Page 89 of Haunted Prey

“You want to take out those responsible? Then we need to make sure everyone is where we want them while also not endangering ourselves.”

“That’s a sacrifice I think we are all willing to make.”

“Are you so sure?”

“I know I am!”

They’d been arguing all morning. Lena and I sat next to each other at one of the tables, picking at our eggs and toast. Lena, despite sleeping all night, didn’t look like she had slept well at all. I could see the circles under her eyes. I imagined she was still stressed by the idea that she was still a captive even if by choice. Andrea assured her that they would go to the park again so she could take any missed calls or texts, reassuring the others again that we were okay. Prepared to make up some bullshit story that we’d gone away on some spontaneous trip.

As for me, I could hardly eat, my stomach in knots after my nightmare. I kept glancing toward Emery, who was currently by the computer station with Dom, looking over some of the video feeds of street cameras Dom had gained access to near Severfalls and its entrance. Emery looked determined, hopeful even. Every time our eyes met, he smirked at me, looking happier than ever.

Over and over, I tried to convince myself why I shouldn’t say a word. Why tell him about my encounter with Nina? Why ruin a good thing? He didn’t need to know. It was just another bad thing to put a rift between us. It was in the past and we were trying to move forward. He didn’t need to know.

But then there was that shadow hanging over me. I could feel it. The nightmares would never end, the guilt might never go away. I had pushed the secret from my mind ever since we decided to leave together on my dad’s boat and, when I thought he’d died, I figured the secret would be buried with him.

I had allowed myself to forget for a little while, to try and let it go. Now his phantom would haunt me forever, forcing me to remember.

If I told him, I didn’t know what he might do, or how he might act. There was no way I wouldn’t trigger an episode. Hemight be able to ignore his sister in his head now, but would that change after I told him? Would he change and would I be running from him all over again?

I didn’t want to run or hide from him anymore. But I didn’t want to see the rage in his eyes aimed toward me ever again. That was the part that scared me the most—that devastated look. That look of betrayal. Watching the demons take over.

I couldn’t take it. Not again. Not now, after everything.

And yet, if I couldn’t let this go, I would always be wondering if what we had was unwavering, if his love for me could see past this final, awful truth. Would we still be able to come out the other side, unbroken?

There was only one way to know. Once everything was done, this would be the last secret between us. I just had to find the courage to say it.

And I wasn’t sure I could.

If you can’t confess…we can’t be together.

I was scared that my ghost might be right. But I was also scared that there was no way Emery would forgive me.

A hand grasped my wrist, and I looked over to see Lena staring at me, concerned. I glanced down and saw I was gripping my butter knife tight in my fist. I hadn’t even noticed.

It dropped on my plate with a clang and she let me go.

“You okay, Eve?” she asked.

“I’m sorry, I’m just…”

“You don’t have to tell me,” she said. “All this is starting to take a toll on me too. I can’t even imagine where you are right now.” She glanced over at the others. “At least I feel a little better than yesterday. Would be nice to get outside though, but don’t think they’ll let us, at least not till dark.”

The guilt deepened, knowing I had the chance to leave the basement last night and she hadn’t. My friend was stuck down here and it was my fault.

Everything was my fault.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated.

She rubbed my back. “We’re going to be okay.”

I closed my eyes. I wished I could believe her.

“How are you girls feeling today?” came Andrea’s voice on my other side.

I opened my eyes and saw her smiling down at me.

“We’re managing,” Lena answered when I didn’t respond. “I think we could use some fresh air though.”

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