He goes back to his cars, oblivious to the terror clawing at my chest.Oblivious to the danger circling closer.
Good.That's good.He should be oblivious.He should be safe and happy and not carrying the weight of my mistakes.
I move to the window.I can't help myself.I need to check.
The street below is quiet.A few parked cars.A woman walking a dog.Normal.
But my eyes catch on something.A shadow near the corner.It could be nothing.Could be someone standing there.
Watching.
I step back from the window, heart hammering.
It's nothing.Just paranoia.Just fear making me see things that aren't there.
But the message was real.
I'll see you soon.
* * *
I check on Warren one more time before I go to my mam's room.He's fast asleep, curled up with his stuffed dinosaur, face peaceful.Safe.
For now.
I close his door quietly and pad down the hallway.Mam's light is still on.She always stays up late reading or watching those crime shows she loves.
I knock softly."Mam?"
"Come in, love."
She's propped up in bed, book in her lap, reading glasses perched on her nose.She takes one look at my face and sets the book aside.
"What's wrong?"
I sink onto the edge of her bed, and suddenly I'm five years old again.Small and scared and needing my mam to fix things.
"He texted me today."
Her whole body goes rigid."Declan?"
I nod.
"What did it say?"
"That he missed me.That I look different.That he'll see me soon."My voice cracks on the last part.
Mam's face drains of color, then floods with anger."That bastard.After three years, he—" She stops, takes a breath."Did you save it?We need to show the guards."
"I deleted it.I panicked and just—I deleted it."
"Enya—"
"I know.I know I should've saved it.But I couldn't—I couldn't look at it anymore."
She reaches over and takes my hand, squeezes tight."It's alright.We'll figure this out.But, love, if he's found you, if he's watching you, we need to tell someone.The guards, at minimum.Get a safety order updated?—"
"And say what?That he sent one text?They won't do anything, Mam.You know they won't.Not until he—" I can't finish the sentence.
