperately trying to find the right words, "I... I wasn't doing anything, Harper. I swear."
"Savvy was right about you. You're poisoning him," Harper accused, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and concern as she approached Griffin, his wounded form now even more vulnerable.
"Why, Kaden? What's gotten into you?" Harper demanded, her voice laced with frustration. "What did you give him?"
Kaden's eyes darted around, searching for an escape from the intensity of Harper's interrogation. "Look, Harper, this is something between me and him," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
"What is it? What did he do to deserve this?" Harper pressed, her urgency growing with each passing second.
Kaden exclaimed, "It's embarrassing-"
"I couldn't care less. What's happening?"
"Harper-"
"PLEASE. Why are you doing this?" Harper cried out, her voice trembling. But before Kaden could respond, something completely unexpected occurred. Griffin started convulsing violently, his body shaking the bed.
Harper's expression turned to worry as she placed a hand on his trembling arm, trying to hold him down, "Griffin, are you alright?"
Suddenly, white foam began to pour out of Griffin's mouth, veins bulging from the side of his head as his face turned crimson, his body shaking uncontrollably, his head throbbing with pressure. Within seconds, tears streamed down Harper's face as she desperately clutched Griffin's hand.
"Call a freaking doctor!" Harper screamed at Kaden, her voice filled with panic and desperation. In a split second, Kaden rushed out of the room, frantically shouting for assistance. As the chaos unfolded, Griffin's movements gradually ceased, his body shutting down before their very eyes. Harper's eyebrow raised in disbelief, her gaze fixated on the vitals machine. It displayed nothing but flat lines, a haunting indication of the stillness that engulfed the room.
"Griffin?" Harper's voice trembled with desperation as she whispered his name, hoping for a response that never came. The room fell into an eerie silence, amplifying the fear and uncertainty that hung in the air.
Interrupting the silence, Kaden finally found his voice, his words filled with a mix of concern and helplessness. "Harper, I..."
"Kaden," Harper's heart pounded in her chest as she muttered.
The young boy, only seventeen years old, attempted to explain, "Harper, it's for the best-"
"Kaden," Harper interrupted, her voice growing sharper and more forceful. She locked eyes with him, her gaze unwavering.
"You killed him," she accused.
Kaden maintained his unwavering stare, refusing to utter a single word.
"DID YOU NOT HEAR ME, ASSHOLE? YOU KILLED HIM!" Harper's voice pierced the air, tears streaming down her anguished face.
Kaden Finley remained motionless, a sinister smirk playing upon his lips.
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so, this was rlly fun to write and stuff. im super glad that i got to do this with killiancaptainhook. hopefully we can do more collabs in the future. love you, bby!