Professor Unhinged (Professor’s #2)

1. Reign

CHAPTER 1

Reign

D arkness kissed her features as she lay lifeless in the backseat. The luxury SUV skidded on the slick roads as the summer rain wettened them. The winding, narrow path was barren save for me. I heard a tiny gasp from the backseat as she started to come to.

My eyes flicked to my rearview mirror, taking note of her fluttering eyelids before snapping them back to the road in front of me. The last thing I needed was both of us fucking dying.

I pulled off, whipping my car to the curb on the deserted stretch of land. I had to move quickly. I scooped her body into my arms from the backseat. The Rohypnol was wearing off, and I couldn’t afford for her to make a goddamn scene. Even if I was out in the middle of nowhere.

Her breathing quickened, a telltale sign that she was starting to wake.

Fuck.

I moved faster, dodging branches that hung too low and roots that were weaving up through the wet, muddy ground. The heavily wooded area was the perfect cover most nights, but add the rain to muffle all sound, and I was a phantom in the dark.

A phantom that refused to be threatened.

Her head lolled to the side, her neck unable to support the weight of it. “Reign.” My name sounded on her lips with a gasp.

Lazily, I gazed down at her. “So,” I chuckled darkly, carrying her body through the woods. “You’ve woken up.”

Her pale hand reached up to grasp my chest, desperately searching for any part of me, though her grip was considerably weak. The drugs still coursed through her system.

“You don’t,” she coughed, the motion wracking her entire body, “have to do this. Let’s go back, I won't tell.”

Her pathetic attempts and pleas for her life were admirable but futile. There was no going back. Once she threatened my livelihood, a cold determination settled in. It didn't matter who they were to me; I knew I had to eliminate them.

I carried her silently through the thick of nature, finally getting to the clearing. As clear as it would be for these parts, the small area was perfect for a grave. It would be the most beautiful resting place for the woman in my arms. The pulse in her neck ramped up as she took in her surroundings, her blue eyes, so much like mine, dilated in fear as she snapped her gaze to me.

“No! Please,” her fists pounded on my chest lightly. “I don’t want to tell anymore! I take everything I ever said back, I swear.”

Again, fruitless.

I would cleanse our family of the vile history once and for all.

I laid her down gently on the soggy ground. She could try to crawl away if she wanted. I wouldn't stop her. I was surprised she was even coherent with how much of the drug I’d pumped into her body .

She wasn’t getting far, regardless.

I dug through the shrubbery for the things I’d dropped off earlier. The shovel, gloves, change of clothes, and some of her personal belongings all sat in the black trash bag, expertly hidden in the greenery for tonight's special occasion.

Her soft cries caressed my ears as the lullaby of her tears wafted through the whistle of the wind and rain. It was like music to me, but this time, it was different.

She was special.

I never thought I’d be digging the perfect grave for her tonight.

I persisted, even when the ground protested. Even when my hands were bloodied and blistering from the handle of the wooden shovel. Wet tendrils of my hair stuck to my forehead, blocking my peripherals as I finally reached the depth I needed to ensure she rested peacefully.

After all, the last thing I wanted was my beautiful guest getting dug up by a fucking animal. Her time may have come to an end in this life, but she will still forever be a part of my heart.

Swiping a forearm over my brow, the rain and sweat flicked onto the ground with a wet smack. “Your new home looks perfect,” I called out, admiring the beautifully symmetrical hole in the Earth.

Yellow roses, her favorite, peeked out from the bag. I wasn’t evil after all; I would give her a proper send-off with some of her favorite things. That was the entire reason I had to make two trips. She’d be so thankful when she saw how I’d prepared tonight for her.

Climbing out of the vast grave, I looked to where I’d left her.

She wasn’t there.

I turned over my shoulder, shielding my eyes from the rain rapidly coming down compared to earlier that night. She was on her belly, crawling away from me. The sight truly was one to see: her light brown hair, highlighted with blonde, stuck in wet strands to her bare back, her tank top and jeans clinging to her, the way she was clinging to her wretched life.

I reached her in only a few paces, kicking her body over with my foot so she stared up at me, horror painting her expression. The rain pelted her face; her skin rippled with gooseflesh as she took in a shaky breath.

“After all the time I spent making tonight perfect for you,” I began as I moved down her tall body. Taking her ankle in my grip, I took hold of her shoeless foot. “You try to leave when we get to the good part?”

I shook my head, urging myself to remain calm. I was such a thoughtful person; how could she want to leave at a time like this?

Her body sloshed through the mud, no longer having the urge to put up a fight. Her cries and pleas fell on deaf ears as we approached her new bed in the earth.

“Reign, I never meant any of it,” she dragged herself to her knees in hopes to reason with me. In hopes of finding that soft spot in me that used to exist for her. “I just,” she sniffled, wiping her wet forearm across her running nose. “I just want us to be a happy family again. That’s all. Just me and you, Reign.”

Her eyes were the only feature that showed brightly as the moon took shelter behind the clouds. Even the stars were hiding from me that night. As the world around us darkened, her hair whipped around her face, and she convulsed in a violent tremor.

“See now,” I bent to be at her eye level. My forearms rested on my knees as I inhaled her familiar scent. “That’s where we disagree. You said you were going to go to the police. You were willing to turn your fucking back on me. You think you’re some vigilante?” I cocked my head to the side .

She violently shook her head from side to side. “I don’t,” she stammered, the tremors taking over completely. “I love you and was just angry. That’s it! I’m not angry anymore.”

God, she made me fucking sick.

I had no more time to waste on sentiments and useless conversation. I hoisted her body over my shoulder and threw her into the grave. The rain muted her cries; it was like watching a silent film as her body landed eight feet down into the earth.

The two extra feet were contingency.

Her neck twisted in agony as her muffled sobs were drowned out. I went to my bag, collecting her favorite things. A pink pillow she loved to sleep with, one of her childhood stuffed animals, and a picture of us. Then, of course, the yellow roses. I tossed them all in there for her one by one as she wept, each breath ragged with sorrow.

I picked up the slimy shovel and began burying her. Saving her pretty little face for the finale.

“Well, you put on quite a show,” I told her. I took a moment to catch my breath. Sweat trickled down my brow, stinging my eyes. Even though my body was in immaculate shape, this work still took a toll.

She mouthed my name one last time as she clutched the stuffed animal to her chest, her impending fate finally sinking in.

“It’s been nice,” I stood to my full height, ready to get home for a much needed shower. “I’ll always think of you, big sis.”

The dry sound of her lungs filling with the wet soil eventually died out, leaving me to work silently.

I patted down the earth, returning it to its undisturbed state. I let out a breath, tilting my face up to the sky. The moon peeked out from the clouds, shining a spotlight on my sister's new grave as if to say job well done . I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer for her.

Tossing some leaves over the spot, I made my way back to the road where I planned to dispose of the muddy suit I was wearing. By the time I reached my car, daylight threatened its arrival. I stripped quickly, my muscles sore under my skin, and shoved the soiled clothing into the bag. I planned on taking that to the incinerator later.

I slammed my car door, starting it up, ready to get the hell out of there. The Bluetooth on my phone played my favorite songs. I tapped my finger on the steering wheel to the beat as I pulled into the parking garage in Chicago, where I spent most of my time.

The drive back always felt shorter, I thought as I made my way up. I was ready for a hot shower and some sleep. The semester waited for no one, and next week was the first day of classes.

I felt a shift in the atmosphere. An imminent change was upon me, and I was eager to find out what it was.