I knew deep down that Blaze would come after her again, it was just a matter of when. But I never expected it to be so soon - it only confirmed my suspicions that he was relentlessly pursuing her. It also made me realize that he must have known she was with me now and I couldn't help but feel guilty for putting her in danger. As much as I tried to deny it, everything played out just as Kristopher had predicted.

I shifted my gaze back to her, observing as she continued to stare out of the window. I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were swirling in her mind. For once, her facial expressions gave away nothing of the inner turmoil she must be experiencing. A thought suddenly crossed my mind, causing a chuckle to escape my lips. The idea of cumming on her beautiful face gave me a brief rush of arousal, causing my cock to twitch for just a moment.

I finished my drink, refusing to dwell on such thoughts - not in this moment, when my emotions were unstable. The temptation to give in to my desires was powerful, like a siren's call drawing me towards reckless actions. But I couldn't lose my cool now, not with so much at stake. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to redirect my attention elsewhere - anything to distract me from the image of her wearing a collar and kneeling for me.

I stood up from my seat and reached out my hand to her.

"It would be wise for you to avoid him," I warned her.

Without any hesitation, she reached out and placed her fingers in my open hand, giving me a grateful smile in return. I held onto her hand tightly, leading her towards the door with a sense of protection and care.

"Allow me to accompany you to your car," I suggested, trying to sound reassuring and composed. We made our way out of the noisy room and into the refreshing night air, leaving behind the scent of alcohol and perfume. As we entered the poorly-lit parking lot, my instincts were heightened and on guard.

Scarlett's words echoed in the still night air, a wistful note in her voice.

"You know, I had a really good time tonight", she murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's nice to get out once in a while".

I turned to her, and though I didn't want to make her feel bad, I couldn't contain my curiosity.

"Once in a while?", I asked.

A tinge of sorrow flickered across Scarlett's face as she averted her gaze downward.

"I don't have many friends here", she admitted, her words spilling out in a rush. "In fact, I don't have any friends at all. There were a few people I talked to in college, but I lost touch after graduation".

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her expression turning contemplative. "As for my sister... we're currently facing some communication problems".

I listened attentively, my heart brimming with empathy. I could sense the heaviness of solitude, the weight of being alone that she bore on her shoulders.

Her head turned towards me as she spoke, "I apologize. I didn't intend to unload all of this onto you."

We arrived at her car, and she fumbled in her purse for her keys, her fingers shaking nervously.

"I just... wanted you to know that tonight meant a lot to me", she said.

I leaned closer to her, eager to learn more about her.

"No, don't stop now", I said in a soft, convincing voice, closing the distance between us. "If we don't want anyone to know about this, we should know stuff about each other. Only then will our relationship seem real".

She gave a nod of approval, but didn't make a sound. Her body started to tremble and I suddenly regretted not taking my jacket earlier in the day. It was tempting to embrace her and offer comfort, but I resisted, not wanting to worsen the already strained atmosphere.

She turned back to her car, unlocking the door and tossing her bag onto the passenger seat. As she did this, my eyes couldn't help but scan over her silhouette once again. I had been attracted to her since the first moment I laid eyes on her, and I often stole glances at her as she passed by. I wondered if she ever noticed, but even if she did, she never said anything about it. She always wore skirts, jeans, or straight-cut pants that accentuated her figure. But those leather pants that she was wearing today made me feel like a wild animal in heat.

I couldn't help but notice that she had lost a significant amount of weight recently. Each time she came to the cafe, all she ever ate was a croissant, which made me question if she was taking care of her health. Was she nourishing herself properly?

I was aware that engaging in such a conversation with a woman was like walking on thin ice, so I chose to avoid it altogether. Maybe there would be a better time to bring it up without offending her.

As she turned to me, a smile played across her lips, and I couldn't help but feel like she didn't want to leave. I placed my hand gently on the small of her back, returning her smile as I fell deeper under her enchanting spell. Every aspect of her being captivated me, from the depths of her emerald eyes that held endless secrets to the radiance of her inner beauty that shone through. Her eyes were a dance of intelligence and warmth, casting a spell over my soul. Drawing closer to her, I found myself mesmerized by the delicate features that defined her face, from the trail of freckles on her cheeks resembling constellations in the night sky to the grace in which she carried herself. Each freckle seemed to hold its own story, waiting to be discovered.

