Malice: A Dark College Romance by P Mulholland

Author:P Mulholland [Mulholland, P]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-27T16:00:00+00:00

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Shocking pink and scarlet go perfectly together, I convince myself as I knit the finishing touches to the leg warmers for Mr. Addington’s shins. Because Mr. Addington is a statue, he can’t lift his legs to put the leg warmers on, so I made them with ribbons to tie up in the back. Unfortunately, my mind is elsewhere tonight and I keep dropping stitches, so it took me twice as long to complete.

I glance at Gramps sitting in his old armchair fast asleep with his mouth slightly open as he balances his cup of tea on his stomach. Roscoe is stretched out at his feet, also in a deep slumber, while Grandma watches the game show on the TV as she crochets a blanket for the newborn baby, two doors down from us. That’s the thing with my grandparents, no matter how much they struggle, they always find money and time for other people.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask about the finances, but instead, a more pressing issue is plaguing me.

“I think something is wrong with Bri,” I finally say after spending the last hour wondering how I’m going to word it.

“In what way?” Grandma’s eyes remain glued onto the TV as her hands work automatically crocheting the blanket. “Is she sick on vacation? Are there good doctors there in Cancun?”

“No. I mean…one of her sorority sisters reported her missing and I went to the police today to do the same.” Harley still hasn’t contacted me, so I hope I gave the right number.

“What are you talking about? She’s not missing, she’s on vacation. Did she not tell her sorority sisters?”

“Well…that’s the thing, I’ve spoken to two of her friends and they’ve both said the same thing, that she disappeared after a party and they haven’t seen her since. Also, I sent her a message earlier today and she still hasn’t answered it.”

“Really? Are you sure? Wouldn’t the reason that they haven’t seen her is because she left to catch a plane?” Grandma has always been good at rationalizing the absurdist of situations and bringing calm where there is chaos.

“Who with, though?” the volume of my voice rises with each word and Gramps jolts awake. “No one can tell me who she’s gone away with.”

Grandma’s ruddy face creases into a scowl. “Are you sure? How many of Bri’s friends do you know?”

“Well…” I sigh as doubts edge their way into my mind, “I guess I’m starting to find that out now.”

“What’s going on here?” Gramps blurts, wiping drool from his chin. “What are you two arguing about?”

“Em thinks Bri has gone missing,” Grandma tells him and his jaw slackens in shock.

“She’s on vacation,” he argues as if we’ve forgotten.

I open my mouth to speak just as my phone starts ringing from an unknown number.

“That’s probably her now,” Gramps grumbles, “to tell you to stop fussing.”

Swiping to answer, I rise from the couch and head for the stairs, so my grandparents can’t listen in. “Hello? Bri?”

The line is crackly, but I can faintly hear a voice, although I can’t pick up what they’re saying.

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