As I lie curled up in bed, the morning sun hitting the curtains, I can’t help but think about what happened between Roman and me last night. I never expected it, especially after everything. He’s a killer, and here I am allowing him to be a part of my life. I’m so stupid. But I want to help him find who’s making him a target.
Who would know he’s a killer? Why would someone go after a killer, unless they were someone who’d trained like he had? Perhaps this person is someone close to him. Deep in the pit of my stomach I know I have to help him.
Taking my phone from the bedside table, I message Roman.
Me: I’ll go back to the house with you. Do you have any idea who would target you?
Hitting send, I can’t help but think about what Roman said last night. He killed his father. We are somewhat similar. I’m a killer as well.
My phone alerts me to a message.
Roman: Thank you. I have no idea. After you said last night that this person wanted to teach me a lesson, I though it must be someone that knows the family tradition. I found out there were others killing with the same system as what I did, but they weren’t me. We have a pocket knife in evidence.
A pocket knife? That’s what the intruder used on me.
I’m suddenly back in the operation room, strapped to the table. The intruder stands over me with the blade. He laughs as I cry out in pain. The words, you’ll suffer for his past come to the front of my memory. Bolting upright, I hit Roman’s name, calling him. He answers immediately.
“What’s wrong?” There’s concern in his voice.
“I… I remember something else the intruder said. He told me that I’d suffer for his past. I can only think it would be your past. What happened in your past, other than you killing your father and those girls?” My body vibrates with anticipation, awaiting his response.
Roman mutters under his breath, then answers me. “You’re sure that’s what he said? Could you tell if this person was a similar age to us or older?”
Rubbing my forehead, I think back. I could only see his eyes and mouth. “His eyes appeared to be that of a man in his thirties maybe, his voice didn’t sound elderly, and his teeth were surprisingly clean. I would say he was young, like you.”
“This makes no sense. So I discovered that my father’s body had been removed and has been gone for some time. I thought maybe I didn’t actually kill him, but now you tell me the intruder appeared young. I have no idea. Unless I have a brother out there, but I’m not sure who would have trained him up. I was the only one left in the bloodline that I’m aware of.”
My phone sounds off as though I have an email. Putting Roman on speaker, I check it. There’s an email from Lewis, with a tagline that reads URGENT.
“That’s weird,” I mutter.
“What’s weird?” he asks.
“Oh, sorry. I just opened my emails and there’s one from Lewis, marked as urgent. I haven’t seen or heard from him since I’ve been found. I thought we were close enough that he’d try and contact me.”
“What does the email say?” he asks.
I click on it and read it out loud:
Dear Elle,
If you’re reading this, then something terrible has happened. I’m dead or in danger. I hope you’re well. After you were taken, I began checking into people, especially Roman. Something about him appeared off to me. So I started digging into him, his family. I have friends in high places who looked things up. His father was a highly-respected member of the community, donating plenty of cash to charities. He disappeared and was never seen again. First his father, then you. I don’t think this is a coincidence.
In my apartment, I’ve put a file in the one safe place you know about. I also mailed you a key, so check your mail. Elle, this is bad. I feel as though I’ve been watched and followed at times. I’ve scheduled this email and if I stop it then it won’t send, but if you’ve received this then I haven’t been able to postpone the schedule. Which proves I’m in trouble.
I’m sorry to dump this on you after you’ve gone through so much already. I would have come to tell you in person, but I wasn’t sure if it was safe. I do hope you get this and you’re okay. I love ya, Elle. Please be careful who you trust.
Your friend,
Lewis
“Oh my goodness, Roman. What’s happened to him?” I’m out of bed, heading straight for where a pile of mail sits neatly on my bench, thanks to Suzie.
“I don’t know. I’ll be there shortly. Whatever you do, don’t go into his apartment without me present.”
“For all I know you’re the one that’s done something to him,” I yell. Lewis would never lie to me or put me in danger.
I finally find the envelope with Lewis’s handwriting on it. Tearing it open, a key falls out.
“Please just wait for me. I’m five minutes away.”
I hang up on him and make my way to Lewis’s door. With a shaking hand, I slip the key into the lock, twisting until I hear the click. Slowly, I turn the knob and push the door open. It’s dark in here and a stale smell hits my nose, causing me to cough.
“Lewis!” I call through the apartment. The layout of his is the same as mine. When you walk in the kitchen is on the left, then it opens into a combined living and dining area. With my heart hammering in my throat, I flick on the light in his apartment. I scream, and it won’t stop. My hands shake profusely.
There before me is Lewis… dead.