I lay in bed with a book flat against my chest, hands behind my head. Though I had all my study papers arranged carefully on my desk, along with the extra print outs I’d been given earlier that day, I couldn’t bring myself to focus. He was all throughout my mind; dark hair, dark eyes…

Lyn Weir. 

I groaned, rolling over as I shoved my face into the pillow. I was glad I had a room to myself, it meant that I could curse outwardly without anyone else overhearing. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to know. I wanted to know why he’d gone into the forest, if he really was some curse upon these foreign lands or if he was simply misunderstood. 

He seemed so anxious and secluded… Lonely, just like me. 

There was a knock on my dorm room door, causing me to bolt upright in bed. I opened the curtains to the window beside my bed, seeing it was almost pitch outside, the moon bright and silvery, I knew it was far too late to be having visitors. 

Another more urgent knock sounded, causing me to stand and start making my way to the door. I brushed my hair away from my face, straightening my shirt before I pulled the heavy wood door inward. 

Two police officers stood in the hall; the one in front, who had his hand raised to knock again, gave me an apologetic smile. “Good evening. Mr. Lennox? I’m Officer Stewart, and this is Officer Anderson,” he gestured behind him to his partner. “We’re sorry to trouble you so late, but if you could spare us a couple of minutes, we have a few questions for you.”

I felt my eyes widen, stepping aside for them as I stammered, “Uh… Yes, yes, sure. Come in.” I peered out into the hall, hoping no one else would see, before I closed the door again. My heart was racing, my palms clammy while my mouth was dry. “What can I do for you, officers?” I asked, turning around with a deep breath. 

“We understand you witnessed an incident which occured the night of Collin Harley’s disappearance.” Officer Stewart took a notepad from his pocket, flipping through a few pages before looking at me again. “We know there was an altercation between Collin Harley and another student. Could you tell us what happened at the pub that night? Anything you know could be helpful in finding Collin.” 

I swallowed, shaking my head in disbelief, “Honestly, officers, I haven’t been here long. I was rather intoxicated as it so happens.” I tried to calm my nerves, breathing deeply...slowly. “I was alone at the bar. I had gotten some attention as I am,” I looked down at myself, saying begrudgingly, “clearly foreign. There was a man there, who I was informed was Lyn Weir…”

I watched as the officer immediately jotted something down. ‘This is about Lyn?’ Could this be my chance at perhaps learning a sliver of information about him? 

It was doubtful. 

Continuing I racked my brain, trying to remember what had happened that night at the pub. My stomach dropped a little as I remembered seeing Lyn there for the first time. “Everyone seemed irrationally wary of him, and Collin was drunk and erratic about the whole situation. I spoke a little with one of his mates, Oliver, and then Lyn got up to leave.” I paused, remembering the chill that had filled the room, the way people had parted for him. “Collin was confrontational, they exchanged words though Collin was clearly the antagonizer. Lyn left, I left shortly after, and then I came back here.” 

“I see…” The officer added a few more notes before adding, “Regarding Mr. Weir, do you remember anything else about his reaction to the altercation? Did he show signs of agitation, or threaten Collin in any way?”

I shook my head, trying to recall the words that they’d exchanged. “No. He just wanted to leave the bar. Collin was the one that was standing in his way trying to pick a fight.” I paused, sucking in a breath as I found the courage to ask, “You don’t really think this was Lyn, do you? I mean I’ve heard the rumors and everything… It’s just, the guy is my professor’s assistant. Do I need to be worried or is this all just...routine?” 

The officers shared a look, seeming to hold a wordless conversation, before Officer Stewart sighed. “I can’t share much about an ongoing investigation- but we’re making sure we cover our bases here. There are plenty of people who would like to blame Lyn because it’s the easiest answer. I would rather find the truth behind the situation, and I appreciate your help in that.”

“You said he’s your T.A.?” Officer Anderson had been so quiet that his question seemed very abrupt. “Have you noticed anything off about him since Collin’s disappearance? Has he seemed nervous, or shown any signs that he might be hiding something?” 

I felt my face show my uncertainty. “Oh, I honestly just met him today. I just transferred to his class… He wasn’t very personable, which is understandable. I know Collin’s friends are pretty convinced…” I rubbed the back of my head, awkwardly, “To be honest, I don’t know anyone well enough to answer something like that, I’m sorry. And I wasn’t really around anyone long enough in the pub to gauge the situation.” 

Officer Anderson looked unsatisfied, but his partner nodded and flipped his notepad closed. “I understand, and regardless, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us tonight.” He put the notepad away, replacing it with a plain white business card which he extended to me. “If anything happens, or if there’s anything else you remember and want to tell us later, feel free to give me a call.” 

I took the card, clearing my throat as I said, "I will. Thank you officers." I showed them out of my room. As soon as I closed the door, I pressed my back against it, as if to barricade myself from the world. 

I groaned, feeling my head spin. 

Turning off my desk light, I flumped down onto my bed, returning to gazing at the night outside my window. My heart was racing. Every time I closed my eyes I could see his face. 

Though I tried to forget it, tried to forget everything, I couldn’t sleep. The night was wrought with half nightmares, though the rest of it I remained staring at my ceiling. 

It was only at the break of dawn, the fog still thick upon the veiled forest, that I sat up and looked out upon the school courtyard below. 

I expected it to be empty; not even the professors would want to crawl out of bed this early. The dark figure, who I watched locking their bike to the rack, was out of place in the still morning. 

He’d haunted my night, so it was impossible not to recognize Lyn as he pushed windblown hair back from his face. I was too far away to see his expression, but there was tension in the lines of his shoulders as he glanced around the courtyard. 'What is he doing here?'  First the police, now this?

When he shoved his hands in his pockets and hurried out of the courtyard, in the direction of the thick forest on the northern edge of campus, I couldn’t help but find myself getting out of bed.

I pulled on my jeans and a fresh shirt, grabbing my leather jacket. I pulled on my boots, grabbed my keys, and did the one thing everyone had warned me not to do. 

I set out to follow him.