Page 13 of The Dark Stranger
Becca’s expression didn’t fall.
“Don’t be. When everything happens for a reason, sometimes things are removed from your life to make you better.”
And just like that, Samantha had nothing left to say.
Hours later, the music blurred into noise, drinks stacked on top of feelings she didn’t want to feel. Becca danced, laughed, spun — trying to outrun her thoughts.
But the unease stayed.
She didn’t feel safe.
Not even with the girls she came with.
Still… she kept drinking.
Tonight she didn’t want to remember.
Cold night air hit her skin as she stepped outside, the club door thudding shut behind her. She leaned against the brick wall, cigarette shaking slightly between her fingers.
The world tilted.
Then that feeling came.
Awareness.
Like someone had stepped into her space without touching her.
A voice broke through the fog.
Low. Calm.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone… not like this.”
She smirked lazily, vision blurred, words slurring just enough.
“What… you the parking lot police now?”
A pause.
“No,” he said.
Then softer.
“Just someone who doesn’t like seeing people drown when they don’t have to.”
Herbody didn’t feel fear.
Just… heaviness.
Her knees buckled slightly, and a hand steadied her elbow. Not gripping. Not pulling. Just there.
Her eyelids fought to stay open.
Then his voice, close to her ear — the only thing that would stay with her.
“You don’t have to survive everything alone anymore.”
Darkness swallowed her.
