Page 187

My eyes closed.

God…

He was dreaming again.

But I couldn’t. Not anymore. Not until I knew. Really knew.

I slipped from the bed. Instantly felt the chill. Movement took over. Carrying me to the door. I gripped the handle. Twisted. Looked back.

He was a mountain beneath the sheets.

Still a mountain.

Always a mountain.

And for the first time…

I was the one walking away.

I stepped out of his bedroom and quietly closed the door behind me. The latch clicked softly. The hallway swallowed me. I moved through the darkness, back to my room, and slipped inside.

My phone waited on the dresser. Exactly where I left it.

Haunting me.

I sat down heavy on the side of the bed and stared at it.

Part of me wished I’d never opened the message.

Never watched the video.

Never seen the man standing in the rain.

I closed my eyes.

But ignorance wasn’t a place I could return to.

Not now.

Not after him.

I opened my eyes. Clenched my hand. Still, I released… and reached.

My fingers grasped my cell. My broken thumb screamed as I swiped across the screen and unlocked it.

The video was waiting.

Play.

I pressed my thumb down.

Please…

Stay.

I shook my head. Tears blurred the screen. I didn’t stop watching.

He was all I saw.