LUCIAN

“She didn’t want to come, did she?” I asked as Lyla walked into the motel room. I had gotten sick of waiting for her in the parking lot, and my exchange at the bar had left me more rattled than I’d like to admit. Being here seemed like the safest bet.

“Oh, look who the cat dragged in,” she said sarcastically as she shut the door. “I went back to the bar and you weren’t there.”

“Yes, um, I had to,” I stammered and swallowed. “I had to come back here. It wasn’t safe,” I finished, and she gave me a puzzled look.

“What do you mean it wasn’t...