Page 315 of Evil Hearts

“Oh, yes.”

Something akin to a finger drags along my arm and I flinch but can’t find it in me to run anymore. Maybe I should just give in to it… see what it wants.

“You are more beautiful than I ever could have imagined,” it says.

I suck in a sharp breath. I’ve never been afraid of much of anything. Now won’t be any different. I drop my hands and get to my feet, looking around.

“Where are you?”

“Here,” it whispers to my left, and I look that way.

“Why can’t I see you?”

“Light is bad.”

I glance up at the bright moon, wondering if perhaps I can just spend the rest of my life in the light. Then maybe it’ll leave me be.

Chapter Four

Idon’t hear fromor see the monster for the entire day.

After it followed me to the field, I stayed there until the sun was up, unwilling to go back home where it can live in my shadows.

But now the sun is going down, and it’s the night after a full moon, meaning it’s going to be dark as hell. I could keep all the lights on in my house, but I can’t live in fear for the rest of my life. I wasn’t brave last night in that field, but I’ll be brave now. I’m going to face this thing and see what it wants from me. So after dinner, I clean everything up, grab a flashlight just in case, then take a seat in my living room and wait for it to show.

As the minutes tick down, the room grows darker until I can’t see even an inch in front of my face. My hand grips onto the flashlight for dear life, ready to pop it on if necessary. I’m not sure if this thing is being truthful or fucking with me, but it’s possible light won’t stop it from hurting me if that’s what it’s after. I wait and wait for it to show, and eventually, it does.

“You are waiting for me.”

My eyes fall closed, and I take a steady breath. “Yes.”

“So, you have accepted it?”

“Accepted what?” I ask, looking around, though I still don’t see anything.

“That we are meant to be together.”

Meant to be together?

“Together how?”

His low, raspy chuckle echoes around the room in a haunting way that makes no sense for real life.

“Together… in every way.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You called for me, sweet Ethan.”

“Yeah, but…” I glance around, hoping to see what this thing is. “Where are you?”

It’s only a second before a large, warm hand falls on my shoulder, holding tightly. Possessively. But not aggressive.

“I am always here.”

“Except in the light.”

“I am here in the light, just… lingering.”

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