Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace



"Colin..." I struggled to get out, my legs giving out beneath me as I fell to the ground.

"Phoebe... he's the mastermind, don't trust him."

"Melody is one of Damian's, I'm sorry..." he whispered, holding me close and murmuring apologies.

He actually knew Melody was with Damian.

It seemed all this time, his foolishness was just a facade, a way to gain Melody and Damian's trust.

When did he start to suspect something was amiss?

After my supposed death?

So, his suicide attempts, self-harm, and even the drastic change in his behavior and personality were all to deceive, to make Damian and Melody believe he had been brainwashed, hypnotized?

Then what was Dexter's true motive?

"After you disappeared, I've been digging... I knew Melody was involved in your case, but the deeper I looked, the more I found. It's not just about a series of murders; it's bigger, involving even the Fitzgerald family," Dexter's grip on my hand tightened. "Phoebe... Can you trust me just this once?"

My head felt heavy, the colorless, odorless carbon monoxide weakening my legs and draining my strength.

"Don't trust Caleb, don't trust anyone but me, Phoebe... I'll get us out of here, I won't make the same mistake again," Dexter's voice grew fainter. And then, I passed out, my strength failing me yet again.

"Click, click..."

Some time passed before the lights in the hallway flickered on.

I squinted, slowly opening my eyes to the dim, cramped space.

We were safe here, for now.

But what came next wouldn't be so easy.

"It's the ventilation system kicking in; the gas is being cleared, should be alright now," I heard Bran's voice from outside.

Propping myself up on my elbows, I looked around; Dexter was gone.

In my haze, I remembered Dexter's plea for trust.

It couldn't have been just my imagination...

But in this environment, who could be trusted?

Anyone could be the planner, the executor.

Maybe it wasn't just one person.

"It's clear now." Bran led the way

back into the hallway, where a feet

Tay scattered, victims who

couldn't escape in time.

I cursed under my breath, leaning against the wall to exit the ventilation room.

"Colin..." My head throbbed as I called out for Colin.

Bran held a lighter, likely found among the discarded weapons.

The flame burned steadily, indicating the air was breathable again.

"Down this way." Bran directed

yone to proceed in an orderle

down the staircase

emergency exit.

"Where's Colin...?" I didn't see Colin among the group.

Bran looked at me, surprised. "Weren't you with Colin? Alone?"

His gaze shifted briefly towards the ventilation shaft I had emerged from.

I shook my head instinctively. "No... I was... by myself."

Panic set in for Bran too, as he turned to inspect the lifeless bodies

in the hallway. "I thought Colin

was

with you, he wouldn't just leave you behind."

én.swnovels

My fingers tingled numbly as I stumbled over, joining Bran in checking the bodies on the floor.

"Colin..."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

He had to be alright.

"Carter... Carter, I found Carter, hee hee..." Zoe's voice echoed down the hallway.

At the exit, Annora, holding Zoe, looked on anxiously at us.