Page 14 of Resolutions

The ringing stops. Deep breath. Back out slowly. I head for the complex's rear exit.

“Incoming call from Cameron, my love.”

Tears blur my vision as I white-knuckle the steering wheel. Moses climbs into my lap, concerned he paws my face. Something he's done since he was a kitten. As I move him back, warning beeps pierce the air. I swerve hard, barely missing an oncoming truck.

Focus, Mel! Dead women save no one!

East. I'll head east on the interstate. Maybe distance will help me think clearer. I need time to process what Michael said about they. Who are they? And the warehouse, what's that? I knew from his tone that neither the warehouse nor they were anything good.

“Incoming call from Cameron, my love.”

“FUCK!” My fist hits the steering wheel and accidently the answer button.

“Mel! Mel! Are you there?” Cameron's voice, thick with worry, fills the car. Moses perks up instantly, recognizing the voice he's heard every day for years.

“Mew?”

“Moses! Mel, are you at home? Did you forget something? Are you hurt? Make any noise - I'll bring my brothers.”

I hear rustling and the guys' voices behind him saying “he's got her.”

“I can't,” I manage. “Not dead. I just... I can't... I can't be the cause of the deaths. I have to save you.”

“What? Mel, you're not making sense. Tell me where you are. I'll come right now. Are you hurt?”

“No, Cameron. No. I can't - he'll know. I have to figure it out. I don't understand how he- check on mom for me. Our..”

Michael's voice cuts through the background: “They said you found Mel. Is that her? She’s not at her apartment so, where is she? Let's go get her.”

Pure terror sends my hand flying to the disconnect but before I can, my phone shuts off on its own. A text from Michael appears.

Nice Try. Oh, and thanks for speaking so highly of me in the note. First Warning.

“FUCK!” I throw my phone aside, nearly hitting Moses. My lungs won't expand. I pull into a rest area, gasping.

He was right there. Of course he was. Damn it, he took the note!

“Incoming call from Cameron, my love.”

“Incoming call from Colton.”

“Incoming call from Connie.”

“Incoming call from Ruthie.”

“Incoming call from Cameron, my love.”

“Incoming call from Debbie.”

“Incoming call from Mom C.”

“Incoming call from Cameron, my love.”

I punch the steering wheel again as tears stream down my face. Moses headbutts my arm, his quiet “mew” full of concern.

I see the text from Michael.My aren’t we a popular little bunny, all the calls of concern. Oh well. I’m coming for you.

“What are we going to do?” I gather him close, his purrs vibrating against my chest, his paw patting my face. “You're getting all wet, silly boy.” His rough tongue catches my tears. “I know you know I'm sad. It'll be okay. We just need time to figure this out.”

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