Putting that aside, Luke made sure that Rei was okay and even though Patricia Bowleans and the girls didn't hurt Rei like before, from the look on Rei's face, Luke caught something unpleasant. Especially after hearing the 'greeting' from Patricia aimed at the cat-eyed girl.
"Did they hurt you? Or were they yelling at you?" Luke softened his voice at Rei.
Rei Suzurao smiled, then shook his head. "They did… yeah, a bit riotous. But, it's okay because you immediately shouted at them," he added quickly.
This made Valentina, who saw it, a little jealous.
At the same time, the bell for the end of recess rang and before Rei left, he ordered;
"Luke, um… looks like we're canceling our pizza shop today. I just remembered that we have some after school business. We can go the day after tomorrow, if you want. What do you say? "
"Okay. Okay, no problem. The day after tomorrow, yeah."
And hearing that, Valentina could no longer hide her jealousy so she immediately asked Luke.
"You want to go out to eat alone with him?"
“Yes, I was. Why?"
Valentina snorted in exasperation. "You like it?"
Luke chose not to answer and continued walking through the corridor. Actually, Luke didn't want to act like a late hero. No. Not like that. But seeing Rei, is like seeing himself in the past. Formerly. years ago. Alone, cast aside and unable to fight back.
Everyone said Luke's father should be in jail for being responsible for his mother's death, but he chose to run away and become a fugitive. That's why many students at school call Luke 'boy killer' and their parents forbid their children to be friends with Luke. But Ben was in denial and confirmed to the boy that it was all bullshit. No one should be responsible for anything to anyone.
"What?! Who dares to tell you that?! Tell me! Let me teach those bad boys a lesson!" Ben roared angrily as Luke came home covered in mud at the age of ten.
He also added, "Why are you also silent?! You have to hit him back if someone hits you! Don't just go home whiny like that, you dumb boy! Ulfa! Ulfa! Look at this grandson of yours and tell him to clean himself up! I'm too lazy to look at him!"
That was the message Luke remembered from old fart Ben. Annoying indeed. After that, Ben had to be bothered by Luke because he had to go to a call from the Principal due to Luke pushing three bullies into the sandbox so that one of them sprained their right leg. Instead of being angry, Ben looks proud.
That's how it is. At least, since then, Luke is no longer silent when someone bothers him—Valentina Miller is included. After all, in recent years, Luke didn't really care about the story of his parents. Ulfa always said that Luke's parents loved each other and that was enough for him.
Back to Rei Suzurao. Luke hadn't known her very long, didn't know much about her yet. But one thing is certain; She's being harassed by a bunch of mean girls and Luke can't stay still.
At this moment, this afternoon. In the late afternoon in the twilight. On the road into the woods with lots of warning signs, Luke tiptoed through the grass so he wouldn't be noticed. All for one purpose; followed where Rei Suzurao was walking.
Luke is not alone, of course but with Valentina Miller. Before that, Luke first wants to clarify that he wasn't the one who asked Valentina to come along, but he was the one who volunteered. After all, at first Luke had intended to invite Amy Lee or Andrew Judge, but they refused.
The reason; "Why should we follow Suzurao? I mean, you can just drag him home with you if you're worried."
"You can't. We're not that close yet. He'll think I'm weird."
"It's even weirder if you stalk him, you idiot!" snapped Amy.
Then Andrew continued "Listen Bright. Her business is none of yours. If you think Bowleans is going to mess with Rei after school, you can call 911."
Can't be expected. The couple was on the same principle as me before; As much as possible not related to Patricia Bowleans It's just that Luke is still more empathetic so he can't just let Rei go. Then this is what Luke can do; followed Rei secretly after they parted ways at the underground station.
Rei said he was going to visit one of his old friends who lived nearby. He waved and I waved back casually. However, as soon as Rei turned at the fork ahead, Luke immediately followed behind him. Quietly, and just as Luke had crossed a half-circle bridge, someone called out to him from under the bridge.
"Your friend just left by the left-hand path. I think you should tell him it leads to a haunted cellar in Champbell woods."
Luke turned, raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes when he saw that it was Valentina Miller who had spoken. Ugh! Luke might have thought that the girl was a teleporter because she could be wherever Luke was. But, just now Valentina said that the path that Rei was walking was the path to the haunted warehouse. Luke couldn't ignore the information.
Valentina said, "There's Patricia too. I don't think they're friends."
"No."
She snapped her fingers and a shrunken cigarette fell from her finger onto a pile of dry leaves and then trampled the rest of the cigarette until it was left with ashes. Then Valentina climbed the dirt road towards Luke while saying;
"You better not get in trouble with the Bowleans, Luke. I can tell you, Adam wouldn't like it if someone bothered Patricia."
Adam Bowleans. Rugby team captain who looks more like a bouncer. He is Patricia's older brother. Both of them were named Bowleans, both of them acted great at school, both of them liked to hurt weaker people. It's the same. But… hello?! Adam Bowleans wouldn't like it if someone bothered his sister? Is this a sane statement? Even though Patricia's bad behavior should be paid attention to, it was the crazy girl who bothered other people first. Luke was reminded of a saying but forgot how to say it.
Then, what made Luke uneasy was the fact that Adam Bowleans was the one who slept with Valentina when Luke was still dating that cheerleader girl. So, of course I couldn't believe Valentina trying to get close to Luke again. Don't think that Luke is a stupid boy!
Only, the current situation he could not refuse. Luke was already ten or fifteen meters behind Rei who was with Patricia and her gang of girls. Peeking from behind a tree. Spying like a spy. Well , it's also fun stalking someone.
Okay! But that's not the case. There was a reason why Luke had chosen to follow them behind. That's because Luke had considered Amy Lee's advice half an hour ago, who asked him to call 911. Luke will do it, don't worry. But, it must be with strong evidence at the scene. Because the plan was going to be like this so he decided to follow them to the crime scene, then if Patricia did bad things to Rei, Luke would immediately record it while Luke would ask Valentina to call 911. Then, Luke would have evidence and an alibi later. Sounds like a logical concept.
That's right. Because what is planned is sometimes different from what happened in the end. Luke couldn't go into detail right now. What is certain, though, is that Luke, Valentina Miller, Rei Suzurao, and Patricia Bowleans' gang are trapped in this empty warehouse in the middle of the forest.
Not finished yet; with a pack of hungry wolves laying them all out there.
***