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Then a sickly feeling stirred in the pit of my stomach. Irrational, unfounded, but overwhelming: what if the incident in the alley was related to my mom?
Gulping, I looked over at the library’s alley-side windows. I could take a peek, and probably see what was going on.
A powerful, trembling sensation spread along my chest and limbs, my neck turning icy, numb, as I shuffled closer, reluctantly, towards a window looking out beyond the police cordon, around halfway along the building’s length. I was being totally unreasonable, letting anxiety take over my brain as I approached the glass, but something told me, something terrible said—
It wasn’t my mom.
I let out a hard exhale.
It was a dead body, but not my mom. Thank God. Though someone had died. And I felt horrible at the whole situation.
Those feelings were made worse by the horrendous state the corpse was in. Whoever the victim was, they’d been carved up and defiled with a level of contempt, of brutality, that nobody could possibly have deserved. I had to look away, my system flooding with nausea. The Fae librarian was standing at the next window along, a somber look on her face. She turned towards me, and our eyes met. Her expression mirrored my feelings exactly.
New Nebraska had its own Jack the Ripper.
Studying was a challenge. I moved to a deserted corner, on the opposite side from the alley, hiding behind shelves of dusty, leatherbound tomes. But even after the crowd had dispersed and the muffled rumble of car engines had melted away, my mind kept getting drawn back to the horrors that had happened just feet from the building I was in. On top of that, I was running through scenarios in my mind, of what I’d do if my mom wasn’t home when I got back. I wasn’t sure who to ask for help or if there even was anyone who’d want to give it.
I wouldn’t disturb Aaron yet, not when nothing had really happened other than my mom going out and me running into a crime scene, at the worst possible time.
A text interrupted my thoughts. From Jax.
Hey, how’s your mom doing today? Do you think she’d be ok with you having a couple of hours self-defense practice with me later?
My mind wasn’t in the right place for lots of texts back and forth.
That’s so kind of you to offer, but it’s not such a great day for it, sorry.
He replied soon after.
Is everything ok?
Nope.
Yep.
Everything from today combined with the fright from the vampire the night before blended together and hit me all at once. I felt panicky, threatened, despite the library’s calmness. I wanted to feel safe.
I texted Jax again.
Actually, not really. I don’t feel safe. It’s so stupid, but I don’t want to walk home alone.
Jax’s answer pinged about three seconds after.
Where are you? I’m coming right now.
I replied.
Meet outside the library?
A thumbs up appeared. I hoped he’d come quick.
The police tape was still there, fluttering in the breeze, along with a shoulder-high steel barrier saying:Police – Access Prohibited.
In less than ten minutes Jax was there, muscles bulging in a tight T-shirt, a concerned look on his face. He jogged straight up to me and must have seen the worry in my eyes.
“You okay?”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
