XXXIII. Bad Guy, Good Guy

Raine's POV:
I woke up suddenly, with tonight swarming in high definition. My eyes take in every single sight. I was in bed. My eyes widen at the image in front of me. There he is, sleeping on the couch across the room. It is not a small sofa, but with him on, it made it tiny. His legs dangle off the edge with the little blanket barely covering the middle of his body.

I made my way off of the soft mattress and made my way towards Leon. Small colorful flashes echoes waver inside the room. The GameBoy steadily slips from the tip of his fingers.

Did he sleep here last night?

I grab the edge of the blanket and spread it out. It was a mistake. His eyes open to meet mine.

Silence.

“Good morning,” I said.

Leon yawns, “Morning.” He sat up and scratched his head.

I took a step back, uncertain of how to behave in this type of situation. “Did you sleep here last night?”

“Kind of.” His arms slump down, his eyes barely crack open. “You shouldn’t sleep on the balcony.” He yawns again. “You may catch a cold.”

“You came into my bedroom last night?” I appreciate the fact that he carried me in, but I’m also slightly creeped out.

“First of all, these are all my bedrooms,” he said. Leon rubs his eyes, “And your lights were on at 4 am.”

“Why are you awake at 4 am?”

He looks at me.

“Personal business, I see,” I said.

His lip curves up slightly, “Glad you understand.” He stood up and cracked his back. “Sleep early in your bed next time.”

“You mean, your bed.”

He laughs a bit while making his way towards the door. “Now you’re getting it.” He left the bedroom.

When I spread the curtains up, the light draped in, without a doubt, I slept too long. I opened the doors and sat on the couch. It’s still warm...comforting. Weird. There wasn’t a lot of noise outside, except for a few dimmed voices.

I looked down and realized I didn’t even shower or change clothes. I groaned and went to the bathroom to start the day. Turning on the water was like solving the Rubix cubes. I’m cold, but at least I smell good. My trembling body lays inside the blanket to warm up.

A buzz.

My phone must be fully charged by now.

I flip it open and press it against my ear. “Hey, Cory.”

“Hey, Cory?” I can tell he is not in the mood to joke around. “You fucking got threaten, drugged, and kidnapped by werewolves, and all you said was: Hey, Cory!”

I chuckle, “How are you?”

“Danity. You know, if my friends aren’t kidnapped.”

“Helen went home. So, only half of the friends you mention are kidnapped.”

He exhales sharply, “Are you seriously joking right now?” My body curled more rooted into the blanket as if it would protect me. “I-I-I don’t even know how to respond. How could you be in a joking mood? You got fucking kidnapped by werewolves! And to make the situation better, you’re mated to an Alpha!”

I close my eyes then open before a deep breath leaves my throat. “Listen. Cory. Yes, the kidnapping situation was scary, but we’re all fine now. Besides, the Alpha I met wasn’t that bad.”

“Except, he kidnapped you.”

“His Beta and Gamma kidnapped me.”

“That’s what he wants you to think.”

“What?”

“Look. Allow me to spell out your situation.” He exhales, “Alphas are not the same as they once were. They’re a lot smarter now. Well, their IQ is about average now.”

I laugh.

Of course, Cory would find a way to insult them.

“Now, here’s your real situation. He pretended his Beta and Gamma kidnapped you. So when he’s a bit nice to you, you’ll develop a soft spot for him.”

“Oh, and I supposed his father, who put a knife against my neck, is in on it too?”

“Yes! He planned to make others play the bad guy so you will see him as the good guy!”

“Then, why did he tell me he’ll help me leave?”

“To give you false hope! Catch up with the program Raine!” He exhales, “Okay, you know what? I’ll go back home and-”

“Cory.”

“And I’ll tell my parents about your situation. Maybe-”

“Cory.”

“What?”

“It’s okay.” I don’t want Cory to drop everything just to go back home and help me again. I mean I was the reason why he went all the way over there in the first place. “You’ve done enough.” Sometimes, I wonder if Cory has emotions toward me.

“Raine.”

“No,” I said. “You did so much for me this past year. I mean, your parents took care of me and made sure I wasn’t sent away to another human community. You helped me enroll in school and tutored me when I was behind. You even went all the way to Full Moon for me.”

“What?”

“I know, Cory.”

“Huh?”

“There wasn’t any bet between you and the soccer team.”

“I mean, yeah, I made that up. But, it’s be-”

I exhale through my nostrils, “Please. That’s enough, Cory. You did enough. In fact, you did more than a friend would do. I like you Cory, but-”

Suddenly, I heard laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Are you seriously confessing about my non-existence emotions towards you for me?”

“Huh?”

“Raine. You’re a good friend, and you do play a role in why I decided to go into Full Moon.”

“Yes,” I said slowly.

“But, that’s not the only reason.”

“Your parents.”

“Yes, them too. But I have another reason.”

“You do?”

There was a brief silence on the other line. After a few minutes, I looked at the screen to ensure he was still there. He hasn’t left. I press the phone against my ear to hear a deep exhalation. “Raine.”

“Yeah?”

“Helen...Her mom is going back to the witch community.”

I sat up, and the blanket fell, “What?”

“I guess you didn’t hear.”

“No.” What happened? Why is Helen’s mom going back to the witch community? She hates it there.

“A few months ago, her mom’s dark side surfaced.”

“Every night.”

“During daytime.”

It was unexpected.

I had never heard of a dark witch who emerged during the daytime. It had happened that evil witches consumed their light side and lived, but never one had appeared only during the daytime.

Then again, I’m not really informed about the witch community.

“What happened?” I ask.

“Her mom attacked her dad.”

Then, the memories return. I remember visiting Mr.Andronica at the hospital several times a few months ago. “He said it was a bear.”

“It wasn’t.” Cory swallowed, “And it happened a few weeks ago.”

“So, that’s why you left. To find information about witches.”

“Yes.” He exhales again. “I mean, you’re pretty Raine, but I can’t see myself living with a girl who has a pet pig.”

I gasp, “Mister Oink!”

After some more conversational exchanges and embarrassment on my end, we end the call. We decide to continue updating each other more frequently. Cory told me that Crescent Moon has its own library that I can check out. I probably would drop by there since I don’t work anymore.

Then, a knock.

I opened the door and saw the young girl from yesterday.

I lean in closer, “Are you here to give me the plan on how to escape?”

She gave me a stupid look, “No. The Alpha’s parents are here.”

“So?”

“They request your presence.”

“So, I have a choice?”

“You have no choice.”

I bit my lower lip, “Fine.” I close the door and grab my bag. I pat it to feel the gun. Still, there. I step out and she looks at my clothes. “What?”

Instead of responding, she shook her head and walked us towards the first floor. There they are—the Alpha’s parents. Preston looked at me and I shrank.

My body can’t seem to forget that he had a knife held against my neck.

With each step I took, I regretted the fact that I opened the door. I should’ve faked sleep.

When I finally grew enough courage, I faced them. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It wasn’t possible. No. No, I must be asleep. My brain paused for a moment, and my eyes blurred. Every fiber of my body freezes while my thoughts catch up.

And at that moment, the world seems to come to a stop.

“Mom.”