Page 65 of Haunting the Hunter
“I keep tabs on your past cases—victims, their families, any police digging around. I won’t bore you with the logistics. Just know I’d see it if your name got brought up. And lately… I’ve noticed a pattern.” His voice is tight with anxiety and I give his shoulder a squeeze before finally stepping back.
“Can you keep them off our trail?”
“I’ll do what I can, just… just… start wearing a mask. The last thing we need is for someone to notice you, and dude, your scar is a dead giveaway. For now I’ll do what I can to get info on Rosa.” He sighs, slumping back against the wall, looking tired.
I nod my thanks and leave the room, heading for Calli, but as I approach the door to the library, I stop dead in my tracks. I feel frozen, like I can’t move an inch. The air feels so heavy, and my skin is buzzing on its surface, hairs raising…
What is this?
The pendulum around my neck begins to vibrate, a warm sensation spreading out over my body allowing me to suck in a breath. I shake off the initial feeling and open the door to see Calli sitting in the chair near the window.
She speaks up first, words rushing out.
“Cade, I know you don’t believe, but I need to tell you something—” she starts, worrying her hands in her lap.
I cut her off. “Me first.”
She pauses and nods.
“You were right.” I sigh. “About Rosa White, and about the pendulum. I won’t tell you how I know, but I need your help.”
“I’m sorry.What?” A mix of confusion and what looks like anger plays across her face.
“I’m saying I believe you and I need your help,” I tell her, trying to calm that anger before it bubbles over.
“Heh. Wow. Just like that, huh?” she scoffs.
Clearly, I failed.
“After years of you chastising me, judging me, and shitting on everything I know, you walk in here to tell me you believe, like it’s nothing? Like it’s just another job!?” Her voice is rising and I feel my own temper rearing to face it.
“The fuck is your problem? Isn’t this what youwanted?” I snap at her.
“Yes! I want to help, and I want you to listen, but you’re acting like it’s nothing!” she says, surging to her feet.
“So you’re upset because I’m not reacting the way youthinkI should? You fucking serious, Calli?” I groan, letting my head thunk against the wall.
“This is huge and you’re acting like it’s another fucking Tuesday!” She throws her hands up. “What the fuck, Cade? Be angry—cry, scream, do anything but dissociate and internalize everything! Fuckingdosomething!” She grabs one of the throw pillows and chucks it at my chest. I catch it, drop it on the ground, and stand, crossing my arms.
“Yes, this is huge. But I can’t afford to let myself slip. I accept what I know is true, and yes, Calli, I’m freaking out. It’s crazy,thisis crazy, but I’m in uncharted waters here and I need to stay focused,” I try to reason, and her face falls as she drops back into the chair.
“I wish I could do that,” she whispers. “Just be strong all the time.”
I bend a knee and gently take one of her hands in mine, dipping my head to meet her eyes.
“I’m not, Calli,” I tell her honestly, my voice soft. “I’m scared, too.Scared of losing my baby sister. I don’t care how much I lose myself in the process—I’ll do all of it to keepyousafe.”
“Why does it have to be this way…? You’re tearing yourself apart. I’m not worth it.”
Not worth it?I look into her eyes, which are beginning to tear up. I remember how she never cried as a girl. How she was treated like a stranger in her own house by our parents, a fucking tool. A means to an end.
I admit we weren’t close as kids… I probably could have done more, but she always smiled when she saw me. And I always saw her as a helpless little girl who needed to be kept as far away from everything as she could be. I was glad our parents stayed away from her. I never understood why she always seemed so happy. But then again, I never knew her. Not really.
But I see her now. She’s seen things, fought for what she believes in, and tries every day. She’s desperate for the attention that she deserves, and desperate to be understood. It’s in this moment that I realize she and I are so much more alike than I ever realized.
But she doesn’t see her life as one worth fighting for. She was ready to die, and I forgot that. I choose my next words carefully, squeezing her hand to ensure I have her attention.
“You don’t get to tell me what’s worth it to me. That ismydecision and mine alone. You deserve a life where you can feel it all. I want you to love endlessly, to fight and show up for yourself. You are not replaceable, and this is only the beginning of your story. I will always fight to give you the life that I know you deserve.”
