Page 1 of I Never Stopped Loving You

PROLOGUE

“Run, Little Rabbit.”

His voice seems to follow me deeper into the maze, no matter which way I turn. The sounds of his steps are echoing through the damp tunnels. The smell of disease, blood, and rotting flesh surround me. Each inhale causes it to seep deeper into my lungs, making me gag.

“Run…Run…Run…”

His sinister singing follows me with each turn. Left, right, left, left, right.

“Come here, Little Rabbit. Where are you?”

I stop and lean against the brick wall in the darkness. My fingertips are raw from running along the walls trying to map out this hellhole. I can feel the blood crusting around my cracked nails as they bend with each drag against the brick wall.

*Crack*

Another footstep.

I hold my breath and shrink to the floor. I can’t narrow down which way he is. The sounds are echoing off the walls making it feel like he’s everywhere at once. Like a fucking house of mirrors at the carnival.

“Willow?” he sings my name calling for me from the darkness.

His voice is closer now.

“Come out, Willow. It’ll all be over soon.”

Lies. All lies. It’ll never be over.

CHAPTER 1

NOAH

OCTOBER FLASHBACK

They think that just because it’s Halloween time, every bump in the night is just pretend. They see the ghosts and demons running around with their silicone masks. They hear the fake screams coming from the corners as the goblins and ghouls chase the willing participants of this haunted asylum. Haunted? Please. They don’t know the meaning of the word haunted.

“Teddy bear, I’m cold. Can I borrow your jacket?”

I have to bite the inside of my cheek just to stop my lip from curling in disgust at the way her nails drag along my arm.

“Sure, Princess,” I say, using the sickening nickname she loves.

The chill bites against my body as I drape my jacket over her bare shoulders. Apparently, even though it’s October in Michigan, it’s the perfect time for this woman to wear a mini skirt and a crop top. I won’t deny she looks absolutely stunning, but the whole thing’s getting old. The cold can be deadly if you’re not careful. Why don’t more people realize this?

“Thanks, babe. Are you excited? I heard this one is the scariest. They actually make you sign a waiver because the actors can grab you.”

I have to shut my eyes and breathe, focusing on the sounds of the screams through those doors a mere fifty feet ahead. We’ve been in this fucking line for over two hours waiting to join the masses inside the Eloise Asylum.

“I’m just happy to be here with you, Princess.”

She looks up at me with those blue eyes. Those cornflower blue eyes. They aren’t the right color. She was almost perfect. She was almost…her.

“Do you want to grab a bite to eat after this?” she asks as she snuggles up to my side.

I can feel the heat from her body. It must be nice and warm wearing my jacket. I huff, taking a second to glance at the watch on my wrist. The spotlights sweeping across the parking lot catch on the glass and metal. A Rolex. Just another piece of this costume I had to wear today. I have to play the part, you know.

Noah Anderson. Top of his class. A partner at Andersons’ and Sons, Attorneys at Law, my father’s firm. Just another façade I’ve had to wear to be able to blend into the background in this world. Can’t let the world see the monster lurking in the darkness.

“Where would you like to go?”