Shadows of the Night

Eighteen

Sabrina

I wake up next to Nathan, who's body is bare. I turn to my side to face him, running my hand across the hairs on his chest. He sleeps peacefully before my touch, his eyes fluttering open. He turns his head with a small grin, his arm pulling me close and tight. His hand rubs my thigh slowly, moving up to my ass, then back down in a cycle.

Last night is a big foggy, but I remember the highlights. Keith kidnapped us and then I remember waking up in the hotel. Today is our last day here. As fun as this trip was until it wasn't, I'm ready to go home.

At least I can rest at ease now with Keith locked up.

Rubbing his chest, I can't hold back my burning question any longer. "Why do you have files on the Shadow Killer?"

His hand stops rubbing me as he pauses for a moment. He sighs and props himself up onto his side, using his elbow to hold his weight. His dark eyes meet mine. "How did you know about that?" His deep voice interrogates.

I lower my eyes shamefully. "I accidentally found them in your closet." I return my gaze to his. "Are you trying to find him by yourself?"

His free hand caresses my face with his thumb. "No. I'm with the FBI. I couldn't tell you because I was undercover."

"Oh," I lower my head.

Technically, he wasn't lying. He did say he used to be in the FBI. I guess that makes sense.

I feel suddenly relieved. The longer I went without knowing, the worse my assumptions became. I should've known better. Nathan is a good guy, no, a great guy. It makes sense that he's still with the FBI. I feel kinda stupid for not realizing that sooner.

"I understand why you kept that a secret, but you know you could've trusted me." I tell him.

He grins at me. "Sabrina, you're a smart girl. I figured you knew all along. Besides, I was trying to keep you safe. The less anybody knows, the better." He explains.

I hear a phone ring from the nightstand, but it's a different ringtone than his usual. He picks it up and answers, "Grayson."

He listens to the other line for a moment before his facial expression falls. "What? How?"

I furrow my eyebrows at him, sitting up more now that he's become concerned.

He exhales. "And what about Wilson? Did you know he was behind all of this?"

Wilson? The guy he was talking to the other day. He was behind all what? Keith? I thought Wilson was a friend?

He climbs out of bed, rushing to his clothes to get changed as he holds his phone with his shoulder to his ear. After he slides on his pants, he pauses and retrieves his phone with his hand. "Of course. Keep me posted." He ends the line and pulls his shirt over his head.

"What's wrong?" I sit up more.

He scurries for his jacket and wallet as he replies, "The police went to pick up Keith from the motel, but he was gone. So is Wilson."

"Who's Wilson?" I ask.

"He was my boss with the FBI. Last night I found out he's been working with him all along. Get changed, we're going back home now to get you safe." He commands.

"We're leaving now?" I question.

"Sabrina," He walks toward me. "Keith is the Shadow Killer."

. . .

We're at the airport purchasing our tickets. I keep glancing over my shoulder for any sign of Keith.

As we wait in line, I notice the TV on the wall reporting the News channel. A woman speaks about discovering the identity of the Shadow Killer.

What a relief that his identity is finally being revealed to the world. Maybe that way they can find him faster with billions of people keeping an eye out for him.

Suddenly, the woman says, "The Shadow Killer is a man who works with the FBI known to be as Nathan Grayson." A picture of his profile appears on the screen as she speaks. "Be on the lookout for this man. He is reported to be very dangerous and highly skilled. If you see this man . ." Her voice trails off as my face goes pale.

Fuck.

They have the wrong man. How could this have happened? No! Keith! Keith is the Shadow Killer, not Nathan, you idiots!

"Nathan . ." I softly say while staring speechless at the screen.

He turns to me and says, "What?"

I point at the screen where is picture is broadcasting to national television as the woman speaks.

He freezes when he sees it.

We notice the woman behind the counter staring at Nathan and slowly speaking into her walkie talkie.

"We gotta get out of here." Nathan mutters as we spot a couple security guards marching their way toward us.

He grabs my hand and dashes for the opposite direction, abandoning our luggages behind us.

The guards sprint after us as we push our way through herds of people.

I'm glad I decided to wear my sneakers today. Trying to keep up with Nathan is unreal.

More guards appear from all around us, sprinting straight toward us.

We make a bee-line towards two of them heading our way. Nathan pushes them aggressively out of way, causing them to fall backwards onto the ground. The exit is now in sight.

We continue running for the door, dodging through the crowd of people as we do so until we're finally outside.

He pulls out his keys as we dash for Keith's old car.

We make it inside and immediately zip off onto the interstate.

"I don't understand," I say while catching my breath. "why do they think you're the Shadow Killer?"

"Because Wilson has his connections. He's a powerful man. I should've known he would pull something like this." He growls under his breath while speeding through the busy traffic.

Police sirens can be heard behind us.

I turn around and see four police vehicles with flashing lights following a few yards behind us.

Nathan glances into the rear view mirror and pushes his jaw forward. He then drifts the vehicle around swiftly, causing me to quickly grab the passenger handle.

"What are you doing?" I shout while bracing myself.

He floors the pedal into oncoming traffic, dodging vehicle after vehicle, jerking the steering wheel right and left quickly.

I panic with wide eyes, holding myself still against the seat, hoping that we don't crash.

We zip by the police immediately, pushing about 150 mph.

We keep heading towards oncoming traffic, cars beep at us as we go.

I peak around us as two of the police vehicles collide into oncoming traffic, crashing into about four different vehicles.

I gasp at the sight and face forward.

We make a sharp right onto exit 529 and follow along traffic on a calm road.

I sigh as I sink into my seat, relaxed now that we're not racing into cars.

He then quickly pulls into a parking lot at a convenience store beside a few cars.

Two police vehicles zip by the store and keep moving forward, away from us.

We're safe. For now.