He closes the door, walks around, and gets in behind the wheel with a stiffness that makes my stomach twist.
He’s driving slowly, eyes darting around, looking for threats. Even though Drew is in his car behind us, I swear I see his hands shake, but he catches me staring at them andgrips the wheel tighter, like he’s ready to battle anyone who comes near me.
The silence stretches between us, making me uneasy. I don’t like silence after trauma. Silence leaves too much room for memories.
So I do what I always do. I fill the space. “How’s your shoulder?” I ask.
“Fine.”
“Really?”
His jaw tightens. “I’m fine.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “You’re lying.”
He doesn’t deny it.
“You shouldn’t have been carrying me.”
He grunts and gives me a look. I wisely keep my mouth shut, not asking anymore questions about his health.
The road curves through Hollow Creek like nothing bad has ever happened here. Same trees. Same farmhouses. Same tiny town pretending monsters don’t exist.
Sebastian’s eyes never leave the road.
“How’s Drew?” I ask quietly.
There’s a pause before he says, “He’s okay.” Sebastian exhales. “He’s still shaken. I don’t blame him after?—”
“He saved us,” I say, my voice sharper than I intend.
Sebastian’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Yes.”
The word is a blade.
I don’t mention the part that’s been sitting in my chest since the officer said it.If you hadn’t fired…
If I speak that sentence out loud, it becomes more real. More permanent.
And I don’t know if Sebastian can handle it yet.
Or if I can.
We pull into the driveway, and Sebastian pulls into the garage and kills the engine.
Then he sits there, breathing hard, staring at the garage wall like it’s both a sanctuary and a trap.
I watch him for a moment.
He turns to me. I suck in a breath and regret it.
For a second, he looks like a terrified, twelve-year-old boy.
I reach for him, my fingers brushing his wrist. “Sebastian,” I say softly.
His gaze drops to my hand like it’s an unfamiliar thing. Like tenderness is a foreign language he never learned properly.
He swallows and then says, “Don’t let go.”
