Page 112 of A Stop in Time

“I slipped on oil.” My words emerge slowly; it’s taking great effort to push them out. “Must’ve knocked my head.”

“You should get checked for a concussion. Especially since you were unconscious.” Her unease increases as she wrings her hands, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. “No tellin’ how long you were like that before I came out here.”

“I’ll be okay.” I shake off the lingering wooziness before rising to my feet and tucking the note inside my pocket. “You can head home. I’m fine.”

She stares at me like I’m crazy. “I’m not leavin’ you like this.” A sound of disbelief bubbles out of her. “What kind of monster would do that?”

Monster. Monster. Monster.

That particular word ricochets against my skull, and it’s my own voice that I hear. You’ve become a monster. You’ve let it happen. Only you can stop it.

I sway on my feet before reaching out to brace myself against the nearest tool chest. Annalee’s worried response doesn’t register, because my brain is acting like a computer. As if it’s rebooting, my memories cycle through so rapidly, I’m unable to decipher them.

A man lowers his face to mine, and I immediately flinch, wishing I could escape, but I’m trapped by the restraints everywhere—my entire body including one thick strap over my forehead.

His eyes are terrifying and possess a haunting quality. It’s as though he’s barren of any semblance of human emotion.

“Evil.” The word spills from me before I realize it.

His mouth forms a smile that sends a barrage of shivers down my spine. It possesses a maniacal pride. “No. That’s you.” His words act like daggers shredding my flesh. “You’re the evil monster.”

“Mac?”

My head whips around at Annalee’s voice, my eyes meeting her concerned one. “I’m good.” I smooth a shaky hand over my hair. My fingertips graze over the bump at the back of my head that’s now plaguing me with a dull throb.

“I can walk with you, on your way to the urgent care. It’s on my way home.”

Shit. I check the clock on the wall. “Um, sure.” I don’t plan on going there, though. But she doesn’t need to know that.

The library’s still open, and if I head there now, I’ll be able to try another self-hypnosis meditation. It could help make more sense of things.

It hasn’t helped much so far, a tiny voice in the recesses of my mind complains. But I ignore it, because something instinctive inside me is saying to try it again. That this time will be different.

Minutes later, I’ve parted ways with Annalee as she turns down the road leading to her house. Heading further into town, I shake off the nagging guilt that I’d promised her I’d get checked for a concussion.

My mouth goes bone-dry and sweat gathers along my upper lip and at my hairline when the library comes into view. Because, deep down, that sinking feeling curdling in the pit of my stomach implies a part of me already knows what’s coming.

That I’ll be confronted by the truth and realize that man was right.

I’ve been the evil monster all along.

52

DANIEL

Palm Cove, Florida

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” The instant I set foot in the diner, the older Hispanic woman rushes toward me with outstretched arms. “Bienvenido, mi amor.”

I lower my head so she can plant a kiss on each of my cheeks. Her dark eyes gleam with affection, her multicolored scarf concealing most of her dark hair, threaded with silver. Today, she wears an apron with her name embroidered on it. Angela.

Angela stepped in all those years ago to become the mother I desperately needed. She’d made sure I had clothes that actually fit and weren’t the equivalent of rags. Because of her, I always had plenty to eat and a safe place to live.

Her house was the first place I’d ever called home. Because it wasn’t just a house; it was filled with more love and affection than I’d ever experienced.

Angela’s eyes crinkle at the edges as she smiles. “It’s been too long, cariño. Sit, sit. I’ll get you some food.”

Other customers, already seated and eating, offer me silent nods of acknowledgement as I venture toward a booth. It’s their simple way of showing respect for The Scorpions’ second-in-command.