Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

"Please... don't hurt him," I pleaded, my voice quivering with desperation.

"You care about him? Phoebe Caldwell... since when do you care about anybody? You're heartless, how could you possibly beg?" The voice on the other end chuckled, a hint of madness in his laughter.

It was clear to me now; this person knew me well.

"Don't worry, I won't harm him like you would... He's just sedated, easier to manage that way..." Even though the voice was distorted, I could detect a trace of fondness, a longing that seemed all too familiar.

Could it be... Carter?

But Carter was dead.

"Stop playing games!" I was about to discreetly message Robin and Finn when the person on the line suddenly barked, startling me into halting my actions.

Frozen with fear, I pressed on, moving forward.

"Don't go!"

Just as I was about to leave the alley and get into the car, Bran burst out, enveloping me in a tight hug from behind, his breaths coming in short gasps as if he had rushed over.

"Don't go... He told me to tell you not to go anywhere, to trust him, that he'd come back for you," Bran said urgently, his relief palpable as he stopped me and caught his breath.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

He snatched my phone, his voice tense with anger. "I don't care who you are, cut the crap! If you've got the guts, go after Melody, take out everyone on your hit list, playing the fool for what?"

The silence from the other end of the phone was deafening.

I trembled, wanting to grab the phone back. "Colin's still with him..."

"Stay out of this." Bran gestured towards me firmly, continuing his defiance. "Speak up!"

Laughter broke the silence, a chilling, unhinged cackle.

"Everyone on the list... will die," the voice grew eerier.

"If Dexter and Caleb have been doing such a good job protecting Melody and Phoebe Caldwell, maybe it's time to change the game, hahahaha..." He was insane.

In that moment, it felt like I wasn't talking to a human but a demon, a madman.

"Are you sick? Who do you think you are?" Bran kept taunting. "If you're so powerful, why don't you...?"

He probably meant to challenge him to take him too.

But he spoke too soon. Someone

appeared from the shadows of theet

alling Bran off guarde

covering his mouth and nose.

I tried to scream for help, only to be silenced and dragged into a car.

This was it...

As I drifted into unconsciousness, one thought dominated.

Bran was just too inexperienced, too naive.

After all, he was still a high school student, lacking the wariness needed in such situations.

Now, not only was I in danger, but Bran too.

After what felt like an eternity of grogginess, I was amazed at the type of sedative used on us, not the typical illicit kind that James and his crew would use. This one plunged me into deep unconsciousness.

It felt more like... an inhalable anesthetic.

As if it knocked out my soul as well.

One moment I was struggling, the next, everything went dark.

When I finally awoke, my head throbbing, I tried to get my bearings, to sit up.

But when I opened my eyes, a chill ran through me. Where was I?

It was pitch black, as if I had gone blind.

There was no light, not even a sliver.

Where am I?

"Bran..." My voice was hoarse, my throat parched as if it would split open.

How long had I been out?

Lifting my hand, I felt something wrist. Touching it, I

there was an IV needle

the back of my hand.

The person... was keeping me on a drip.

In that instant, terror seeped into every fiber of my being, from my toes to the top of my head.