Chapter Eleven: The Warning
564 Words
Maya
Ethan stared at his phone.
His father's name remained on the screen.
“Are you going to answer?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“Not here.”
The phone stopped ringing.
A second later, it rang again.
Ethan finally answered.
“Dad.”
I couldn't hear the voice on the other end, but Ethan's expression became colder with every second.
“No.”
A pause.
“I said I'm not coming home.”
Another pause.
“You can't tell me what to do anymore.”
He ended the call.
I watched him carefully.
“What did he want?”
Ethan slipped his phone into his pocket.
“He wants me to come home.”
“Why?”
“He found out about the investigation.”
My stomach tightened.
“Your family knows you're looking into Ryan's death?”
“Yes.”
“And they're angry?”
“My father is.”
He stood.
“I should take you back to your dorm.”
“I can walk by myself.”
“I know.”
He smiled faintly.
“But I'd rather walk with you.”
We started across campus.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then I felt a strange sensation.
Someone was watching us.
I turned around.
A black car was parked across the street.
Its windows were dark.
“Ethan.”
He followed my gaze.
His expression changed.
“Don't look at it.”
“Why?”
“Just keep walking.”
His voice was serious.
We continued toward the dorms.
The car remained where it was.
When we reached the entrance, Ethan stopped.
“I'll stay until you get inside.”
I looked at him.
“Are you worried?”
“Yes.”
“About me?”
“Always.”
My heart softened.
I reached for his hand.
“You can't protect me from everything.”
“I know.”
He squeezed my fingers.
“But I'm going to try.”
I smiled.
Then a voice came from behind us.
“Ethan.”
We turned.
Lucas stood near the steps.
His expression was unusually serious.
“We need to talk.”
Ethan looked at me.
“Go inside.”
“Ethan—”
“Please.”
I nodded reluctantly.
I walked toward the entrance but stopped before going inside.
Lucas lowered his voice.
“You shouldn't have told her.”
Ethan's response was sharp.
“She deserves the truth.”
“You don't understand what's happening.”
“I understand enough.”
Lucas looked toward me.
“If she stays close to you, she could get hurt.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“Don't threaten her.”
“I'm not threatening anyone.”
Lucas sighed.
“I'm warning you.”
I felt a chill run through me.
Lucas pulled something from his pocket.
A photograph.
He handed it to Ethan.
Ethan stared at it.
His face went pale.
“What is this?”
Lucas looked toward me.
Then back at his brother.
“It was found in Ryan's room.”
Ethan turned the photograph over.
There was a date written on the back.
And beneath it, three words:
Ask about Maya.
Ethan slowly looked at me.
I couldn't breathe.
“Why does my name appear on that?”
Neither brother answered.
And suddenly, the mystery surrounding Ethan's family didn't feel like his secret anymore.
It felt like mine.
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