Chapter 47 Malice

Christian

Ten Years Ago

I strode towards Bernice's house. And for once, I had forgone my usual mask and hat. There was no more need for disguises, not when I was about to lay my soul bare before the girl I loved.

I raised my hand to knock, but before my knuckles could connect with the wood, the door swung open, revealing a girl I had never seen before. She looked to be about Bernice's age, with long, dark hair and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

"I'm here to see Bernice," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's important."

The girl's eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "And who are you, exactly?"

"I'm a friend of hers. My name is Chr-" I caught myself, remembering that Bernice only knew me as Charlie.

"Charlie, I'm Charlie."

A flicker of recognition passed over the girl's face, and her lips curled into a smirk. "Ah, so you're the mysterious friend she's been sneaking around with.