Rolling onto his back, Cayden King sighed and stared at the ceiling. He didn’t really feel like going to class today, or any other day for that matter. All he really felt like doing was going back to sleep. In the back of his mind, he knew that it was just him being lazy and so he sighed again as he realized that we was just going to have to get up.

Glancing beside him, he smiled slightly. “Mr. Rocky Balboa,” he said softly as he glanced at the cat laying beside him. “You’re lucky you don’t have to go to school,” he said, “all you get to do is lounge around all day and do nothing. How do I get that job?” He questioned as he reached out and stroked the cat just behind the ears.

For his own part, Mr. Rocky Balboa enjoyed the massage, and purred slightly. Cayden smiled and got up from the bed. Crossing over to the bathroom, he set about getting ready for his day.

“So what do you want?” Cayden inquired as he stood in the kitchen, fully dressed and ready to face the day ahead. “Chicken or fish?” Glancing down at the cat intertwined in his legs, he laughed. “Hey, I’m asking you a question here. Chicken or fish?”

The cat simply stared up at him and Cayden smiled. “You’re right. We don’t want fish breath this early in the morning. He set the can of salmon flavored cat food back in the cabinet and set about opening the one that tasted like chicken.

“I wonder if this really tastes like chicken,” Cayden set as he set Mr. Rocky Balboa’s bowl down on the ground and the cat instantly began to feast. “Oh, I see how it is, you love me until something better comes along,” Cayden chided.

A knock on the window scared him, and Cayden nearly jumped out of the kitchen. Slowly, he peered into the living room at the window and saw Kathryn Hayes standing there, waving at him with a smile on her face.

For some strange reason, Cayden wasn’t sure if he wanted to open the window. The fact that Kathryn knew exactly where he was so that she could wave at him was a little unsettling. Had she been watching him the entire time? Easing out of the kitchen, he crossed over to the window in the living room and opened it.

“Good morning,” Kathryn said with a smile.

“Good morning,” Cayden responded.

“So what’s on your agenda for today?” Kathryn inquired. “I’m going to an audition later today. It’s a minor part, but if I get it, I’ll be that much closer to being the lead,” she explained.

“I’m going to class,” Cayden informed her.

“Gage told me about what happened at the party,” Kathryn explained, changing the subject completely. “I didn’t even realize you were gay.”

Slightly embarrassed by the fact that someone else knew his secret, Cayden stiffened up. It wasn’t that he was ashamed for people to know the truth, it was just that he wasn’t comfortable yet with people knowing the truth.

“It’s cool though,” Kathryn responded. “I know all kinds of gay men.”

“Really?” Cayden inquired, feeling slightly better about Kathryn knowing.

“Cayden, I’m a ballet dancer, I spend a lot of time with men that wear tights,” she explained, causing Cayden to laugh slightly. “I could hook you up with one of them if you want.”

“No,” Cayden said. “Thank you, but it’s not necessary.”

“Okay,” Kathryn responded, “but if you change your mind, just let me know.” Glancing into his apartment, she paused for a moment. “Oh hey, you got your apartment fixed up again. I heard about the burglary. I’m so sorry that it happened to you. When I saw all of the police here, I kind of got freaked out, but then Jesse told me that Devon told him that someone tried to break into your place. What did they steal?” She questioned.

Cayden glanced back at his apartment. “Nothing,” he responded.

“Nothing?” Kathryn inquired. “They broke into your place and trashed it, but they didn’t steal anything? That doesn’t make sense. Were they looking for something?” She inquired.

Cayden’s thoughts immediately went to the diary he was hiding. “No,” he said as he shook his head, “I don’t think so.”

“That’s strange,” Kathryn admitted. “Who would break into your place and trash it, but not steal anything?”

“I don’t know,” Cayden responded. “Hey Kathryn,” Cayden said, steering the topic of conversation away from what he was hiding. “What do you know about Julia Taylor?” He questioned.

Kathryn’s face when white with surprise. “What do you mean?” She inquired, backing up slightly.

“Well, what do you know about the night that she died?”

“What makes you think I know something? I don’t know anything. If I did, I would tell the cops. I don’t know anything.”

