Chapter 14
Chapter fourteen
Winona Bishop
Vore — Sleep Token
Reeve’s head is planted between my legs, tongue licking my swollen clit, and I moan before a knock on the door startles us.
He lifts his face to look at me, and I jump back when I see his burnt flesh. The skin melted down to the bone, leaving him almost unrecognizable.
“What happened?” I murmur, concern echoing in my voice.
“You need to go,” he replies. “They are waiting for you.”
“Who?” I snap my brows together.
Sirens blare through the street, and it’s becoming increasingly chaotic outside as I look out the window.
Red and blue lights pulse against my outer walls as the vehicle comes to a stop next to my driveway. My heartbeat quickens when two officers exit the police cruiser and head toward my door. My stomach drops as I lift the phone and glance at the screen.
He was supposed to call me.
He promised.
A knock on the door startles me, and the phone thuds to the floor. I take a deep breath and collect the device before heading to the front door.
It’s Halloween night, and although Salem embodies this holiday spirit, it’s the worst night of the year to go outside and indulge in the festivities.
The Halloween Killers are out there, threatening to kill the Sacrificed.
Most people refuse to let them dictate our lives because of a twisted game they started nearly twenty years ago.
I slowly crack the door open and wait for the officers to speak first. My heart pounds faster as one of the men opens his mouth.
“Hello, ma’am. I’m Sergeant Nicks, and this is my partner, Officer Diaz. We’re sorry to meet you under these circumstances, but… we have a reason to believe that your husband was involved in a car crash at the nearest parking lot.”
“What?” I eye him skeptically.
I don’t know much about my husband’s past, but I know he doesn’t exist in the system. He has a fake ID in case of an emergency. He’s part of Grandma’s secret organization, and no one else exists in the system except my grandma, who keeps her real name out of the business.
“There was a collision between a car and a bike. The bike was about to exit, and the car came in at full speed, crashed into him, and then exploded. We confirmed there was a bomb inside the car.”
“Is he...?”
“We believe he died due to the explosion. The flames severely damaged the body. Your grandma’s cooperation helped us identify him quickly through footage from surveillance cameras in the area. It confirmed it was him riding the bike.”
My throat tightens as I try to make sense of what they are saying. I tug at the collar of my shirt. The walls spin around me, and everything blurs.
“We’re very sorry for your loss. Salem increases investigation sources during this holiday to catch the Halloween Killers. We’re doing all we can,” he continues while the other officer keeps asking me if I’m okay.
“Ma’am, are you okay?”
I tip my head back and lean against the wall as the incessant sound of sirens rings in my ears. The shadows on the ceiling merge with the police lights before I lower my head. The faces around me sharpen as I move past their moving lips.
“Ma’am, wait,” says a voice from behind as I start running down the street and pass the neighborhood gate.
The fire trucks and first responders move from left to right, barricading the scene. I sprint through as a burnt vehicle comes into view around the corner in the open parking lot we have nearby.
“Hey! You can’t go there.” A firefighter stops me as I try to get closer to the flames.
“What happened? Please tell me. That’s my husband’s bike.” Tears fill my eyes, blurring everything. Fire licks its way up higher, and I cough as smoke begins to fill my lungs.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. The police will determine if it was an accident or a homicide. But I can’t let you go there.”
He said goodbye to me before going on a mission.
“Winona!” His raw voice snaps me out of the confusion.
I thrash against her.
“He screams, can’t you hear? He needs help. Please help him!” I scream.
She holds my quivering body in place and spins me around. The sounds around me fade away.
Night falls around the tower as a misty, cold wind sweeps through the tiny crack I left open. A shiver runs down my spine, and goosebumps rise even though I’m wrapped in a fluffy blanket. The raindrops begin knocking on the glass. I rush over to it and slide the door until the lock clicks.
Wait…
How did I end up here? Is this a dream?
“Winona, wake up.” Reeve’s voice echoes again, urgent and tense. “Save yourself.”
I jerk upright from sleep as the dream bubble bursts, gasping in my attempt to slow my heartbeat down.
It was in the past. I repeat in my head.
I pant, grab the glass of water I left on the nightstand, and take a few sips. The winter wind howls, sending haunting sounds that swirl around the tower.
I’m not there anymore. It’s okay.
I’m okay.