Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) (19 page)

“What happened?”

“Word is that Everett and Benjamin had a nasty fight over some girl. Everett liked this girl, but she liked Benjamin. Benjamin asked the girl to Brightman’s spring dance, and the guys supposedly got in a heated argument over it during lunch one day. They were seen having a stand off and yelling at each other about her, Rose or Razz or something or other. I’ve asked around and no one seems to know who she is. Anyway, their very public fight was on a Friday and, by Monday, Benjamin was nowhere to be found.”

“And so everyone automatically speculated that Everett killed him? That’s absurd!” I was astonished at the conclusions people jumped to. How could anyone think such things about Everett, especially if they knew him at all?

“People have killed for lesser things,” Hagen replied flippantly.

“Well, Everett obviously was never charged by the police.”

“Don’t be stupid!” Hagen rolled his eyes. “Like most kids at Brightman, he’s rich. His parents probably paid the police off.”

“Whatever. Everett is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.”

“That’s what he wants you to think. If he honestly murdered his brother, do you think he’d be drawing unwanted attention by being a jerk at every turn? Since Benjamin went missing, he’s taken a total one-eighty. He doesn’t play sports anymore, one of the teacher’s assistants told me his grades have dramatically dropped, and he’s anti-social. It’s all an act, Sophie.”

I stared at Hagen in disbelief. He sat haughtily on my bed like a perfect statue, handsome at every angle, his outstretched legs crossed at the ankles and his arms smugly folded over his chest. But despite his good looks, I saw past Hagen’s pretty outer shell to the reality that he was truly ugly and grotesque. He was careless, selfish, maybe even soulless, and I wanted nothing to do with him.

“Did you ever stop to think that maybe Everett is grieving?” I asked, remembering what it was like after Mom died. If the timing of Hagen’s story was accurate, it hadn’t even been a year since Benjamin had disappeared. “Why are you here?” I demanded.

Hagen frowned at me, confused. “You left so abruptly tonight. I wanted to make sure you weren’t mad at me, or that I hadn’t done something wrong.”

“I wasn’t upset with you before you came over, but I can’t say that now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“How dare you spread awful rumors about Everett? He’s been through a lot and he doesn’t deserve it.”

“I’m not spreading rumors!” Hagen said, instantly on the defense. “The story has already been spread. You’re honestly the first person I’ve come across who hasn’t already heard about it. And I only gave you the bare bones version. I didn’t go into the conspiracy theories of how Everett killed him or what he said that day at lunch, or even—”

“Enough, Hagen!” I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “You should go.”

“What?”

“I need to work on my paper,” I said, turning my back on him.

“Fine.” He stood up. “See you tomorrow.” He stormed out.

I listened as Hagen’s footsteps faded towards the front door but never heard the door open or close. I held my breath straining to hear what he was doing. I suddenly heard footsteps coming closer, and, before I knew what was happening, Hagen leaned over me at my desk. His weight supported by his hands on either side of me and his cheek parallel to mine, I was trapped.

“What are you doing?” I asked, making no attempt to hide my irritation.

“I can’t leave without doing something I promised myself I would do. Kiss me,” he ordered.

I couldn’t believe he was pushing this. I panicked for but a moment before remembering my promise to Everett. I knew what was best for me and that wasn’t Hagen. I calmly turned in my seat, pushing him away.

Looking him in the eyes, I said, “I don’t want to kiss you, and I don’t want to date you either.” I’d been so afraid to make a definitive decision but, now that I had, I was resolute and felt at peace with it. I would not be moved.

“What!?!” he growled. My response had clearly caught him off guard.

“It doesn’t feel right. We’re not supposed to be together.”

“It doesn’t feel right?” he asked mockingly. He shook his head. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

Something about the look in his eyes scared me, like he was about to snap. And then, out of nowhere, it happened. His finger was in my face and he spoke between clenched teeth, his words slashing through me like knives.

“You’ll be sorry you did this. You’re nothing without me. Nothing! You’ll regret this. After I’m done with you, no one will want to touch you.” He charged me. I scrambled out of the way. He upended my desk. “Three months, Sophie!” he screamed. “Three. Months. You’d think after three months, you’d at least feel you owe me a kiss. A simple kiss. But no. You’re nothing but an ungrateful—”

“I don’t owe you anything,” I yelled, doing my best to hide the storm of emotion churning under my glassy surface.