“I’m just trying to figure out who killed her,” Cayden responded. “I mean, whoever it was tried to kill me and as stupid as I am for deciding not to move out of this place after someone tried to strangle me, I’m even more curious to find out what happened here.”

“Mind your business, Cayden. I don’t think you should be so inquisitive,” Kathryn said as she shook her head as started to return to her side of the fire escape. “You should leave it to the cops,” Kathryn responded. “You’ve already had one attempt on your life, don’t invite another,” she added as she slipped into her apartment, then pulled her window shut.

“Okay, Mr. Rocky Balboa, I’m heading to class. Don’t throw any wild parties while I’m gone,” Cayden said with a chuckle as he pulled the door closed and locked it. Heading to the elevator, he pressed the button and waited for it to ascend to the ninth floor. When the doors opened, he stepped inside and pressed the button for the lobby.

As the doors began to close, the sound of his cell phone ringing caught him off-guard and caused him to jump slightly. Laughing, he shook his head and reached into his pocket. “Hello,” he said as he pressed to button and held the cell phone to his ear.

There was silence. The elevator jerked slightly.

“Hello?” He said again, and he could just make out the sound of breathing. “Hello?” He repeated. “Is someone there? Who is this?” Cayden questioned. “Look, I think you have the wrong number,” he said, and he was about to disconnect the call when he heard the sound of someone laughing. It was a mean, sinister laugh that shook him to his core and he remained silent for fear that the laugh would jump out of the phone and get him.

The laughter on the other end of the line increased as the doors to the elevator opened. Cayden stepped out of the elevator like a zombie, with the phone pressed firmly to his ear.

“Who is this?” He questioned, but the person on the other end disconnected and Cayden stared down at his phone in silence. Glancing up, he caught sight of Devon James across the lobby as she pulled her cell phone away from her ear. When she saw him, she slipped the phone into her purse.

“I was just about to call you,” Devon said as she walked toward him. “Did you eat breakfast yet?” She inquired. “I’m going down to that little place on the corner. They make the best breakfast sandwiches. Come with me,” she said.

Glancing down at his phone, Cayden glanced up at Devon. “Did you just call me?” He questioned.

“No,” Devon responded. “I dialed your number, but then I saw you, so I hung up. Why?”

“I just got a phone call,” Cayden responded. Shaking his head, he slipped the phone into his pocket. “Never mind, it was probably just a wrong number,” he said with a smile. “Breakfast sandwiches? That sounds good.”

Entering the student lounge, Cayden glanced around cautiously before heading over to the corner and setting his backpack down on a chair. As he unzipped it, he thought about what happened at the party with Dominick Perrotti. He didn’t want to run into the guy and have an awkward conversation, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for that.

Digging in his backpack, he pulled out a dollar and walked over to the vending machine to get a soda. When the soda did not immediately fall down, Cayden sighed. “Just great,” he whispered to himself.

“Let me help you,” Dominick Perrotti said as he approached Cayden. He leaned forward and gave the machine a swift rap on the side, causing the bottle of soda to dispense. Reaching forward, he grabbed the soda and handed it to Cayden.

“Thanks,” Cayden responded softly as he reached for the bottle, but Dominick pulled it away. Cayden glanced up at him with surprise.

“I wanted to apologize for what happened last weekend,” Dominick explained. “I don’t know what I was thinking. It was wrong for me to do what I did.”

“It’s okay,” Cayden responded, “we were both drunk.”

“That’s not an excuse,” Dominick explained. “I should have never let things get out of control.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Cayden assured him.

“Hey, listen, we’re having a GSA meeting later today. You should come.”

“Thanks,” Cayden responded, “but I have tons of stuff to do.”

“Okay,” Dominick said with a nod, “but I’d like to see you again. Maybe have some coffee or something.”

Cayden nodded his head. “Okay,” he said.

“Great,” Dominick smiled. “I’ll see you around, then,” Dominick said as he handed him the soda.

Glancing down at the bottle, Cayden reached for it and for a moment, his fingers brushed up against Dominick’s hand. Dominick smiled at him and turned to walk away. Watching him as he left, Cayden couldn’t help but to smile as well.

