By evening, news about Alex had fast circulated all through the orphanage even becoming a major talk of the school. Everyone was asking their selves the same question; Was Alex Humphrey dead? There was tension at every corner, everyone was afraid the orphanage might no longer safe as it was. The presence of HCI agents in the building almost throughout the day, highly exaggerated the gravity of the case, thereby increasing the already heightened atmosphere of apprehension that was everywhere.
There were lots of questions in the minds of everyone. They all needed answers and they hoped they'd be given that during the principal's address later on at the dining hall.
As Oliver was on his way to the dining hall that evening, the looks that were on the faces of all those who saw him told much of the story. He knew it wasn't actually their fault to be startled at the mere sight of him, since he was the person rumored to have had something to do with the attack of Alex Humphrey, whose state of being was yet untold. Oliver felt so uncomfortable; he wanted to let everyone know once and for all that Alex was attacked by a werewolf, not him, but remembered the warning given to him earlier on by the principal, to speak no more of werewolves.
Ever since Oliver got out of the principal's office, the werewolf had no longer been his main worry. His worry was that the principal said that he was told by the HCI detective that he (Oliver) had something to do with the deaths of his parents. Oliver remembered the question Felicity asked him in the vision. At this point, everything seemed to be pointing in that direction, and the accusation just seemed so inevitable. Oliver now understood why the detective was suspecting him so badly to have been the one that attacked Alex. The HCI knew all of his past history, and they also believe he had something to do with the deaths of his parents, so they wanted to convince the principal and everyone else, through Alex's case, that he killed his own parents.
"No way, I can't let that happen," Oliver muttered to himself, "I can't be accused of what I'm innocent of."
Oliver was sure not going to take any chances. He knew he wasn't going to stand the humiliation if everyone hears that he killed his parents, and the only way he was going to avoid that was by leaving Melrose as soon as possible. Leaving the orphanage was a very tough decision, but as well, the only option. He had already packed a few of his things in his old backpack during lunchtime. He and Ugly were leaving this evening during dinner. He figured that with everyone being so enthused to hear the principal's announcements, he hardly would be noticed when he left.
Oliver finally got to the dining hall. Jasper was already there, waiting for him in their favorite seat.
"Dude, what took you so long?" Jasper said as he came closer.
Oliver sat down on his seat without mentioning a word, he just proceeded in eating his meal. Jasper stared at him for a while with puzzlement, then later continued with his meal.
After some time, Drake and his friends walked into the hall and were approaching the table where Oliver and Jasper sat.
"Hay Oliver looks like this bunch of jerks is coming our way," Jasper said to Oliver, barely moving his lips.
Oliver looked up and spotted Drake with the others approaching fast. With Alex gone, the gang was reduced to a number of five boys.
"I don't like this," Jasper complained, "What do they even want?" he wondered.
"They're here because of me," Oliver replied, "Just ignore them."
Drake and the others stopped in front of them now. Both Oliver and Jasper ignored them and continued with their meals like they weren't even standing there. Oliver was just about to take another spoon of the beans when someone suddenly swooped the bowl out of the way. That was immediately accompanied by a roar of laughter from the others.
"Come on man, what was that for?!" Jasper sprang up to his feet, unable to bear the mistreatment any longer.
"Whoa… look who finally got some balls?" Max said.
"Yeah, I like this one," Drake replied.
Oliver quickly stood up and signaled Jasper to sit.
"What do you want?" he sounded in his casual solemn tone.
"You know what we want, you slithering felon," Max said, "Tell him, Sparky."
"Oliver, we need answers to what happened to Alex," Drake said, "and we're gonna make you suffer until you give us what we want."
Jasper hesitatingly stood back up.
"Look guys, we don't want any trouble," he said, "Believe me, Oliver had nothing to do with what happened to your frie…"
"Wasn't talking to you, weirdo," Drake said, "Better keep your filthy mouth in the trash where it belongs."
"Enough," Oliver said to him, "I think now's the time you all leave."
"What are you gonna do tough guy? Let me guess, kill all of us like you did to him?" Drake replied.
"It depends," Oliver said casually.
Drake and the others were in open-mounted astonishment, even Jasper couldn't believe what he just heard.
"What are you playing at?" Drake sounded more serious.
"If you ever try accusing me again of what happened to Alex, ever, I'm gonna be guilty of something a lot more worst than murder," Oliver said, meaning it.
The rest were silent now, stupefied by the words he said.
Drake scuffed disgustedly.
"Wait, are we supposed to like… fear you or something?" he asked Oliver.
"Um… actually I think you should be a little scared," Oliver replied, " just for your own safety, though," he added.
Drake seemed really infuriated with this new audacious attitude Oliver was displaying.
"Let's get out of here guys, this isn't over," Drake grumbled, as he went away with the others.
"Dude!" exclaimed Jasper to Oliver in overwhelming astonishment.
"You literally scared them off. How did you even do that?" he asked.
Oliver didn't seem to care more or less about what just happened, he had simply sat down and continued feasting on his beans like nothing actually happened. Under normal circumstances, Oliver wouldn't have spoken to Drake and his friends the way he did, but he did so however, having realized that since he was leaving that evening, he had nothing to lose.
Oliver started looking at Felicity where she sat at a far-off table beside her roommate; Lilah, busy writing in her book. As he stared at her, he saw the vision he had, replay in his mind, and that quickened his fear.
"You know she really likes you," Jasper said to him, tracing his eyes to where they were fixed at.
"She was right," Oliver said, "All of this is just one hell of a conspiracy."
"Oliver, I really understand how you feel, being accused of this stuff, man. It's so painful and crazy too," Jasper told him, "and man… I'm really sorry for the way I acted out so back in the hallway. I shouldn't have said those stuff, it was pretty selfish."
Oliver made no response, he just remained as he was; in a deliberately apathetic state. Right now, his interest was leaving that evening, and nothing else.
"So, I was kind of wondering, the question you asked me; if I sensed certain movements while in the woods, why did ask?" he asked, "do you think it might be some animal like a fox or a grizzly bear…"
"More like a werewolf," Oliver said, turning to Jasper, who looked really astonished.
"A werewolf," he muttered, "that was a… hell of a pick."
Soon, the principal came in to give the announcements. After listing a few basic activities for the following week, he proceed to the main announcement everyone was waiting for. After some minutes of silence, attention, and suspense, he finally made it known to everyone that the victim of the recent incident; Alex Humphrey, wasn't dead, but had just been transferred to the government intensive care unit in Brooklyn, where he would be given adequate medical care and attention during his coma period. The principal went further to inform them that the attacker was still unknown, yet the safety of everyone was guaranteed.
Oliver had sneaked out of the dining hall, while the announcement was still going on. As he came out to the empty passage, he quickly proceeded to ascend the steps leading to the boy's hostel; he was going to get Ugly and his bag.
As Oliver climbed up the stairs, he suddenly heard loud approaching footsteps stomping down towards him. His heart leaped. He was not supposed to be seen skulking around the dormitory while an important announcement was going on. Oliver didn't know what to do at this moment. He had already gotten halfway through, even if he tries going back, there was no chance he wouldn't be seen. Since there was no other option, he kept climbing.
"Alright Oliver, act natural," he whispered to himself. He took a deep breath and kept on his best cool face.