Page 153 of Under the Bed

SHILOH

Atrembling hand lands on my shoulder. I shove my laptop into my bag, turning to Eddy. “Miss—Miss Talbot?”

Strange. He never calls me Miss Talbot. Always by my first name. Even when he took over for Dempsey earlier in class today, a little over two hours ago.

Always Shiloh.

What’s he doing here, anyway? Class is over. I want him gone.

I’m so ready to go home. To Kaleb.

I mean, he’s here, on the campus grounds, no question about it.

I’ve felt his eyes on me for the past hour or so.

Goosebumps have pricked my skin. The back of my neck has been burning up.

It’s thrilling.

My worries about getting caught are gone.

We’re basically safe.

I did that. I made sure we would be, that no one was out there searching for Kaleb.

First, I managed to sound cool and collected when I gave my version of events to the police. I lied through my teeth about the short man who killed my professor. Forced tears out when I got to thehardparts.

Dad’s lawyers argued with the detectives, but eventually, I was promised that this would be my last interview about the subject. They also informed me that he was on a short trip with Kaleb’s mom. He’d be back home on Halloween. That was why he couldn’t be there.

Talk about strange timing. It’s as if Kaleb had a hand in getting them back here on the date he wants to kill them.

Which is impossible. I think.

They handed me back my phone while I smiled on the inside, happy that Kaleb would get his wish, killing our parents on that day. Then I did some more damage control and calmed Val for the hundredth time.

At college, no one suspected I had anything to do with Dempsey’s death. On the contrary. My classmates and teachers were compassionate. Soft smiles. A pat on my shoulder.

It must have been awful.

Yes, yes, it was. Poor Professor Dempsey.

They consoled me while excitement buzzed under my skin.

Kaleb. The future that awaits us. The fact that I can keep him safe. Free.

When I get home, he’ll still be there to mark my skin again. Claim my three holes. Yes.

Soon. Once Eddy is out of the way.

“Miss Talbot.” His voice breaks, face pales.

My hackles rise. Swear to God, this better not be another conversation about Kaleb.

He better not be threatening me to expose Kaleb. Asking for my permission to report him.

It takes all of my concentration to sling my bag over my shoulder instead of bashing it into Eddy’s head. “What do you want?”

Terrified, light gray eyes stare at me. His body trembles beneath his red and black plaid sweater.

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