I couldn't help but be amazed by Scarlett's beauty. It was impossible not to notice the curves of her lips and the arch of her eyebrows, perfectly sculpted like delicate brushstrokes on a canvas. Her hair, long and silky, fell in waves around her face like a halo of radiance. I knew Kristopher would scoff at my thoughts, but to me, Scarlett was a masterpiece of captivating beauty, a living work of art that filled me with wonder.

Beneath her enchanting appearance, I sensed a subtle air of melancholy that permeated her very being. It was almost as if a delicate shroud of sadness had draped itself over her, tugging at my emotions like gentle strings. I couldn't help but wonder about the unspoken struggles weighing on her soul.

As I looked at her, I realized that I had pulled her closer to me without even realizing it. The thought of kissing her crossed my mind, but there were too many other thoughts racing through my head at that moment, and most of them were far from innocent.

I couldn't help but steal another glance at her lips. I found myself imagining the sensation of her mouth on my cock, a thought that had crossed my mind too many times before. With dark red lipstick smeared around her mouth, she would look even more enticing. But I quickly pushed those thoughts aside and subtly shifted my position to hide my growing erection from her.

I gently moved a strand of her hair away from her face, unable to resist the alluring scent that always surrounded her. I took in a deep breath, getting lost in the moment as my senses were overwhelmed by her perfume.

The moment of peace was fleeting, interrupted by Blaze's rough cough.

"Having fun, Cain?", Blaze's voice cut through the air like a knife.

Ignoring the intrusion, I focused on Scarlett, flashing her a reassuring smile as I opened her car door.

"You should go home. See you tomorrow", I told her, watching her slip into her VW and leave, before turning my attention back to Blaze.

"What do you want?", I asked angrily, before giving him a steely glare.

Tension permeated the air as Blaze's words hung like an ominous warning.

"Have you forgotten the consequences of meddling in my affairs?", he teased, his eyes fixed on me.

I didn't want to waste any time arguing with him, so I stayed silent, aware of the dark presence that always seemed to follow him. Blaze continued to stare at me like a ghostly figure as I walked towards my Hellcat.

"Why do I keep running into you everywhere I go? It's almost impossible for our paths to constantly cross in these damn cities," I snapped, trying to control my growing frustration.

"It's just a coincidence, boss. Purely coincidental", Blaze's nonchalant smile remained on his face as he replied, undeterred.

My patience had already worn thin, and the mere mention of that word made me snap in Blaze's direction.

"You no longer have to use that term when speaking to me. Obviously, the rules are too complex for you to grasp", I retorted sharply.

He remained silent, but the way he shifted his rings from one hand to the other spoke volumes. It was a familiar scene that I had hoped would never happen again, yet here we were. I knew I should turn around and leave him behind, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Not this time.

There was something satisfying about seeing him in pain, just as there was with any victim I caused suffering to. It gave me an inexplicable sense of pleasure.

I inhaled deeply, hoping that my words would prevent things from getting out of hand.

"Go back home, Blaze," I stated firmly, but with a tinge of caution.

However, Blaze, who was always stubborn, refused to back down.

"I won't leave until I make sure you never lay eyes on her again," he declared. "She's mine," he asserted soon after.

A surge of anger swept through me as I realized the truth. Something inside me snapped, and without thinking, I slammed my car door shut and marched towards him.

"She's not yours, you despicable bastard!", I roared,grasping his shirt collar tightly.

"I don't know what to say, Cain. She seemed pretty interested in the parking lot.", Blaze's sly grin only fueled my rage as he replied.

"You assaulted her! Do you even understand reality?" , I shouted, my anger boiled over at his perverted comments."She was crying," I continued, "and they weren't tears of joy. You have no ability to bring happiness into a woman's life."

I pushed Blaze away from me with force, creating a physical and emotional gap between us.

"Remember my words. Stay away from her.", my voice was low and chilling as I warned him.

I wasn't surprised when I saw a fleeting look of satisfaction on Blaze's face quickly disappear.

"Touch her and you'll burn.", he shouted back at me.

It wasn't the first time his demeanor had changed like this; his facade of indifference was crumbling, revealing a darker side. The tension in the air was already palpable, and the heat radiating from Blaze's body could be felt even from a distance. I knew he was going to use his fire powers - it had become his go-to reaction whenever things didn't go his way. And people indulged him, out of fear or perhaps admiration for his abilities.

