Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Stella paced back and forth, her anxiety for Robin practically tangible in the crisp air of the early evening.

Finally, Robin emerged, his face a thundercloud of fury, not sparing a glance for Stella, nor for me, nor even for Colin. He stormed past us, flung himself into the car, and slammed the door with a resounding thud.

Stella took a couple of steps after him, muttering, “Why’s he being so damn stubborn?”

Colin, nonchalantly with one hand in his pocket and the other firmly gripping the back of my shirt, pulled me into his embrace. He seemed worried that Robin, in a fit of rage, might just drive off and run over my toes.

“He’s as stubborn as a mule!” Stella exclaimed, anger laced with concern as she watched Cory. “Dorian’s death wasn’t Robin’s fault, he… NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

“But that punch Robin threw… it led to the guy’s death. If they really want to pin it on Robin… well, this time, he might not get off so easy,” Cory said, his voice tinged with worry.

Stella paused, her voice filled with nervous tension. “Is it really that serious? Dorian was clearly provoking Robin; it was so obvious.”

“It was part of their plan,” Colin whispered into my ear.

No official punishment for Robin had been announced yet, but avoiding a jail cell was a small blessing. His career in the police force, though, was likely over.

I stood there, feeling numb, experiencing for the first time the chilling realization of the murderer’s menace lurking in the shadows.

I

A shiver ran down my spine as I felt countless eyes watching us, invisible strings pulling at our backs.

To that genius mastermind, we were mere puppets on strings.

He could manipulate and play with us at will. He could kill with impunity, get a cop fired, and ensure Robin could never get involved in this murder case again.

He was too clever, He used a dying Dorian to provoke Robin into making a mistake and then successfully took Robin out of the picture.

My fingertips felt icy, my fear of the unknown and of such formidable intellect peaking.

In the face of such genius, I was nothing but a fool among fools, no different than an ant.

“Colin, he’s terrifying.” I whispered about the man behind it all, the fear evident in my voice.

Colin tightened his hold on my hand, his eyes deep and resolute. “Then we’ll be more terrifying. Don’t worry, Phoebe, I’m here for you,” he reassured me.

When we returned to the hospital, Dexter had been moved to the ICU, and Melody had been keeping a vigil by Hailey’s side, both of them in tears.

“Good people have their guardian angels; Dexter will wake up,” Melody tried to reassure Hailey.

dabbing at her eyes.

“Hailey, you’ve just been discharged yourself. You should go rest,” Melody urged Hailey to leave. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here.”

Hailey, looking unsteady, wanted to stay, but she was too weak to argue. She finally nodded, allowing the nurse to help her out.

As Hailey passed by Colin and me, she shot us a furious glare. “You’re not welcome here, get

out!”

I clenched my fists and stayed silent.

Once Hailey had left, I turned to Melody with a furrowed brow.

Melody, staring through the observation window into the ICU where Dexter lay, spoke gravely. “Foebe Larson, don’t you want to talk to me?”

She was finally getting to the point. The secrets she had mentioned over the phone that she wanted to reveal to me.

“She doesn’t want to,” Colin said, eyeing Melody warily as he held me closer.

Melody sneered. “Foebe, if you keep consorting with beasts, you’ll end up with nothing left of you, not even bones.”

Then, her gaze shifted to Colin. “Colin, what are you afraid of? Afraid that Foebe will find out something about you and Phoebe? You may treat her like Phoebe, but she’s not! A counterfeit will always remain just that.”

Colin’s expression darkened, his fingers tightening until they turned white.

I had the eerie feeling that he wanted to leap forward and tear Melody apart.