ARIA'S POV - Three Hours Later
Aria sat in her childhood bedroom in her mother's Chinatown apartment, staring at her hands.
They'd been scrubbed clean. No trace of Victoria's blood remained on her skin. But she could still feel it. Could still see the way it had pooled on the concrete floor. Could still hear Victoria's screams echoing in her ears.
Her phone buzzed. Again.
Damien had been calling and texting for the past two hours. She'd ignored all of it.
Please talk to me.
Aria, I know you're upset. Let me explain.
I love you. Please don't shut me out.
At least tell me you're safe.
That last one made her pick up the phone. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she finally typed: I'm at my mother's. I'm safe. I just need time.
His response was immediate: How much time?
I don't know.
I can't lose you Aria.
The desperation in his text made her chest ache. But every time she thought about going back, she saw the warehouse. Saw the spikes. Saw his cold smile.
