When It Ends

by Penelope Black

There’s something almost mystical about the dead of night. The horror films always paint it as a fearful time to be awake, but it doesn’t feel like it to me. It’s the witching hour, when everyone else is tucked safely in their beds. It’s a time rife with possibility. Where the lines get blurred and inhibitions are lowered simply because there’s no one around to bear witness.

Be safe. And Gray?” Sonny looks from his phone to me. “Yeah?” “Don’t let anything touch her,” he practically growls. He holds my gaze and says, “With my life.”

The last thing I want to do is hurt her or break her trust, but she has to know that I’ll protect what’s mine. And make no mistake, Amelia Christensen is mine.

“You did good, Cher.” I swallow against the emotion lodged in my throat. “I was scared.” “I know, baby girl, but you were brave. And I never doubted you, not for a second.”

“If you’re waiting for me to choose, don’t.”

I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember.”

“Ten, Amelia.” I pause, my fingers on the silver pull of the zipper. “Ten?” “Ten more seconds, and then it’s my turn to play.”

“We have time, Cher.” I look at the space between the four of us, our legs outstretched and tangled. The wind howls and something above us creaks. Fear drips down my back. “But what if we don’t?” I lift my eyes and look at West, then Cole, and finally turn to look at Sonny. “What if this is it? If this is when it ends?” Sonny smooths his thumb between my bunched brows. “Then I’ll find you in the next life.” “And in the one after that,” West vows. “In every life,” Cole promises.

“Loving you is the greatest honor of my life.”

You’re the love of my life, in every life.”