Page 89 of Misery

I can't face him, can't face another person who claims to protect me while keeping me in the dark.

"Elfe." He's in front of me now.

I can smell him—leather and gunpowder and that cologne I used to find comforting.

He reaches for me, but I slap his hand away. "Don't touch me."

"I can explain?—"

"Can you? Can you explain why you didn't tell me my father was taken? Can you explain how you know my stalker? Because youdoknow him. I could hear it in your voice."

He's quiet for too long.

Silent proof that I’m right on the money.

"His name is Thiago," he says finally. "We grew up together."

The words land like bombs.

Grew up together. Friends. Maybe as close as brothers. And now?—

"He's been watching you," Oskar continues. "Maybe longer than I have. He's... complicated. Dangerous. But I'm handling it."

"Handling it?" I laugh but it's hysterical. Broken. "My father's missing. Your childhood friend is stalking me. Breaking into my apartment. Stealing my art. Nothing's handled. Nothing's safe. Nothing's?—"

"I'll find your father. I'll stop Thiago. I promise?—"

"Your promises mean nothing." I finally look at him and see the hurt flash across his face.

I don't care because I can't care. "You promised to protect me but you can't even tell me the truth. You're just like him. Just like my father. Keeping secrets. Making decisions for me. Treating me like I'm too fragile for reality."

"That's not?—"

"Get out."

"Elfe—"

"Get out!"

He doesn't move.

Just stares at me with those dark eyes full of things I don't want to see.

Love. Pain. Guilt.

The same eyes that watched me without me knowing.

That kept secrets while holding me through panic attacks.

"I'm not leaving you unprotected."

"Then send someone else. Anyone else. Just not you."

"You don't mean that."

"I do." I stand, use the wall for support. My legs shake but hold. "I can't look at you right now. Can't pretend everything's fine when you've been lying since—how long? How long have you known it was him?"

His silence is damning.