“Screw you!” he screamed, veins pulsing in his neck and face.

“No, thanks. I just told you I’m not interested.”

He lunged at me, pinning me against the wall. Raising his fist in the air, I flinched. He stopped short of my face. Shaking his fist, he screamed. My composure broke. I began crying. Grabbing my shoulders, he shook me, yelling obscenities. Overcome with fear, all I could do was cry until…

“Is everything alright over here?”

Hagen and I turned to see Everett and Mia in the doorway. Everett glared threateningly at Hagen, clenching and unclenching his jaw. Mia peeked from behind him looking more like me: on the verge of tears and scared stupid.

Things were obviously far from okay. Tears streamed down my face as Hagen’s hold on me tightened, his nails digging into my flesh.

“You’re hurting me,” I whimpered.

“Shut up,” he growled.

“Let her go,” Everett said in a calm but authoritative voice.

Hagen shoved me backwards into the wall. I sunk to the floor in a sobbing heap. Mia was by my side in an instant, holding and consoling me.

“Look who’s here to save the day,” Hagen jeered. “Murder Mystery Extraordinaire Everett Sinclair! We were just talking about you. How you killed your brother and expertly covered it up. Mind sharing how you pulled it off, Ev?” Hagen asked with exaggerated enthusiasm.

“It would be in your best interest to leave,” Everett replied firmly.

“It would be in your best interest to mind your own business,” Hagen snapped.

“Sophie is my business,” Everett growled, his face tightening.

Determined to prevent a fistfight in the middle of my room, I spoke up. “I agree. You need to leave. Now,” I said, quietly but sternly.

“See. She wants you gone, freak.” Hagen smiled arrogantly.

“No, Hagen. I mean you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“What?” He spun around in disbelief. “You’re siding with him?” He started towards me but the fierce look on Mia’s face stopped him short. His face softened as he looked into my eyes. “Please don’t do this. I’m sorry, okay? Give us another shot. We’re great together. I know we can make this work.”

I could feel the numbness spreading through me from his gaze but refused to let it control me anymore. “No,” I said, resolutely.

“Don’t make any rash decisions,” Hagen begged. “Let’s get out of here. Talk things over.”

Everett took a protective step forward and Mia tightened her hold around me. Drawing strength from their support, I help my ground. “No, Hagen. Leave!”

He darkened. “I’m not coming back.”

Standing to my feet, I said, “Good. Go!”

Hagen was dumbfounded. He looked at Everett and back to me, the red, hot hatred in his eyes conjuring my awful reoccurring nightmares about him. All along, I’d somehow known he was dangerous.

“Fine, but this isn’t over,” Hagen seethed, leaving the room. He paused at my bedroom doorway, adding over his shoulder, “Mark my words. You will be sorry.” With that, he stomped to the front door, slamming it hard behind him.

Chapter 24

After Shock

Sophie, Mia, and I stared at each other in shock. Tension hung in the air like moisture on a humid day. Then like a bolt, Sophie whizzed past Mia and me. We followed her. She quickly locked her front door before standing on her tiptoes to look out the peep hole.

“Good idea,” Mia whispered to me. “I should make sure my front door is locked, too.”

I nodded to her before approaching Sophie, cautiously placing my hand on her shoulder. She jumped, her body tense. “What are you doing?” I asked.

“Shhh… he’s out there,” she whispered in a trembling voice.

I put my ear to the door and heard Hagen’s voice in the hallway. “May I see?”

Sophie hesitantly moved, putting her ear to the door as I had. I looked through the peephole to see Hagen talking on his cell phone in the hallway. Visibly distraught, he spoke loudly, allowing me to hear every word.

“I know, but—. No, sir. Yes. Just give me a little more time. I can do this. Trust me. Fine… but… Furlow? Are you there? Hello? Furlow!”

Whoever Furlow was, he or she had hung up. Hagen screamed and launched his phone into the wall with a loud crack. Sophie jumped.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “You’re safe now. I won’t let him hurt you.”

She nodded, her eyes large with fear and her chin quivering like she might cry. Hearing silence, she whispered, “Is he gone?”

Looking out again, I reported, “He’s pacing.”

Grabbing his phone off the ground, Hagen dialed. He took a deep breath, mussed his hair, and stood still.

“He’s calling someone else,” I said.

