Page 145 of I Never Stopped Loving You

Hey. You good?

You never texted me back about the chick?

Everything go okay?

Noah

It went fine. Thanks.

No problemo, Cuz. Hey, wanna go grab a drink? I think that new bar off Fifth is still open.

Nah. Busy tonight. Maybe tomorrow, though.

Why are you always busy?

I can’t help but laugh at the last message. He’s not wrong. I’m always busy. If I’m not working on my own cases, I’m trying to sabotage my father’s cases, hunt down the scum who have slipped through the cracks, or searching for her.

Noah

How about we go out tomorrow night for dinner?

My treat.

Jeremy

Aww, you think you can just wine and dine me to make me forgive you for ignoring your favorite cousin?

Yeah, yeah. Just figure out where you want to go.

Hmm…Anywhere I want?

Yep.

Price doesn’t matter?

Nope.

I’ll think of something. Maybe French?

No. Wait. I think I’m feeling Italian.

Goodnight, Jeremy.

Goodnight?

But it’s only eleven.

God, you’re old.

Fuck. I do feel old. I look up at the clear sky. Only the moon and stars are out tonight, not a single cloud. It’s strange. The moonlight illuminates my backyard, and I watch as a small squirrel runs down a tree followed by a larger one. They frantically race around the yard zigzagging through the rows of trees and bushes squeaking and chattering before scampering back up another tree. They disappear inside the hole in the trunk, and the world falls silent again.

“Welp. I guess it’s time for me to play.”

I stand, cracking my neck once more before making my way back inside my house, grabbing my mask off the counter, then slowly walking toward the laundry room. It’s going to be a long night. A long, painful, bloody, and oh-so-satisfying night.

When the secret door opens, the rush of stagnant air flows into the room. No matter how much I clean down here, the coppery tang of blood will always linger thick enough that you can taste it in the back of your throat.

Each step takes me deeper into the darkness. The muffled cries of Rayes are only drawing my demons closer to the surface. When I reach the bottom step, I flick on all of the lights. It’s time to set up my hunting ground.