“He’s a jerk,” a voice from behind Cayden said. Turning around, Cayden caught sight of Elijah Montessori.

“Excuse me?” Cayden questioned.

“Dominick,” Elijah clarified, “he’s a jerk. He’s only after you because he wants to sleep with you.”

“Oh, thanks, it couldn’t be because I’m a great person?” Cayden questioned sarcastically.

“Just be careful with him,” Elijah informed him.

“Duly noted,” Cayden responded as he went over to his backpack and sat down. Elijah followed.

“Hey, listen,” Elijah began, “I was wondering if you’d like to get together tonight and study.”

“You want to study? With me?” Cayden questioned. Professor Hirsch already thinks we’re plagiarists, if we study together, he’s going to think we’re copying each other’s work.”

“Hirsch is an idiot,” Elijah responded. “He knows that we wrote those papers. He’s just pissed because we’re smarter than he is.”

Cayden laughed. “I think maybe you’re right,” he said. “When I turned in my essay this morning, he cocked his eyebrow a little and stared at me.”

“He did the same thing to me,” Elijah admitted.

“Still, I don’t understand why you’re asking me to study with you. I’ve seen you around, you have plenty of other people you can study with.”

“You’ve been watching me?” Elijah questioned.

Cayden’s face turned red. “No,” he responded. “What I mean is that there’s a bunch of other people in class that you talk to. You don’t really talk to me and . . .”

“Fine,” Elijah interrupted, “the truth is that I need a place to crash tonight and everyone else already turned me down.”

“Why?” Cayden questioned.

“I don’t know, because they’re losers.”

“No, I mean why do you need a place to crash tonight?”

“Because of my roommate,” Elijah answered, “he’s got some girl coming over tonight and he wants me out of the way, so I have to find some place to crash tonight.”

“You don’t even know me,” Cayden explained, “I could be some kind of maniac killer or something,”

“Yeah, but something tells me you’re not,” Elijah responded with a smirk.

“Well if I was, do you think I’d admit it?”

“I think you’re pretty honest,” Elijah responded.

Cayden paused and looked him in the eye. After a moment, he smiled. “Okay,” he said as he reached into his backpack for a pen and a piece of paper. “Let me give you the address. I won’t be home until later, though, because I have some things to do. So drop by after eight o’clock, okay.” He scribbled his address on the piece of paper and handed it to Elijah.

“Thanks,” Elijah responded as he accepted the piece of paper.

“I have to run,” Cayden said as he gathered his things and exited the student lounge.

Staring down at the piece of paper, Elijah smiled.

“What’s that?” Dominick Perrotti questioned as he walked over to Elijah, “and what is the stupid smile for?”

“It’s Cayden’s address,” Elijah responded. “I’m that much closer to winning your fifty bucks,” he added with a smile.

“Sorry I’m late,” Cayden said as he set his backpack down in the booth and sat down across from Gage Matthews. “You won’t believe the kind of day that I had. I think my professors are aliens,” he said with a smirk.

“I think you’re an alien for actually wanting to go to school,” Gage responded. “But I guess it fits you know, anal probes and all.”

“Shut up!” Cayden laughed. “Did you order yet?” He questioned.

“The pizza’s on its way,” Gage responded. “Oh, hey, I spoke to that friend of mine I was telling you about at the party, he wants to meet you,” Gage explained.

“Why did you do that?” Cayden questioned.

“Because, you need a man,” Gage answered. “And I can’t believe those words just came out of my mouth,” he added.”

Chuckling, Cayden shook his head. “Thanks for the effort, but what I really need to do is eat,” he added. “Where’s that pizza?”

“Fine,” Gage said as he shook his head, “but don’t come complaining to me in the middle of the night when you have that itch that you can’t seem to scratch. You’re my friend, but I’m not scratching any of your itches,” Gage added with a smirk.

“Gross,” Cayden laughed.

“I gotta make a phone call,” Gage said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “This friend of mine knows where I can score some really good shit,” he added as he stepped away from the table.

