Bloody Little Secrets

by Karly Kirkpatrick

  *

  “It’ll be okay, Callie, I promise.” I patted Callie’s arm as she sobbed softly into Lauryn’s shoulder.

  “We knew this could happen, Callie. He wants to see you. He wasn’t himself when he woke up,” Lauryn said, stroking Callie’s head.

  “But he tried to kill me!” Callie’s voice was barely audible between the sobs.

  “It’s okay Cal, we won’t let him hurt you. He didn’t even know it had happened. As long as we keep him full, it’ll be fine. We just have to be careful. I would say until we’re sure he’s got it under control that no one but Drake or me should spend any time alone with him. It’s just a precaution.”

  She sighed and shuddered, her sobs ceasing. “All right,” she whispered. “Let’s go.”

  I opened the basement door and shouted down. “Are we good?”

  “All clear.” Drake’s voice floated up to meet me.

  I grabbed Callie’s hand and led her down the stairs back into the basement. Drake and Monty were standing by the bar. Callie looked at Monty hesitantly and gripped my hand tightly.

  “I’m so sorry Cal,” Monty whispered, opening his arms to her.

  “Monty!” Callie dropped my hand and ran straight to him. She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. His body sank into hers like they were made for each other.

  “Whoa!” Ernie and Lauryn skidded to a stop at the bottom of the stairs behind me.

  “I think everything is going to be okay,” I said and threw my arms around Lauryn and Ernie’s shoulders.