Author’s Note: This is a webnovel. First 10 chapters are free to all Substack subscribers. After that, you can access the ongoing chapters plus receive access to the digital file at the end of each arc by becoming a paid subscriber to morbidink.substack.com.
The gunshots got the attention of the police car outside and, as we hugged, Adele and I heard a screeching sound coming from outside. I struggled to my feet and lifted Adele from the floor. Looking out the window while untying the ropes around her, we watched as the police car pushed past the partially opened gate.
“Cora!” I yelled, looking back at the office door.
However, the bitch remained missing, increasing my anger.
“She was supposed to help us leave,” I quickly explained while I staggered. “We’ve got to get out of here before the cops come in!”
I staggered around, searching for the guns. When I saw them lying next to a broken desk in the middle of the room, I used a nearby cabinet to steady myself from the dizziness. Adele sensed my problem as I stared at the weapons. She scrambled to her feet and picked them up for me. While I stuffed the weapons into my pockets, she slid her shoulder under my arm.
“Come on and lean on me,” Adele ordered.
“Hold on!”
After using a handkerchief to wipe my prints from O’Conner’s gun, I tossed it next to Hamm’s body.
“Probably won’t matter, but maybe it’ll make it tougher for the bastards,” I stated.
While I leaned on Adele, we hurried into the hallway. Flashlight beams were already in the foyer, so I pointed her toward the corridor which took us to the other side of the building. We took the stairs down to the bottom floor. From there, we hurried across the dark open area to the fence.
Getting to Alice’s car took maybe ten minutes. However, it felt like an eternity as we remained in the shadows. We heard a shout as a policeman ran back to his car, but they didn’t seem interested in trying to track us down. Adele made me take the passenger seat before she slid in on the driver’s side. Still feeling the effects of Hamm’s fists on my face, I didn’t bother to argue. Adele backed the car up to the county road and headed back to Stull Junction.
“Do you think they’ll go after you for murder now?”
I glanced over at Adele, then shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter, considering the judge’s involvement in this damn thing,” I replied. “They can pin anything they want me if they want trial. It’s a waste of their time. Lees wants me dead, probably you as well.”
“More importantly, how are you holding up?” I asked.
Adele remained silent, and I closed my eyes.
I guess I’m still a bastard!
While the car seemed to hit every bump in the road, I tried to keep from moving my body around. A raging headache, similar to Cora’s treatment, made me keep my eyes closed.
“Thank you.”
The whispered words almost escaped my attention, and I looked over.
“No problem.”
My reply appeared trite, but I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Did Sally find you?”
With my eyes closed, I nodded.
“She should be in the hospital by now. The woman walked a couple of miles after that bastard beat her. She looked in terrible shape, but Alice called the hospital and I left. That was just another reason I didn’t have a problem killing that damn convict!”
I didn’t see Adele’s eyes widen at the news. She kept glancing over when I told her the full story and my interplay with Cora and Alice as well. After that, I explained people were watching Sally’s apartment now.
“I guess sleeping in this car is an option,” I said.
While I expected questions from Adele, she disappointed me by staying silent. I went back to thinking of the next steps and closed my eyes. After a while, I looked up to see the vehicle pull into the driveway of a house I didn’t recognize.
“It’s the house Sally offered,” Adele noticed my confusion. “We should be safe enough here.”
She paused.
“I hope!”
Tired and battered, I followed her through the front door.
“There’s no food. Sally and I were out getting things when—well, you know.”
Nodding, I went straight to the kitchen and looked in the cabinet. As I half expected, the shelves were empty. I stuck my dirty hand under the faucet and turned on the water. After cleaning off the blood and grime as much as I could, I stuck my head under the faucet to get a long drink.
“You should take a shower,” Adele said while staring at me.
Waving my hands in the air to dry them, I looked at her. Her crossed arms did not hide the exposed bra and heavily torn blouse. The anger welled up inside of me at the sight. Adele’s face carried the smears from makeup, tears, and dirt. She looked beat, but her eyes remained focused on me.
“Skip that. You need clothes. I’ll call Alice to bring you some—damn,” I snapped my fingers. “I forgot we have Alice’s car.”
Then I shrugged.
“Well, she can use my car. It’s only a block away from the office. She can deal with the police as an immortal.” The sarcasm dripped from my statement.
Adele suddenly grabbed me as I walked past her. She put her head on my chest and hugged me tightly. She started crying, and I hugged her back. I stood there, uncomfortably thinking about her and Sally. Their suffering came from me. It caused a few tears to form in my eyes as well.
Ah, what a crazy mixed-up world!
“I know I’m such a crybaby, but I have to ask you something. Promise me you won’t lie to me.”
“S—sure,” I said.
I stood there like a statue, unsure of what to do.
“Do you want to leave here and return to your world?”
With a deep breath, I lifted her head with my hand. As I stared at her, a thousand lies went through my head. Yet, I couldn’t speak. Fortunately, she looked away.
“I’m a mess, don’t look,” she said.
“No, you’re beautiful.” I replied, then drew her back into my arms.
“I don’t want to leave.”
Those words popped out. I felt her hold on to me tighten. I told her the truth. But to get Lees out, I couldn’t stay. My plan couldn’t work otherwise. The domain required balance and I’m an outsider. All of it pointed to one conclusion.
Still, I didn’t move as we stood there, quietly embracing each other.