Cayden rolled his eyes and sat back in the chair. Glancing around the pizza shop, he watched the various people as they ate. In his pocket, his cell phone began to ring and he reached for it. Glancing at the display, he checked the caller id and saw that it was unavailable. Answering the call, he placed the phone next to his ear.

“Hello?” He said.

There was no response.

“Hello?” He said again, only to be met by a strange breathing sound. “Who is this?” Cayden questioned.

He glanced around the pizza shop as a little girl playing with a bright red balloon. “Is anyone there?” He questioned. “Hello?” The sound of the breathing was replaced by a sinister laugh and it caused Cayden’s entire body to tense up.

“Who is this?” Cayden questioned. “I think you have the wrong number.”

“Mind your business,” the voice on the other end of the phone threatened before the call was disconnected. Staring straight ahead in silence, with the phone still pressed firmly to his ear, Cayden stared at the little girl with the bright red balloon, and when she stepped aside, he caught sight of Gage Matthews, holding his cell phone in his hand, and smiling devilishly.

"For the last time," Gage Matthew said as they stepped into the building. "I didn't prank call you. I already told you, I was talking to one of my friends. He's going to hook me up with some E pills. I don't know what you're problem is. First you say you're hungry and then when the pizza gets there, you don't have an appetite," he explained.

"I'm sorry," Cayden responded, "I just felt sick all of a sudden."

"Yeah, well next time can you feel sick before I order an entire pie?" Gage questioned as they walked over to their mailboxes. Gage opened his first. "Sweet! My father sent the next check early," he said as he tore open the envelope and checked the amount of his monthly allowance. "Nice," he said as he ran toward the elevator.

Cayden shook his head as he opened his mailbox. Inside was a single letter and he retrieved it. Glancing down at the sender's name and address, his eyes lit up.

"Did you just win a million dollars?" Jesse Martinez teased as he stepped up beside Cayden and slid the key to his mailbox into the keyhole. Opening his mailbox, Jesse reached in and retrieved his letters.

"No," Cayden replied as he closed his mailbox. "Even better. It's from my best friend back home," he explained, "Mason." He tore open the envelope and read the letter quickly. "He's coming to New York next week," Cayden said aloud, excitement creeping into his voice.

"That's cool," Jesse responded as he skimmed through his mail. "Mine are all bills and sweepstakes," he noted.

"Junk mail," Cayden declared.

"Pretty much," Jesse agreed.

"Can I ask you a question?" Cayden inquired as they started for the elevator.

"What?"

"Have you been getting creepy phone calls?"

"No, why?" Jesse inquired.

"Because someone's been calling me. At first they didn't say anything, but then . . . earlier today, they said one thing. They said, 'Mind your business.'"

"That's a little strange," Jesse noted. "Why would they say that?"

"I'm not sure," Cayden replied.

"Well," Jesse responded, "I don't know what to tell you, maybe someone is just playing a joke on you or something."

"Yeah," Cayden said, "but whoever it is, it's not really funny."

"I guess not," Jesse admitted. "I'll see you later," he said, "I'm heading to the 80's matinee to catch some cheesy horror flicks."

"Okay," Cayden said as he pressed the button to call the elevator.

Stepping off of the elevator, Cayden headed to his apartment with a smile on his face. The idea of getting a visit from his best friend was just what he needed. As he approached his apartment, he felt a sudden sense of dread overcome him, and he paused.

It seemed crazy, but he was expecting to walk in on another horror, so he lingered by his door for a moment, uncertain if he should go in or not. Glancing to the side, he looked over at Kathryn’s door and remembered their conversation on the fire escape earlier that morning.

“Mind your business, Cayden,” she said to him when he asked her about Julia Taylor.

“Mind your business,” he whispered. That was exactly what the voice on the phone had said to him. Turning, he walked down the corridor and knocked on Kathryn’s door.

“Cayden!” She said with a surprise when she opened the door. “How’s it going?” She questioned. “Come in, you’re just in time, I made protein shakes!”

“I need to ask you something,” Cayden said as he stepped into the apartment.

“What’s that?” Kathryn questioned as she stepped into the kitchen and returned with two large glasses. She handed one to Cayden as she sipped her own.

