Two nights later, I parked at the local gas station by my place and got out of my car, my steps brisk and short, matching my rapidly beating heart. No matter how fast I walked, or how many times I circled around the block, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following me. And, of course, if someone was following me, then my brain automatically went to the only logical place.

It had to be Vinnie.

As I walked into the gas station, I surveyed my surroundings. No one else was inside besides the teenaged worker behind the counter wearing a yellow shirt and a green vest. I walked through the aisles, pretending to look at things while really watching the parking lot and entrance for any familiar vehicles I might have seen during my drive. I hadn’t spotted a tail, and yet I couldn’t shake my intuition that someone was following me. That same intuition had yet to fail me, so I wasn’t going to ignore it this time.

Hesitating, I pulled my phone out and clicked on Ben’s name in my contacts. My finger hovered over the phone icon on the screen. Even though I knew I couldn’t do this alone, I still didn’t like going to him for help, but he’d assured me he was my partner, and that he was here for anything I needed. The past two nights, I hadn’t needed anything, so I hadn’t called or texted. But now, in the dark at a small gas station…did I need him?

I scanned the parking lot again. Nothing. Sighing, I tucked my phone away and shook my head at myself. Vinnie was winning. My own shadow scared me now that I knew he was watching me. I’d taken all the standard police protocol procedures for ensuring no one followed me, and had no reason to believe someone was. I’d give it another minute to be safe, buy something, head out to my car, and then go directly home to ensure I was safely inside.

Last night I’d gotten a security system installed, and it was fully functioning, so I was finally getting some sleep again. Thank God for small favors.

Ben and I had come to an understanding, too. He’d told me that his father was investigating Vinnie discreetly, and it was easy enough to admit I was grateful for the help, and the only reason I had that help was because I’d finally talked to my partner. Given our history, that hadn’t been an easy thing to do, but it had been the right call. Now, we were on good terms, and we’d promised to be honest with one another from here on out.

Despite everything, I was grateful for him.

Never thought I’d say that again.

After grabbing a bag of Sour Patch Kids, I paid and made my way to my car, scanning the perimeter for any signs of malice as I popped a red one in my mouth. Those were the best ones, so I always ate them first, followed by the green. Ben liked the yellow and orange ones, so he’d always taken those. Out of habit, I picked around those, leaving them untouched.

As I munched a green one, I glanced over my shoulder. Nothing moved. All was quiet in Somerton, California tonight. The ride home was uneventful, and I almost made it home without incident when my phone rang over the Bluetooth, jarring my already fried nerves. I jumped hard enough to lose a red Sour Patch Kid. Glaring down at the dark floor by my feet where the fallen little guy lay, I hit the answer button on my steering wheel. “Detective Lopez.”

Static sounded, but no one spoke.

“Hello?” I checked my signal as I drove through the wooded area that led to my house, frowning when I noticed I still had three bars. “Can you hear me?”

A crackle, and what could have been a word.

The hair on the back of my neck rose, but I tried to stifle it. I’d changed my number. It wasn’t searchable on the Internet. The only people that had it were the precinct personnel, Ben, Captain, and Grace. There’s no way he could have gotten my information twice in one week. This wasn’t a horror movie, it was real life. This couldn’t be happening. Not again.

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I hung up.

Not today, Satan.

I stopped at the stop sign down the road from my house, never feeling so isolated as I was now, in the woods, with not even a hint of the moon in the sky. I glanced in the rearview mirror for any signs of headlights, then turned left. I missed summer, when the sky didn’t darken until nine. Now, in the beginning of fall, I was lucky to still see the sun at seven.

As I pulled up my driveway, my phone rang again. Unknown number. Stiffening, I clicked the answer button on my steering wheel. “Detective Lopez,” I said, my voice sharp.

This time, there was no mistaking the sound of the stereotypical heavy breathing on the other end. It wasn’t static, or even bad signal. It was a man. Breathing. Into the phone.

When had my life become this? When had I become trapped in this nightmare?

“Stop calling me.”

Nothing. Just breathing.

I hung up again, trembling, and got out of my car, my hand on my gun. Walking quickly, I came to my doorstep and froze. There, lying on the porch, was a single red rose.

No note. No wrapping. Just a rose.

I’d never seen anything more terrifying in my life.

Rushing past it, I stepped on it, unlocked the door, and rushed inside, ignoring the flower that Vinnie had always given me when he “messed up” and “let me make him mad like that.”

As I closed the door behind me, I called out, “Grace?”

Grace came out immediately, smiling. “Hey, how was work?”

“Good,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

I hadn’t told Grace about Vinnie, or his reappearance in my life, but maybe it was time. When Vinnie had come into my life, ruining it and everything inside it, I had become closed off to the world. All our mutual colleagues had taken his side, and hadn’t believed my accusations. They’d made my life a living hell as I tried to navigate out of the nightmare I’d been in.

