Final Warning
Thea’s POV
I kept rereading the note, staring so intently I could have burned a hole through it. Fear crept through me like an icy current. This was the third time, and I had no fucking clue what to do.
After dropping Leo at school, I returned to find an elegantly wrapped box with a pink ribbon on my porch. Initially, I thought it might be a gift until I lifted the lid and saw a grayish-brown dead rat inside, next to a neatly folded note.
“FINAL WARNING, THEA.”
My stomach plummeted. The threats were clearly escalating.
With shaking hands, I tossed the note and box into the trash, immediately grabbing my phone to call Graves. I prayed for a miracle, hoping he’d figured out who was behind all this shit.
He answered on the second ring, his voice rough, as if he’d just finished smoking. Hearing him brought instant relief.
“Please tell me you’ve found something,” I begged, desperation filling my voice.
I knew it was rude to skip pleasantries, but I was scared out of my fucking mind. For days, I’d lived in constant fear, anxiously scanning my surroundings, becoming so paranoid that anyone I accidentally bumped into on the street or in stores instantly became a suspect.
I hadn’t told my family or friends because I didn’t want them to worry. But if things continued to worsen, I might not have a choice. The more people investigating, the better the chance of finding this bastard.
“I’m sorry, Thea, but all the leads have gone cold,” he said regretfully. “I’ve got my people out there, but whoever this is, they’re being extremely careful not to leave any traceable evidence.”
Anger flared. I wanted to smash something, to scream until my throat was raw. But I knew it wouldn’t help. I needed to find out who was threatening me because my gut screamed that something terrible was coming.
“How is it possible there are no leads at all?” My voice rose slightly. “I just received a third note with a dead rat. I’m scared, Graves. I’m fucking terrified.”
Tears spilled down my cheeks, soaking into my collar. “I know you’re anxious, but I promise I’m doing everything I can,” his voice firmed.
His response was like a match to a fuse, igniting the fear and frustration building inside me.
“Well, your ‘everything’ clearly isn’t enough!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty house.
“Thea,” he almost growled my name, his voice hard as steel.
Realizing how rude and childish I sounded, I deflated. “I’m sorry… I’m just… so scared. Please forgive me for lashing out.”
A deep sigh came from the other end. “I understand, but you don’t need to worry. I won’t let anything happen to you, okay?”
I didn’t answer. How could I, when everything inside me screamed that things weren’t going to be okay? Worse, a terrible realization had taken root: this time, maybe even Graves couldn’t protect me.
“I’ll check with a few more contacts and let you know the minute I hear anything,” he added.
“Thanks,” I said softly before hanging up.
Sitting at the kitchen counter, my eyes kept drifting toward the trash can with that horrifying “gift.” Thoughts invaded my mind. I couldn’t find peace, couldn’t breathe. I was fucking exhausted. For weeks, I’d barely slept, too afraid to close my eyes and see horrible images. Even when I did sleep, my dreams were filled with nightmares, each showing me and my unborn baby dying.
Between these threats and Sebastian’s sudden declaration of love, my brain never rested. If I wasn’t worrying about the notes, I was replaying the scene of him kneeling before me, saying he loved me.
Unable to sit still, I paced. I desperately needed a distraction, or this fear would drive me insane.
After a moment, I called Iris, but there was no answer. She was probably busy. Then I called Sophia, and she picked up after a few rings.
“Hey, honey,” she greeted cheerfully. “Everything okay?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me, get some fresh air,” I said. I didn’t need to buy anything; I just wanted an excuse to leave this suffocating space.
“I’m afraid I can’t today, sweetheart. Just got a big order at the shop and we’re swamped. How about Friday? I’ll definitely make time for you then.”
I felt disappointed, but I understood. Everyone had their own lives and responsibilities.
“That’s fine, I completely understand.”
“Thanks. See you Friday, okay?”
“Sure.” I put down the phone and looked around the empty house, knowing I couldn’t just sit here waiting for Leo to get out of school. If I stayed trapped in my own thoughts much longer, I’d break down.
Grabbing my wallet and car keys, I decided to go to my favorite ice cream shop. Maybe something sweet would temporarily take away the darkness.
I barely remember the drive. My mind was a mess. After parking, I walked into the cozy shop and ordered a large blueberry swirl. Maybe the cold sweetness would cool my overheated brain.
Slowly enjoying my ice cream while flipping through the free magazines actually calmed me down. Focusing on the delicious treat allowed me to temporarily forget my worries.
Two hours later, I felt much better. I decided to head home and rest, maybe catch a nap before Leo returned.
As I was paying, a sudden ominous feeling washed over me. Like some invisible force warned me to stay inside. My heart felt heavy, as if a dark cloud had attached itself to me.
But I ignored it, thinking it was just an overreaction from being so tense lately. I paid and walked toward the door.
If I could do it all over again, I would have listened to that inner warning and never stepped foot outside that shop.
Just as I reached the curb, a black sedan suddenly sped around the corner. Tires screeched, followed by the deafening sound of gunshots.
Before consciousness completely left me, I only remember the screams of people around me, and a burning sensation like fire, before everything went cold and dark. My last thought was the baby I’d never get to meet.