Page 39 of The Honor Society

He yawns or maybe it’s for show, who knows? He makes a huge effort of covering his mouth, even though it’s masked, with his hand. “Go to sleep, Charlie. You’re exhausted.”

“Sure, fine, yeah, with a murderer in my bed? Are you insane?” And yet I feel safe. I hate that I feel safe but I do. Because I know the bigger monster is lying next to me, then the one waiting outside in that hall that gave me this picture. Does that make it wrong? Clinging to his darkness so that something darker can’t swallow me whole?

“Statistically,” he says gently. “You’ve eliminated the biggest threat.”

“That’s not how statistics work.”

He grunts. “It’s how murder works.”

“How…comforting.” So much for sleep of any kind.

“I thought so.” He moves around a bit like he’s trying to get comfortable.

Hell, are all men burrowers? Even Axel did that, just burrowed into the bed until he found a comfortable position.

I freeze.

Are all men the same?

From murderers to those afraid to kill spiders? Do they still try to find the cold spot in the sheets and burrow with their pillows beneath their arms?

And stare at him. Really stare at him and whisper. “You know, you can take off your mask now.”

“In some ways, it’s already off, Charlie. And no, I can’t. It’s one of the rules. Nobody knows the true identity of The Proctor, to take off my mask is to ask for a quick death. Leave it on or your hand will become permanently detached from your body for even trying. Understand?”

I move as far as I can to my side of the bed. “Yes.”

“Now. Sleep.”

“So you know I won’t escape?”

“So I know you’re safe from the monsters outside of course.” He says it so softly I almost let my guard down. He does realize what he is right?

“By staying with one by my side.” I point out.

“See? I can be romantic. You just have to give me a chance.”

“I will never give you a chance. I love Axel. I will always love Axel.”

“That’s too bad then…that he’s not real.” His voice actually holds a hint of sadness like he’s mourning the loss right along with me.

What the hell? I lean up on my elbows. “What do you mean?”

“Goodnight.” He turns on his side and I’m left with the haunting realization that the world I know has changed somehow overnight.

Somehow, I managed to sleep. And when I wake up, my bedroom door is open and the smell of fresh coffee fills the air. Hurriedly, I put on a sweatshirt and run out. A large pot of coffee freshly brewed is made on the counter and next to it a plate of bacon, eggs, two pieces of toast the exact way I like them and a note.

I pick it up and read.

“The man in the picture is no longer with this world—the girl, however, is you. Care to guess what her last name is?” –The Proctor

Sterling! My last name is Sterling?

I’m so excited for an answer I nearly walk into the table before sitting down and inhaling all of my food. The lock to the door turns and Lilah limps in.

I frown. “Did you get hit by a car?”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, his name was Jude, he was apologizing for being a stubborn ass and thought the best way to do so was to give me more attention in bed, and in all of his enthusiasm I think I strained a hip.”