Chapter 2

The apartment felt too quiet when I got home.

Mark had texted earlier, his business trip extended by a day. He wouldn't be back until tomorrow night.

I made some tea, put on some music, tried to read.

But Brutus' s thoughts echoed. Her skin. Tonight.

I told myself it was ridiculous. I was letting my ability spook me.

The phone rang, shattering the quiet. It was Chloe, her voice tight with panic.

"Sarah! Oh my god, Sarah!"

"Chloe? What's wrong? You sound terrified."

"It's Brutus! He's gone!"

My blood ran cold. "What do you mean, gone? How?"

"I don't know! He disabled everything! The cameras, the door locks, even the perimeter fence alarms in his sector! It's like he knew the whole system!"

Impossible. That was what Chloe had said.

"They activated his subcutaneous tracker," Chloe rushed on, her breath catching. "Sarah... the signal... it's... it' s coming from downtown. Near your apartment building."

Miles. He had traveled miles.

The ridiculous, impossible threat was suddenly very real. And very close.

"Chloe, are you sure?" My voice shook.

"The head of security is tracking it himself. It' s definitely his signal. It's strong. He' s close to you, Sarah. Very close."

My gaze darted to my front door. The cheap lock felt flimsy.

"I... I have to go, Chloe. I have to call the police."

"They're already on it, Sarah! They're mobilizing, but... he' s a gorilla, a very smart one. They said stay inside, lock your doors, don't make a sound."

I hung up, my hands trembling.

The music I' d put on earlier now sounded mocking.

I ran to the front door, fumbled with the deadbolt, slid the chain lock into place.

I dragged the heavy bookshelf from the living room, grunting with effort, and wedged it against the door.

My apartment was on the third floor. He couldn' t just climb up, could he?

I peeked through the blinds. The street below was dark, rain starting to fall.

Nothing.

But I knew he was out there.

The tracker said so.

And his thoughts had been so clear. Tonight.