shuhaige
Chapter 1268
Chapter 1268
[I've hidden clues in the music, and if you can decipher them and look them up, you'll be able to see
how I'm able to know your every move.]
Skyler arched an eyebrow, skepticism etched into his every feature, [You really think I'm going to fall for
that? What, like there's some secret message hidden in a tune?] Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Geoffrey sent back a laughing emoji, [Come on, Skyler. Scared of a harmless song? What’s the worst it
could do, explode? And aren't you the one with a PhD in psychology? Afraid of a little hypnosis or
subliminal messaging? Sounds like you need to hit the books again.]
Puffing out his cheeks in mock indignation, Skyler typed, [Your reverse psychology won't work on me.
That track's a total ear sore. Send me some catchy tunes if you dare.]
Geoffrey replied with a disdainful emoji, [A catchy tune? Where's the fun in that? You're just a scaredy-
cat, a useless mouse, forever living in my shadow.]
This riled Skyler up, [Born from the same root, why such haste to fry each other?]
Geoffrey's reply was a cold snort, [If you're too chicken to try, just say so, fraidy-cat, little mouse.]
William tugged at Skyler's sleeve, a worried look on his face, "Skyler, don't listen to him. He's messing
with you. You know he's not gonna spill the real tea. He's probably trying to psych you out."
"I know better than to play into his hands," Skyler nodded firmly.
That evening, after the kids had played themselves to exhaustion, they all retreated to their rooms to
sleep. William headed to Skyler's room. "Skyler, you're not seriously considering listening to that creepy
song, are you?"
Skyler blinked, honestly tempted, "You're getting pretty good at reading microexpressions."
William's big, round eyes darted about, "Maybe we should listen together? Just out of curiosity?"
"No way, that's risky business," Skyler shook his head.
"But you said kids can't be hypnotized. So, if I can't be hypnotized, there's nothing to worry about,"
William reasoned.
"But kids can still be influenced by psychological suggestion," Skyler countered.
"Not me. I'm strong-willed," William declared, "It's too dangerous for you to listen alone. If you fall under
a spell, I'll be here to snap you out of it."
After a moment's thought, Skyler agreed.
With headphones on, they pressed play.
As the song went on, William felt a growing lump in his throat, memories of home in Goldstone flooding
in.
"Skyler, I feel like crying." Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke.
"Hold it together. It's just a song designed to bring you down, maybe even make you despair," Skyler
patted his shoulder.
William cleaned his tears with his sleeve, asking, "Did you catch any secrets?"
"Yeah, even his face is fake," William agreed, nodding vehemently.
"William, are you wearing a mask?"
A surge of panic raced through William, and he clutched at his face, "No, you're seeing things. This is
my face." Content of Draмąոovels.com
The tears must have loosened the mask.
Skyler stopped the music, "No, I'm not wrong. You're wearing a mask."