The investigator had beady eyes, but they were piercing. He watched me like he read my thoughts, or like he was just waiting for me to trip up and trap myself. “Who are you?” I asked, pretending I didn’t know. “An investigator from the Official Research Facility on Projection.” He didn’t offer a
She was already there when we arrived, though she couldn’t seem to sit still. She had ripped her napkin to pieces on her placemat. Her eyes darted nervously around the restaurant. We introduced ourselves as we sat across from her at the table, but she wouldn’t give her name. Asher knew it, presuma
Asher When I had told Cynthia of my plan to visit Lamar, her entire face had paled and her breath went quiet. It took the rest of the evening to get her to smile again. I had to reassure her many times that I would be going to face him alone. I wouldn’t want to have gone at all, if he wasn’t our
Lamar was in jail. He couldn’t hurt her. She didn’t need our protection. Eventually I made my way back to campus. Unfortunately, I didn’t get far before Joseph himself approached me. We were in a crowded quad. I couldn’t attack him without many dozens of witnesses. And knowing what I now knew,
Asher and I held each other on the sidewalk outside of the library for a while. And then we returned to Asher’s room to hold each other in private. I knew he had gone to see Lamar today, but I had no idea what could have possibly been said to get Asher like this. It had almost seemed like… “Jose
I was happy to witness such a loving little family, but it also made my heart ache. Before long, it was too much to bear, and I excused myself. I went out into the backyard for some fresh air. Before I could close the sliding glass door behind me, Asher was there, letting himself out behind me.
Abruptly, Asher stood. “I forfeit.” “You can’t do that,” Nicole said. She looked at Aimee. “Can he do that?” Aimee shrugged. “W-wait.” I hurried to stand, following him. “But you didn’t answer.” “I lost,” he said. “So the game’s over, and I don’t have to.” I didn’t understand why he was be
Asher I wasn’t ready to give voice to my feelings. Over the years, I’ve had many sexual partners and several dates, but never anyone that I actually loved. Whenever things got too serious, I always backed away. It wasn’t that I was against loving anyone. I just never found one who made me want