Page 121 of Chalk Outline

“The man who brought you was Third Eye’s older brother. He was a traveler; he owned a boat and a private plane. He could have easily gone in and out without raising suspicion. After you, Third Eye cut ties with Dick for years and blamed your grandma for his brother’s death. He expanded the so-called business. They became bolder and gained more power, especially in certain regions where they associated with corrupt cops and a failing justice system.”

“What about Larson? How is he involved in all of this?”

“He was obsessed with you, and he was Third Eye’s stepson. We couldn’t find anything about him before he attended college with you. It’s like he didn’t exist.”

“We?”

“My team, I’ll tell you about them another day.”

“Maybe Larson was also a kid they abducted.”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. He is dead now.”

“This is a horror story. Trading babies like it’s nothing. Police officers help them. My grandma is...” Winona murmurs, climbing onto the bed and falling silent like a mouse.

I lower myself beside her and roll onto my side to gaze into her glistening eyes. The flash of pain within them sends a corresponding jolt of pain through me, twisting my stomach into tight knots.

I extend my folded hand into the small space between us, and she intertwines our fingers—the scar on her palm touches mine, and I memorize its shape. Her eyes are clenched shut. Her soft breath fills the room. I know today is a lot for her to process. She must be hurting inside and needs to rest.

“I will set the world on fire for you to ensure your flame never burns out,” I whisper, gently brushing her hair aside with my free hand.

Chapter twenty-four

Winona Bishop

Breathe — Tommee Profitt, Fleurie

The pitter-patter of the rain, the howling wind, and the familiar darkness feel comforting right now, as my identity has been shattered.

I wondered who he was when I should have been asking, “Who am I?”

Just a number in the statistics. I’ve seen it too many times in my career as a dispatcher. I never thought I was anyone different from who I was supposed to be, even when I didn’t quite fit in.

I assumed that feeling was genuine when one feels like the black sheep of their family.

I was saved.

I keep repeating the words in my head.

I was saved and given a second chance.

Should I be grateful or royally pissed at the world for spawning so many untamable monsters that feed off innocent laughter and curious minds?

But I was saved.

I gaze at him while he sleeps, clutching the handle tightly while the blade presses his throat. “I thought you left me, Reeve. And now you’re telling me that my life is a complete lie.”

His eyes snap open and lock onto mine.

“Shh…” I whisper against his skin, bringing the blade to his lips. “I need more answers.”

“Are you going to cut the answers out of me?” he asks nonchalantly, knowing I won’t.

“Tempting.”

He smirks. “I thought you missed me. Now you want to kill me.”

“I guess I’m in the mood. You know a thing or two about that, don’t you?”