Diabolus: The Lethal Hunt

Chapter Nineteen

BEVERLY WOODS

As I take a deep breath, I sense a familiar presence lurking within me. It's fear, brewing and bubbling in my chest, ready to burst out at any moment. It feels like an intruder, unwelcome and unsettling, but I know it's not entirely its fault. Perhaps this fear only wants to shield me from harm, to warn me of the potential threats and pitfalls lurking ahead.

"You do?"

As we stand there, tension mounting with every passing moment, I feel Avery's hand slip into mine, seeking comfort and solidarity. Together, we keep our eyes fixed on Ben, watching his every move with a mix of caution and curiosity.

There is a sense of unease in the air, a palpable fear that seems to seep into every fiber of our beings. We are on high alert, expecting the worst, bracing ourselves for the possibility that he may turn on us at any moment.

"Yes, Beverly. And I knew this day will come, sooner or later."

And yet, as Ben takes a slow step toward us, something changes. I can sense a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle easing of the tension. There is a glimmer of something in his eyes, a hint of a smile dancing on his lips, as if he is trying to convey a message to us.

He pulls the chair by the kitchen island and sits down comfortably, his eyes shifting between me and Avery. He places a cardboard cup of coffee on the marble surface, from some place called "Charlie's" as his lips part once again.

"And I believe there are some questions you might want to ask me."

As I stand there, face to face with him, I am struck by the intensity of his gaze. His eyes, the same piercing blue as my own, seem to hold all the answers to the questions that have been plaguing me for years. Not a single word escapes my lips as I continue to stare into his eyes, searching for some kind of understanding or insight. He remains motionless, his body language communicating a message that I can't quite decipher.

"I know, it's hard to find what, to begin with. Maybe I can help you with that."

Suddenly, he pulls his wallet out of his pocket. A small one, but made out of real leather - as you wouldn't expect less from a man like him. He gently opens it and draws out two old pictures and lays them in front of us.

As I stare at the two pictures, side by side, a wave of emotions washes over me. The first one is easy to recognize - it's my mom, with her light hair, soft features, and that heartwarming smile that always makes me feel safe and loved.

But the second picture is a mystery. I have never seen this woman before, and yet there is something about her that draws me in, that captures my attention, and refuses to let go. Her chestnut hair frames her face, and through it, I can see the eyes of a sea-spun soul, the blues of heaven's best. There is a depth to her gaze, a wisdom beyond her years, that speaks to me on a level I can't quite comprehend.

"I carry them around for years now. Two greatest loves, and the most painful heartbreaks I ever had. Celine, Avery's mom. And Miranda. Your mother, Beverly."

"What happened between you? What happened to Avery's mom?"

I find myself blurting out a question without even realizing it, the words escaping my mind before I can stop them. Ben leans back in his seat as Avery takes a picture of her mom into her trembling hands, studying it with intense concentration.

"Avery's mom, Celine, was my high school sweetheart. She was my first love ever. We dated for four years, almost until graduation, but before she could graduate together with me... she just disappeared."