Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace



Everything seemed like it was all preordained.

"Phoebe?" Outside, Colin was already waiting for me.

He held an umbrella over us, shielding me in his embrace.

It was only then I looked up and noticed it had started to rain.

"It's okay now," Colin whispered back.

"You knew I was going to be okay, didn't you?" I looked up at him.

Colin's gaze shifted slightly, shaking his head. "I believed you'd be okay."

His words were ambiguous, and I could interpret them as him dodging the subject.

"Let's go home," Colin said, guiding me back.

On our way home, Colin told me Dexter had woken up.

I responded with a nonchalant "Oh," unbothered by the news.

If he's awake, then so be it. It doesn't really concern me much.

"Melody's been by his side the whole time. Chances are, he'll think Melody is you," Colin seemed to be bracing me for the impact of this news, wanting me to be prepared.

"Yeah, that's fine," I nodded.

After all, Dexter was blind to the truth. This could be for the best.

...

As Colin and I had predicted, upon waking up, Dexter indeed seemed convinced that Melody was 'Phoebe Caldwell,' keeping her close and protected.

During this time, I had been cooped up at home, waiting for any developments regarding the traffickers.

Robin mentioned that he had been reassigned back here, tasked with investigating the trafficking ring.

Stella also visited me a few times, mentioning that Robin had left Sea City for a dangerous mission, presumably linked to the trafficking investigation. James ended up taking the fall for everything, with the police unable to pin anything on Damian.

This was something I had anticipated.

What I hadn't expected was that James had been suffering from cancer, qualifying for medical bail.

Colin was right; James had found a way to leave detention.

"Don't overthink it, just rest up at home," Stella visited, advising me to rest.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that a lot had happened in the past few days.

The kidnapping had left me frightened, staying indoors, but during this time, Colin was absent.

I was worried, concerned he might have actually gone to see Melody.

To the place Melody had mentioned, their old haunt.

My heart was in turmoil, feeling insecure.

I feared Melody's cunning, capable of deceiving Dexter so many times, could easily deceive Colin too.

Sitting on my bed, hugging my knees, I was tired of living this way.

Is this really the life I wanted for myself?

I began to doubt, struggling to understand the purpose of my rebirth.

Was I meant to continue living in fear and stupidity, just to survive?

Wasn't my original goal to find my murderer?

"Trust Robin, he'll find those missing

whispered, seeing my

as a cue to comfort me.

"Phoebe..."

།

ket

"Why hasn't the serial killer struck again after so long? Can't he just kill Melody? Or is it... that the killer@eally is Dorian?" I expressed my confusion and doubts. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Why was Melody still alive?

If she didn't die, the others wouldn't get killed.

I found myself... hoping the murderer would strike again.

I wanted to catch him, but at the same time... I wished to use him to eliminate those on the list.

To eradicate... the demons from the orphanage back then.

"Phoebe..." Stella seemed to ce thoughts. "Melody... t belongs to = s

on to

like she's a changed person dately."

Stella looked down, probably to avoid upsetting me.

Had she seen Melody too? Did Stella believe her as well?

"She's claiming to be Phoebe Caldwell, right?" I asked nervously. "Do you believe her?"