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Content Warning: This chapter will contain profanity.
Note: This chapter will be longer in length.
─── ⛧⋆⋅ ♰ ⋅⋆⛧ ───
The night air was crisp, the kind of cold that bit through my sweater and made me pull my sleeves down over my hands as I stepped out of the library. My shift had run late, again. Not that I minded. Being surrounded by books, by quiet, by the controlled hum of academia, was better than being out here, in the open, where anything could happen. Where people could happen.
I pressed my phone to my ear, balancing it between my cheek and shoulder as Mia's voice filled the line, animated and warm. "—and I swear to God, Eloise, if you don't get back soon, I'm eating your share of dinner. I made chile rellenos and I know you love them."
I sighed, smiling despite myself. "You always say that, and you never do."
"That's because I have a heart and I actually love you," she huffed. "But don't push me. One of these days, I will be selfish, and you'll regret ever doubting me."
"I live in constant fear," I deadpanned, adjusting the strap of my bag. The parking lot was nearly empty now, just a few scattered cars glinting under the harsh white glow of the streetlights.
Mia snorted. "Good. Now hurry up, because I'm starving, and if I have to reheat your food, I'll hold it against you for life."
I was about to respond when—
"Eloise."
A man's voice.
My body went rigid.
I stopped walking, my grip tightening around my phone. It wasn't a voice I recognized, but something about it calm, authoritative, sent a sharp prickle of unease down my spine. Slowly, I turned toward the sound.
There he was.
Tall, broad shoulders, dark coat. Hands in his pockets like he was just casually standing there, like he hadn't just appeared out of fucking nowhere. But it wasn't just the size of him, or the way he carried himself that made my stomach twist, it was his face.
I knew him.
The man from the police station.
The one who had approached me, asked me what was wrong.
What the fuck was he doing here?
"Eloise?" Mia's voice crackled in my ear, confused.
I swallowed, gripping my phone tighter. "I'll call you back."
I didn't give her a chance to argue before I ended the call, stuffing my phone into my pocket.
The man took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable. "I was hoping I'd run into you again."
