Don't Let Him Get You

Chapter 24

The forensic team was still gathering samples from the bathroom but they knew it would be difficult since it was a public restroom. Ronan knew that they could at least get something from the blood, whether it was human or not. There hadn't been any reports of bodies found, so Ronan was leaning more towards the blood being from an animal, but he could never be too sure with this suspect.

Kiara woke up in a panic, confused at her unfamiliar surroundings. Ronan managed to calm her down and get her to the car. O'Connor and the agents assured him that they would be fine without him and let him know if they found anything.

Kiara sat quietly on the drive home occasionally falling into tremors at thoughts of the message. She not only understood that this man was set on killing her, but that he was the one murdering the women on the news and it was because of her. Underneath the fear for her life, she felt guilty. If she hadn't returned, then these women wouldn't be dead, or better yet, if she had been found that night, maybe he would've been caught by the police.

Although she knew these thoughts were unhelpful, they still spiraled out of control. She felt trapped with these thoughts, watching the world pass her by, looking for answers in the terrifying scenarios.

"Kiara, we're home." Ronan gently laid a hand on her shoulder.

Kiara simply nodded, still trapped by her thoughts. She stayed seated while Ronan waited for her to get out of the car. He cleared his throat, hoping to get her attention. Kiara blinked before realizing they'd been sitting in the car for a while. She took off her seatbelt and tried to get inside quickly. She didn't want to be out in the open.

"Do you want to talk about the message?" Ronan asked.

Kiara shook her head, holding back her sobs. Salty tears travelled down her face and into the crook of the sweater. Ronan stepped closer and she bent her head to shield her face with her hair.

Ronan knew she was crying. He had expected her to break down sooner, but was glad they were safe at home for her to finally fall apart. Even though she was trying to hide form him, Ronan reached out and pulled her into an embrace. Her arms immediately circled around his torso and clutched onto his shirt. He let his fingers run through her hair, pressing her ear against his chest so she could hear his heart beating.

"Just listen to my heart. I'm alive and so are you. Nothing and no one will change that. You are safe, I promise you. He can't get to you within these walls."

"I'm so scared," Kiara managed to say between her sobs. Even with his reassurance, Kiara still felt like that man was around the corner, or in the next room, waiting to get her.

Ronan couldn't begin to understand what she was feeling. This year was supposed to be a new experience for her, an introduction into a normal teenage life; instead, she was given a high school experience out of a thriller movie. He was hitting himself for not sending Kiara back to her grandparents when they first heard about the notes. No one could have known the notes would turn into this.

Kiara's cries turned to sniffling and Ronan took this opportunity to lead her to her bed. He tucked her into her covers and turned on her fairy lights. He kissed the crown of her head, "I'll just be downstairs waiting for Lillian to come home. I'll make some delicious supper and maybe we can watch a movie later if you're up for it."

Kiara nodded her head. She wasn't in the mood to watch a movie or eat for that matter, but she appreciated that Ronan was trying to take her mind off of the current situation.

Ronan slunk into the kitchen with slumped shoulders. He was trying to put on a brave face for his family, but this case was taking its toll on him. How could he protect his niece when this freak was getting in the school and now leaving messages in blood for her?