Hagen transformed. The anger drained from his face, replaced by a cocky smirk as he spoke in a smooth, calm tone. “Hey, babe,” he almost sang, his voice dripping like honey. He was suddenly all grace and charm, laughing delightedly at something said from the other end. “Of course it’s me. Who else would it be? You’re not seeing other guys are you? You know that would break my heart.”

“I knew it,” Sophie said, her face contorting.

I squeezed her hand tighter.

“I could never forget my favorite girl. Meet me tonight,” Hagen said. He listened intently. “Great. You know the place, right?” He paused. “I’m looking forward to it. See you, Becks.” He hung up. The perfect pretender, his serene smile dissipated back into an angry glare and he was on the move.

“He’s leaving!”

Sophie exhaled, sliding to the floor.

My mind raced. I wanted to follow him, but Sophie clearly needed me. I’d made the mistake of not asking for help before. I wouldn’t do it again. Pulling my cell phone from my back pocket, I dialed.

“Who are you calling?” Mia asked, returning to the room.

“A friend,” I replied with a wink. “Stay with her.”

Mia nodded and went to Sophie as I walked into Sophie’s bedroom and shut the door. Sal’s secretary answered.

“Yes, this is Everett Sinclair. I need to speak to Director Salvatore, please. It’s urg—”

“Everett! He’s been waiting for your call. I’ll put you right through,” the secretary said.

A few seconds later, Sal barked, “Talk to me, Rett.”

“Hey, Sal. I just had a scuffle with Hagen Dibrom. Sophie is pretty shaken up and I need to tend to her, but Hagen’s on the move. Someone should probably tail him.”

“Is Sophie okay?”

“Just a little shocked after Hagen showed his true colors. She’ll be fine.”

“Okay. I already have a team on it,” Sal said. “We’re apprehending Hagen tonight.”

“Really?” I asked, astounded.

“Well, yeah. After our recent findings, I totally owe you one.”

“Recent findings?”

“Have you not received my messages?” Sal asked. My heart fell. “Rett, I’ve been trying to reach you all night.”

I kicked myself. “Sorry, Sal.”

“I can’t have this. You must be more conscientious about checking in.”

“I’m really sorry. What happened?”

“Your instinct about Hagen was right on the money. Your lead on his Adam Sorento alias blew things wide open, helping us discover proof linking him and his friend from the bar picture you sent us to Divaldo.”

“Wait a second! I was right? Hagen is working for Divaldo?”

Sal sighed. “I’ll have to brief you later, Rett. In the meantime, get Sophie off campus. We have reason to believe Divaldo has her under heavy surveillance. A source told us Hagen failed to accomplish what he was assigned to do, so Divaldo has resorted to massive attack.”

Chills pricked down my spine as everything suddenly made sense. Hagen had come over to Sophie’s tonight to finish whatever he was assigned to do. When things didn’t go his way, he understandably panicked knowing what Divaldo would do to him if he failed. No wonder he freaked in the hallway. He’d blown his last chance, and now, Divaldo was sending operatives in to take out Sophie — and probably Hagen, too.

“Speaking of attack, Hagen was talking on the phone to someone named Furlow. Does the name ring a bell?”

Sal groaned. “Frederick Furlow. He’s bad news. Remember the Alpha Project?”

“Yeah.”

“Furlow headed up the attack.”

“No!” I collapsed on Sophie’s bed.

The Alpha Project was a total massacre where Divaldo’s operatives lured PORTAL’s oldest and most experienced agents, known as Alphas, to a set location before torturing and killing them. Though it happened almost ten years ago, PORTAL still hadn’t recovered from the blow.

“Especially with Furlow calling the shots, Sophie should stay at PORTAL headquarters until the storm blows over,” Sal said.

“I haven’t got around to telling her about PORTAL quite yet,” I admitted sheepishly.

“Stop walking in condemnation, Rett. I gave you authority to conduct the mission how you see fit. I trust you.”

“Thanks, Sal.” I had always admired his knack for gently redirecting me. I never realized that was what he was doing until it was over. Mustering confidence, I said, “After the night Sophie has had, I don’t care to shock her anymore than I need to.”

“In that case, your best bet is to find someplace inconspicuous in Annandale to lay low for a while.”

“But aren’t Divaldo’s operatives in town?” Operatives being the appropriate word as there was no way of telling whether they were men, spirits, or both.