"I’ll be fine… in prison, but just fine. Meet me there in two days, baby."
I take a step back from him. The car’s doors swing open. Heavy boots hit the ground. Voices rise, clipped and quick, breaking the stillness with measured commands.
"Neo? He was talking about being in love with you."
"I don’t know what’s happening."
"I’d gladly kill everyone for you. Now, go!"
How did the love potion bottle end up on the ground? Fucking ghosts...
The fumes billowing from the brew are pink when they are meant to be red. It’s possible that the blood is a different type this time.
I take another step back. My breathing becomes fast and shallow. I can hear my heart pound inside my chest, each beat loud and relentless. My hands tremble. My skin feels cold and hot at the same time, beads of sweat forming despite the chill running down my spine. My vision narrows, the surroundings blur. His hands grab my face, shaking me gently.
"Neo!" I can hear his voice calling for my name. A fading sound.
"Neo!" He embraces my whole being, pulling me into his chest, supporting me from collapsing. "I am here!"
"I made a mistake…" I tell him, his black hoodie covering my face.
"What?" His hand is sweeping my hair.
I look up at him. "You… the candy…"
"Neo, you have to run. Now!"
I spot Zilla right where Nox said she’d be. Without a second thought, we run from the maze. I know he is smart enough to sense the smoke. I know he is safe… wherever he is.
I poisoned everyone.
I fucking poisoned every single being that bought my fucking candy for Halloween.
CHAPTER 13
Abrass bell jingles as the door swings open. I hoist my eyes to Zilla walking into the shop with two coffees in her hands.
"Good morning!"
"The sign was indicating ‘closed’."
"Let me check if I care." She moves toward the counter. The cups, branded with a charming logo from the café down the street, gleam with tiny wisps of steam curling into the morning light. As she sets them down, the soft clink of plastic against the wood joins the quiet hum of the shop, blending seamlessly with the rustling of candy wrappers. "Found anything?"
My fingertips navigate the sheets of a timeworn book. "Unfortunately, yes… love potion…" I sip the hot coffee and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Makes sense. Three of them said they are in love with you?"
"Were… Nox killed them."
"But he ate the candy too, or?"
"Yeah…"
"Holy shit, Neo… We need to find a way to undo it."
"The book talks about ways to undo it."
"You are going to torture the poor vampire, aren’t you?"
