“So are you feeding officially?” She whispered, lowering her head to pour into my eyes. I shook my head. Even if I had a craving for it, something told me to say no to her. “Are you sure, Maggie? Bellamy told me–––”
“It’s a misunderstanding. I’m still eating and craving regular food.”
Lovely stared at me before nodding and releasing a shaky breath through her nose.
“Good. Stay that way.”
“Brotherrrr ohh brotherrrr!” Bellamy sang again. “Come see my sister!”
The bedroom door opened as Namir came walking back out wearing basketball shorts. He dragged his hand down his face, pulling at his eyes with a tired expression. He was irritated but Bellamy seemed to always do that when the two were together. Namir told me Seth was more of Bellamy’s speed and could easily tolerate the silliness. Lovely grinned before stepping aside to show me off. Namir’s hand went still on his face, freezing in the middle of coming down his chin as he stared at me.
“Where y'all going?” Namir asked, voice groggy and deep. He made his way over to me and I couldn’t believe I felt nervous. The man has seen me dressed up for crying out loud.
“Out,” Bellamy said. “Family only. Sorry.”
“Family only,” Lovely echoed like a child full of glee. Namir stopped in front of me with a deep swallow and slowly nodded his head.
“When are you coming back?”
“I’ll let you know,” Bellamy said only to add, “no time soon though.”
My mouth fell open, trying not to laugh at the audacity because Namir knew me better than that. I was probably going to text him the entire time and send pictures.
“I’m just going for a little bit,” I assured him as he stepped closer. “That’s it…”
Namir stepped right up against my body with a series of sniffs along my neck and the quick hot breath somehow sent chills down my spine. He gently gripped my waist, touching the fabric between his fingers and whispered against my ear with a growl.
“You better get the fuck out of this house right now before I drag you back to the room and never let you see the light of day–––”
My body melted against his as I laughed, clinging on to him but he steadied my stance as his jaw tightened and nostrils flared.
“You got one minute or I’m tearing this shit off and taking you right here on this kitchen floor–––”
“Ohh! Maggie come on! Come on!” Lovely squealed as she took my arm. “We’re going! We’re going!”
The funny thing about Namir is, he was actually serious. Just as serious as he stepped to the one named Dorian and gave him a quick warning. I told Namir I would probably be back later on or even in a few hours. Maybe the next day but he didn’t seem to care one way or another which was nice…
Have fun, love you, and be safe.
I’m going back to sleep.
Bring me something to eat back.
That was his only text message. I started to respond as we stood outside, waiting for Bellamy to finish his cigarette when Namir messaged me again.
Your mother called me while we were sleeping.
I stared at my phone. She was going to call him now that she wasn’t getting a response from me, but I just didn’t…I don’t know what to say to her right now. I didn’t realize I was caught in his message trying to think of a response when Lovely placed her hand over the screen.
“Come,” she said. “We’re leaving. Phones away. Boyfriend will be okay without you for a few days.”
“Wait a minute… What do you mean, DAYS?”
My phone went off again, but I knew the notification sound wasn’t a text or call. It was something directly from the school. How they even got this new number was beyond me. After pleading with Lovely one last time to at least read out loud what the school said, she finally agreed.
“It says…” She pretended to adjust the imaginary glasses while Bellamy continued to smoke his cigarette. The sun was creeping up from the east as Carmilla and Dorian quietly argued amongst themselves. “All students, faculty, and staff must return to Drew Collins University by the following Monday morning as we intend on moving forward with our education. The Underground will be placed in a mandatory shutdown which includes Drew Collins University along with the partnering primary and secondary schools. If you are not back on the grounds by Monday morning, you will be removed permanently and banned from the institution. The same rules that go into effect for the Underground will be applied to every district, city, town, and school. Please be…advised…” Her words trailed off as she looked up. “Dr. Marvin T. Holmes.”
Solomon King