“On the fire escape earlier today, you told me to mind my business,” he said softly.

“Yeah?” She questioned.

“Have you been calling me?” He questioned, “and not saying anything?”

“Calling you and not saying anything?” Kathryn questioned, slightly confused.

“Someone’s been calling my cell phone and not saying anything. When I ask who it is, they just laugh and hang up.”

“That’s creepy,” Kathryn commented.

“Yeah, I know, but an hour ago they finally said something. They told me to mind my business,” he said as he stared into her eyes.

“And you think it was me because that’s what I told you out on the fire escape this morning?” Kathryn questioned.

“Was it?”

“Cayden,” Kathryn said as she shook her head and set down her protein shake. “I told you to mind your business because of what happened to you . . . and to Jesse,” she explained. “The police haven’t found Julia’s killer yet and when you moved in, you found her diary and someone tried to kill you over it,” she explained. “Call me crazy, but I think that’s incentive enough to mind your business. I haven’t been prank calling you, I’m just genuinely concerned for you,” she explained.

Cayden paused for a moment and nodded. “Okay,” he said as he took a sip of the protein shake. “Gross,” he said after swallowing. “You actually drink this stuff?”

Kathryn laughed as she reached for his cup. “It’s good for you. I guess it’s an acquired taste though. I forget how strong it can be, especially when you’re not used to it.”

“It’s cool,” Cayden said. “Listen, I have to go. I have someone coming over and I need to make the place all neat and tidy,” he explained.

“Oh, a date?” Kathryn inquired.

“No,” Cayden laughed, “not a date. Just a friend from school.”

“Sure,” Kathryn said with a wink, “whatever you say.”

Shaking his head, Cayden stepped out of her apartment. Making his way down the hall, he glanced over at Devon’s apartment and heard her music playing. Smiling, he stepped over to her door and knocked.

A moment later, the music was turned down and Devon answered. “Hey,” she said as she glanced over at him. “What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to come over and go through Julia’s diary,” Cayden whispered after glancing both ways to make sure that no one could hear.

Devon paused for a moment and glanced downward. “I don’t know how to say this,” Devon began, “especially after I begged you not to give the diary to the cops, but I don’t think I’m ready to do that just yet,” she explained as she glanced upward and into his eyes. “I want to find Julia’s killer, but I’m not ready to go through her stuff just yet,” Devon explained.

“I understand,” Cayden said with a nod. “But when you are ready, just knock on my door,” he added. Devon nodded and slowly shut her door. With a sigh, Cayden turned back to his apartment and worked up the courage to go in.

Standing in the doorway, Cayden glanced around. Everything was just as he’d remembered it. Nothing seemed out of place at all. “You’re an idiot,” he told himself with a sigh as he tossed his backpack onto the couch and stepped into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of milk.

Returning to the living room, Cayden glanced around. “I need to get this place clean before Elijah gets here,” he said to himself. He set about straightened everything up when he glanced at the corner and saw that a lamp had been knocked over.

With a sigh and a smile, he walked over to the lamp. “Mr. Rocky Balboa,” he said as he straightened it, “did you knock this over? I know you like this corner, but you knock the lamp over every time. We’re going to have to have a discussion about this,” he explained as he glanced down at the table and saw a small white envelope.

“What’s this?” He questioned as he reached down and picked it up. Turning it over, he noticed that it was completely blank with no writing on the envelope at all. Glancing around the living room, Cayden slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Unfolding the sheet, he began to read and found one ominous line written on the tiny sheet of paper. “Curiosity killed the cat,” he said aloud.

In the next moment, Cayden King realized two things, the first was that someone had left this letter for him to find. Someone had, yet again, entered his apartment when he wasn’t there and left that letter with the sole purpose of scaring him.

The second thing that Cayden King realized was that he felt sick to his stomach. Dropping the letter, he hurried to the bathroom and nearly stumbled as he turned on the light and hugged the toilet bowl. The burning sensation of the bile rising from his stomach caused his face to flash white hot and he felt his ears tingle.

