Page 69 of Dark Shadows
Something flickered in his eyes. “You'd hide in the library. In that corner behind mythology where no one went.” His voice softened. “I always knew where to find you.”
“You helped me.”
“I tried.” The gun trembled slightly. “But you left just like everyone else. You left me alone with the voices and all the secrets.” He touched his temple. “Do you know what it's like? Hearing everyone's secrets through those vents? Knowing what they really think, what they really do behind closed doors?”
“Is that why you were putting the symbols on the graves?”
“I had to mark them so everyone would know their sins.” His eyes took on a fevered gleam. “Just like they verbally marked you. They called you crazy and drove you away.” He gestured to Mason. “And now he thinks he can save you? He doesn't even know you; not like I do.”
“You're right.” Savanah kept her voice steady. “He doesn't know me like you do. No one does. I love you, Wes.”
Hope flickered across Wesley's face. For a moment, she saw the boy who'd shared his candy, who'd taught her chess, who was just her best friend’s older brother.
It was there for only a second before his expression hardened. “You're lying, just like Beverly and everyone else.”
“I never lied to you, Wes. I told you all my secrets.”
He grabbed her arm, dragging her closer to Mason. “Then why him? Why not me? I'm the one who made them believe. I killed the pedophile, and Beverly, for you. To prove you weren't crazy so you could come home.”
“You didn’t have to kill them.”
“I punished them! Just like they deserved. Beverly and her nasty words. The pedophile and his secrets. All of them with their lies and whispers.” Spittle flew from his lips as he pressed the gun to Mason's temple. “And him, thinking he can take you away again.”
“Wes...” Savanah's fingers brushed the pepper spray. “Please don't. You kill him and I’ll never speak to you again for as long as I live.”
Wesley lowered the gun slightly.
“You know I’m telling the truth. You remember how stubborn I was? I’m worse now.”
“You know what's funny?” Wesley's laugh was high, unhinged. “I heard Daniels in my father's office talking about meand how I’m missing a few screws.” He cocked the gun. “Should have killed him years ago. Should have killed them all.”
“Then why didn't you?”
“Because I was waiting.” His free hand cupped her cheek, the gesture grotesque in its tenderness. “Waiting for you to come home so you could understand.” His eyes filled with tears. “We could have been so perfect, Shadow. Just like when we were kids. Us against the world.”
Mason caught her eye and gave a slight nod. Understanding passed between them.
“Run, Savanah,” Mason shouted suddenly. “He won't hurt you. He's obsessed with you!”
Wesley's grip tightened on the gun. “He’s right. You mean everything to me, but now that I’ve got you, there’s no way in hell I’ll ever let you go.”
Wesley whirled, rage transforming his face, the gun pointed at Mason's head again.
“Of course, I’ll stay with you, but you have to let him go. Prove to me you trust me like I trusted you. Do that for me.” She touched his chest, just above his heart.
For a moment, hope blazed in Wesley's eyes. Then darkness descended.
Savanah seized the moment, her hand diving into her pocket. “Wes, look at me. Not him.”
Wesley turned back, his expression softening instantly at her use of his nickname. His grip on the gun loosened slightly. “You understand now, don't you? Everything I did was for you.”
“I understand,” she whispered. Her fingers closed around the pepper spray. “You thought you were helping.”
“We can leave tonight,” he said, moving closer still. “Start over where no one knows us. Where no one will judge you or hurt you again.”
“We can start over and do anything together, but first, you have to let him go.”
Anger flashed in his eyes.
