Chapter One
SKYLAR
One Month Later
Why does it feel as if my life’s falling to pieces?
First, my parents pass away, and then, just as I settle into their home, the Mercers get murdered.
What’s worse is the feeling that this isn’t over.
That I’ve got someone or something looming over my shoulder, and it’s just about ready to reach out and grab me.
I can’t even tell Alice about it – after all, her parents have just been killed.
Alice Mercer has been a mess since the whole ordeal happened.
After what happened to her parents, we moved into a smaller apartment in the city together, for easier access to police protection.
She’s been drinking herself numb, and is barely sober enough in the mornings to say hello, let alone talk about any fears or doubts about what might be happening.
I know I’m probably just being stupid, and that whoever went after the Mercers won’t do anything to us.
He could’ve, if he’d wanted to, that night.
We were sitting ducks, easy prey, but he left us alone.
I don’t even know if it was a man, if I’m honest, but something about saying he just feels right.
I picture the person in my mind as a big, vile monster of a man.
Not a woman at all, but a disgusting beast, who left a girl orphaned.
Not that Alice is a helpless orphan; we’re both eighteen and old enough to get by on our own.
Still, it can’t be easy to live a life without your parents, after losing them in such a horrible way.
As someone who went through it only a year before, I know what she’s dealing with. My parents died in a car accident. True, this is different; a murder versus an accident, but the same heartache remains.
“Hey, Skylar,” Alice’s voice breaks my concentration, and she shuffles into my bedroom.
Her long blue-and-purple satin nightgown drags along the ground behind her as she walks.
Her nose is red, her face stained with tears, and her hair is pinned up in a messy bun.
“You mind if I sit with you for a bit?” She sniffs and swallows hard.
“Of course not,” I jump off the bed and rush to her side, wrapping an arm around her. This is the first time she’s come to me, since it happened. “How are you feeling today?”
She doesn’t answer immediately. Not until we’re both on my bed, underneath the blankets, with me cuddling up to her to support her. Alice holds herself together for as long as she can before suddenly bursting into tears.
“I’m feeling a little bit better today,” Alice says, in between the fit of tears.
It doesn’t look like it, with her crying and all, but I know what she means, because I’ve felt it, too. It doesn’t get easier, not in the first month – hell, not in the first year – but every day that passes feels a little bit better than the last, until you can stand on your own two feet again.
“That’s great,” I say, giving her a soft smile. “Maybe we should get out of the house for a bit then. Get some fresh air. It’ll make a world of difference.”
I’ve wanted to go out for a while now. I love the apartment we’ve moved into, but being cooped inside all day and night doesn’t help the feeling of being hunted. It’s as if the longer I sit around doing nothing, the easier it will be for him to get in here and finish the job.
I can’t leave Alice alone, though. In the state she’s in, being alone might lead to foolish decisions. I don’t want to be the reason something happens to her.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” Alice replies. “Not yet, anyway. If you want to get out, don’t let me hold you back. That’s what I wanted to say. I’m feeling better and don’t need you to babysit me. I know it’s not easy, but I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
“No thanks needed,” I say, rubbing Alice’s arm. “Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own? If I do go, I won’t be out long. I just need some fresh air.”
“Of course,” Alice replies. “I’ll be okay. I can handle being here alone for a bit.” She gives me a weak smile, before getting up from the bed. It’s only been a month, but I can see the first signs of recovery in her. Day by day, it’ll only get easier.
After another brief discussion, and while I pull on the layers needed to brave the cold outside, Alice accompanies me to the apartment door.
She gives me a small list of things to get from the shops, if I’m going, and says goodbye.
The list contains a lot of sweet and savory treats – completely understandable.
Nothing helps more, even temporarily, than stuffing your face with unhealthy food.
Then, for the first time in a month, I’m back in the real world again.
At first, it’s refreshing to be outside of the confines of my apartment, and taking a drive down to the mall.
There was a heavy snowfall a few days ago, but it’s cleared up, now.
The sun’s even shining. However, the longer I stay outside, and the longer I’m away from the safety of my thick blanket and bed, the more panicked I start to feel.
As soon as I go into the mall, the people walking up and down, talking and chattering, flood my head.
The noise becomes almost unbearable, as if everything’s closing in on me.
I can feel my heart racing and my mind is going with it.
Everyone who looks at me could be him. Conversations seem louder, and I feel trapped in place, standing among the hordes of people doing their shopping.
Even the shitty music on the overhead speakers is overwhelming.
The longer I stand here, the more claustrophobic I feel.
Masses of people are spilling through the doors into the mall, and disappearing into various shops.
I’m just about ready to scream, and my eyes are wider than they’ve ever been.
I clutch my chest, and feel my body about to crumble to the floor.
I’m overwhelmed with agoraphobic feelings, and with paranoia. Then…
“Excuse me, Miss. You doing alright?” a voice comes from someone to my side. It’s deep, smooth, whiskey-soaked, and enough to make my heart melt.
I can’t face him, not yet. This might be my assailant, the monster I’ve dreamt about every night since the Mercers were murdered.
But, when I look over at him, it’s not some vile fiend.
It’s a man with a thick, black beard that has a single streak of silver running down the chin.
He’s got these striking hazel eyes that sparkle in the light.
He’s broad-shouldered, strong-looking, and has a delicate smile on his face.
He’s handsome, and my body responds to him without me being able to control it. I’m nervous and giddy in his presence. Before I know it, the panic starts to fade. I struggle to find any words to say, as I look him up and down. He must think I’m losing it.
I open my mouth, and then shut it again.
He chuckles. “Let’s get you out of the cold, hey?” He doesn’t give me a chance to respond, before he’s whisking me away from the entryway of the mall. I can’t thank him enough.