Page 88 of Deceit

I turn left, running down the row through the clouded mist, glancing at the next three graves.

Bridgette Bishop, Sarah Osbourne and Elizabeth Proctor.

Whipping around, I look at the row in front of me to read the names.

Bridgette Bishop, Sarah Osbourne and Elizabeth Proctor.

They are everywhere, surrounding me. My pulse begins to race as my eyes flick around the graveyard when a hand cups my shoulder, and I let out a blood curdling scream.

I throw myself upright, panting and blinking rapidly as my mind struggles to comprehend that I’m in my room. My heartis practically beating out of my chest when the door is thrown open, a shadowed figure standing in the doorway. He lowers his foot, and I’m about to let out another scream when I recognize the figure.

“Vincent?” I breathe out roughly, before running my hands through my hair.

He takes several steps in, and for the first time I notice a gun in his hand. He points it towards Liam, and I practically jump on top of my comatose boyfriend.

“It’s Liam, it’s Liam!” I say quickly.

He looks down at him before his eyes come back up to me.

“I heard you scream.”

“Yeah,” I pant. “It was a nightmare. I—”

I pause.

“Wait, were you outside my door?”

Vincent stands up a little taller, tucking his gun behind his back as he nods.

“Why?”

“Your stalker…I haven’t found anything. It’s driving me fucking nuts,” he says, his eyes becoming wild for a moment before he closes them and shakes his head. “I wanted to make sure you were safe.”

Shooting a snarled look at Liam, he scoffs. “Clearly he’s not going to protect you if there is danger.”

I look down at him. His mouth is slightly parted, a soft snore coming from him as he appears to be having the best sleep of his life. He’s not wrong. I’m not sure an earthquake would wake Liam right now, or ever.

“How long have you been outside my room?” I ask.

Vincent looks down at me, rolling his lips together as if he were contemplating how much to share before he speaks.

“Since the day you told me about your stalker.”

My eyes widen. “Every night?”

He nods.

“When do you sleep?” I ask.

He shrugs.

“When I can.”

I frown at that. “You need to go get some sleep. I’ll be okay.”

Vincent shakes his head.

“I’m fine. Sorry I scared you. Go back to sleep, Siren.”

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