"The sound of a scream is the most heart-rending sound in the world." Haruki Murakami

Saint

I leaned against the cabin wall, every nerve in my body screaming for action. The silence inside was unnerving, broken only by the gentle lapping of water against the shore of the lake. I strained my ears, trying to discern any sound, any clue as to what was happening inside. Then, I heard it. A scream. Veronica’s scream. It was a sound that ripped through me like a physical blow, a sound filled with terror and desperation. It was a sound that ignited a fire within me, a rage so intense it threatened to consume me.

I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t think. I just acted. I kicked at the back door with all my might, the wood splintering and cracking under the force of the blow. The door gave way, crashing inward, and I surged into the cabin, my gun drawn, my senses on high alert.

The cabin was dark, the air thick with tension. I moved quickly, silently, through the living room, my eyes scanning the shadows. I heard another scream, closer this time, coming from upstairs. I took the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding in my chest. I burst into the first room I found, kicking the door off its hinges, the wood splintering around the frame.

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And then I saw her.

Veronica was kneeling on the floor, her body shaking, her face pale. She was staring at something on the floor beside her, her eyes wide with shock. And on the floor, lying in a pool of blood, was Liam. He was still, motionless.

My mind reeled. What had happened? Had he… had he hurt her? My gaze swept over her, searching for any sign of injury. She looked dazed, disoriented, but… physically unharmed. Relief washed over me, so potent it almost buckled my knees. She was alive. She was safe.

I rushed to her side, dropping to my knees beside her. “Veronica,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “Are you okay? What happened?”

She looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. She didn’t speak. She just shook her head, her gaze fixed on Liam’s body.

I reached out, gently touching her arm. She flinched, then leaned into my touch, her body trembling. I pulled her into my arms, holding her close, my heart aching for her. I could feel the fear radiating from her, the trauma she had endured. I held her tighter, whispering reassurances into her hair.

“It’s okay,” I murmured. “I’m here. You’re safe now.”

I looked down at Liam’s body, the blood pooling around him. I didn’t know what had happened. I didn’t know what had led to this. But one thing was clear. Veronica was a fighter. And I was damn glad she had it in her to save herself. Now, my only focus was getting her out of here. Getting her home.

I gently lifted her to her feet, keeping my arm around her. “Come on, Veronica,” I said softly. “Let’s get you out of here.”

She nodded, her eyes still wide and distant. She clung to me, her body trembling. I held her close, shielding her from the sight of Liam’s body as we made our way out of the room, out of the cabin, and back into the cool night air. As we walked, I knew one thing for certain. This was far from over. But for now, she was safe. And that was all that mattered.