1. Noah
NOAH
OCTOBER FLASHBACK
They think that just because it’s Halloween time, every bump in the night is just pretend.
They see the ghosts and demons running around with their silicone masks.
They hear the fake screams coming from the corners as the goblins and ghouls chase the willing participants of this haunted asylum.
Haunted? Please. They don’t know the meaning of the word haunted.
“Teddy bear, I’m cold. Can I borrow your jacket?”
I have to bite the inside of my cheek just to stop my lip from curling in disgust at the way her nails drag along my arm.
“Sure, Princess,” I say, using the sickening nickname she loves.
The chill bites against my body as I drape my jacket over her bare shoulders.
Apparently, even though it’s October in Michigan, it’s the perfect time for this woman to wear a mini skirt and a crop top.
I won’t deny she looks absolutely stunning, but the whole thing’s getting old.
The cold can be deadly if you’re not careful. Why don’t more people realize this?
“Thanks, babe. Are you excited? I heard this one is the scariest. They actually make you sign a waiver because the actors can grab you.”
I have to shut my eyes and breathe, focusing on the sounds of the screams through those doors a mere fifty feet ahead. We’ve been in this fucking line for over two hours waiting to join the masses inside the Eloise Asylum.
“I’m just happy to be here with you, Princess.”
She looks up at me with those blue eyes. Those cornflower blue eyes. They aren’t the right color. She was almost perfect. She was almost…her.
“Do you want to grab a bite to eat after this?” she asks as she snuggles up to my side.
I can feel the heat from her body. It must be nice and warm wearing my jacket.
I huff, taking a second to glance at the watch on my wrist. The spotlights sweeping across the parking lot catch on the glass and metal.
A Rolex. Just another piece of this costume I had to wear today. I have to play the part, you know.
Noah Anderson. Top of his class. A partner at Andersons’ and Sons, Attorneys at Law, my father’s firm. Just another facade I’ve had to wear to be able to blend into the background in this world. Can’t let the world see the monster lurking in the darkness.
“Where would you like to go?”
“We could go to Zack's. Oh look. They’re letting another group in.”
Her shrill excitement only causes my back teeth to grind harder together. Just a little longer.
“Sounds good, Princess,” I answer mindlessly as I kiss the top of her head.
The scent she has on reminds me of…her. The one that disappeared without a trace. The one that I’ve been searching over fifteen years for.
“Angie!”
Another man’s voice shouting over the crowd draws Angela’s attention. She quickly pulls away from under my arm, and my body breathes a sigh of relief to have her claws retract from my skin.
“OMG, Marco! I didn’t know you were working tonight. Noah, this is Marco. He’s been my BFF since like forever.”
Dear God. I’m going to end up slitting her throat along with her father's if she doesn’t stop talking like a fucking teenager. When I saw she was a near-replica of what I’ve dreamed my little rabbit would look like, I thought it was a bonus treat during my hunt.
Marco stares at me for a moment, studying me, as if he could even attempt to chip away at the layers to try and see who I really am, but he won’t. I hold my hand out to shake his, and he glances at Angela for a second before taking it.
“Nice to meet you, man. Noah, is it?”
“Yes. It’s Noah. Nice to meet you. I’m glad I could finally meet one of Angie’s BFF’s.”
I let the last part roll off my tongue with arrogance, but Angela doesn’t even notice. Of course she doesn’t. Angela doesn’t care about anyone but herself. She’s probably one of the most narcissistic women I’ve ever met.
But he noticed.
“Yeah, Angie’s told me a bit about you. We were all wondering if you really existed or not,” Marco says as he releases my hand.
“Oh, stop it.” Angela jokingly smacks Marco in the shoulder before turning to me. “They just didn’t think that I would ever date a lawyer. I mean, most of you are really uptight, and none are as handsome as you are, Teddy Bear.”
She cuddles up to my side and clings to my arm that’s wrapped around her the way a cat clings for dear life as it’s being lowered into a bath. I wrap myself tighter around her and play the part of the perfect boyfriend, shielding her from the cold.
“Well, I hope you guys like the tour. We’ve outdone ourselves this year. It’ll be sure to scare the shit out of you. Don’t scream too loud, pretty boy,” Marco teases as he turns back to the building.
“Don’t mind Marco. Out of all my friends, he’s the most protective. He’s always been like an older brother to me.”
Yeah, and secretly in love with you, too.
Idiot. How oblivious can you be to not see the way he stares at you?
I saw those love-sick, puppy dog eyes light up the second he saw her.
The light in them died just as quickly when he saw her attached to me.
Too bad. He’ll probably eventually get the balls to tell her how he really feels.
He’ll promise to love her and worship the ground she walks on.
She’ll give in, realizing that Marco means safety.
Someone to love her even as she grows old and no longer fits the “trophy wife aesthetic”, as she called it.
Once I’m finished with this hunt, I’ll break her heart, and he can pick up the pieces. Because she will never be the one thing my body and soul crave…
My Little Rabbit.