The Shadows We Hide

Chapter 13

Catherine's Pov

I stare into Zak's twisted face, his eyes blazing with a mixture of anger, hurt, and desperation.

His words cut deep, each one a razor-sharp blade slicing through my heart.

"Why don't you see that I love you, Cathy?!" he screams, his voice echoing off the walls.

"You were made for me! We were supposed to live happily with one another, with our children! But then those so-called kids took all your attention!

And I was left in the dust. The only way to be noticed was to beat you! That didn't work, did it? It only brought you closer to them!"

I feel a tear drop from my eye as Zak begins to laugh hysterically, his eyes gleaming with a manic intensity.

"I gave you everything and more," he continues, his voice dripping with venom.

"Was it not enough, Catherine?"

I try to speak, to reason with him, but my voice is barely a whisper.

"It was, Zak... I love you and our child equally..."

But Zak's not listening. He's too far gone, consumed by his own twisted desires.

"Ha! Don't make me laugh," he sneers, his eyes flashing with contempt. "And you, Cody! I am your father, and it seems you don't see me as such.

I don't care about that anymore. All I care about is to see you suffer, just like I did! Oh, I absolutely can't wait!"

I feel a chill run down my spine as Zak's words hang in the air, a toxic cloud of hatred and malevolence.

I try to intervene, to plead with Zak to leave Cody alone.

"Zak, please... I'll send Cody away... just please leave him alone..."

But Zak's beyond reason. He's a force of nature, unstoppable and unyielding.

I look at Cody, and my heart shatters. I understand what Zak wants, but do I know what I want?

I'm torn between my love for my son and my love for Zak. I'm trapped in a nightmare, with no escape.

As I sob uncontrollably, Zak's words echo in my mind.

"Cody, get away from my life. Never look back. Forget you have a mother or father. I am dead to you."

I feel like I'm dying, like my heart is being ripped apart.

I'm forced to make an impossible choice: remove Cody from my life or keep him and risk his safety.

As I look at Zak, I see the man I once loved, the man who once loved me.

But that man is gone, consumed by his own darkness.

"Cody, please... leave," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

But Cody refuses to go. He charges at Zak, determined to protect me.

And in that moment, everything changes.

I hear the sound of metal chains rattling, followed by the sickening thud of Cody's body hitting the ground.

I see Zak standing over him, a revolver in his hand.

And then, everything goes black.

As I lie there, unconscious, I realize that I've made a terrible mistake.

I've chosen Zak over my own son, and now I may never see Cody again.

But even in my darkness, I know that God is with me. He's guiding me, protecting me, and giving me the strength to carry on.

And with that knowledge, I find the courage to face whatever lies ahead.

As I slowly come to, I'm met with an eerie silence. I'm lying on the cold, hard floor, my head throbbing with pain.

I try to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washes over me, forcing me back down.

I look around, trying to take in my surroundings.

I'm in some kind of abandoned warehouse, the walls cracked and crumbling.

There's a single flickering light bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

I try to call out for Cody, but my voice is hoarse and barely audible. I try to move, to crawl towards the door, but my body feels heavy, unresponsive.

And then, I see him. Zak. Standing over me, his eyes cold and calculating. He's holding the revolver, his finger tightening around the trigger.

"You should have stayed out of this, Catherine," he says, his voice dripping with malice. "You should have just let me have my way."

I try to plead with him, to beg for mercy, but my words are lost in the darkness.

Zak's eyes flash with anger, and he raises the gun, pointing it directly at my head.

I close my eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

But as I wait, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. I know that God is with me, that He's guiding me through this dark time.

A/n

I know y'all despise Zak ryt at this at moment.

*looks at audience and sips tea*

Next Chapter coming up!!

*Runs away with tea from screaming people with pitchforks*