I've witnessed him use this tactic numerous times to extract information from people. At that moment, the flames seemed to leap and dance along Blaze's fingertips, as if they were alive and under his control.

I mentally braced myself for the imminent battle, fully aware that there was no going back now. If it came down to it, I just hoped Eric would do his job and help me escape police custody as quickly as possible.

Blaze's eyes glowed with a wild madness, his whole being consumed by it. With a swift display of his skill, he set himself ablaze with crackling flames that twisted and turned around him, casting an eerie glow over everything in their path. With a primal roar, he launched himself at me, unleashing a torrent of fiery strikes.

As we fought, the flames swirled around us, casting ominous shadows that reflected the chaos and destruction surrounding us. Still unfazed, I countered Blaze's attack with calculated precision.

He was much more powerful than I remembered. I couldn't help but wonder what he had been up to since our previous altercation when we narrowly avoided imprisonment. Despite his strength, I deftly evaded his fiery assaults, my movements fluid and graceful like those of an experienced warrior. The air sizzled with raw energy, the stench of burning filling my senses.

Every move he made was met with a swift counter from me.

Blaze's rage burned hotter, his flames becoming wilder and more unpredictable. He tried to overwhelm me with the sheer force of his attacks, but I remained determined and focused. I tapped into an inner reserve of strength that I had never accessed before.

As our intense battle raged on, the flames surrounding us grew more chaotic and dangerous. In a moment of desperation, Blaze took advantage of an opening and directed a new wave of scorching heat towards my right hand. With a malicious grin, he watched as the flames engulfed my hand.

The pain was unbearable, searing through every nerve in my body. But even as my hand burned, I refused to scream or give in. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as the flames threatened to consume me completely. My once steady and capable hand now bore the brutal scars of Blaze's vicious retaliation.

I clenched my jaw, determined to keep pushing despite the searing pain. The burn on my hand only strengthened my belief that Blaze was a callous and malicious person, capable of nothing but destruction.

But I refused to let his flames intimidate me. I summoned my inner strength and pushed through, ignoring the burning sensation on my skin.

Even Blaze seemed taken aback by my persistence; it was clear that the tide had shifted in our confrontation. With lightning-fast movements and calculated shots, I attacked him with precision.

As we reached the climax of our battle, a surge of adrenaline coursed through me. Summoning every ounce of energy left in me, I delivered a final blow that sent Blaze crashing to the ground.

Breathing heavily, I stood over him and looked at my burned hand. In the aftermath of our fight, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness and empathy for Blaze. Despite defeating him, there was no sense of triumph in my heart. I knew all too well the pain and darkness that consumed him.

---- ♡ ----

As the pain started to subside, Kristopher's taunting words only added to my growing frustration. Despite my limited knowledge of burns, I could feel the difference between a first and second degree burn. Blaze's flames had lost their intensity, but they still hurt like hell. He had only managed to give me a second degree burn, much to his disappointment. I couldn't help but think about how much he would have loved to cause me more pain, just as I enjoyed inflicting it on others. Making my way to the downstairs bathroom, I was relieved that I managed to make it home without being pursued by the police. I searched through the closet in the hallway and found some bandages that Liz must have left for me. After wetting them with cold water, I placed them over the burn. As annoyed as I was by Kristopher's questioning, I knew I couldn't be rude to him. He always helped me, especially after my last fight with Blaze.

"How did you convince her to go along with your plan?" I heard him inquire, bringing forth a wave of conflicting emotions.

I paused before responding, knowing that divulging the truth could potentially create chaos. Pretending to be in a romantic relationship with Scarlett was a risky decision, one that can destroy my carefully constructed facade. Memories of past events flooded my mind, reminding me of how easily a mere woman had almost unraveled everything we had worked for. Blaze, still oblivious to the truth, was included in this potential disaster. Yet, perhaps Scarlett was different. Maybe she could be someone I could trust and share my true self with - something I secretly yearned for. After all, she may understand the demands of my covert life and the occasions when I must disappear without explanation."

Desires for a normal life seemed out of reach, just beyond my grasp. Every day was a struggle with conflicting needs - wanting a relationship like everyone else, yet fearing the consequences of my actions on others and myself. Could I risk revealing my true self to Scarlett, hoping she would accept and understand me? The answer evaded me, leaving me in a state of uncertainty and yearning. I took another look at my wounded hand before checking the time. Liz's instructions for treating it had been helpful, but these ten minutes waiting felt like an eternity. I waited a bit longer before cleaning the wound with soap. There was no avoiding it - I would have to visit her office tomorrow to get medication. I already knew how she would react, and while I didn't appreciate being held accountable, deep down I knew she was only doing it out of concern for me.

