Page 57 of Rest In Peace

"Thank you," she mused. It felt distant, but his belief in her sparked a fragile hope. Could she find that strength within herself?

Their hands remained clasped, a physical manifestation of their tentative unity. Outside, the sun grew high in the sky, indifferent to the frailty of human plans. Inside, two parents sat in quiet resolve.

"Victoria needs us," Steven whispered into the hush. "And we need each other."

"Yes," Sarah affirmed, the word a vow. "For Victoria. For us."

Chapter 46

The front door creaked, a shiver skating down my spine as I stepped into the dimly lit kitchen.

"Mom?" Alex's voice cut through the silence, small and uncertain.

"Hey, sweetheart." I forced a smile, crossing the room to plant a kiss on his damp forehead. His eyes, wide and dark with something he shouldn't know at his age, met mine.

"Mom, a man… when I got off the school bus. He said…." Alex hesitated, his small hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

"What is it, honey?" I urged, my heart throbbing in my chest.

"He said that we're all in danger." The words spilled out, and the room spun. “Because of you.”

I froze. I bent down in front of him, forcing him to look into my eyes.

"Who said that, Alex?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know who he was. Just some man.”

“Have you seen him before?"

"No." He shook his head, the fear palpable in his voice. "I've never seen him. He just told me to tell you.”

“That we’re in danger? Because of me?”

“Yes.”

"Matt!" My voice was sharper than I intended, panic clawing at my throat.

"What's wrong?" Matt hobbled in, his crutches clicking against the tile floor. He saw the fear on my face immediately. “What’s going on, Eva Rae?”

"Someone threatened Alex. They said…." The words choked me. “He said that we are in danger….”

"Damn it!" Matt's face flushed red, the veins in his neck bulging with anger. "I told you this would happen!"

"You really think we’re in danger? He might just be some lunatic,” I said, trying to calm myself.

“And what if he’s not?” Matt said. “Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”

“I’m sure he’s just someone trying to….” I paused, unable to believe my own words. “I mean, who would…?”

“We can’t take that chance,” Matt said. “I, for one, am not prepared to.”

“Do you want me to call the station? Have them put a patrol outside?” I asked.

I saw the fear on Matt’s face. It was somehow deeper than anything I had ever seen in him before, fueled by his PTSD from the incident. It was getting serious.

“What do we do?" Desperation laced his tone. “This man must know where we live. The bus stops right outside. He knows Alex is your child. Are we even safe here tonight?”

“Calm down,” I said. “I’m sure we’re okay here. I’ll get the chief to have a patrol come by and”

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