Page 41 of The Moments You Miss
Chapter 31
Miss Me?
The Whispering Killer
What a fucking joke, does she truly believe that she’s safe now? He thinks that he can have her, no questions asked? He had done so well keeping off my radar, we simply existed together. Up until now, his actions have been nothing but a means to an end. I allowed him to work inmytown.
This is my town, and he’s now gotten messy. I can’t let them ruin the hard work that I’ve put into this. Maplewood is a small place, it’s all stuck together by fake smiles, secrets, and graves that no one dares dig too deep.
Don’t fucking think that I don’t remember, I fucking remember it all.
Leyla Clarkson.
I almost felt sorry for her.Almost. And pity is not something I allow in often. I heard everything, I know the entire fucking storyof how her father was a monster and who he was. Leyla was molded to fit into this story. She’s my own story. My place in her life has been cemented since that night, and I don’t ever want her to forget her place.
I might be the one hiding in the background, but it’s always been me. Do you think she’d ever fucking notice? No. When she was young there were times that I would’ve been seen as someone who was worth her time. Leyla has a life now. Leyla has someone else who is taking away time that belongs to me.
I walk these streets now, completely invisible. Blending into every crowd, watching from every corner. She passed me just yesterday in town. Her pretty little face tucked beneath a beanie; hand curled around a paper coffee cup like it could protect her. She didn’t even flinch when I brushed by her. Not even a flash of recognition that I was the one who saved her all those years ago. All that I had done,wasted.
She’s lost her instincts.
Andhe— CameronfuckingCurtis— thinks he’s better than me? Thinks that he’s evolved? That because he grew a conscience and fell in love with a girl with broken wings that he’s somehow redeemed?
No. You don’t get redemption, not in this world.
You take your place, and if you try to rise above it, I bring you back down. I have to teach them who’s boss, I have to teach them who’s the real killer. I have to teach them who’s really in charge here. They don’t get that break anymore. My hard work, my good that I’ve done for the world.
I’ve got my work cut out for me now, but don’t worry this isn’t the last you’ve seen of me. I’m going to give the two little lovebirds a reminder of who’s in control here.
Chapter 32
Miles On It
Cameron
It’s been three months.
My perfect, beautiful Leyla and I have been working towards this incredible moment. Working through the fears and insecurities that come along with the type of things that I do–thatwe’regoing to do. I stand and watch as she braids her hair, wrapping it up into a bun to keep it off her stunningly sharp features that make this feel so much more finite. We are actually fucking doing this.
Leyla begins pacing slightly as she turns to me, her smile slightly forced, I shouldn’t make her do this, she’s clearly not ready for this, there’s something holding her back.
“You ready, Cherry?” My voice is solid and concise as I look towards her, her shoulders bracketed tight as she stands up straight, stopping her pacing. I lean against the wall of the living room, crossing my legs over the other, watching her with the kindof attention that would make most squirm. She’s wearing black— tight, efficient, and all business.
But her hands are shaking. Not much. Barely enough to notice, but I see it. I see everything when it comes to her.
Next, I notice that look on her face— like a scared animal one second, a proud goddess the next. I’ve always loved that multifaceted way about her, and in the past few weeks that fear has been slowly fading away from her.
“I’m not scared,” she lies so easily, a forced nuance but I hear it. And it’s not for me, it’s for herself. The entire world flashes in her eyes and I don’t miss a single second of any of it.
I push off the wall and cross the distance between us slowly, like I’m approaching this wild thing I don’t want to scare off. “It’s okay if you are,” I murmur as I lean into her neck. “The first is one of the most exciting and terrifying things that you could ever go through. Hell, firsts are meant to scare the shit out of you sometimes, but that’s how you learn and grow. You get better from fear, but you never let it consume you.”
A choked laugh escapes her as she nuzzles into my chest, wrapping her arms around my torso and I pull her into me even closer, not wanting a single part of her to think that she doesn’t belong with me.
“I’ve seen worse,” she mumbles into my chest, the words sending vibrations through me.
“I know,” I say, softer now. “But watching it happen and making it happen? Planned and not in the heat of the moment? That’s a whole different ballgame, Ley.”
She exhales hard through her nose, pushing and turning away from me like she doesn’t want me to see her breaking. But I already know, I already see it— and I love her more for it. I may be too far gone, but she isn’t there, I won’t ever let her break the way that I did. We are meant for each other, and I know that I can keep her innocence and happiness safe. Shaking off the thoughts that are running through my head.