Scarlett's image filled my mind again, causing me to question my decisions. I was always confident in most aspects of my life, but when it came to relationships with women, I second-guessed myself. They only saw the tough guy facade that I projected, not the vulnerability and insecurities beneath. If they knew the truth, half of them wouldn't even give me a second glance. But with Scarlett, there were endless hurdles and sacrifices ahead of me. Yet, the thought of finding solace and understanding in her arms was too alluring to resist. I turned to Kristopher, who was patiently waiting for me. I confided in him about my plan to fake a romance with Scarlett, but he didn't seem convinced. In fact, he was worried - a rare occurrence for him. It irked me that he lacked confidence in my scheme and planted a seed of doubt in my mind.

He followed me into the living room, where I sought refuge in a glass of whiskey, its amber liquid reflecting my conflicting emotions. I poured him a drink as well, but he politely declined. Despite being my subordinate, I considered him a close friend, almost like a brother. However, under the circumstances, he always turned down drinks while on duty.

With a swift action, Kristopher placed a file on the table in front of me. I opened it to find carefully collected evidence about Scarlett's past.

As I read through the details, her educational background in Los Angeles and subsequent career as a journalist were revealed. A chill ran down my spine as I realized she had written about me and our world. The vulnerability of my true identity being exposed in her words caused a sense of distrust in me. The existence of these articles raised the stakes.

A struggle began within me. On one hand, the opportunity to confide in someone who had witnessed my world was alluring. On the other hand, the fear of betrayal and exposing my closely guarded secrets threatened to crush my hopes.

I carefully considered the risks and potential benefits, my eyes lingering on the file that contained Scarlett's story. The decision about to be made would have a major impact on our futures, leading either to a complex dance of trust or a devastating trap.

Intrigued by the contents of the file, my gaze narrowed as I came across details Kristopher had never mentioned before. My curiosity was piqued as I discovered a mysterious part of her past - a chapter shrouded in darkness. It revealed a troubling time when she spent months at a psychiatric hospital, her life hanging on the edge.

A mix of fascination and concern filled me as I turned over the file and showed Kristopher my findings. He looked at me but remained silent. I knew he wasn't pleased with the situation. Despite his previous encouragements for me to pursue her, now that he learned about her past job, suddenly she wasn't the right fit for me; as if someone's job could determine their entire personality.

He spoke simply, leaving the decision in my hands. While other women were eager to be with me, I only wanted Scarlett. But Kristopher's voice held a hint of doubt as he cut through the air.

"Are you truly ready," he asked, "to end her life if it becomes necessary?"

His question hung heavily between us, but I gave a resolute nod in response. Although he seemed skeptical, Kristopher took me at my word. In theory, it wouldn't be difficult to eliminate her - she had no close friends and only spent time with her sister. She used to talk about her often, but not so much anymore.

In reality, things were much more complicated than they seemed. Despite my anger and desire for revenge, I wasn't sure I could bring myself to kill her if she had actually betrayed me. My head hung heavy as conflicting emotions flooded my mind. Trying to find some comfort in the chaos, I reminded myself that Scarlett had no connection to Blaze; their relationship was purely professional.

But what surprised me even more was the identity of the man she was engaged to marry. While I didn't know him personally, I recognized him from seeing him around town. It never would have crossed my mind that they would be together, so I couldn't help but wonder what went wrong between them.

I let out a deep sigh and settled back into my chair, turning to face Kristopher who was waiting for my next move with patience.

"Call Skyler to help you at the coffee shop tomorrow. I'll be gone for a few hours," I told him before chugging down the remaining whiskey in my glass and heading up the stairs to our bedroom.

He seemed like he wanted to say more, but I was relieved that he didn't. All I wanted was to take a hot shower and scrub away the stinging smell of burning. As I threw my shirt on the floor, I noticed it was beyond repair - Blaze had managed to burn holes in several places.

I couldn't help but resent those who possessed such powers. There was a time in my teenage years when I had yearned for them, but I soon realized that it wasn't meant for me. The guilt and anger from killing my uncle, the only "family" I had left, consumed me and made me feel unworthy of any kind of supernatural abilities.

