Deadly Secrets *Completed*

Chapter Thirty-One - Fight to Forget

Chapter 31 - Fight to Forget

Ryder sat in a daze, the lullaby confining him inside of his mind with thoughts of Creeper's recent discovery - thoughts of her strapped down to his gurney peering straight into his soul. Images of Layla haunted him as well, as if Creeper wasn't enough. He saw Layla as she had been that first night they encountered, fragile, in need of help. His help. He remembered her spark of sassy wit, the spark was well hidden underneath layers of hurt and betrayal, but he could still see it lingering just underneath the surface.

He dejectedly swiped his hand through his hair, his elbows digging into his knees as he sat with his head hanging. Conflicting thoughts and emotions he hadn't felt since childhood was overwhelming him. These emotions were confusing him even more than he knew. This was problematic for him. Never has he allowed any emotions to overpower him and pull him into such a deep dark hole that he couldn't do his killings without leaving his mark to be found.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice his Brother stood behind him. Rein's arms were crossed over his broad chest as he stood silent as the dead, observing him.

"Do you have any idea what you've done? You fucked up. Big time. A body was found, Ryder. One with a doll tattoo. Pieces of her were missing this morning, but the Police now claim they have hard concrete evidence that could lead them to the capture of The Ghost. To you, Brother. Supposedly, they found it on her remains."

"I seen the news this morning. I know they found her..." Ryder paused mid sentence, his brow creasing as his Brother's new claim rushed through his skull at lightening speed.

Hard evidence? What hard evidence?

Ryder lifted his head and dropped his hands at his sides, standing from the stool to stare anxiously at Rein, "What are you talking about? The news report didn't say that this morning."

As if finding her wasn't enough now they are claiming to have found viable evidence too? It wasn't possible. He was always careful... Only he hadn't been, had he? If they had her body they would've found the carving on her abdomen... Oh, fuck me.

Even that wasn't hard enough evidence. Anyone could have carved her up, and even the Police had to think it unlikely that a Serial Killer would carve his own name into a victim. What sort of idiot would do such a thing? He did. The fact that his own stupid mistake was completely unbelievable was the only thing he currently had going in his favor. They might not even have her body. They shouldn't have found any of her. What the fuck is happening!

Rein shook his head with a heavy sigh and raised his brow. His arms dropped to his sides, hands fisted, his tone full of annoyance as he spoke peppered with a hint of anxiety, "There was an update. Did you not see it? They shared artist' impressions of her tattoos; a Doll, a Dragon and a Raven. They then claimed they were narrowing down their list of suspects and that there was evidence on the body itself. The Detective sent you a personal message, Ryder... Live on the telly."

They knew about the dragon? They had her torso? Fuck. Fuck. FUCK!

Ryder bit his lip, panic blooming in his chest made it difficult to breathe. What had gotten into him? He'd told Creeper that emotions led to killers being caught. Yet there he was letting his emotions consume him. Allowing the inevitable to happen so much sooner than he'd hoped. This couldn't be real. This couldn't be happening. He needed to put a stop to it. Lock up his panic, worry, fear, anxiety and anger and throw away the damn key.

Ryder tilted his head a little, curious in spite of himself, "What did he say?"

Rein pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration before replying, "Your time is coming to an end, Ghost. I will find you. I will catch you."