I followed Regina’s orders, deleted every single file, then the recycling bucket, then wiped to set back to original settings.
She left about an hour ago. I just got a text to say she’s pulled cash to buy from different stores, checking which ones have the stuff we need in stock. If she spent thousands of dollars in one place with enough kit to fill a truck, it’d raise suspicions.
I grab her laptop and repeat the same process, taking both upstairs with me to put on charge. I drag myself to the shower, letting the water burn against my skin as I stand silently under the spray.
My mind often drifts towards whether we should keep doing this.
My future at twenty-one never had a revenge killer anywhere near the scope of possibilities. I was young and naive, imagining I’d be working high up in some corporate company, living with the man of my dreams.
But life’s cruel that way; it can chew you up and spit you right back out.
Some people tend to the wounds and adjust.
Regina and I decided we’d bite back.
I’ve never doubted my capabilities like this before. I can fight; I can handle myself. Hell, I can shoot on target. Up against someone who might have specialised combat experience?
No, I’m nowhere near that good.
We have no idea what John’s a part of, but he’s certainly more skilled than Regina and I anticipated.
I can confidently say, he’s not a fucking banker.
Stepping out, I towel-dry my hair, leaving it to dry naturally, seeing as it hurts to raise my arm above my shoulder. Then I slide into panties and a crop top.
I glance over to the laptops resting on my bed; mine is restarting whilst Regina’s has a lifetime to go.
Walking over to the other side, paranoia gets the best of me, and I open the bedside drawer, checking my gun is loaded.
Sliding out the chamber, I count each of the rounds over and over, before I snap it back with force, switching the safety off and staring at it in my hands.
I’ve never had to use this one; most of the guns I use are in the spare room.
This one helps me sleep peacefully at night, and in the early days, I used to have it tucked under the pillow next to my head.
I haven’t felt so vulnerable in a long time, but I’m putting it down to the fact that we’ve had a scare.
Goosebumps ripple along my skin, sharp talons caressing along the curve of my spine.
My survival instincts have heightened over the years, awareness learned to amplify on its own, and I always require them to be on top of their game. I learned to read people better, question their intentions, andalwaystrust my gut, even when others aren’t on my wavelength.
I shake my head, running a hand through my hair.
Stop it, Indie, this is you being paranoid.
My defences have been threatened, allowing little pieces of the past to slip through.
No one’s getting in this house without me knowing. And if they did?
They’d have a death wish I’d be more than willing to answer.
Closing my eyes, I blow a breath up to the ceiling.
When I drop my head, my gaze lands on my reflection in the window. I’m instantly drawn to the silhouette in my doorway, knees threatening to cave.
My earlier threats disintegrating beneath my feet.
I shouldn’t have doubted my instincts.