I paced up and down the dimly lit street, my trembling hands slick with sweat. Doubt and fear gnawed at my conscience, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't cut out for this plan. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when I felt a faint buzz in my pocket. Slowly, I remembered the stolen phone I had tucked away weeks ago.

With shaky fingers, I retrieved it from my pocket and brought it close to my face. The screen illuminated in the darkness, revealing only one contact: Liz.

She was the only one who knew about this number, and yet I couldn't bring myself to answer her call. Instead, I stared at the screen, lost in thought.

Liz must have sensed something was off because she had been acting strange lately. She had never explicitly asked me about my plans, but I could tell she had an inkling of what I was about to do. I wondered how she would react if she knew the full extent of my reckless actions. Would she still want to be friends with me? The question lingered in my mind as I continued to pace back and forth on the desolate street.

Her response was always the same - a gentle smile without any words. I sighed and stuffed my phone back into my pocket, turning to gaze once again at the apartment building where my uncle resided. My eyes trailed up to the fifth floor, scanning the windows for any signs of movement. One was slightly ajar, an indication that he hadn't left his home yet.

I had been tracking my uncle's every move for the past week, carefully documenting his routines and habits. I had a detailed schedule written down, but there was still a nagging doubt in my mind. What if it wasn't entirely accurate? I had left the sheet at home, hidden away through some pages in a book Liz had recommended. I couldn't risk losing it and having it used as evidence against me if I were caught snooping around. The thought sent a shiver down my spine as I focused on my mission once more.

I had "hidden" it so well that Liz found it when she threw the book at me a few days ago when she forced me to read it again. I kind of hated her for that. She knew my reading and writing level wasn't the right level for a 16 year old teenager, and she kept pushing me to improve. I didn't understand why she insisted, and her explanations seemed downright stupid.

I didn't want to be like her or the others.

I wasn't like the others.

I was content with being insignificant and didn't want to change that.

I shook my head, forcing myself to stop dwelling on thoughts of her. If I kept going down this path, I would end up back at home with nothing resolved. The memories and nightmares of my mother's death still haunted me, even though it had been a decade since she passed. Why was I still dreaming about her?

I let out a long breath, quickly scanning my surroundings to make sure I was alone. Fortunately, there was not a soul in sight, not even a stray animal. I took out my phone and checked the time; it was still several hours until sunrise. That meant there were still a few hours before my uncle would leave for work.

After carefully plotting my next move for hours, I decided it would be best to carry out my plan at his house. This way, the chances of being seen were lower. Plus, his block was one of the few that didn't have any surveillance systems in place, giving me an advantage. I quickly climbed the stairs leading up to his building and made my way to the fifth floor. I avoided taking the elevator, not wanting anyone to possibly hear and remember the time they heard it later on if questioned by authorities. I forced myself to stay focused on the present moment and not get too ahead of myself.

Standing outside my uncle's apartment, I quickly and silently unlocked the door using skills I had learned through years of theft and other unsavory activities. As I entered, I tiptoed down the hallway, taking note of the faint sounds coming from the kitchen and bathroom - the coffee maker brewing and water running in the sink. All those past actions that once brought me shame, were now helping me with this "mission".

Leaving the house, I had a strong sense of self-assuredness. However, as time passed, my confidence started slipping away in large chunks, and I was now becoming increasingly anxious. It was the same fear that overwhelmed me when I saw my mother lying still in bed despite my efforts to wake her up. Shaking off the memories, I knew that if I let these thoughts consume me, I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.

As soon as I heard the bathroom water shut off, I scurried into a dark corner of the room and held my breath. My eyes followed my uncle's figure as he emerged from the bathroom and made his way to the kitchen. As he turned, I couldn't help but notice more clothes littered on the floor - most likely from the woman he was seeing. At first, I had assumed she was a prostitute, given her appearance and lack of judgment in choosing him. The thought of him with anyone was nauseating enough, but imagining him with someone dressed so whore-ish only added to my disgust.

I shut my eyes tightly, attempting to erase the image from my mind. If she was present, then she would undoubtedly be the main suspect in his killing, something I felt a sense of relief about. He settled himself at the table, savoring his coffee. As he lit a cigarette, I gripped my knife tightly, feeling immense fear creep into my bones. The thought of carrying out this act terrified me; I wanted nothing more than to back out.

