Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Well, I was right, it is her.”
I take a step toward the toilet door, facing them but making sure I’m close if need be. I don’t trust anyone in this town.
The other man grins. “Told ya it was her, prettier up close.”
“Tell us, girly, is it true? Did you take that girl?”
“Leave me alone,” I say, my voice clipped.
The man walks closer, keeping his grin. He’s tall, skinny, and looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks. He’s clearly high as a kite, his eyes glassy and red.
“Now, girly, we’re not here to cause trouble. Not yet, anyway.”
The other man laughs.
“What do you want?” I snap, trying to keep my face calm even though I’m scared.
“Just want to see what all the fuss is about. You’re a looker. They’d like you in prison.”
I grit my teeth, taking another step back. I don’t want to corner myself, but if I need, I will run into the bathroom.
“Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?”
He steps up close, causing my back to press against the door. Heart racing, I reach behind me to take the door handle, but his hand lashes out, stopping me. Fingers curled tightly around my arm, he hauls me forward.
“Everyone says you’re just like him. I gotta know, are you? Do you kill for fun? Tell me, did you watch him when he took those lives? Did you like it?”
Swallowing the hurt that rises up in my throat, I try to tug my arm away. “Let me go.”
“Can’t do that.”
“You heard her,” a harsh, clipped voice comes from behind the man, and I nearly exhale with relief. “Let her go.”
The man releases me, turning to see Wolfe standing there, cigarette in hand, completely unbothered by these two assholes.
Throwing his hands up, the man steps back. “Wasn’t botherin’ her, man. Was just talkin’ to her.”
Wolfe drops the cigarette, crushing it out with his boot before stepping closer. “You always lay hands on a woman you’re just talkin’ to?”
The man takes another step back.
“You put a single fuckin’ finger on her again, I’ll find you, and I’ll cut your dick off and shove it down your throat. You got me?”
The man nods, and the other man’s eyes widen.
“No harm meant,” he says, quickly, before turning and rushing off.
Once they’re gone, Wolfe turns to me. “What are you doin’ over here?”
“I was just ... I needed to pee,” I whisper, rubbing my arm.
“He hurt you?”
I shake my head, but I’m struggling to fight back the tears. Is it always going to be like this everywhere I go? Are people always going to look at me like I’m some kind of museum piece? Keeping my head down, a single tear rolls down my cheek, and my nose burns. I fight to stop the rest from making themselves known, but it isn’t easy.
“Look at me.”
I shake my head.
“Look at me, Mera.”
Wolfe’s voice is firm, and I lift my head, meeting his eyes.
“Don’t let scum like that make you feel any less, you hear me?”
“Everyone in this town thinks I’m just like him,” I croak. “It doesn’t matter what I do, I’m always going to be the daughter of a god damned killer.”
“Can’t change who you are.”
“No, but I can change being in this town. Maybe you were right, maybe I should leave ...”
He goes silent, and that hurts, because I know he agrees with me.
It doesn’t matter how long I’m around him, his feelings about me are never going to change. He is always going to want me gone, and that stings because I know I can’t do anything to change it. Worse, I wish it would change. I’m developing some kind of attachment to this man, even when he has made it clear he isn’t interested.
“Is there a bar around here?” I ask, looking up at him.
He nods.
“Is it too early to drink?”
His lip tips up, and he shakes his head. “Never too early to drink.”
“Good,” I say, pushing off the door. “Let’s go.”
He might want me to go, but at least he’s willing to sit down and have a drink with me.
It isn’t much, but I’ll take it.
Then, I have no choice but to figure out what my next move is going to be.
I can either stay here and keep fighting, or I can run like I do so well.
The choice, ultimately, is mine.
IN A STARTLING DEVELOPMENT, authorities have uncovered evidence suggesting that the notorious Shadow Butcher, long believed to have acted alone, may have had an accomplice. This revelation comes after a decade of investigation, shedding new light on the infamous case that gripped the nation. The police are now pursuing fresh leads, hoping to bring all those involved to justice and provide closure to the victims' families. This breakthrough marks a significant turning point in the ongoing efforts to unravel the full extent of the crimes committed.