Page 75 of Hide Me Darling

Think of it like a fork in the road. You want to think that you can turn back and take the other road. That not all choices are permanent unless you let it be.

Frustration fills me momentarily, my fingers clenching around the phone until I’m surprised the screen doesn’t crack. Some choices are definitely permanent. Death is absolutely permanent. Losing my best friend as a child, also permanent.

Taking deep breaths, I try not to let that frustration out as I type my response.

Really? Because this brand on my arm feels awfully fucking permanent.

Oops.

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

Maybe you should have asked if that step would have been taken if you hadn’t taken the one in the cave. If you hadn’t taken many of the steps you have taken since stepping foot on this island. Each step you took was a choice, including coming here.

I’ve gotten the impression that even if I had chosen not to come here, you would have come after me.

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

And now you’re learning, little shadow. Everyone gets to make their own choices in life, and you can’t control them all. You chose to stop this serial killer, you chose to kill in that cave, you chose to start this game with us.

And we chose to never let you go.

Chapter 36

Hydessa

Iset the phone aside after their last message, the questions turned into a rabbit hole that I wasn’t sure I was prepared for the reality of. Frustration and annoyance is like a thunderstorm inside me. It builds and builds until reaching a point that I can’t concentrate on the investigation at all.

I need to vent, I need to find an outlet that isn’t being fucked by masked strangers. I need to hit something.

Glancing out the window I can see that the sun is starting to set, the sky turning shades of orange and pink in the distance. I’m not sure what time Makai said the kickboxing was on at the gym, but even if it's over I should still be able to use the equipment to expel some of this anxious energy.

Quickly changing into my gym clothes, I glance at the brand on my arm. My tank leaves my arm bare, and I can’t wrap it again or it will put me at risk for infection when I sweat while I’m working out. I pull out the anti-bacterial cream that was left in the bathroom cabinet for me, applying it to the little mask outlines marked into my skin.

Grabbing my jacket, I head out of the house, the door slamming behind me. I walk quickly down the street toward the beachfront, watching the sun creep toward the horizon as I make my way toward the gym.

The beat of the music and the smell of sweat hits me as I push through the door. I can already see Makai toward the back, talking with Telvin. I make my way toward them, and Makai spots me as I approach, giving me a wide grin.

Telvin turns in my direction to see what has caught his attention. He gives me a small, tentative smile, dipping his head before he turns away and proceeds through an archway, his fingers tapping together nervously.

Makai, on the other hand, approaches me with practiced ease. “You made it,” he says. “I was worried you weren't coming. We're about to start.”

I laugh in response. “Well, you didn't actually tell me what time to be here,” I say. He pauses, frowning as he looks me over.

“Didn't I? Sorry, I must have been distracted,” he confesses before his face clears and he motions toward the archway Telvin just disappeared through. Following after him, I'm surprised to see that on the other side of the archway there is a whole boxing and martial arts training center.

The sight of the space immediately lifts my spirits. The sound of gloves hitting bags, the smell of equipment and sweat—it all feels invigorating. I spot Telvin on the far side, already wrapping his hands. There must be some rule against face shots, because his glasses are still on. He looks up briefly and gives me another small smile before returning to his task.

“This place is incredible,” I say to Makai, genuinely impressed.

“Yeah, it's a bit of a hidden gem,” he replies with a grin before he turns and calls out, “Anyone taking part in kickboxing, prepare and head to the mats!”

He faces me, and gestures to the mats. “Have you done much kickboxing before? Do you know how it all works?”

“Yeah, I have,” I reply confidently.

“Great,” he says, handing me some tape. “Wrap your hands and let's get going.”

Once I've got the tape just how I like it, we make our way toward where Telvin and several other men are waiting. Telvin narrows his eyes, tilting his head as I approach.

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