“Why would that be a problem? Shouldn’t ending a life, which is what the TCA does, don’t get me wrong, warrant a little thought?”
Kavya’s mouth flopped open before her jaw clenched. “Isn’t that a little hypocritical, coming from you? You’ve never questioned it before the old thermy.”
“I never let myself think about it beforeGerald. It wasn’t like I had a choice. If I didn’t join the TCA, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be a pile of ashes”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“I’m sorry you don’t.”
Kavya excused herself to call her wife, slipping away from the table and leaving Ruby alone. Ruby reached for her ball. A warm tug pricked her chest, the feeling sudden, invasive. She jolted, scanning the room. Nothing stood out other than a subtle shift in the air, that instinctive sharpness that warned her of eyes watching.
Families laughed, pins clattered, the low thump of pop music filling the space—and then, just a few lanes over, a man sat in the shadowed corner, attention fixed on her. Half-lit shadows shrouded his face, but the cruel, mocking smile cut through unmistakably.
Edward Alden.
The noise of the bowling alley dulled to a muffled hum, like being submerged underwater. Ruby’s heart pounded, a painful, erratic drum in her chest, each beat reverberating in her ears. Her body locked up, frozen to the plastic bench.
Edward lounged in the middle of flashing arcade lights and sticky vinyl seats. He looked calm, at ease, like just another patron killing time on a Friday night. He lifted a hand, fingers curling in a casual wave, his grin mocking, as if they were old friends who’d just happened upon each other.
How long has he been here? Watching? Waiting?
Ruby forced herself to look away, though every nerve screamed at her to react. Her lungs tightened, burning with suppressed panic, but she fought to keep her expression blank. She couldn't let anyone know—especially not Jonah, who waited at the bar. She glanced down at her phone, pretending to scroll, her fingers shaking as she tried to control her breathing. Edward’s perverse attention trained on her, like an unwelcome touch.
A few moments later, Jonah returned, carrying a pitcher of beer. His brows furrowed as he took in her tense posture. “You alright?”
Ruby forced a slip of her hand, knocking the pitcher onto his shirt. The cold beer splashed over his chest, and he cursed, stepping back. “Oh—sorry!” she stammered, letting out a hollow laugh. Her stomach twisted with fear, but she clung to the facade. “I didn’t mean to—”
Jonah grimaced, looking down at the spreading stain, then shrugged it off, his frown easing. “No worries. I’ll go clean up. Be right back.”
As he headed toward the bathrooms, Ruby strode over to Kavya. Her newfound hatred of the TCA didn’t extend to letting its members, especially ones who were almost friends, get murdered in front of her. She tugged her aside with a grip that belied her desperation. “I need you to go. Now.”
Kavya’s eyes widened, confusion flickering across her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Call Lucas. Tell him Edward’s here.” The name alone made Kavya pale, fear flashing in her eyes. She swallowed hard, but nodded, squeezing Ruby’s arm briefly before slipping toward the exit.
Ruby exhaled shakily, her eyes darting back to Edward. He fucking bowled, tossing the pink ball down the lane and pumping his fist when he hit a strike. He watched the pinsreset, his casual demeanor a grotesque mockery of the danger he posed.
In a fluid motion, Ruby stole a metal kiddie ramp and jammed it through the handle of the bathroom door Jonah had entered, bracing it firmly to keep him safely locked away. She grabbed a handful of crumpled napkins, lit it with the lighter from her pocket, and tossed a piece into two nearby trash cans. As the napkins smoldered, the first tendrils of smoke curled upward. She yanked down the fire alarm, setting off a shrill, piercing wail that cut through the noise.
She turned back—and Edward, waiting, now sat in her lane. He leaned over, stealing a nacho chip from their table and crushing it between two fingers.
“Hiya, Ruby,” he plucked another chip and flicked it at the score screen.
She froze and he lunged, moving faster than any thermophile she’d ever encountered. His arm shot out, pressing hard against her throat, pinning her back against the sticky vinyl seat. Her hands clawed at his forearm as she struggled for air, her vision blurring. Red lines etched into Edward’s skin under her nails, but they sealed shut just as quickly as she formed them.
“Did you miss me?” His warm breath caressed her cheek, coated in the sickly sweet scent of cinnamon. “You know, I’ve been waiting for this. For you.”
Her mind raced, memories clawing at her consciousness. Her daughter’s face. Her laughter. The image grounded her even as it tore her apart. With a surge of fury, she slammed her fist into his face, the impact crunching against his nose. Blood bloomed, trickling down his lip. Edward released Ruby and took a step back. He grinned, red dripping through his teeth, and reset his nose with a sickening crack.
“How cute,” he taunted, the words dripping with disdain.
Ruby’s fingers closed around a bowling ball. With a savage twist, she hurled it. The sickening crunch of bone echoed as it slammed into his shoulder. He didn’t even blink. Instead, he leaned in, the heat of his breath ghosting over her skin, his face so close she could see the purple etches in his eyelids.
“How often do you think about her?” he murmured. “Andy? Do you think about her when you kiss your boy toy? Or have you forgotten what you were supposed to be doing?”
A chill gripped her and she hesitated. Edward seized the moment, planting his foot on her chest and stomping her into the vinyl seat. Her ribs crunched under Edward’s foot, pain lancing through her. She gasped, the air knocked out of her, her vision swimming.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” He pressed down on her broken rib, sending white-hot agony searing through her chest. “I bet that hurt.”
