Bound By Sin

"You're Being Weird."

Genevieve sat on the couch, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her sweater, barely registering Isabella's voice as it filled the room. She had been staring at the floor for what felt like hours, her mind swirling with the events of the past few days. The confession, the promise, the shopping spree—everything felt so surreal, like she was trapped in a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. She hadn't even processed it fully, and now Isabella was sitting across from her, talking about something Genevieve couldn't even focus on.

"And then my mom's like, 'You can't just move out and take the dog with you.' Can you believe that? I mean, I pay for his food, his vet bills..." Isabella's voice trailed off when she realized Genevieve wasn't paying attention. She squinted at her friend, confused by her silence. "Gen? Are you even listening?"

Genevieve blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts just enough to realize Isabella had stopped talking. "What? Oh, yeah... sorry, Isa. What were you saying?"

Isabella raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "You're being weird."

Genevieve's stomach twisted. She had been holding it in, trying to act normal, but it was getting harder with every passing second. The weight of Nicholas's confession was pressing down on her like a vice, and she could feel herself cracking under it. Her mouth felt dry, and her hands were clammy, but before she could stop herself, the words started spilling out.

"I—" Genevieve's voice trembled as she spoke, and she suddenly couldn't hold it in anymore. "Nicholas... he... he confessed to me."

Isabella frowned, leaning closer. "What? What are you talking about?"

Genevieve's heart raced as the dam broke. "He confessed. He told me... that he's the one. He's the one who's been killing those people. It's him."

Isabella's eyes widened in shock, her face paling. "What? What are you saying? Gen, are you serious right now?"

Genevieve nodded quickly, the words tumbling out of her in a rush. "Yes, he told me everything. He said he's been doing it since his parents died. He said it's the only thing that made him feel powerful again, like he was making them proud or something. He told me he was broken, Isa. And I... I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone."

Isabella stared at her in disbelief, her mouth slightly open. "You... promised him you wouldn't tell anyone? Genevieve, he's a fucking murderer!"

Genevieve looked away, guilt clawing at her insides, but she couldn't stop herself. "I took him out yesterday," she whispered. "We went shopping... retail therapy. I thought it might help him. I thought it would distract him."

"Retail therapy?" Isabella's voice rose sharply, her tone incredulous. "Retail therapy, Genevieve? Cause that's what a murderer needs. Fucking retail therapy?"

Genevieve flinched at her words, but she couldn't help it—she let out a small, nervous laugh. "He's not going to hurt us, Isa. He's trying to be better. He's trying to change. I saw him break down. He's not going to kill us."

Isabella's hands flew to her face, covering her mouth in shock, before she dropped them and shook her head, panic setting in. "You're laughing? This isn't funny! You're not making sense. He confessed, Genevieve! He admitted to killing people! And you think shopping for Rolexes is going to fix that?"

"I know it sounds crazy," Genevieve said, her voice shaky. "But you didn't see him last night. He was... broken. He cried in my arms, Isa. He's not some monster. He's just lost, and I promised him I'd help him. He's not going to hurt anyone anymore. I know it."

Isabella stood up suddenly, pacing back and forth, her voice trembling with fear. "You can't know that! You don't know what he's capable of, Genevieve. You're talking about someone who's killed people. What if he snaps again? What if you're next? What if I'm next?" Her voice cracked on the last word, and her eyes filled with panic. "You have to tell the police."

Genevieve shook her head, laughing nervously again, though the laughter felt hollow in her chest. "No, I can't. I promised him. I won't betray him like that. He's trying to be better. He's trying to stop."

"Stop?" Isabella's voice rose again, her fear turning into anger. "Genevieve, he's a killer! He confessed! He told you he's been killing people, and you're just going to pretend that everything's fine? That he's going to magically stop because you took him shopping?"

Genevieve stood up, frustration bubbling inside her. "He's not going to hurt us, Isa. I know him. I've known him for years, and he's not some monster! He's been through so much, and he's trying—he's really trying to change!"

Isabella's eyes narrowed, her voice low and filled with dread. "You're delusional, Genevieve. You have to tell the police. If you don't, more people could die. You can't protect him."

Before Genevieve could respond, a low, cold voice cut through the air.

"Oh, Isabella," the voice said, dripping with amusement. "What a shame. I liked you as well."

Genevieve's blood ran cold as she turned toward the window. Nicholas was standing there, his head leaning out of his open bedroom window, watching them with an eerie calmness. His smile was small, but the look in his eyes made Genevieve's heart stop.