BEL

p or you are go

iar voice, my chest heaving as

n't breathe even as I tr

's the

ard a

ard a

I

sheets and I look down to see my bab

nt on the walls, the crooked photo frame above m

s can't

I am in

I grab my phone f

es on the scree

Marc

.. a y

ipping the edge of the bed, my heart pounding lik

staring at Andrew and Evelyn laughing in my face

that even

t's not possible. Non

e mirror, half expecting to see someone else staring back. Bu

cond

in my mind, wi

been thrown back here, to the beg

back at me, wide, eyed and terrified, b

ng

not a

ag

o let them destr

**

ing with activity w

yboards clattering,

lished space I remember, b

differ

from accounting waves at me,

reply, forcing

k. I wonder how many of these people alrea

't be ri

ave to care a

ral, a voice cuts

." a voice call

e Mo

over the din, and when I turn, he's standin

o?" I ask, keepin

y trying to

normal,

hand. "I need these filed immediately. And foll

lse quickenin

something crisp and expensive lingering in the a

for a

noth

dn't be a

en I glance up, he's already w

her, Belle," I mutte

room for d

t n

s in while I'm buri

night? 7 P

screen, my sto

he future?....I would have smiled a

t n

throw my phone

type back a

ur

how long they've been play

*********

w look

e, he alw

, the way he leans back in his chair like

about work, but I'm not really listening. I'm too busy notic

nd the restaurant like h

abel

. "Sorry

're okay. You se

mile. "Just

my hand in his. "You work too hard.

ke me feel safe. Now

ing my hand back. "So, when

s with a smile. "I am goi

. Me

ve learned nothing new. But I'

hiding something I

ionship wi

e told me he had to be some

ourney home as

at soak through my

, just that I wa

walking, my mind racing wi

kes me glance up. A sleek black car slows to a s

s Rey

ain. His gaze is steady, unreadable, as

say, my voice bare

," he sa

us. But the rain is relentless, and I

ts cold against my skin. The door clos

e sound of rain against the windows fi

s eventually, his tone c

I reply, keepi

h And

him, but his express

I say ca

he know ab

ers against the steering w

by that?" I ask,

on the road. "Nothing. Just wondering why someo

eath c

is tone, something prob

ay. "Is there something wrong with Andre

le," he says, his vo

in

he rain, his words

like me settle for

way, I realize I ha

he know wh