The Witch in the Woods

The chill of February lingered in the air, casting a gray, moody shadow over Lake Laura. Everyone felt it—the general malaise that followed the darker events of recent months. Around the university campus, the atmosphere was heavy, prompting many students to avoid walking near the massive historical building altogether. The emptiness of GallU’s vast hallways deepened the somber feeling even further.

It was a Friday morning when the sharp clicking of heels echoed along the hallway, interrupting the eerie silence. Determined to shift the university’s gloomy energy into something more uplifting, Tori had decided to organize a small Valentine’s Day event on campus, naming it the “Love Market.”

As she marched briskly into Virginia’s new office, now part of the university’s general administrative department, Tori felt a fresh surge of enthusiasm. She dove headfirst into planning. The idea was lighthearted: booths, music, games, and Valentine’s gifts on display, all intended to bring a touch of warmth and joy back into the campus community.

“Enough with the funeral mood,” she thought firmly to herself.

Meanwhile, at Whispers, Evelyn sat with Alinda, chatting casually as the store’s closing time approached. They were making plans to attend the event, despite their teasing about how silly the whole thing seemed.

“Oh, the Love Market,” Evelyn said with a smirk. “It sounds so cheesy, but we have to go, right?”

Alinda laughed in agreement, rolling her eyes. “Of course. You know we’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

Their laughter died down as Evelyn, ever inquisitive, shifted the conversation to something more serious. “Hey, I wanted to ask you. Are you still suspicious about Kelly’s strange behavior and all that stuff?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Alinda’s face.

Alinda sighed, her smile fading. “Yeah, I mean… Kinda. I don’t know what it is! Something just feels off with her. But it’s probably family stuff. She’s always been secretive about that.”

“Maybe,” Evelyn agreed, though her tone was skeptical. “But I think you should keep an eye on her. You have no idea what she could be hiding. Doesn’t that scare you even a little?”

Alinda frowned, the weight of Evelyn’s words settling uncomfortably in her chest. “I just… I trust her. I think whatever it is, it’s something she’ll share when she’s ready. I don’t want to push her.”

The conversation was interrupted when Mrs. Lynx descended the stairs from her apartment above the shop. She greeted the girls warmly and mentioned that Tori had requested they set up a booth at the Love Market to sell some of their best love potions. “Yay!” Evelyn said, giving Ali a quick kiss on the lips and leaving the store, right after waving goodbye to Mrs. Lynx.

Alinda was clearly smitten, her gaze lingering on Evelyn as she watched her walk down the street through the shop’s window. Mrs. Lynx, casually adjusting her hat as she prepared to leave for the evening, paused just before stepping out the door. She turned back and gave Alinda a look of quiet concern.

“How’s everything with Evelyn?” Mrs. Lynx asked gently, her voice soft but probing. Alinda blinked, caught off guard.

“We’re serious, Mrs. Lynx. Really serious,” Alinda replied, her tone a little defensive. “Why do you ask?”

Mrs. Lynx offered a kind smile, her eyes crinkling at the edges. “No reason, my dear. I love you, that’s all.” She opened the door, but then paused again, turning back to add in a quieter tone, “Above all else, Ali, guard your heart.”

As the door closed behind her, Alinda stood alone with her thoughts, the weight of Mrs. Lynx’s words settling uncomfortably on her shoulders. Deep down, she knew her feelings for Evelyn had become intense—maybe even unhealthy. The jealousy she’d felt on New Year’s Eve, watching Evelyn vibe with Brett, had cut her deeper than she cared to admit.

There was a nagging voice inside her, warning that something wasn’t right, but she kept pushing it aside. She wanted to think clearly, to make smart choices—but a part of her feared it might already be too late for that.

---

Finally, Valentine’s Day arrived, and with it, Tori’s Love Market. The campus patio was transformed into a whimsical display of kitsch red decorations, cheesy love songs, and small booths selling everything from heart-shaped chocolates to quirky handmade gifts. Students and faculty alike wandered through, laughing, chatting, and for the first time in a while, the mood on campus seemed to have lifted.

Peter reluctantly attended, dragged there by Abigail, who insisted he never did anything with her anymore. His reluctance was evident, but as they wandered through the booths, he found himself scanning the crowd for Lua, even though he wouldn’t admit it.

At the Whispers booth, Evelyn and Alinda worked the crowd effortlessly. Evelyn had proven to be an excellent saleswoman, her charm and wit drawing in curious students who laughed and flirted over the “love potions” on display.

Alinda, however, couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in her gut. Kelly had slipped away from the booth earlier, checking her phone nervously before making a hurried exit. Evelyn, ever vigilant, had nudged Alinda. “Now’s your chance,” she whispered. “Follow her. Find out what’s going on.”

Hesitant at first, Alinda eventually agreed. She left Evelyn in charge of the booth, after all she knew her girlfriend could sell ice to an Eskimo. Evelyn watched Ali slipping into the crowd, clumsy but determined and so, so effortless pretty, and noticed an unfamiliar sensation. The one some people refer to as butterflies in her stomach. And she wasn’t too happy about it.

