LITTLE LIAR: DAMON TORRANCE

Chapter Three: Night Terrors

The bedroom was dark, illuminated only by a sliver of moonlight sneaking through the narrow gap in the curtains. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to find solace in sleep. The room was cold and sterile, a place that promised new beginnings but felt more like a cell. The weight of everything that had happened was suffocating, pressing down on me with relentless force.

My mind raced with thoughts of my brother, Kai, and Damon. The images from that night at the Crist mansion haunted me, their faces masked in anger and betrayal. I could still see the fear in Rika's eyes as we drove away from Thunder Bay, a fear that gripped me every time I closed my eyes. What had I done? Was it worth the price we were paying? Rika didn't deserve this.

The city's distant hum served as a constant reminder of our isolation. Meridian City felt like a distant dream, a supposed sanctuary from the ghosts of our past. But those ghosts were not easily banished. They lurked in every shadow, every creak of the apartment, waiting to drag us back into darkness.

I rolled over in bed, trying to find comfort, but sleep remained elusive. The stress of the past weeks had left me on edge, my nerves frayed and my thoughts tangled in anxiety and regret. I missed Kai more than I cared to admit. Despite everything, he was my brother, and the guilt of betraying him weighed heavily on me.

I thought about Damon too. I had always been drawn to him despite the danger he represented. He could charm with a smile while plotting your downfall. And now, with his plans for revenge, I feared what he might do. My heart ached knowing our relationship had ended so disastrously.

The apartment's sleek, modern design seemed a cold reminder of how far we had fallen. The luxury surrounding us felt like a façade mocking our predicament. We were supposed to start anew, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just another stage in our ongoing nightmare.

I sat up in bed, pulling the covers around me. I had tried to convince myself that this new life would be different, that I could leave the chaos and pain of Thunder Bay behind. But the truth was, I was terrified. School in a new city, starting over without Kai and his friends—it was all too much. And I had a sinking feeling that the worst was yet to come.

Footsteps outside my door jolted me from my thoughts. I held my breath, listening intently. The footsteps paused, then continued down the hall. I tried to calm my racing heart, reminding myself that it was probably just Rika checking on things. But the fear that had become a constant companion was never easily dispelled.

I got out of bed and tiptoed to the door, pressing my ear against it. Silence followed, almost as unsettling as the footsteps had been. I sighed and returned to bed, trying to focus on the positives. Rika was doing her best to provide us with a fresh start. She had found this place, a sanctuary from the turmoil of our past. I needed to trust that it would be enough.

But trust was fragile, easily shattered by doubt and fear. And right now, I was filled with both.

Rika's voice broke through my thoughts. She was speaking softly to someone, her tone urgent and careful. I swung my legs over the bed and went to the door, pressing my ear against it once more.

"Evie?" Rika's voice was concerned and tired. "Can I come in?"

I hesitated, then opened the door. Rika stood in the hallway, her expression a mix of worry and determination. She looked exhausted, her eyes darkened by sleepless nights and the weight of our situation.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Rika nodded, stepping into the room. "I just wanted to check on you. I know things have been rough, and I wanted to make sure you're alright."