I allowed Mason to usher me back to bed and cover us up, but my mind was reeling. Chris had never doubted me, not even in the beginning when so many had and I was the best suspect. He’d been trying to help me the whole time, but why had he been so adamant about me seeing things? Was he testing me to see if I could figure it out? He would have all the access he needed being a detective. He probably could’ve even made it into my account on the app.
I turned away from Mason, trying to go over everything in my head. Chris had the means and the weird trust in me, but why would he do that? He seemed like a good guy, and he couldn’t possibly have a motive. There was nothing I could think of that would remotely connect him to all of it. I was going off the deep end. I had nothing. All I had was the wild ramblings of a disembodied voice that may or may not be my own mind.
Mason scooted up behind me even though I’d turned away, and wrapped his arms around me. Enyo hopped up onto the bed and curled up at my belly almost protectively. “I don’t know what’s going on,” I said aloud, voicing the weakness and confusion I felt.
Mason seemed to understand. He pulled me closer. “Shh,” he said. “It’s going to be okay. I’m going to make sure of it.” It didn’t make me feel that much better, but I really liked being in his arms. I wasn’t sure about anything at the moment, but I tried to block it all out just to get a little more rest. He rubbed my arms and held me tight until I managed to go back to sleep.
Chapter 23
Mason
The sun had barely risen when I opened my eyes. The previous night came back quickly, the bad overshadowing the good. We were in danger. They were close to him. They were ready to finish it. Chris thought they were just trying to frame Elijah, but I had no doubt he would be the final victim. He would be framed as the killer, he would die, and they would be free. I had to get him out of here.
I lifted my head since he was still sleeping beside me. His cat was standing at the foot of the bed, and she was staring at the doorway. I hadn’t shut the door when we went back to bed, but the doorway appeared empty. The house was still shrouded in shadows, but it was light enough that I could see. I looked harder but still saw nothing unusual. She suddenly jumped off the bed and the small movement woke Elijah. He rubbed his eyes and looked at me. “What time is it?” he mumbled.
I shrugged. “I don’t know, it’s early.” I hoped he wasn’t too hungover. “Do you need more water?” I asked him, seeing that his bottle was empty. “We need to talk. We have to figure out ournext move.” He shook his head and sat up, looking at me, so I went on. “Chris thinks we need to leave for a bit. I know I didn’t want to run, but I’m starting to think he might be right. Just for a little while.”
Elijah bristled slightly at my words, and it seemed to be when I mentioned Chris. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I said, “Look, I trust Chris. But I’m not worried about the same thing he is. He’s worried about you going to jail, but you know what I’m worried about. Hell, you have dreams about it. It’s not the jail part that makes me want to run. They’re getting sloppy, and that means they’re almost finished. I have a friend in Chicago. His place is secure, and he’s armed. He’s a cop. I can work on it from there while Chris is working here. You won’t be left alone without one of us. I have to keep you safe, Elijah, Ihaveto.” I looked at him imploringly. I needed him to know how much was at stake for me.
“But Enyo,” he said weakly. “And my job.”
I gripped his shoulder. “None of it matters if you aren’t here. Your job will still be here when everything comes to light. We can bring Enyo. Miller won’t mind. I can’t lose you, Elijah. Please.”
He was still hesitating when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I grabbed it. It was a text from Chris.Are you guys still at Elijah’s? They want to question him. I’m doing my best, but I need you to get the fuck out of here.
I showed Elijah the text. There was something in those crystal eyes I could almost read. It felt a little like distrust, but I didn’t understand where it was coming from. “Let’s pack you some clothes. We’ll run to my mom’s, I’ll grab a few more of my things, give an abridged explanation about why I’m leaving with Dad’s gun, and we’ll head out.”
He looked into my eyes for a long time but finally said, “Okay. I need a shower.” I did too, because we were both kind of gross from the previous night, so we took a quick shower together with no fooling around. He was packing toiletries when I headed into his bedroom to grab my stuff.
I went to grab the lube from the drawer because that was a necessity in my eyes. Miller could deal with it if we got loud. That’s where I found the notebook, and it was open. The first sentence made me wrinkle my brow, and it was the only reason I grabbed it. I still wasn’t quite sure what I was reading.
This is where it ends.
He can’t protect you. There are two. They are coming. They are here. Listen for them.
The ending is unavoidable but other things can be stopped.
Everyone is important when it comes to fate. Your own is set but it can affect others.
Run for the place you love. She was sent for the time. Your sacrifice won’t be in vain. The breath of life can be taken, but new life can bloom.
You can’t stop fate. Death is coming.
“What are you doing?” I jumped at his voice, caught red-handed. I was pretty sure the notebook had never been in there before.
I replaced it and turned around. “Uh . . .”
He rolled his eyes. “My dreams,” he sighed. “Or visions, or whatever, because some were when I was awake. At least, I seemed to be awake. I tried to write last night’s too, but I was too tired and still drunk. Just... now you know why I’m always so fucking confused.” He looked frustrated at his own confusion, but ignored the fact I was snooping. He turned and started packing his clothes.
While he packed, I rummaged around his kitchen for some food to bring so we could limit our stops. I found some trail mix and granola bars, grabbed some bottled water, and threw it all in a bag. Elijah came out with his backpack full of clothes and necessities and grabbed some cat food. We took everything out to my car and headed back inside to grab my duffel bag and get Enyo in her carrier. I’d call Miller on the way. He’d be okay with it. We wouldn’t overstay our welcome. I just needed to get Elijah to safety so I could focus.
As soon as Elijah opened the front door to go back in, thatdamn cat darted out between his legs and ran like a flash around the corner of the house. “Enyo, no!” he cried, and I immediately knew we were screwed. He ran after her and I ran after him.
I caught up to him at the edge of the woods she’d disappeared into and grabbed his arm. He turned to me with tears in his eyes. “She’s never run out!” he cried. “Never! Why today? Why now of all times?”
I pulled at him. “Please. We have to go.”
“I can’t just leave her out here! Do you know how many wild animals are out here? And the road...”