Sitting back from the toilet bowl, Cayden King breathed deeply as he stared at the ceiling. “What is going on here?” He questioned aloud as he started to get up, grabbing the shower curtain for support. He stumbled, ripping the shower curtain from the rings and fell back to the ground.

“Dammit,” he grunted as he threw the curtain off of him and started to get up. In the corner of his eye he caught sight of something and turned to glance at the bathtub. His eyes widening, he heard a piercing shriek as he stared into the bathtub at Mr. Rocky Balboa, lying there with a knife lodge firmly in his side.

The bright red blood has stained the shower wall and had begun to congeal in a pool by the drain. It was only after a moment that Cayden realized the sound he was hearing was the sound of his own scream.

"This is sick," Devon James said as she paced back and forth in Cayden's living room. "Who the hell would do something like this?" She questioned. "Whoever this guy is, he's really fucking crazy," she added. "Let me see that letter again," she said as she motioned to Cayden.

Sitting on the couch, Cayden silently held the letter out for Devon James. She grabbed it and read the words. "This is sick," she said once again.

"You said that already," Cayden responded as he glanced at the front door. He left it wide open because he didn't want to feel trapped. He swore that, at any minute, it was all going to be too much for him and he'd have to run out of the apartment.

"You called the cops, right?" Devon questioned.

"I called Skubisz," Cayden responded.

"What the hell for?" Devon questioned.

"I freaked," Cayden explained, "I didn't know what to do so. He was the first thing that popped into my head so I called him."

"And you really think he's going to help? He can't find the person that killed a human being, much less a cat," Devon sighed.

"That's not fair," Cayden interjected.

"Fine. Whatever. When is he going to get here?" Devon questioned.

"I'm here!" Gage Matthews shouted as he stood in the doorway. "You can relax, Gage is in the house and he's ready to party," he said with a smirk as he entered the apartment.

"Oh, shut the hell up," Devon responded, "I wasn't talking about you."

"I scored some really cheap E pills," Gage explained.

"So go overdose on them in your own apartment," Devon countered.

"What's wrong with her?" Gage asked Cayden. "Did something crawl up her butt and die?"

"No," Cayden responded. "It died in the bathtub."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Gage questioned as he glanced from Cayden to Devon.

"The bathroom," Devon said as she pointed in that direction.

"What?" Gage questioned as he stood up. "What is it? You guys are seriously creeping me out here. Well fine," Gage said, "let me check out the bathroom." Devon glanced over at Cayden as Gage went to the bathroom and the two remained silent.

"Oh my God!" Gage yelled as he ran back into the living room. "What the hell was that?"

"Someone's idea of a warning," Devon responded.

"Shit," Gage said as he shook his head and sat down next to Cayden. "I'm sorry, Dude," he added.

"Me too," Cayden responded as he glanced at the door and stood up with surprise. "Elijah!" He nearly shrieked.

"I found your place," Elijah Montessori said with a smile. "What's up, it looks like a funeral in here," he noted.

"You can say that again," Gage commented.

"Look," Devon said as she pulled Cayden into the bedroom, "Are you going to tell Skubisz about the diary?" She questioned.

Cayden glanced at her with an awkward expression. "Some psycho just killed my cat and you're worried about a diary?"

"I don't mean to be dismissive, I'm sure you loved your cat, but I need to know if you're going to tell Skubisz about the diary."

"I don't even know what's going on here," Cayden explained. "I just thought I was going to move into a new place and make friends and stuff, but now I have to deal with dead people in my bathtub, a psycho stalker and people like you!" He responded.

"Fine, have a little fag attack," Devon rejoined, "your cat just got killed, I get it, but Cayden," she said. "are you going to tell Skubisz about the diary?"

"You're the only person that knows about the diary," Cayden responded, "aside from me."

"What are you saying?" Devon inquired.

"I'm saying no one else would have a reason to tell me to mind my business because no one else knows that I have the damned diary."

"So it's me?" Devon questioned. "You think I did this."

Cayden fell silent for a moment. "Fuck you," Devon said as she shook her head. "It wasn't me," she said. "If you don't want to believe me, then fine, don't believe me. Do what you want to do. Hand the diary over to the cops. Tell Skubisz that I skewered your cat. Do whatever you have to do to sleep good at night," she explained.

