Sara tossed and turned in her bed, the thin blanket twisting around her legs.
The moonlight leaking through the blinds washed her face pale, her breath coming in shallow bursts.
The voices had started again. They were faint at first, like distant whispers through water.
But as the minutes passed, they became clearer. Louder and sharper than ever.
"He doesn't belong here…"
"Kill him before he kills you…"
"You have to do it, Sara…"
She pressed her palms against her ears, but it didn't help. The words weren't coming from outside, they were inside her head.
Crawling under her skin.
Sara gasped, rolling to her side, clutching her pillow tight as tears welled in her eyes. "Please… stop," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"He's dangerous…"
"You can't trust him..."
"It's the only way…"
The pressure built in her skull, a high ringing in her ears that made her groan. She bit her lip to keep from screaming.
Then...
The door creaked open.
"Sis?"
The voices cut off instantly. Gone, like they'd never even been there.
Sara froze, breath stilling. She turned her head and saw Nathan standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes.
He looked tired and confused, but mostly worried.
"What's going on?" he asked softly. "I heard you… talking. You okay?"
Sara took a shaky breath, forcing a small smile. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just a nightmare."
Nathan frowned, stepping closer. "Didn't sound like just a nightmare."
Sara shook her head, eyes glassy but calm now. "It's nothing. I'm okay, really."
Nathan hesitated for a moment, watching her carefully. The way her hands were still trembling slightly, and the sweat on her forehead.
Finally, he sighed and nodded. "Alright. Try to get some rest, okay?"
"Yeah," she whispered.
He lingered in the doorway for a second longer, then turned and left, closing the door halfway behind him.
The silence that followed was heavy, but still.
Sara lay back, staring at the ceiling. The quiet made her suspicious at first. Nervously waiting for the voices to start again, for that awful pressure to return.
It didn't.
She exhaled slowly, the tension leaving her shoulders.
Her eyes fluttered shut. Sleep came quietly this time, wrapping around her like a fragile truce.
A few minutes later, the door creaked open again. Nathan peeked in, the light from the hallway spilling across her peaceful face.
She was fast asleep.
He tilted his head, whispering under his breath, "Just a bad dream, huh?"
But as he turned to leave, his brow furrowed.
Because somewhere deep down, he knew that whatever was happening to his sister… it wasn't just a dream.
She had been having nightmares and headaches for the past few days.
There had to be a reason for it.
He decided he would force her to go to see Kristi tomorrow.
...
The sound of Boyd's office door creaking open broke the stillness of the Sheriff's station.
Morning light filtered weakly through the blinds, painting long, gray lines across the floor.
Boyd stepped out, stretching his back with a faint groan before turning toward the couch. Kenny was sprawled across it, mouth slightly open, snoring softly.
Boyd smacked his shoulder. "Wake up."
Kenny flinched, mumbling into the cushion, "Five more minutes…"
Boyd rolled his eyes. "We gotta go get Tobey's body. If we leave it any longer, it'll start to stink."
Kenny groaned louder this time but rolled over, sliding his feet off the couch. His heel smacked into something soft.
He blinked, looked down... and froze.
Jade was lying on the floor beside the couch, dead asleep, hair sticking out in every direction.
Kenny frowned. "He's out."
Boyd nodded, already heading for the door. "Come on, let's go."
Kenny sighed, rubbing his face before standing up and trudging after him. They stepped out of the station, the door creaking shut behind them.
A few minutes later, the blue truck rumbled to life. Boyd in the driver's seat, Kenny in the passenger seat, both still shaking off the fog of sleep.
As they drove off down the cracked road toward the crash site, the silence between them carried the weight of what they were about to do.
...
Across town, Sara was pacing in her small living room, her hands trembling slightly as she argued with her brother.
"I said I'm fine, Nathan!" she snapped, her tone sharp and defensive.
Nathan crossed his arms, standing in her way. "You're not fine, Sara. You barely slept last night, and you were talking in your sleep again."
Sara's eyes flashed. "So what? I had a nightmare. It happens!"
Nathan didn't move. "Kristi needs to check you out."
"I don't need to see Kristi," she shot back, brushing past him toward the door.
Nathan sighed, frustrated. "Sara..."
But she was already gone, the door slamming behind her.
Sara walked briskly down the road, arms crossed against the morning chill.
Her eyes darted from house to house, though she wasn't really seeing them, just searching.
She needed to see Monte. Needed to know he was still there. That he was real.
She reached the diner, pushing the door open. The bell above it jingled softly.
Auntie Tian Chen looked up from behind the counter, her ever-present calm replaced with concern as she took in Sara's disheveled hair and restless eyes.
"You okay?" Tian asked in her clipped English.
Sara forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… uh, has Monte stopped by?"
Tian shook her head. "No. He should be… at station."
Sara nodded quickly and turned to leave, but Tian called after her. "You see Kristi yet?"
Sara froze for half a second, then smiled again, smoother this time. "Yeah. She said I just need some more rest. I came to tell you I won't be in today."
Tian studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. You rest. Come back tomorrow."
Sara nodded and slipped out the door.
But she didn't turn toward home.
Her steps carried her in the opposite direction, walking toward the Sheriff's station.
Her pace quickened.
She didn't know exactly why she was going there.
Only that the voices had gone quiet again…
And she didn't trust the silence.
...
The truck bounced along the cracked asphalt, the sun glinting off the windshield.
A low mist clung to the treeline, softening the edges of the wreck that lay ahead.
When Boyd and Kenny pulled up, they didn't say anything at first. The silence said enough.
The Audi was still there.
Twisted metal. Shattered glass. The front end crushed completely around the tree it had slammed into.
