CHAPTER 8: Fear Has a Name
(Betty's POV)
"You are in love with him," Taylor whispers.
The words hang in the air.
I do not answer.
I cannot answer.
Taylor stares at me. Her eyes are wet. Her face is pale. Her hand is no longer reaching for her phone. But she is still shaking.
"Taylor," I say.
"Do not."
"Please listen—"
"To what? To you, explain why there is a wanted criminal on your couch?"
"He is not—"
"Not what? Not dangerous? Not a killer?" Taylor's voice rises. "I saw the news, Betty. Everyone saw the news."
I step closer to her.
"He did not do it."
Taylor laughs. A broken, hollow sound.
"You believe him?"
"Yes."
"Because he told you?"
"Because I have been with him for two days. He could have hurt me a hundred times. He did not."
Taylor looks at Adrain.
He is still on the couch. Still pale. Still bleeding through his bandage. He says nothing. He just watches.
"You are defending him," Taylor says.
"Yes."
"You are lying to the police for him."
"Yes."
"You are risking your career. Your life. Everything."
"I know."
Taylor shakes her head. Tears fall down her cheeks.
"Why?"
I look at her. My best friend. The person who has never left me.
"Because I cannot explain it," I say. "But I know he is not what they say."
Taylor is quiet for a long moment.
Then she looks at Adrain.
"If she is wrong about you," Taylor says, her voice low and dangerous, "I will destroy you. I do not care who you are. I do not care what you have done. I will find a way."
Adrain nods slowly.
"I know," he says.
Taylor looks back at me.
"I am not calling the police."
Relief floods my chest.
"But I am not staying here," she continues. "I cannot watch you throw your life away."
"Taylor—"
"I love you, Betty. But I need time."
She walks to the door.
She stops.
She does not turn around.
"If he hurts you," she says quietly, "do not call me. Because I will not be able to stop myself from killing him."
The door opens.
She walks out.
The door closes.
The lock clicks.
Silence.
I stand in the middle of my living room. My best friend just walked out. Because of him.
Because of a stranger who bled on my floor.
I turn to face Adrain.
He is watching me.
"She loves you," he says.
"I know."
"So do I."
I freeze.
My heart stops.
My lungs forget how to work.
"What did you say?" I whisper.
He looks at me. Those dark eyes. So tired. So heavy.
But there is something else now.
Something softer.
"I said," he repeats quietly, "so do I."