Chapter 7: An Unexpected Encounter

Dana hesitated for a moment outside Corey’s door, her knuckles still hanging in the air after her knock. The faint noises she’d heard just seconds ago were replaced by silence, as if whoever or whatever was inside knew she was there. Her heart pounded in her chest, and every logical instinct screamed at her to turn around and leave.

But Corey’s face flashed in her mind. She imagined him looking so broken when he apologized through that text. The exhaustion that bled through his words was palpable. If he was in there, she needed to know. If he wasn’t… she needed to know that too.

She summoned every ounce of courage and pushed the door open.

What she saw made her gasp.

The apartment was a mess. Drawers had been yanked open, their contents scattered across the floor. Cushions from the couch were slashed, foam spilling out like entrails. Plates and glasses lay shattered on the ground. And standing right in the middle of it all were two people—Corey’s parents.

Caroline, the woman Dana had seen just days ago, stood near the kitchen counter, her bony hands rummaging through a stack of unopened mail. She looked even more disheveled than before, her hair tangled and greasy, her eyes darting around with jittery energy. She didn’t seem to notice Dana at first, too preoccupied with ripping open an envelope and inspecting its contents.

And then there was Perry.

He was taller than Dana had imagined, his frame broad and hulking, and he has an oppressive presence. His hair was graying, but his movements were quick and energetic. He was crouched near a cabinet, rifling through Corey’s belongings with the precision of someone who’d done this before.

Dana’s swallowed hard. She’d seen pictures of Perry once, years ago, when Corey had reluctantly shared bits of his past. But seeing him in person was different. His face was hard, lined with age and cruelty, and when he turned to look at her, his dark eyes sent a chill down her spine.

“Who the hell are you?” Perry’s voice was gravelly and deep.

“I…” Dana’s voice shook, but she steadied herself, standing up straighter. “I’m Dana. I’m a friend of Corey’s.”

Caroline snorted from her spot by the counter, finally looking up. “A friend, huh? Didn’t think my boy had any left.”

Dana ignored the jab and forced a polite tone. “I was looking for Corey. Do you know where he is?”

Perry rose slowly to his full height, brushing dust from his hands. He took a step toward her, his boots crunching on broken glass. The way he looked at her made Dana's skin cold.

“You’ve got your mother’s eyes,” Perry said suddenly, his lips curling into a smirk.

Dana blinked, stunned. “I’m sorry, what?”

“And your father’s jaw,” he added, nodding as if to confirm it to himself. “Spitting image, really. It’s uncanny.”

Dana’s heart skipped. “You… you knew my parents?”

Perry’s grin widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Knew them? Sure. You could say that.”

Her mind raced. How could this man, this criminal, know anything about her parents? They’d died in a car accident when she was just ten. There's no way he could’ve known them.

And why did he sound so... smug about it? She hated the way his dark eyes glared at her, as if he was waiting for her to react, to break under the weight of whatever he wasn’t saying.

“How?” she managed to ask with a trembling voice.

Perry chuckled in a low and dark manner. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“Perry, stop playing games,” Caroline snapped, smacking him on the back of the head. “We don’t have time for your little strolls down memory lane.”

Perry gave her an annoyed look but didn’t argue. Instead, he turned his attention back to Dana and narrowed his gaze. “How’s your older brother doing? Still sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong?”

Dana’s pulse quickened. Her brother? How did this man know about Clayton? She tried to keep her voice steady. “How do you know about Clayton?”

Perry smirked again, leaning just slightly closer. “Let’s just say I’ve got a long memory, sweetheart. You’ve grown up into a fine-looking woman, though. Real fine.”

The way his eyes lingered on her made her stomach turn. She took an instinctive step back, her hands tightening into fists at her sides.

“Enough of that,” Caroline snapped, shoving Perry’s shoulder. “Quit gawking and focus.”

Perry grumbled something under his breath and turned back to the cabinet, but Dana couldn’t shake the feeling of his gaze — heavy and invasive, even when he wasn’t looking at her.

“I’m just here for Corey,” Dana said firmly, her voice louder now. “Do you know where he is?”

Caroline cackled, tossing the stack of mail onto the counter. “Corey? He’s probably off drowning in his own thoughts somewhere. That’s what he does, you know. Runs away from his problems.”

Dana’s jaw clenched. “He doesn’t run away.”

“Doesn’t he?” Caroline sneered, leaning against the counter. “He’s been running since he was a kid. Hell, he couldn’t even handle me. Always whining, always looking for someone else to clean up his messes. Can’t even handle a relationship with a woman.”

“Don’t talk about him like that,” Dana snapped before she could stop herself.

Both Perry and Caroline looked at her, surprised by the edge in her voice. For a moment, the room felt charged with tension.

Perry was the first to break the silence, chuckling softly. “Feisty one, aren’t you?”

Caroline rolled her eyes and grabbed Dana’s purse off the counter, digging through it with shameless ease.

“Hey!” Dana protested, reaching for it, but Caroline slapped her hand away.

“Relax,” she said, pulling out the cash Dana kept tucked in the side pocket. She held up the bills with a smirk. “This’ll cover our trouble.”

Dana’s face burned with anger and humiliation. “That’s my money.”

“And now it’s mine,” Caroline said, stuffing the cash into her pocket.

Perry snickered and threw something into his mouth.

Dana’s heart was racing really fast, her hands trembling as frustration and fear bubbled up inside her. “You’re horrible,” she said, her voice breaking. “Both of you. Corey is better off without parents like you.”

Her words hung in the air like a slap.

Caroline’s face twisted in anger. She steps closer until Dana could feel the heat of her breath. ‘You think you know him? You think you’re saving him?’ She leaned in, her lips curling into a cruel smile. ‘Sweetheart, you’re just another problem he can’t handle.’"

Then, she shoved Dana toward the door. “Get out. Now.”

Dana stumbled but caught herself. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

“Stay away from Corey,” Perry said coldly. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your pretty little self out of this. You don’t want what’s coming.”

Dana’s chest hurt. She stared at them, shaking her head. “You’re the ones ruining his life, not me.”

Caroline laughed, a cruel, shrill sound, and pushed Dana harder this time, forcing her out into the hallway.

“Leave,” Caroline spat. “And don’t come back.”

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Dana standing in the dim corridor, her body shivering and her mind spinning.

Her legs felt like jelly as she staggered. She held on to her chest, leaning against the wall for support. She closed her eyes and tears finally spilled down her cheeks. She had never felt so scared, so uncomfortable, so utterly disgusted in her life.

After a few seconds, she forced herself to stand, wiped her face, took a deep breath, and stormed out of the building.