LOGIN“What the hell…” I snarled. “This isn’t possible!” My head banged immediately. I pressed a palm over my forehead. What’s this news? How was it possible for Marcus to escape custody? I stared back at the screen. Maybe I had missed something earlier.The news sat there still. THIRTEEN SUSPECTS AWAITING TRIAL ESCAPE CUSTODY AMIDST FIRE OUTBREAK! Then the list of names glared on the screen. I stretched forth the remote control again, the news was too tragic to be true. Turned it off even before the news was over. Then I picked up my phone, maybe Alex would have something to say about this. It was even more shocking that he hadn’t called me yet. The newscaster had said this happened about two hours ago. That was enough time! According to the news, they had waited to compile the names of the escapees, with possibly more names emerging soon. I felt a low rumble in my stomach, jaw clenched tight as my hands shook around the gadget.Just then, a knock sounded lightly on the door. My heart
It felt so good, almost brand new to have a week without any new trouble. I had just walked out of the bathroom, towel tight around me. I pulled the closet door open and grabbed a silky gray robe. Perfect for my mood tonight.It was relieving to know Victoria was still alive. That's the good part, even though Alex thinks someone close by was working with Marcus, and still feeding him what's happening on the outside. I threw the robe around my shoulders. Towel bunched up at my feet. Then my eyes glanced to the mug of coffee that sat on the nightstand, Isabel had dropped it off while I was in the bathroom. The inviting smell had filled my lungs the moment I stepped out of the bathroom. I walked briskly, sat on the edge of the bed, the warm light from the nightstand lamp cascaded on my face.I grabbed the mug and sipped once. Then the square framed picture of Mia and me stared back, I picked it up with my free hand, her soft bright smile glared at me. I had seen them again two days back
Silence had fallen over the room, except for the low hum of the AC. My heart fluttered with each passing second, I lay awake while I watched her sleep in my hand like she was going to vanish again by morning. My free hand shoving strands of hair off her face. For weeks, I had waited, searched, and when I found her, the circumstances were different. I became her arrester when all I ever wanted to do was arrest her heart and make it mine. The air around us grew differently from the one I remembered that night. But not in this room, where we lay locked away from the rest of the world, from all the ugly circumstances that brought us back together, yet kept us apart.“Alex, please I’m not ready,” she had broken away from the kiss, from the tension between us, hazel eyes dazzling in the lowlight of the room, right under me.I understood her perfectly. If she needed time, I would give every one of it. If she needed a shoulder to lean on, I would make my entire body one as long as she didn’
I read through the descriptions on the bottle. It was a sparkling drink, but that was the only thing I noticed about it, because while my eyes ran all over the bottle in my hand, my mind chose another direction.Us at the station. The fear on Victoria's face. The way she scurried like it wasn't her, like she wasn't the poised queen I knew. The way she hurriedly drew the hoodie over her, hiding her scar away from the world.All of that happened because of me. Victoria wouldn't be missing if only I had listened to Marcus. He was right after all. He could have been gone by now and Victoria would still have her life. Who knew what she was up against? But what I knew was that I caused all of this. Yes, Victoria knew no battles before I stepped in. She lived like the queen that she was.There she was on the screen, a shadow of herself, like she wasn't Victoria Langford. And here was I, living my life without fear, stepping into her shoes like it was the most natural thing to do.Anyway, I
I leaned against the window as Alex stepped out of the car. He had asked me to wait while he walked into the reception hall to inquire about possible vacant rooms and make payments if any. Aunt Linda had called me earlier, I had seen her name on the screen while we tried to escape the chaos. I pulled out my phone, dialed her number. It ended almost immediately. Only then did I realize the network coverage here was unstable. I sighed, pulled the door open, and stepped out slowly, fresh breeze washed through me. I had no idea how much my pale body needed some fresh air until now, I dragged in a long breath, shoved some strands of hair away from my face, then I walked around trying to get in touch with Aunt Linda.No network coverage yet. I leaned against the car, phone screen lit up in my face. Then he walked right out of the revolving door.His eyebrows pulled together, he breathed out the moment he reached where I stood.“Uhm,” he drawled. I could already tell there was something
My mind wouldn’t stop spinning. How could Victoria be seen at the train station days after she was supposedly stabbed? Thoughts sat heavy on my mind, and I leaned my head against the window as the city blurred past behind us.Alex cleared his throat once, softly. I knew what that was, a subtle way of snapping me back to reality. I glanced at him once, a small smile sat on his face.Then his hand lifted from the wheel, hovered, then settled back down. He didn’t speak. I didn’t either. The silence felt heavy, like something we were both carrying but didn’t know how to set down.Finally, the station came into view, bright lights, people hurrying with suitcases, and the sound of trains rumbling low in the distance. Alex parked near the side entrance. We got out, the night air flushed my skin, that feeling of uneasiness slowly crept back in. I tugged at the handle of my bag.An official met us at the door, middle-aged, with graying hair, clipboard in hand. He looked at Alex first, then at
The phone buzzed on my nightstand at 1:47 a.m.Aunt Linda’s name glowed on the screen. My heart dropped before I even answered, I sat up instantly, back against the headboard. “Auntie?”My voice cracked as I pressed the gadget to my ear. “Sammy… it’s bad tonight.” Her voice came through cracked an
Marcus strode back into the room, small wooden tray resting on both palms, nudging the door open easily with his elbow. Steam curled up from the coffee mug, reaching my nostrils from the door, the exact way I used to make it when we were together.My eyes caressed over him, wondering how he manage
Marcus crouched down beside me before I could lift my face the second time. I couldn’t push him away even though that was what made the most sense.His body balanced on the balls of his feet, broad shoulders blocking half the lamplight from casting on my face. The glow caught the side of his jaw, t
I strode across the foyer, heels clicking softly yet steadily, head tilted slightly to the side in exasperation, a lazy yawn left my throat. Flipping the heavy envelope over to the hand where my bag rested, I managed to tuck my hair perfectly, catching my shadowy image on the floor-to-ceiling windo







