Page 28 of Carved Obsession

It was only a small cut.

I mean emotionally.

This should be good. Surprising that the physical injury doesn’t faze her. Or the potential scar.

I thought we had something... an unspoken, rational understanding. I don’t hand you over to the cops, you don’t kill me for no good reason. Then you go and slice my damn throat!

Understanding? Wishful thinking is more like it.

You’re alive, aren’t you?

Semantics, killer-boy.

Accuracy in accusation is important.

Noted. Now, what do you have to say for yourself?

I already said what I needed to say.

Blah, blah, you’re coming for me, blah, blah. I’m talking about hurting my feelings. What are you gonna do about that?

I cock my head as I re-read that text. She’s playing me, right? Or is she truly mad? Because it sounds like, once again, she’s baiting me. Jesus, she’s an odd woman.

Yet...there’s a flame in my chest that seems to send sparks with each thought of her. Each text. Each interaction. She may be odd, but damn, is she intriguing.

Considering what I’ll do to you soon, your feelings won’t matter anymore.

Tsk, tsk, tsk... once again. You can hide it, killer-boy, but I know you like me. Admit you don’t actually want to get rid of me.

Now, what gave you that idea?

You.

My eyes go dry as I stare at that text for what seems like a small eternity. Either she’s delusional or there truly is something happening to me.

I don’t answer. I can’t. I turn my system back on and, starting with the cameras, I work my way through the only two in Scarlet’s area. Nothing stands out. A couple of taxis, a few cars, but nothing to indicate it’s Scarlet. It’s a bust. The only thing I found was her Mercedes going home earlier yesterday. That’s it.

I move on to her phone, fingers flying on the keyboard as I go through the same processes as I’ve gone through countless times before with others. I look for vulnerabilities in the network, cracking my way in until I get what I want.

Only, it’s not really working. I’m being blocked at every turn. This is...interesting.

Surprising.

She has countermeasures set up not only on her phone, but on her home network too.

Why?

I keep going. Keep pushing. Trying to find one tiny split in their shields.

Nothing.

Who is she? Why does she have shields set up? Good ones.

I’ll find no explanation here. Only delays.

This whole fucking day has been filled with failures. And it’s goddamn unacceptable.

I slam the side of my fist onto the wooden desk, and everything on it jitters. But anger isn’t solving anything. It’s a useless, pathetic emotion and one of the few I’m capable of tasting on my tongue.