Chapter 12: The Walls Closing In

The night air felt heavy, like a storm waiting to break. I sat on the edge of the old couch, staring at the front door, my thoughts a tangled mess. Reid’s soft breathing from the bedroom was the only sound in the house, but even that couldn’t calm my racing heart.

Alex was sitting by the window, his silhouette barely visible in the dim light. He was quiet, too quiet, and the tension between us hung in the air like a suffocating cloud.

“Are you sure we’re safe here?” I asked finally, breaking the silence.

His head turned slightly, but he didn’t look at...