Out of necessity, I’d stopped opening up to people, and had trusted no one. But maybe Ben was right. Maybe it was time to change. “Can we talk?”

Grace frowned, looking worried. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just need to tell you something about why I left California.” I sat at the kitchen table and motioned for Grace to do the same.

“Okay, but I have to tell you something first.” Grace hesitated. “I don’t know how long it’ll last, since it’s evening, but your mother has her memory tonight. You might want to go in while you can, and see if she remembers you.”

I stood, trembling, the world spinning around me. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Whatever you need to say can wait. I’ll be right here.”

Legs shaking, I ran toward to Mom’s room, hope bursting in my chest for the first time since I’d come home. Over the last two months, my mother hadn’t recognized me. Not even once.

So, if tonight was the night…

Was this actually happening?

I rushed into the room, slowing my steps as I came inside, making sure not to startle her. Mom’s eyes landed on me, and I hesitated, not sure how to proceed. Mom had clearly showered, and she wore her favorite sweater and the necklace Dad had given her for her fortieth birthday.

She was knitting, like usual, but she’d started a new project besides the baby hats she usually made for baby me. Her eyes dipped down, then up, then down again, taking in every detail about me. Her eyes watered, and she opened her arms, smiling. “Sarah, my baby.”

Choking on a sob, I didn't hesitate to run to my Mom. I flung myself into her frail arms and held on tight. She smelled just like I remembered. Flowers and perfume. Between my scare on the way home, the stress of my move, and now Vinnie finding me I just couldn't hold back anymore. When her arms went around me, holding me tight, there was no holding back my big, solid, loud sobs as my shoulders heaved with each one.

There was no stopping them.

She held me tight the whole time, brushing my hair off my forehead, shhing me like she used to do when I was a child and I’d come home crying because Maggie Matthews had been mean to me at recess again. Eventually, the sobs stopped, and I forced myself to pull it together and not waste a single second of this time I’d been granted. The doctors had told me there would be days where Mom was lucid, and to not get my hopes up when they occurred, but this was the first time she’d actually had one.

I wasn’t going to waste it crying on her shoulder.

Swiping my hands over my cheeks, I settled in on the edge of her bed. Mom’s words from the other night echoed in my head, and I couldn’t help but feel like I’d let her down. “I’m sorry for crying all over you.”

“Nothing to be sorry for.” She cupped my cheeks, smiling at me with her own watery eyes. “Such a beautiful woman you’ve become. I don’t know how long we have together like this, so tell me everything. I don’t want to miss a thing.”

So…I did. I told my mother everything. I told her about California, and how I’d moved back here to be with her—but not mentioning too much about Vinnie, besides that I’d had a boyfriend back there, who’d turned out to be a jerk. Then I told her about being partnered with Ben, and how we’d made up recently.

I also told her that I was taking care of her, and swore I’d never leave her side, to which Mom had objected. “Grace told me how it’s been. You shouldn’t have to give up your life to care for me, Sarah.”

“I’m not.” I shook my head. “I have help. I have Grace.”

“You could put me in a home. Visit me there—”

I held up a hand, cutting her off immediately. “No way. Absolutely not. I have you, and I’m not giving you up. Ever.”

“But if it gets worse, if I become a danger to myself…” She squeezed my hand, smiling sadly. “If I become a danger to you? Please don’t hesitate to put me in a safe place. If it’s for the best, then so be it. You can still come visit me.”

“Mom…”

“Promise me you’ll do it, if it comes to that.” She squeezed my hand, her grip surprisingly strong. “I need your word.”

I hesitated, but finally nodded, giving her what she seemed to want. “But I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

After a while, and more catching up, Mom had faded off and fell asleep, and I left the room emotionally exhausted. Grace, true to her word, still sat at the table, a book in her hands and her feet up on the chair opposite her. When she heard me approach, she lifted her head and smiled. “I take it she was still lucid?”

“Yeah.” I got two beers out and crossed the kitchen, offering her one silently.

Grace took it, twisting the top off. “I’m glad you got to see her like that, but tomorrow…”

“She’ll be back to asking me if I’m a nurse.” I sat heavily. “I know.”

Grace took a sip of beer. “I’m sorry, Sarah.”

“I know.”

After a few moments of silence, Grace cleared her throat. “So… You said you wanted to talk to me?”

“Yeah.”

Grace set her beer down and swiped her hands on her scrubs. “What’s up?”

I hesitated, rested my elbows on the table, and locked gazes with my former best friend. The girl I used to trust with all my secrets. Could I trust her now? Guess there was only one way to find out. “You need to know why I came back here, besides for my mom, and what I’m running away from. It’s time I told you everything about what happened in North Carolina.”

Grace settled back in her chair. “Okay. I’m listening.”