Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 62 - Dark Side

yesss I know I haven't updated in what felt like yonks
Also I changed the cover again because I wasn't happy with it. now I have this whole aesthetic, y'all will see it when I publish my other books wooo!

but I hope you guys enjoyyy (unedited please don't come @ me if there's any mistakes) xx

«Calum's pov»

I pushed my hands further into my pockets, looking around the half empty street around me. The town was empty for a Thursday night; usually couples and families would roam the lit up streets and the masses would pile into pubs to drunkenly slur about this weeks game of footy. But tonight, it was as if the whole town turned into a ghost town.

Nevertheless, there was noises and smells all around me. I distinctly smelt burning firewood and the occasional wave of blood here and there as I walked to my destination. The harsh coldness was something I couldn't overlook, and the whole time I was wondering if Stella was okay. I knew she was safe within the walls of the house, but with the distance between us, and now my lack of ability to listen in on her thoughts, it lead me to sheer curiosity as to how she was doing. I knew she was capable of taking care of herself, but I couldn't shake the underlying bundle of nervousness.

I crossed the street, reaching into my pocket to grab out the letter neatly folded within an envelope. A part of me wanted to keep the letter and to to tell Stella that it was delivered, but I knew she'd know I was lying. Stella thought it'd be a novel idea to write a letter to the police, exclaiming that she was well and doing just fine in a secret destination with her lover. She included that they had nothing to investigate and that her father was merely overreacting. Thought the letter was the truth, I could tell the media would somehow manipulate it all. I mean, I'll be surprised if they take the note for word and rule out the entire case. Surprised but pleased.

I volunteered to take the note to the police station so Stella would rest easier, knowing something was being done about the situation. She hated the fact she had to wait until she's fully transformed, to go to the police. She was almost bursting at the seams in fury as the news report came on, and I couldn't blame her. I was under a state of shock that I came across oddly calm and collected- when in reality, her father had just created a shitstorm of unnecessary exploitation, and I was trying to sift through ideas on how to cope. Stella is at her most vulnerable, and truthfully, so am I.

I really have to play my cards right here, or I'll fuck up so incredibly bad.

I pulled out the envelope, glancing over my back once more before jogging up the steps to the police station. I looked around, crouching as I glanced at the line of slots. Carefully, I slid the envelope into the right letterbox, before standing up straight and turning around. I tucked my hands back in my pockets, walking back down the steps.

A faint echo of voices was heard from afar but I thought nothing of it, I simply shrugged it off as a few wild-cards out for a night. After all, Woodlends can get pretty rowdy even on a week night- especially on a weeknight.
But as I furthered down my path, the voices got stronger and louder up until I rounded the corner- then they came to an immediate halt. It hitched my curiosity as I continued down the light up walk way, I looked behind me and in front of me but no single body was in sight.

Maybe I was hearing things.

I purely shrugged it away, continuing down the path ahead of me. I was just determined to get home to Stella; I was worried about leaving her alone for even a short amount of time. I was quite concerned as to what I was going to come home to.

All suspicions came straight back to me, the second I heard a loud, deep voice behind me. I turned around just as a firm hand wrapped around my wrist, attempting to yank me from the path. I struggled against the grip, letting my wrist free with a loud crack. The attacker winced as I turned around, instantly raising my fist. But before I could continue to fight back, I felt a crippling sharp pain enter my side. I pulled away, loudly wincing. I looked down just as blood started soaking my jacket.