Page 154 of Black Reign

I search mouths.

This is absurd.

GHOST: Scared to come say hello?

The dots appear.

VESPER: Scared? No. Sensible? Occasionally.

I smile despite myself.

Drew sees it.

“There he is.”

“Leave.”

“Not happening.”

I type.

GHOST: I think you’re afraid I’ll finally catch you.

Her answer takes longer.

Ten seconds.

Twenty.

Then:

VESPER: There you go again, assuming you’re the hunter.

My pulse changes.

GHOST: Aren’t I?

Nothing.

For nearly a minute.

I stop looking at the room and stare only at the black screen.

The typing indicator appears.

Disappears.

Returns.

Then one line arrives.

VESPER: Xavier Blackwell.

Everything inside me stops.

Not slows.

Stops.