CHAPTER THREE

NICK WALKER ©

“Give me that.“ Mira yanks the comb from my hand, jolting me out of the million thoughts running through my mind.

“Sorry. I’ve got a lot going on,” I said with a sigh.

“You don't have to apologize. I’m happy you don’t have to fix my hair this morning. “She beamed happily and turned to the mirror like she had won a fight.

“Good morningggg!” Avery sang as she walked in, loud as always.

Mira groaned as she walked towards Avery. “Why do you have such a noisy friend?”

Avery opened her arms, thinking she was about to get a hug, but Mira reached past her, grabbed the fried chicken box, and opened it with joy.

“Oh hi, Avery, can we all go to school now?“ She asked as she bites into the drumstick.

“I'm never bringing that to this house again, Mira!“ Avery yelled.

“Yeah, don't. You can as well bring something nicer next time.“ Mira retorted as they both bickered like two cats fighting for one fish bone.

“Whatever. Why don't you use your big words on him? He seems to be going through a lot.“ Mira said and walked away.

She does care but acts nonchalant.

“Why? What's wrong with Nick?“ Avery asked, following me as I tidy the house while getting us ready to leave for school.

“It's nothing.“ I replied and carried my bag.

“Mira! Come on, let's go.“ I called out.

Avery wasn’t convinced. She pulled me to sit next to her. “That didn’t sound right. You’re keeping something to yourself, Nick. Tell me.“

I hesitated. If Avery found out later, it definitely won't be good between us.

I looked around for Mira in sight before leaning in.

“Someone was killed at work last night.“ I whispered.

“What?“ Two voices shouted at the same time.

We both turned instantly. Mira stood up from behind the chair, eyes huge. She’d been hiding there the whole time.

“Did you kill him?” Mira asked.

Avery and I froze. Avery turned to me like she expected an answer before processing Mira's word, then snapped her head back at Mira with furrowed brows.

“Why would you think I killed someone?” I asked. “And why were you eavesdropping? That’s bad, Mira. I told you.”

“I thought you’re about confessing your love or something, but this is bigger. Say more.“ She said, ready to listen to what I had to say next.

Avery and I shared a look before dashing out of the house. Mira grabbed her bag and ran after us.

I locked the house and hid the key under the plant pot.

“Wait! Nick! You have to tell me everything! Avery, you’ll tell me, right? Right?” Mira begged.

“No. I won’t,” Avery said as we headed to school. “Let's go to school before we get late.”

“Bye, Mira!” We called together, minutes later after we got to her school.

She shrugged and headed inside.

Avery and I let out the same long sigh.

“That was close. Mira can’t know about news like this. She might think you’re also in danger,” Avery said.

If only she knew how right she was.

“So… who was killed?” she asked, concern already written over her face again.

“I don’t know him. I just served his room last night,” I said.

Avery gasped and covered her mouth. “Did you see who killed him? Or did you see anyone strange?”

Professor Grayson’s face flashed in my mind. The knife around that man’s throat and those cold eyes.

I shook my head.

I reminded myself that Mr. Kyle had told us to stay quiet. And he didn’t say it as a request.

“So you didn’t see anything? That’s a relief,” Avery said. “Because if you did, you might be the next target.”

Those words sent shivers down my spine as my heart sped up.

How was I supposed to tell her I might already be the next target?

∆∆

~ COLLEGE ~

“Now that I think of it, Professor Grayson neither looks like he's from this place nor from Italy. Nick, did you hear what I said?” Avery asked.

A little. My head was a mess.

“Yes…” I said weakly.

VROOOOM. VROOOM.

The sound echoed through the school grounds. Everyone turned toward the entrance as a white vehicle drove into the college lot.

“Wait…is that a Lamborghini?” Avery gasped.

We all watched, shocked, waiting to see who would step out.

Professor Grayson.

He wore glasses again, and his face was neutral as usual. He showed no interest despite the eyes on him.

Students stared at him like he was a famous figure. Some whispered.

He walked toward his office, talking on the phone. Halfway to the hallway, he paused, turned around, and walked right back to his car. Then he drove off without a single word.

“Uh…where’s he going?” Avery asked.

“We’re going to class,” I said, pulling her along. The last thing I needed was more time staring at him.

Hours later…

Professor Grayson entered the class auditorium and started with attendance.

“Who here understands Italian best?“ He asked after the roll call.

No one moved. No hands. He let out a small sigh.

“Everyone. Introduce yourself in Italian,” he said, pointing to the first student.

One by one, students stood. Some stumbled through their introductions, and some answered his questions fine.

When I stood, he walked around the room, slow and smooth.

“Mi chiamo Nick Walker, studio ingegneria informatica…

(My name is Nick Walker. I study computer engineering…)

“Nerd,” someone muttered.

I kept speaking. When I didn’t hear the professor’s voice, I turned right into his gaze.

He was standing behind me.

I yelped and fell straight off my chair.

He walked past me while the class burst into laughter. Avery helped me up, her face red with secondhand embarrassment.

Was he trying to scare me? Or was that just who he was?

He asked, “Qual è il tuo ultimo voto?

(What’s your last grade)?”

“A+,” I said.

“Mr. Walker, right?”

I nodded fast.

He moved on and pointed to the next student.

Class ended. Avery and I gathered our bags, ready to leave the tiring class we just had.

“Mr. Walker,” a voice called.

I froze.

“Can I see you in my office?” Professor Grayson said.

Sweat slid down my back. My legs shook as I swallowed hard.

Avery’s words echoed again:

“So you didn’t see anything? That’s a relief. Because if you did, you might be the next target.

I followed him slowly and trembled.

He opened his office door and stepped in. I stopped right at the entrance, unable to move my legs. His head turned slightly, his eyes meeting mine.

“You can come in,” he said.

My feet obeyed carefully even while I was being terrified.

He stepped behind me and closed the door.

And I realized I was trapped in a small room with the man I saw holding a knife.