Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

ver thought Colin was going all out just to track down the killer.

It felt more like he was trying to cover something up.

"Phoebe, nothing is more important to me than you..." His voice was hoarse, choked with emotion. "I was just guessing. The killer is so smart. I lost, Phoebe, I lost."

Colin spoke in riddles that went over my head, probably about that time I died, when he lost some kind of game with the killer.

"You say you love me, but I can't see any hatred for the person who killed me in you." I shook my head, feeling a distance growing between Colin and me.

It was all too obvious.

He knew something but wouldn't tell me.

He had gotten close to the inner circle but kept me in the dark.

Not even telling the police...

Colin hung his head in defeat, tears welling up in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, his Adam's apple bobbing, but in the end, he said nothing.

"I want to know the truth..." My voice trembled as I faced Colin. "I want to know how I died, why they hated me so much. I want to catch the killer!"

Colin rushed over in a panic, pulling me into a tight embrace. After what felt like an eternity, he seemed to make a decision. "Okay... Phoebe, I'll help you, I'll help you. You know that whatever you ask, I will do it. I'll help you."

I let out a sigh of relief, looking down, feeling perhaps a bit guilty for forcing Colin to choose between me and 'the killer'. As it stood, it seemed he chose me.

"Phoebe, I'll help you," he reassured me, repeating the promise over and over.

"Okay." I nodded, slowly closing my eyes as tears burned hotly. "Colin, we can't keep running away. It's time to fight back."

"Okay." Colin nodded emphatically.

It seemed like he would do anything I said.

Except when it came to 'the killer'.

My curiosity grew. Just who was this killer?

Why did Colin, who acted like he'd sacrifice his life for me, repeatedly protect 'it', not even caring about my death?

"Now we need to find Melody. The dismemberment case isn't closed. We can't let the serial killings continue." I didn't care about Melody's fate, but if she didn't die, then those who followed might live.

I just didn't want to see anyone else die.

"As for Damian, he's too high up, with too many knives at his disposal. We have to take it slow." I looked up at the wall of photos and pointed at Henry. "First, we need to protect ourselves. To make sure we survive, we must deal with the threat Henry poses."

Colin nodded in agreement. "Okay."

...

At the police station.

Eric pulled up to the precinct, and Colin instinctively reached for my hand.

I almost reflexively pulled away, stepping out of the car without him. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Colin's eyes dropped, shadowed with sadness.

I looked away, feeling chilled by the truths of the basement, especially by Colin's attitude toward the serial killer.

"I don't care what you have to do, you must ensure her safety!"

We entered the police station to find Dexter in the midst of a meltdown, probably triggered by Melody's disappearance.

"Mr. Fitzgerald, weren’t you supposed to be protecting Melody around the clock? How could you let her disappear?" I said with a cold laugh, my gaze dripping with sarcasm as I looked at Dexter.

Dexter paused, his face tensing when he saw me. "Phoebe, I'm just worried, given that the killer is inhuman."

Ignoring Dexter, I walked over to Stella. "Any leads?"

Stella shook her head. "As a pain in the neck, I doubt she's dead."