The official news broke that evening, splashed across local news channels and Oakhaven's community forums: Noah Vance, 17, found deceased in Whispering Pines, death ruled a homicide. The words hit Liam with a fresh wave of nausea, despite having known the truth since yesterday. Now, it was real. Public.
His mom cried, clutching a tissue, talking about what a tragedy it was, how she'd known Noah since he was a little boy. Liam nodded, offering strained condolences, playing the part of the shocked, grieving classmate. The performance was exhausting, a constant mental tug-of-war between feigned sorrow and raw, personal terror.
The next day at school was worse. The initial shock had given way to a grim, morbid curiosity. Whispers were louder now, laced with speculation about who could have done it. Liam kept his head down, retreating into himself, trying to make himself invisible.
"Liam! Hey, wait up!"
He heard Alex's voice and felt a knot of dread. Alex, his best friend since elementary school, was probably the only person in Oakhaven who truly knew Liam, or at least, the version of Liam he presented to the world. Alex was earnest, a little awkward, and fiercely loyal. Liam hated lying to him.
"Hey, Alex," Liam managed, forcing a weak smile.
Alex fell into step beside him, his brow furrowed. "Man, this thing with Noah is messed up, right? I mean, who would do something like that?" He paused, studying Liam. "You okay? You look like you haven't slept."
"Yeah, just... the algebra homework was brutal, remember?" Liam lied, gesturing vaguely. "And, you know, it's just creepy. Noah. Anyone could have been out there."
Alex nodded, but his gaze lingered, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "True. It's just... you seem really shaken. More than anyone else. Were you guys, like, close?"
Liam's heart hammered. "No! Not at all. I mean, we were in the same history class last year. That's it. Just… it's tragic, you know? Makes you think." He tried to sound detached, but his voice cracked slightly on the last word.
He thought of the other boy, the real reason Noah had such a hold over him. The nights spent away from watchful eyes, the hushed conversations, the shared moments that were both exhilarating and terrifying. Noah had stumbled upon something, a picture, a text, a fleeting glimpse that confirmed Liam's biggest fear. Noah hadn't cared about Liam's feelings, only the leverage it gave him. He just wanted to expose Liam's truth to Oakhaven's judgmental gaze. It was about controlling Liam, making him cooperate in ways Liam still couldn't fully comprehend.
Liam desperately wanted to reach out, to warn him, but how? A call, a text – it could all be traced. And if the police found out about his connection to Noah, everything would fall apart. He had to get that flash drive. It was the only tangible link, the only proof Noah had possessed. The thought gnawed at him, a relentless itch he couldn't scratch. He needed to go back to the millpond. As soon as possible.