Homecoming Shadows

Chapter Fifty Four: Burn of the Hive

...

I woke up groggily in the driver's seat of my car, my hands still clutching the cup of tea that I had hoped would warm me up on this cold day. The only place that seemed remotely calming to me in this eerie town of Asheville was the cemetery on the outskirts. And so, I had driven there, seeking solace among the tombstones.

But my peaceful intentions were abruptly shattered when I heard persistent knocking on the window. Startled, I spilled the now cold tea all over my knees and silently cursed my misfortune. Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, trying to make out the face of the person who had dared to disturb my restless slumber.

To my surprise, it was Dan, his insolent face against the window, his phone screen pressed to the glass, displaying a Snapchat map with my precise location. Mental curses filled my mind as I reluctantly unlocked the car to let him in. He flopped down onto the passenger seat with a sigh, a hint of annoyance etched on his face.

"...And?" he grumbled, clearing his throat.

I raised an eyebrow at him, feigning ignorance. "And?" I quipped, playing dumb.

Dan rolled his eyes dramatically. "Among all the places, Ruby? This? Seriously?" He stared into my eyes, searching for answers. "You could've just called me. I've been to your old place. Well, what's left of it. Your house was broken into and someone purposely destroyed everything inside. It could've been a pillage or something else. I'm not surprised at anything that happens in this town anymore. I've already called the police. They're dealing with it now."

He massaged the bridge of his nose, his disheveled dark hair falling into his eyes. I resisted the urge to touch it, to style it back into place. There were more important things to focus on right now.

"You were searching for me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Dan's gaze softened, a mixture of worry and relief playing on his face.

"What do you think, Connell? Of course, I was looking for you!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine concern. "You just left the hospital because someone had poisoned you! And imagine how I felt when I decided to visit you and found your front door open, everything in complete chaos, and you gone. The last thing I knew, I was speeding here because your constant map updates showed me that you were in the cemetery of all places in this damned town!"

Dan gestured wildly with his hands, painting a vivid picture of the scenes that had played out in his mind. His voice trembled with a hint of desperation. I blinked, realization washing over me. I understood now what he must've felt and thought during those chaotic moments.

Without thinking, I leaned in closer to him, my eyes locking onto his. Before he could protest, I pressed my lips against his, a sensual kiss that left no room for discussion. Dan swallowed his protests, his lips responding eagerly to mine. We explored each other, delving deeper into the passion that had always simmered beneath the surface.

Reluctantly, I pulled back, guilt and longing mingling in my eyes. I pleaded with him silently, begging for his understanding. Surprisingly, his angry gaze softened, replaced by a mixture of confusion and surrender.

Dan ran a hand through his already ruffled hair, frustration clear in his expression. "You need to stop doing that every time you scare me half to death," he grumbled. "It's disorienting, Ruby. It messes with my concentration, and I hate how much I love it."

He shook his head, leaning back against the seat, exhaustion seeping into his bones. "Come on," he said, mustering up the energy to take control. "Let's swap seats. I'm driving us to my motel, where we can sort things out properly."

I nodded, grateful for his steady presence. As we drove away from the cemetery, the mysteries of my past mingling with the ghosts of the present, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe Dan was the missing piece that would help me unravel the tangled dark web that surrounded me.