The message alert on his computer went ‘Ping!’ He opened his eyes to complete darkness. How long had he been asleep? Something felt . . . off.
He roused himself off the bed.
“Adeline?” he called. He always maintained their adopted names just in case other people were around.
He listened for the usual sounds around the house. There were none. Karen should have been home by now.
He had always been afraid of this day. And now his sixth sense told him that it was finally here. His skin felt as cold as the ice sliding down his soul.
And this is all happening because I can’t kill my brother.
Could he kill now to protect everyone he loved?
He tried to calm his shattered nerves as he moved to his computer at his desk. He always exercised perfect discipline when he wrote – it was always at the desk on his ergonomically supported chair, never in bed.
