Chapter 40

Evangeline

It's a little past one in the morning. I woke up because I need to pee. Why else?

I kick away the blankets, leaving me bare in just a thin shirt and panties. Whatever. It's not like anyone's gonna see me in my underwear in the middle of the night.

It's pitch dark outside. Not a soul in sight. Asher's door is closed shut, and I think I even hear snoring from the other side of the hall. Lucas isn't home. It's the norm, now.

I brush away the thought of my stepbrother. I don't want to think about him. If I do, I'll feel like puking, even if my heart aches t do so.

The rumbling, whistling noises intensify as I near the bathroom. I snicker to myself. Not even the ghosts would want to come here with that snoring.

I quickly relieve myself and open the bathroom door, only to nearly piss myself as I hear the door burst open downstairs. My heart rate spikes.

Shit. It sounds like someone breaking in. A burglar?

I don't have anything that can be used as a weapon on me.

Silent steps, meant for silent kills bring me closer to the kitchen. A shadowy figure is hunched over the counter, shoulders quivering slightly.

Crap. There goes my opportunity to grab a pan or something, I think to myself. Wait. Is he crying?

Clink. The sound ricochets off the wall in the silence. Deafening. I flinch at the noise, my hand knocking into the sofa.

The person turns slowly. His features become visible in the dim moonlight, and my chest feels like it's cracking again.

"Lucas?"