Free Captivated (An Affliction Novel) by Raven

words coming out of my mouth.
    “Actually, you are.” he said. “I see him stare at you. I can tell he tries not to. He’s not very slick about it.” Markus added.
    “Do you think he likes me?” I asked. I already thought I knew the answer. I didn’t know why I was so interested. I guess it was the thought of someone so incredibly hot checking me out. And Dean wasn’t just hot, he was a masterpiece.
    “Why else would he stare at you? All the same, I think you should stay away from him.” he insisted.
    “I already do. It’s not like I hang out with him or anything.” I looked down at my nail and started picking at the polish. “It’s not like we’re friends anymore...” My voice shrank so it wouldn’t sound affected.
    “I know. I just don’t want you getting hurt. He’s trouble.” Markus said.
    “Are you sure about what you saw?” I asked again.
    “Positive.” He sounded sure of himself. “I gotta get going. I have some things I have to take care of tonight.” He headed out the door and didn’t come back.
    I wasn’t sure that I believed him. Dean didn’t hurt people like that. I knew he had a heart still. He was not a monster. And a body didn’t just disappear like that. Markus even thought a ghost played tricks on him. He said that every time he vacuumed at his house, a little girl would unplug the cord and take off. I have yet to see her or any other ghost for that matter. I really thought his mind was playing tricks on him again. And he was so determined to prove it to me. He vacuumed practically every day just so he could get a photo shot of her. I have yet to see it because he told me ‘she was too fast’.
    Dean came to mind again. I couldn’t believe the way he was acting. Like he liked me. I was actually a little excited about that. But I was never going to admit it to Markus, especially not after what he thought happened. I decided I had to go with him and see whatever it was he needed to see for myself. I was also hoping I would bump into the mystery guy that saved me. Quickly running to my window, I hoped to catch Markus before he drove off. Luckily, he was barely opening his car door. I opened the window swiftly and called out his name.
    “Yeah?” he yelled out. Markus walked away from his car and stood under my window to hear better.
    “Can I go with you tonight?” I asked.
    “I don’t think it’s such a good idea, Mindy” Markus shook his head.
    “Awww, come on.” I made a sad face. One that always worked on Markus. He was such a softy and saying ‘no’ to me was always difficult for him. “Pleeeaase!” I begged.
    “Fine, then,” he continued, “I’ll pick you up at eight.” Markus turned around shaking his head again at his failure to reject me and hopped into the shoe.
    I actually looked forward to spying on Dean. Mainly because I was curious to know what it was he did in his spare time. I knew he definitely worked out. And he didn’t have many friends that I’ve seen, so he probably didn’t spend much time with others. In fact, every time I’ve seen him out in public, he’s been by himself or with Shane at the lunch table. Which when I thought about it, didn’t make any sense at all. Especially because of the fist fight they almost had. I’d never seen Dean so pissed off.
    “Mindy!” my mom called out. It seemed Markus had left the door open. She popped her head in with a warm smile. “I got up pretty early so I went to Carmen’s house for coffee. She wanted to go to the store so we headed over there. When did you come home last night?” she asked.
    And there it was; the question that could get me into a whole mess of trouble. My excuse was fair, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell her about last night anymore. She already had high blood pressure and I was sure hearing about someone trying to hurt her little girl would send it soaring up into dangerous levels. My mom stressed out way too easily, but I had to tell her something.
    “I don’t