Page 128 of Under the Bed

Couldn’t be. He was too familiar with the area.

My heart hurt—just a little. I don’t like it when he keeps secrets from me.

Like the identity of the man who’d been feeding him my pictures and whereabouts. Or who lived in the apartment he’d taken over.

He wouldn’t answer my questions about either of those subjects on the ride over.

And I couldn’t let it go. Once we arrived, I wouldn’t leave the car until he gave me at least one answer.

“Don’t worry, Shi. No one’s been following us. The PI’s phone? Other than reporting to your dad, I placed him back behind the bushes. Where he’s supposed to be. I’ll text your dad tomorrow.”

“What if Wren floats?”

“Don’t care. We’ll be out of here right after Halloween.”

“In three days? What happens then?”

“We kill our parents.”

“Are you serious?”

My last question went unanswered.

Kaleb went back to his silence. Same silence he’d been holding on to while he soaped me, shampooed my hair, and massaged conditioner into the roots. He took extra care applying ointment to my wounds and patching them up, then was even more careful undoing the knots in my hair with his large fingers.

The black hoodie I’m wearing is the one he helped me into. The sweatpants, socks, and sneakers. All of them are his, and they’re huge on me. We had no time to go to my apartment to change.

I’d ask where he got the money for the clothes, except I know he won’t tell me. Not tonight.

In the chill of the night, as we watch the PI’s body sink lower and lower, I accept his silence. His secrets. For a little while, I’m submitting to Kaleb fully.

I inhale the scent of him beside me. The new smell of clothes. The salty fragrance of the ocean. I latch onto his arm, leaning into him.

Most of all, I revel in this moment. The pleasure of having him here. Near me.

Safe from imprisonment.

He might be a murderer. A man who only has eyes for me.

He’s ruthless and quick to act.

He’s also my person.

My obsession.

Mine.

“How could you afford those weights anyway?” Once we’re back in the car, the spell is broken. My questions rise to the surface. I can’t help that I’m curious about him. What if he needs my help? “And that rug seemed new.”

He tilts his head, staring at me through his mask.

An eerie silence envelops us. It would have other people running for their lives. Me? Warmth slithers up my spine. My heart thumps in a soothing cadence. My cheeks heat.

This is everything I’ve been dreaming of for eleven years. His undivided attention. I wanted it back after they took him from me. Then, I wanted more. A different, more grown-up version of him.

Now that I have it, I wantall of him.

Too soon, the fuzzy feeling gives way to a tightness in my chest. It’s not fair that he won’t let me in. It isn’t right that he carries the weight of saving us by himself.

---