Just a casualty in some sick game that unravelled a horrifying secret of some fucked-up society.
I’ve proven I don’t need to kill everyone in Sumus; I’ve left four of them alive—minus a couple million dollars and blackmail material.
Never ignored the request to leave them living.
Realistically, I know I can’t keep this up. As much as I’m holding it together, Icouldslip.
But as long asthose twono longer walk this earth, I know I’ll be satisfied with that.
Once I reach them both, after wiping out everyone in their entire chapter, I can move on with my life.
The best I can, anyway.
The server comes over to us, a woman who looks to be in her late fifties, and places down our order.
“Do you live around here?” I ask her, and she slowly drags her gaze to me.
“All my life, hun.” She narrows her eyes on me suspiciously.
I need to play this cool, not raise any concerns towards me if there’s a damn manhunt if things go south.
“The cabin at the top of the hill. Does someone live there now? We’ve been wondering if it’s owned or rented.” I glance over at Regina, and she’s rubbing her thumb and forefinger across her forehead.
The woman huffs a laugh. “No, it’s only for rent. But the guy that’s in there currently…he’s been there for weeks.”
“Have you ever seen him?”
This town is small, and if there’s one thing about small towns, it’s that everybody knows everyone’s business. Plus, there’s not much else to do out here. I bet they thrive off a bit of gossip.
The woman looks over her shoulder, then shifts to lean down on our table.
Regina watches the two of us like we’re a wildlife documentary, eyes bouncing between us both as she slowly eats her food.
The woman’s eyes lighten up, a blush creeping over her cheeks.
“Sweetheart, when a fine-looking young man passes through this town, you bet your ass I’ve noticed.” She fans herself with the menu, despite there already being a chill in the air.
“Really? What does he look like?” I ask her, and she beams at me, feeding into exactly what I want from her.
“He looks like God’s favourite sin, but with those tattoos? Hun.” She slaps the table, chuckling, and it makes Regina jump.
Bingo.
“Sounds like he’d be easy on the eye. Do you know his name? There doesn’t seem to be much eye candy around here; we’re hoping for some entertainment before we leave tonight.”
She looks between the both of us.
“I shouldn’t really be telling two strangers this, but to hell with it. My friend Nancy managed to check his name when he bought cigarettes at the store. She asked for his ID so we would know. Name’s Iain Black. We haven’t been able to find him on social media.” She pouts.
Regina and I’s gazes collide.
That’s not the name we were given, and he isn’t a name from the Sumus.
I know each and every one from the two chapters we have.
He could be using a false name to deter Victoria.
I shuffle in my seat, placing my arms on the table. “This might be really random, but he isn’t the guy I’ve seen around here with a kid? He matches that tattoo vibe you mentioned.”
