144 : A Special News

VERENA

This isn't "nothing." This is worse than I let on, worse than I dared to admit even to myself. A whimper escapes my lips before I can clamp it down. Shame burns hot on my cheeks.

Carlisle’s face swims into focus as he walks closer to me. “Don’t push yourself too far, Verena,” he whispers and I look up to see concern in his eyes. He extends his hand to touch me but then gets still and retracts it.

“I won’t.” I say and nod curtly.

—-------------

I don’t know how many hours have passed while I stay in the hospital bed. The hospital allows me to use my phone. I scroll through my messages and call records countless times, checking if there was anything from him. There’s nothing. I feel a tightness in my heart.

There’s only a message from Elijah that is new.

‘Increase your pack security as well as the security around your house.’

That’s all. He must have sent it because of the threat of Ashwalkers. But something in my gut tells me that isn’t it. There’s more to his message.

I t