Far across the courtyard, Ellie watched the bus disappear into the night, her lips curving into a wicked smile.
"Now that they're gone," she whispered, her crimson nails tapping against her arm, "we can finally move forward. Friday, the very day Elise returns… we'll strike."
Nikki, standing at her side, stiffened. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "Ellie, this is going too far. Kidnapping? Are you sure about this?"
Ellie turned sharply, eyes gleaming like daggers. "Are you questioning me, Nikki? Remember what I told you—I can end you just as easily as I saved you."
Nikki swallowed hard, her stomach twisting in fear. She had no choice. "…I'll play along," she muttered, though her heart screamed otherwise.
---
That same night, Ellie found herself tossing and turning in her bed, unable to sleep. Her mind buzzed with schemes and shadows. Finally, she slipped out of her dorm, her footsteps echoing against the quiet halls.
To her surprise, Patricia was awake as well, sitting outside with her arms crossed, her gaze restless.
"What are you doing here?" Ellie asked sharply, masking her unease.
Patricia sighed. "Anastasia hasn't been able to sleep. She's been crying since Elise left… so I couldn't rest either."
Ellie's eyes flickered, but before she could reply, a voice broke the silence.
"You two are up late."
Lucian and Devin emerged from the dim corridor, their tall figures outlined against the moonlight streaming through the windows. Devin's sharp eyes immediately fell on Patricia. "You're not usually awake this long."
Patricia gestured helplessly. "It's Anastasia. She can't stop crying."
Devin's gaze softened as he stepped closer. His amber-red eyes scanned Anastasia's weary face. Her cheeks were streaked from tears, her lashes heavy with exhaustion. For once, his usual composed mask faltered.
He crouched down slightly, voice firm yet gentle. "Enough. Stop crying. You have me."
Anastasia's breath caught. The words, simple as they were, struck something deep within her. Her cheeks flushed, and she averted her gaze, unable to form a response.
Lucian, sensing the weight of the moment, broke in with a light chuckle. "Come on, let's not linger here. You all should be resting. Let's talk in our dorm."
They moved together to the cousins' room. The space smelled faintly of old leather and cedar, dimly lit by a lamp in the corner. As soon as Anastasia sat on Devin's bed, exhaustion took over—her eyes fluttered shut, and she drifted into sleep almost instantly.
Devin watched her for a long moment, then with surprising tenderness, lifted her carefully and laid her down properly, adjusting the blanket over her. His expression was unreadable, but the quiet protectiveness spoke louder than words.
Across the room, Lucian was deep in conversation with Patricia. She listened at first, trying to keep up with his teasing humor, but before long, fatigue overtook her as well. She yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"I should go back to my dorm…" she murmured.
Lucian shook his head immediately. "No way. It's too late and too unsafe. Stay here."
Patricia frowned. "Then where will you sleep?"
Lucian smirked, leaning against the wall casually. "Anywhere. Couch, floor, I don't care. The bed's yours."
Patricia hesitated, then finally sighed and gave in, lying down carefully on his bed. "Fine… but this doesn't mean anything."
Lucian chuckled lowly. "Whatever helps you sleep."
Within minutes, her breathing steadied. Devin claimed the long couch by the window, Lucian stretched out on the other across the room. The dorm fell into silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of sheets and the steady rhythm of their breaths.
For the first time that night, peace touched their restless hearts—even if only for a fleeting moment.