Page 87 of Shadows Within

I scan the room for cameras and find none. I pull out my phone and call Harrison.

“Hello.” He answers on the second ring.

“There’s been a situation.”

“What do you need?”

“A large bag, some tape, and some bleach.” He knows what that means.

“Who did you kill?”

“Shane Elliot.”

“Jesus Christ, Callum.”

“Where are you?” He adds.

“In his office at Langford.”

“I’ll bring supplies. Think of a way to get him out of there before I get to you.”

He hangs up.

I wish I could say that I’m not happy with myself, but the truth is, I’m so fucking proud. Excitement seeps out of my pores. This man was the definition of trash. He killed people, he lied, he violated women, he stole, he cheated. He was everything that everyone hated.

I know there will be consequences, and I’ve already accepted them. I’m willing to pay whatever price to help Scarlett fight her own demons.

Strength in Tears

Scarlett

As I drive home, the shock wears off and dread settles in.I just watched Callum kill Shane Elliot.

I don’t know what’s worse—the fact that I’m okay with it, or that I feel so numb. All the hate and anger I’ve felt toward Elliot feels different. Within hours, I went from finding out that it was my professor all this time, to watching him die.

I know that Callum has his secrets, I’m not naive to that. But there was something about the way that he flipped so quickly into someone else. Someone I don’t know.

I stare at the stop light in front of me, unable to look away. There’s blood on my shirt, Elliot’s blood. It must’ve transferred from Callum.I’m wearing Professor Elliot’s blood.The shed of Elliot’s blood isn’t just on Callum. I also did this.

I try to rationalize this. I remind myself of what he’s done.Even though he harmed so many women. It’s awful that he’s dead, right?I can’t convince myself. I don’t know if I can live in a society where we accept rapists and murderers.Wait—The Society.

I assume that Elliot must have been a part of The Society—his dad is one of the most influential investors in town. There’s no way someone that superior isn’t in an elitist society that is only for the wealthy and powerful. Callum has always hated Elliot.I bet he knows more.

I pull out my phone before the light changes and call Callum.

Even though I know that he’s cleaning up Elliot’s office with Harrison, I need answers. He picks up one the first ring. I hear his breathing before he says anything.

“Elliot, I need to know, is he a member?”

There’s a brief pause.

“Yes.”

I knew it.

“Was he still a member?”

“No.”