Page 104 of A Dead Man's B-Side
I tilted my head, not the least bit hurt by his words. Because Wolf didn’t truly know me, I realized. He couldn’t. His brother’s disappearance, if it ever was one, seemed to still sting. And yet I couldn’t find myself feeling any sort of sympathy.
“Listen Wolf, I’m going to be blunt because I came upon a piece of information that leads me to believe something I’d rather not believe.”
I was willing to be understanding, because for all his secrecy, it would only inconvenience me to make an enemy of Wolf. I liked him enough, at least. He was kind to others, something that seemed to come as easily as breathing for him. A deep contrast to myself that I didn’t mind envying.
“But I only want one answer to one question. Have you ever been in contact with your brother since he left?”
Wolf recoiled at my words. “Wha–what? Sasha… What are you talking about?”
I shook my head. “I just want an answer.”
“No! No. No, and why would you even ask me that? Why do you care?” He began to seethe.
I watched him closely, from how tightly rung his muscles became to the mix of anguish and anger danced like twin flames in his eyes. His brows furrowed and his lips curled with a sense of pain akin to one I had only felt once in my lifetime.
I hadn’t realized how much I hoped I was wrong until the weight of distress on my shoulders gave way for featherlight relief.
Slight guilt filled me at what I’d forced to resurface in the boy, but also because Wolf wasn’t as conniving as I’d painted him out to be, or tried at least. “Alright,” I placated. “Alright, that’s all I wanted to know.”
“Why?” He asked curtly, no longer in a kind mood.
I shrugged. “Just…” For a moment, I contemplated lying, but even I wasn’t so heartless. I let out a conflicted sigh. “Just sit down first.”
I felt Wolf, of all people, would be the person I’d divulge this information to. Not only was he Evan’s brother, but he…
Oh god, I couldn’t even get the words out.
He is my friend.
I gestured to the seat in front of me with an outstretched arm, and Wolf seemed to hesitate before taking it again. He eyed me suspiciously, but when he sat down, I said, “Listen… Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone else, okay?”
Wolf tilted his head away, a furrow growing between his brows. “Sasha, you’re starting to freak me out.”
I waved his worries away with a dismissive shake of my head. “Just promise.”
He seemed to think about it for a moment, regarding me with an analytical eye before nodding. “Alright, fine. I won’t, I promise.”
I took a deep breath. I did trust Wolf, after getting over that little hiccup only moments ago. I just didn’t know how he would react to the information I was going to share with him. “When I was coming to Castle Hill, there was a man that sat next to me on the plane.”
I said the words like they explained everything, but Wolf only shook his head, confused. “So?”
I sighed, elaborating, “I didn’t know it then–when he said his name was Evan. I didn’t think much of it until I came across him again. About a week ago.”
I waited for Wolf to speak, and when he didn’t, I lifted my gaze to meet his. “Wolf?”
He didn’t reply. And then, to my surprise, he laughed. Except, it wasn’t a humorous or even slightly amused laugh.
Wolf was angry. And perhaps he found laughing would take away his desire to scream, or punch something. The sound that filled the empty student lounge was manic and rough, almost making me lean away nervously. This room in Abbot House was always empty when Rain was in the building.
I don’t think students could bring themselves to relax with her lurking about.
And so, for the most part, we were safe from eavesdroppers.
And Rain’s footsteps hadn’t sounded down the stairs since they went up to her office.
When Wolf settled down, he met my eyes with an intensity of his own. He clenched his jaw and said, “When?”
I ran a hand through my hair. “After our meeting with Thaddeus.”
