House of Venom

Whisper to Me

DAMARIS MONROE

As I gaze out the window of the car, I notice the gentle breeze blowing through the trees, causing the leaves to rustle softly. The cool night air sends a shiver down my spine, but I can't help but appreciate the peacefulness of the scene.

In the distance, I hear the faint sound of music playing, and the occasional car driving by. The quietness of the neighborhood makes it feel like I am in a different world, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

"He should be here any minute."

As the car comes to a stop in the quiet neighborhood, Terrence turns to me with worry etched on his face. But as I look back at him, I realize that I've been lost in my own thoughts, completely oblivious to the world around me.

"Dami, are you okay?"

As I turn to look at him, I can feel the weight of my anxiety settling in once again. It's like a dark cloud hovering over my head, threatening to rain down on my hopes.

I force a smile onto my face, trying to project an air of confidence that I don't really feel. I know that I need to stay strong and focused, but the doubts and fears keep creeping in, threatening to overwhelm me.

"Sure. Lack of sleep."

"I bet. With the fun that you're having."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's start with the fact that you decided to go undercover yourself, risking your and Jones's job. And what about last night? Where were you?"

Terrence's blue eyes glisten like sapphires in the golden rays of street lamps as a flicker of unease crosses his face, and I can feel his worry radiating off of him like heat. I can't help but feel a pang of regret deep in my chest, knowing that I have to hide so much from one of my dearest companions.

"I came to your place yesterday, Keira said you haven't returned for the whole night. I started to think that something happened to you, Dami."

"I'm fine, Terry, I was staying at a friend's house."

"Good. Because I was about to start to think that the killer from the other day did something to you."

Terry's furrowed brows resemble two angry caterpillars as he tears his gaze away from mine. I can sense an air of negativity seeping from him like a venomous fog, tainting the very atmosphere around us. The words he speaks are laden with an emotional weight that only he can bear, their quivering cadence betraying a hidden hurt.

"I'm not okay with the friend label."

The sudden sound of Aaron's voice reverberates through the earphone in my right ear, causing me to startle and jump in my seat. I quickly hid the device behind the strands of my hair, hoping that Terry hadn't noticed my momentary lapse in composure.

"Jones told you?"

"Of course he did. We have to keep an eye on you, mayhem."

"What a nice guy he is, wow, Dami. Can I call you Dami as well?"

"No!"

A sudden and unexpected sound erupts from my lips, a shout that echoes through the air like a cannon blast. My eyes widen in surprise as if I had been caught off guard by my own voice. Terry's eyebrows rise in confusion, his expression betraying a mix of surprise and concern.

"No?"

"Sorry. I mean you don't need to keep an eye on me."

"We're worried about you, Dami. Especially when you spend the nights who knows where. It's not you."