Ali made sure she was keeping a safe distance behind Kelly. Before she noticed, she was far from GallU, in a completely different part of Lake Laura. She watched as her friend made her way downtown, eventually disappearing into the lobby of a fancy hotel. Alinda’s heart raced as she entered the hotel, her mind spinning. What was Kelly doing here?

Inside, she spotted Kelly talking to an older man, tall, handsome, and dressed in an impeccably tailored suit. He looked familiar—too familiar. Alinda racked her brain before the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. He was the man from the fundraising ball—the one who made that massive donation. Arthur Martin, the owner of BrightStar. Is this the man Kelly says she is falling in love with?

Alinda felt a wave of shock wash over her. She assumed Kelly and Arthur were here for a Valentine’s Day lunch or something. Still, something about the whole thing seemed off. She quietly slipped out of the hotel, her thoughts racing.

---

At the police station, love was the farthest thing from the detectives’ minds. The investigation had dragged on, and the pressure to find the killer weighed heavily on everyone involved. Fergusson and Scott sat in the cramped office, sorting through a list of students Peter had provided. The list felt endless, but they combed through it methodically, hoping for a breakthrough.

Scott leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning the paper. “It had to be someone who wasn’t at the fundraising ball,” he muttered, half to himself. “That can help us filter the list”.

Fergusson, ever the skeptic, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe, but it’s not that simple. The Dean’s house is close to campus. Someone could’ve slipped away from the ball unnoticed for a few minutes. It doesn’t take long to—” he paused, his voice lowering—”to stab someone. Then they could’ve returned to the ball as if nothing happened.”

Ryder’s brows furrowed. “Yeah, you’re right. Just being at the ball doesn’t clear anyone. Not necessarily.”

“Exactly,” Fergusson replied. “The killer might have been hired by someone who was there too, someone who specifically wanted to have an alibi by attending the ball. We can’t clear anyone just for showing up. Not yet.”

The room fell into a tense silence as they considered this possibility. Ryder clenched his jaw, knowing this would complicate things further. Whoever had orchestrated this murder knew exactly how to cover their tracks. And now, everyone at that ball was a suspect.

---

Meanwhile, back at the Love Market, Peter wandered through the bustling stalls, his mind far from the investigation. He approached the Whispers stand, where Evelyn stood behind the counter, her blue hair shining under the sunlight, a mischievous smile on her lips as she greeted him.

“Peter,” she called, her voice light, “how about a love potion on the house? Something to take your mind off all that serious business.”

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ll pay for it,” he insisted, reaching for his wallet.

Evelyn waved her hand dismissively. “Of course not, you don’t have to. After all, you own all of this, don’t you?” She gestured broadly to the market around them, her words laced with a teasing tone.

Peter’s smile faded. He hated the reminder that everything here was technically his responsibility. It all came back to his father, and the thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. He hesitated but eventually took the small glass vial from her, eyeing the dark liquid inside.

“Go on,” Evelyn urged with a wink. “It won’t bite.”

Reluctantly, Peter took a sip of the potion. To his surprise, it tasted good—really good. Before he knew it, he had downed the entire thing in one go. He blinked, glancing at the now-empty vial. “What is this?”

Evelyn chuckled. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m just covering for my girlfriend today. But that one’s labeled ‘Love Courage.’” She leaned in, adding in a low voice, “Seems like you might need a little bit of that.”

Peter laughed softly, the tension in his shoulders easing for the first time in days. “I’ll take another,” he said, pulling out his wallet again. “But this time, I’m paying.”

---

Back at the cabin, the night had settled in, blanketing the woods in darkness. Lua was curled up in the living room, the soft glow of the fire casting shadows on the walls, when a sudden, loud knock on the door startled her. She jumped, her heart racing, and a man’s voice boomed from the other side, shouting her name.

“Peter?” she called out, rushing to the door. She threw it open to find him standing there, shivering in the cold, his breath visible in the frosty air. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, and his shirt clung to him like he’d been running.

“What are you doing here? Why are you shouting? And it’s freezing out—why don’t you have a jacket on?” Lua’s voice was a mixture of concern and bewilderment. “Are you drunk?”

Peter shook his head, a lopsided grin on his face. “I’m not drunk,” he said, his words slurring slightly. “I just had a couple of those love courage potions. They were… surprisingly good.”

Lua stared at him for a moment, her mind racing. She could feel the weight of the silence between them, heavy with things left unsaid. Peter’s eyes held hers, and she could see the vulnerability behind his usual confident façade. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke, afraid that saying anything might shatter whatever fragile connection was holding them together in that moment.

Without another word, Peter stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. He reached out, gently pulling Lua toward him. There was no hesitation as their lips met, the kiss soft at first, then deepening as all the tension, the confusion, and the unspoken feelings between them surged to the surface.