I hesitated for several minutes, anticipating being caught. As I debated whether to continue, memories of my mother's struggles and his repeated refusals to help us flooded my mind.

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes and I didn't want him to witness me in such a vulnerable state, just in case he happened to look my way.

Without warning, I thrust the knife into his body and quickly withdrew it, watching him fall from his chair. I was surprised at how easily the blade penetrated his flesh. It was hard to believe that I had actually done it, and I felt a small sense of disappointment. I had hoped that carrying out this plan would make me feel better and bring me happiness.

Well, it wasn't like that at all.

I didn't bother checking if he had truly passed away. I couldn't bear to stay in that room any longer, but then I suddenly heard his voice calling out to me.

He spoke in a saccharine tone.

"I was starting to think you were going to stay there forever," he said.

Unfortunately, my aim was off and I had not hit any of his vital organs. This came as no surprise since I knew very little about the human body. All I cared about was avenging my mother's death. What surprised me was that he knew I was there. How had he been injured so easily and why did he fall out of his chair? Was it all a ploy to deceive me and gain the upper hand? I didn't know him well, but in the few brief interactions we had when I begged him for some money, he seemed like the type who would never kill an enemy. He would rather let them suffer until they took their own life. If he wanted revenge for what I had done, he wouldn't have killed me. He would have turned me to the authorities and made sure I was punished for more crimes than just this one act.

He shook his head, trying to raise himself up a bit, and spoke again.

"You may think highly of yourself, but you're not as good as you believe." His words snapped me out of my reverie.

I inwardly winced as he attempted to prop himself up against the oven door. It was baffling to me that he was still breathing. My mind automatically went to Liz, knowing she would have an explanation for his survival. She had a fascination with the human body and often expressed her desire to become a doctor. I did my best to encourage her, but it was challenging to keep her in high school.

Luck, if I can call it that, had allowed me to assist a man who specialized in creating false identities. As a thank you, I didn't accept his money, but instead requested new identities for both myself and Liz. On official documents, I became her older brother and legal guardian.

My uncle's words snapped me out of my thoughts. I gripped the wooden handle of the knife I had purchased months ago, with the intention of using it on him. But now, faced with his vulnerable state, I didn't know what to do. Would he survive? What if his girlfriend walked in and saw us like this?

He continued, accusingly, "I could see you were nothing but a coward from the moment you stabbed me in the back."

I couldn't understand why those words affected me so deeply, but I immediately launched myself at him. I was afraid he would retaliate, but I didn't care; all I wanted to do was keep going. My vision blurred with red and my only instinct was to stab him wherever I could. His warm blood coated my hands and sometimes splattered onto my face, but I was oblivious to what was happening. Sometimes the knife pierced his skin easily, while other times I had to exert more force.

The sensation of the blade piercing his skin, and the distinct smell of blood filled me with a sense of satisfaction unlike anything I had felt before. It was almost as intense as when I would watch Liz bathe through the slightly open door and masturbate. If I allowed myself to fully indulge in this act, I might as well reach climax.

As exhaustion overtook me, I collapsed to my knees and gazed at the lifeless body before me. The remains of what used to be my uncle were utterly disfigured. A quick glance at my own attire revealed that I was drenched in blood from head to toe. It was inconceivable for me to walk away in this state, especially given the amount of evidence I had already left behind.

I crouched down next to him, unsure of what to do. Every car that drove by on the street made me flinch. I was wondering why his companion hadn't emerged from his bedroom yet. I stood up and brought the knife with me as I walked towards the bedroom. I cautiously pushed open the door and saw her lying asleep on the bed. Beside her, I also noticed some pills scattered on the bedside table and several empty wine bottles.

Glancing over at my uncle, I felt a sense of unease settle in the pit of my stomach. My options were limited; I could dispose of his body by dismembering it and scattering the pieces throughout town, but that would take too much time and risk getting caught. Another option was to set fire to the apartment, but that would put innocent people in danger. It seemed like there was no easy way out of this situation.

The best course of action seemed to be changing out of my current clothes, packing them in a bag, and leaving this place immediately. The risk of being caught was high, but if I acted quickly and left town as soon as possible, I might have a chance of escaping unnoticed.

I shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. Even after 19 years, I still vividly recalled every thought that crossed my mind during those moments. The nightmares of my victims, including him, no longer shocked me; they were just a regular part of my existence.

I never told Liz what happened that day, but I bet she knew.