Page 245 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

Just with a bigger badge, bigger cases. And, apparently, me. I couldn't stop smiling every time I thought about it. Who would've guessed?

Definitely not the broken girl chained to a chair.

Definitely not Joey.

Definitely not you.

I stopped taping and rested both hands on the box in front of me before slowly turning my head toward you.

Yes.

You.

You're still here. I knew you would be. Curiosity has always been humanity's favourite flaw. You know...I used to think monsters lived under beds.

I shrugged.

Then I thought they lived in forests. My therapist would've preferred if I'd settled on childhood trauma.

I smiled.

Turns out monsters are much more inconvenient. They wear uniforms. They become mayors. They become fathers. They become lovers. They become friends.

My smile widened ever so slightly.

And sometimes...they become the person telling the story.

Frank groaned.

"There she goes."

Gerald shook his tiny ceramic head.

"She can't resist unsettling the audience."

"They like it," I whispered.

"They're still reading."

The cottage settled around us in comfortable silence. Sunlight spilled through the kitchen window. Dust floated lazily through the golden beams. Outside, the pine trees swayed gently in the autumn breeze. For the first time in years...

It felt like peace.

Real peace. Not survival, pretending, hiding but home.

Footsteps. Heavy. Confident. Familiar. I didn't need to turn around. Every nerve in my body already knew who it was. A smile spread across my face before he even touched me. Two large hands slid around my waist, pulling me backwards until my spine rested against a broad, solid chest.

Warm.

Safe.

Mine.

His stubble brushed the side of my neck before soft lips pressed a slow kiss just beneath my ear. I closed my eyes. Home.

"Hi, baby."

Elias murmured, his deep voice rumbling through my chest more than my ears. I melted instantly.