Page 39 of Watched By Blade

I don’t know what she saw. Or if she saw anything at all. She was too busy with that man.

“I should turn my phone on,” I say quietly.

His gaze sharpens immediately.

“Why was it off?” he asks.

“I turned it off when we got here. I didn’t want…” My voice trails off.

He nods once.

I stand, slower than usual, and head to the bathroom. The dress is still where I left it, folded with careful hands. I dig into the pocket and pull my phone out.

When I step back into the kitchen, Blade’s watching me.

I set the phone on the table and reach for my coffee again, taking a slow sip before pressing the power button.

The screen lights up.

For a second, nothing.

Then it floods.

Missed calls.

Texts.

All from Lyla.

My mouth goes dry.

I open the first one.

Where did you go???

Then:

Vi call me.

Then:

This isn’t funny.

My chest tightens as I scroll.

The last message sits at the bottom like a stone.

Timestamp: two hours ago.

They took me.

My breath stops.

I read it again.

They took me. I’m at 148 Hollow Creek Rd. Come alone. Don’t tell anyone. If you want to see me again.

The room tilts.