I inhale deeply, lifting my hand and placing the blade in the centre of her palm. She springs into action instantly, rubbing the blade with her shirt, getting rid of my fingerprints. When she stands, I do too, watching as she walks over to billy, pressing it to his fingertips then dropping it and her shirt onto the blood-soaked floor.
Then she leans over, reaching for her panic button and she turns to face me. She looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to follow her orders, her thumb hovering over the button. I take one last look at Billy, then her before I turn around and leave.
…
Chapter Three
Raven
The lights in Dr Moss’s office are too bright, harsh against my heavy, sore eyelids. My body is covered by the scratchy grey blanket they gave me, but it does nothing to soothe the lingering pressure I feel across my skin, the remnants of Billy's disgusting touch, the phantom weight of his body, the smell of his stinking hand smothering me. I can still feel it pushing against my face, and the nausea surges back up, violent and thick in my throat.
I keep my head low, arms wrapped around myself tightly as if I could squeeze the memories right out of me. Then, I catch a glimpse of the hallway through the open door. They’re wheeling Billy’s body away in a thick black bag, his form barely visible through the zipped plastic. The sight should bring relief, but instead, a shiver runs through me, cold and relentless.
I lied to the cops and made up a story. I told them I somehow got that razor blade off Billy and defended myself. Given his history, they didn’t seem interested in trying to see if I was lying. They just took my word for it and left me alone. I have no doubt in my mind it’s now a closed case with how sympathetic they were.
I couldn’t let them punish Ty. Not after what he did. Not after he saved me. He hadn’t hesitated, hadn’t held back. He’d done what had to be done, what I couldn’t do, and even now, with hisvoice echoing in my mind, calm as he whispered to me in that janitor’s closet, I feel unsettled.
“He had his hands on what’s mine.”The words replay, dark and possessive, and they settle over me with a strange comfort I can’t seem to shake.
But that’s not why I lied. I lied because, if he hadn’t been there, if his timing had been even a second off… I close my eyes, squeezing them tight. I would have been broken, maybe even dead. Ty had saved my life. And though he’s as dangerous as anyone else in this place—maybe even more so—he’d come through for me in a way no one else would have in my life.
The tension in my body is interrupted by a soft voice.“Ms. Tate?”
Dr Moss is standing at the threshold. I can feel him studying me carefully as if he’s afraid I might crumble right here on the chair. I slowly lift my head to meet his gaze, summoning whatever remains of my strength.
“I’m sorry you went through all that on your first day, Raven. This has never happened before on this floor,” he says, but I don’t answer. “I think you should take a couple of days off.”
My eyes snap upward to his and I shake my head. “No. Please. I’m fine...”
His cocks to the side as he observes me, but my gaze never weavers. I need him to see I’m not only ready for this, but also, I know I need to see Ty before he leaves. I’ve got things to say, things to lay down. I can’t just sit in that depressive house and replay everything over in my head repeatedly, it will send me on a downward spiral.
“Are you sure? I don’t want…”
“I’m absolutely sure.” I cut him off firmly.
He inhales sharply, slipping his hands into his pants pockets then gives a sharp nod.
“Okay,” he agrees, and my body relaxes. “I guess you should head home now and get some sleep. You look exhausted.”
I nod in agreement, gently standing on my aching legs. With the blanket still wrapped around me. I lift my briefcase and head toward the door. As I enter the hallway, I glance back, seeing Ty’s door is now closed, the light dim. I inhale a shaky breath, then exit Sacred Heights.
…
The next morning, as dawn’s first light seeps through the windows, I pour Midnight's food and watch her devour it, purring low and constant as I run my hand along her sleek fur.
“I’ll see you later, baby girl,” I murmur, scratching just behind her ears where she likes it best. She doesn’t look up, fully absorbed.
With a final glance around the house, I gather my briefcase and step out, feeling the cold air hit me like an icy wave. I lock the door, hearing the creak of old wood and metal, and head down the steps. There’s a strange hush outside, a mist blanketing the quiet street. Sacred Heights still settles heavily in my mind, like a dark spot I can’t rub out, but the coldness, the fog—they fit the heaviness that hasn’t lifted since last night. I pull the car door open and toss my briefcase onto the passenger seat with a huff.
Just as I get ready to settle in, a pair of voices catch my attention. Turning my head, I see a couple emerging from a house not far from mine, laughter bubbling between them, the man’s arm slung around her shoulders. They’re walking toward me, his hand resting protectively on her and I force a smile as the woman waves.
“Hey!” she calls, her voice bright; cutting through the chilly silence and I pause, trying to match her warmth.
“Hey,” I answer back, feeling the forced cheer slip into place.
They’re close now, and I see they’re both attractive—like a magazine ad, although older than me. The man, with curious eyes, studies me.
“Just moved in?” he asks.