Boyd let out a long, tired sigh. "Damn."
Kenny climbed out of the passenger side, rubbing the back of his neck. "How the fuck is Jade fine?"
Boyd shook his head. "I don't know…" He squinted toward the ditch. "Let's see what we can do."
They climbed down carefully, boots slipping slightly in the loose dirt. The air was thick with the sour tang of oil and the faint, acrid rot of blood.
The driver's door was jammed halfway open, the window shattered out. Through it, they could see Tobey. His body was still slumped over the wheel, head turned at an unnatural angle.
Kenny crouched down beside the car, peering in. "Damn," he murmured. "How the fuck are we gonna get him out?"
Boyd stood beside him, eyes scanning the wreck. "Good question."
The silence stretched. A bird called faintly in the trees. It was one of the few normal sounds left in this place.
Boyd leaned closer, his hand resting on the doorframe. "Let's pull the seat back. Maybe we can slide him out instead of forcing it."
Kenny nodded and reached in, grunting as he pushed the lever. The seat gave a small metallic groan but didn't budge far.
Boyd glanced at the windshield. "Impact was bad. Must've been going over seventy when he hit."
Kenny looked back at him. "And Jade walked away from this, Scott-free."
Boyd exhaled through his nose. "Some people just get lucky."
Kenny muttered, "Doesn't feel like luck around here."
Boyd didn't answer.
Together, they worked quietly. Carefully freeing what was left of Tobey from the seat.
His arm dangled limply as they eased him out, wrapping him in a tarp Boyd had brought from the truck.
It was slow, grim work. But neither complained. They had plenty of experience with these tragic situations.
When they finally had him laid out on the ground, Boyd took off his hat, bowing his head for a few seconds. Kenny followed his lead.
"Alright," Boyd said after a moment, his voice low. "Let's get him back. Kristi'll want to take a look before we bury him."
Kenny nodded silently, helping lift the tarp.
As they climbed back up the ditch, Boyd glanced once more at the wrecked Audi.
Something about the scene felt wrong.
Not just tragic... wrong.
He didn't say it out loud, but he couldn't shake the feeling that someone... or something had already been here before them.
Boyd wondered if Monte had the same gut feeling when he came to search for supplies.
...
The door to the Sheriff's station creaked open.
Sara stepped inside, her movements slow, cautious. The place was quiet. The kind of silence that pressed down on you.
Her eyes swept the room. Empty.
Then, she saw him.
Monte was stretched out on his cot, one arm draped across his chest, his shirt riding up just enough to expose part of his toned stomach.
His breathing was deep, steady... fast asleep.
Something inside her shifted.
The voices returned, sharp and cold.
"Do it now."
"He's asleep. He won't stop you."
"Kill him before he kills everyone you love."
Sara's hands trembled as she took a step forward… then another.
She moved without thinking, drawn toward him like a string pulling tight. The air felt heavier the closer she got.
She could see his gun on his coat beside him, glinting faintly in the light. The sight of it sent a chill through her chest.
It was part fear, part something else. Something warmer.
She climbed onto the cot, straddling his waist, staring down at his face.
Peaceful. Almost gentle.
The voices urged her again.
"Now, Sara."
"Before he wakes."
She leaned down, staring at the lips that had stolen a kiss from her just yesterday.
Her head moved on its own, not minding the smell of liquor as her soft lips pressed against his tenderly.
Her hand brushed the handle of the small knife in her pocket. Her breath hitched.
But then she froze.
Monte hands wrapped around her back, pulling her flush against him. Her body fitting perfectly against his.
In her surprise, her lips parted, allowing his tongue to sneak inside her mouth.
She let go of the knife, staring down at those sharp green eyes locking onto hers.
He looked at her wide blue eyes with quiet amusement, his voice low and gravelly from sleep.
"What are you doing here, beautiful?"
Sara's throat tightened. Her mind scrambled for an excuse. "Payback," she blurted.
Monte raised an eyebrow. "Payback?"
"For that kiss you stole," she said, voice steadier now... though her pulse was still racing.
Monte's lips curved into a small smirk. "You're adorable when you're mad."
Sara couldn't help but smile back... weak and uncertain, but real. The voices were gone again, vanished as suddenly as they'd come.
For a moment, the world felt still.
Before either of them could speak again, a loud whistle broke the silence.
"Wow," Jade said from the bathroom doorway, smirking. "Didn't know I would see this in the morning."
The atmosphere shattered.
Monte exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Perfect timing, asshole."
Sara stood quickly, cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and confusion.
Monte grabbed his jacket, slipping it on and tucking his Glock behind his belt. He offered Sara his hand. "Come on. Let's get some air."
She hesitated, then took it.
As they walked past Jade, Monte shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Jade raised his hands in mock surrender and dropped onto the couch.
The door swung shut behind them.
They didn't say anything for the first few minutes. Just walked, the morning breeze cool against their faces.
The streets were still quiet. Only a few townsfolk moving about, completing their assigned tasks.
Monte finally broke the silence. "Did you sleep well?"
Sara shook her head. "I had a nightmare."
Monte frowned. "You see Kristi yet?"
She hesitated. "No. I just… I'm fine."
Monte didn't push. "Alright. But next time you have a nightmare," he said, glancing at her, "just picture me there. Destroying whatever's scaring you."
Sara blinked, surprised... then smiled softly. "I will."
Monte smiled back, rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand as they walked.
The morning light was starting to burn through the fog, and for a brief moment, everything felt almost… normal.
But far off, deep in the woods, something screamed in frustration.
The sound echoing through the trees.
Neither of them heard it.