My Marionette Lover novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Arlen Tied

Arlen hit the wall beside the workbench and slid down it without a sound.

Then he stood up, and he was not Arlen.

"Arlen," I said.

He walked past me with his arms swinging loosely and his eyes fixed on nothing.

I grabbed the jester and threw my silver thread at his belt.

I pulled with both bandaged hands.

His feet kept walking.

My thread stretched, and thinned, and one more strand sprang loose from it and floated away.

"Hazel, stop," Birdie said. "You'll lose it."

I stopped.

Arlen opened the Annex door and went out into the dark, and across the lawn, and onto the bridge.

By the time we reached the river he was a small black figure on the far bank, walking steadily toward the Hall.

None of us said anything.

Brad put his arm around Birdie, and Birdie put her face in his hoodie.

Imogen stood in the doorway with her taped wrist held against her chest.

"She'll keep him," she said. "She always keeps what she takes."

At seven the next morning every phone on campus buzzed again.

The Redfern Foundation Winter Gala has been moved forward, the notice said. It will be held next Saturday, October 25, at Redfern Hall.

The vote on Mr. Redfern's fitness will take place at midnight, as planned.

Mr. Redfern is resting at home, and asks that his friends respect his privacy.

"She moved it six weeks," Birdie said, reading over my shoulder. "She's scared."

Keep reading free with an account. Start My Marionette Lover from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.