Page 5 of Craving Venom
“So, what had your attention before I came back? Some scandalous article?”
I choke mid-sip, coffee nearly coming out of my nose as I cough and set the cup down. My brain short-circuits for a second because… seriously, of all the things to ask?
I plaster on what I hope is a casual smile, even though my face feels like it’s on fire. “Just doing some research, you know?”
“Research, huh? Is that what they call it these days?”
My heart sinks as I realize the implications of what she might be thinking. My mouth opens, ready to defend myself, but she’s quicker.
“You’re blushing! Faith, you sly dog. You were watching something... interesting, weren’t you?”
I can feel my face heating up like a furnace, and no amount of forced laughter or fake calm is going to save me now. Theworst part? She’s so wrong, but her teasing makes it impossible to explain without sounding even guiltier.
I run a hand through my hair, letting out a groan. “Tria, no. I swear it’s not like that.”
“Sure, Faith. Keep your secrets. Just remember, there’s a time and place for those things.”
I laugh awkwardly. Tria’s ability to find humor in any situation is a quality I cherish, even when I am the target of her playful teasing.
CHAPTER TWO
THE MONSTER
Istep into Alex’s room, my feet dragging a little as I cross the threshold. The air smells stale, heavy, like something is rotting beneath the surface. It’s not just the room—it’s everything. My gaze falls on Alex, sprawled on the couch. His body’s too still. His face looks wrong, like all the light in him has been snuffed out.
I glance away, scanning my eyes over the room, catching on his baseball cap on the floor. The sight stirs something faint, something I quickly shove down.
Behind me, I hear Luke’s breathing pick up. He’s standing in the doorway. “Zane,” he whispers. “What… what the fuck happened here?”
I don’t answer him. I don’t even look at him. My focus is on the phone across the room. My steps are slow, steady, like I’ve got nowhere else to be. The phone feels heavier than it should as I pick it up, my fingers automatically dialing Mrs. Simmons’ number.
The line rings once, twice, and then a voice comes through. “Hello?”
“Mrs. Simmons,” I say flatly. “We need help. There’s been… there’s been an accident.”
Her response is immediate but I don’t listen to most of it. I already know what she’s going to say. Call 911. Stay calm. Don’t touch anything.
When I hang up, I finally turn back to Luke and Ella. Luke’s face is pale, and his hands are trembling at his sides. Ella’s got tears streaming down her cheeks, her lips pressed into a tight line as she stares at Alex.
“We have to call for help,” Luke says.
Ella nods, fumbling for her phone. Her hands are shaking so bad she almost drops it. She dials, holding the phone to her ear as her shoulders heave with silent sobs.
The sound of sirens cuts through the silence, growing louder, closer. I glance toward the window, catching the flash of red and blue lights against the walls.
I hear someone behind me gasp—Ella, probably—but I don’t turn around. Instead, I step toward the doorway, looking past the living room where my mother’s body lies crumpled on the floor. Her eyes are wide open, frozen in terror.
“Zane, man, this is... this is sick. What the fuck happened?”
I shrug. The gesture feels automatic, meaningless. “I don’t know, Luke.”
It’s not a lie. Not really.
Mrs. Simmons arrives before the paramedics, rushing in like she’s got the power to fix all this. She puts her arms around Ella, whispering soft reassurances. When she looks at me, her eyes are full of questions, but I give her nothing.
The paramedics burst in next, followed by the cops. The house is suddenly full of voices, commands, and questions thrown at us. I answer them all in the same flat tone.
When they start leading us out, I glance back at Alex’s room one last time. The shadows stretch across the walls, swallowing what’s left of him. My jaw tightens, but I don’t let myself feel anything. It’s easier this way.