"Devon, wait," Cayden sighed. "I don't think you killed my cat, I'm just scared."

"I'm scared too," Devon explained, "but we can either be scared, or we can do something about it. I told you earlier that I wasn't ready to read Julia's diary, but I don't have to luxury of waiting anymore. We need to find out what she wrote and we need to find her killer."

"Okay," Cayden said with a nod. "I won't tell Skubisz about the diary."

"Good," Devon said, "now let's get back out there, he'll be here any minute."

Nodding, Cayden watched as Devon opened the bedroom door and walked into the living room. Casting a glance at the door to the bathroom, Cayden paused for a moment before following.

“Where’s the letter?” Szymon Skubisz questioned after stepping out of Cayden’s bedroom and into the living room. Cayden stepped forward, glancing downward and handed the letter to Szymon. Szymon glanced over at him and caught Cayden’s stare.

Opening the letter, Szymon shook his head. “This is sick,” he noted aloud. “You said you were getting phone calls?” Szymon questioned.

“Yes,” Cayden responded. “At first I thought they were a joke, but then the person on the other end of the line told me to mind my business.”

“Why would they say that?” Szymon inquired.

“I don’t know, I was asking around about Julia,” Cayden responded.

“Cayden,” Szymon sighed as he reached over and placed his arm on Cayden’s shoulder and glanced past him at Devon and Gage. He paused for a moment and lead Cayden into the bedroom, closing the door behind them. “I can help you,” he said softly, “but first I need you to be honest with me.”

“I have been,” Cayden lied. “I told you everything that I know.”

“I don’t think you have,” Szymon explained. “You have this look in your eyes whenever I ask you a question. It’s like you have something in mind that you want to say, but you just end up telling me something else.”

Cayden stared at him for a moment. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he responded.

“There it is,” Szymon said as he pointed at Cayden. “There’s that look.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cayden responded. “I’m not hiding anything.”

Szymon paused for a moment. “Okay,” he said with a sigh. “Okay. How are you?” He questioned. “I mean, really.”

“I’m okay,” Cayden said softly. “I guess.”

“You’re not okay,” Szymon responded.

“Can you see that in my eyes too?” Cayden questioned sarcastically.

Shaking his head, Szymon smiled slightly. “You’d be surprised what I can see in your eyes,” he explained. Glancing up, Cayden stared at Szymon for a moment in silence before Szymon glanced away nervously. “Okay,” he said, “I’m sure the officers are done dusting the place and they removed Mr. Rocky Balboa from the bathtub.”

“Thank you,” Cayden responded.

“You do realize that whoever make those phone calls is probably the same person who sent the letter and that it’s probably the same person that killed Julia Taylor, right?” Szymon questioned. Cayden nodded. “I think it would be best if you stopped asking about Julia Taylor and kept a low profile for a while.”

Cayden nodded. “Good advice,” he responded.

“I also think that it wouldn’t be a bad idea if you didn’t stay alone for the night,” Szymon responded. “If you want, I can stay . . .”

Cayden glanced at Szymon for a moment. “I uh . . .”

Entering the bedroom, Elijah Montessori glanced over at Cayden. “Sorry,” he said, “I picked up some Chinese and rented some movies for tonight,” Elijah informed him.

“Thanks,” Cayden said to Szymon, “but I won’t be alone tonight.” He could see a twinge of disappointment in Szymon’s eyes.

“Very well,” Szymon said. “Just be careful,” Szymon warned him. “That letter was no joke. Don’t be too curious about Julia’s death. Let the police handle it,” he said. “I’ll leave you to your company,” he added as he turned and exited the bedroom.

Stepping back into the living room, Szymon nodded at Devon and Gage. “Goodnight,” he said as he stepped out of the apartment.

“I hate that asshole,” Devon whispered as Szymon pulled the door closed.

Standing in the hall, Szymon Skubisz stared at Cayden’s door for a moment in silence and reached out and placed his hand on. Glanced to the left, he caught a glimpse of Kathryn Hayes, peering out of her door, but when she saw him glance in her direction, she quickly shut the door.