126–Meditation and murder


    Over the next week the papers report two. more murders. Both of the victims were women in their


    twenties with dark hair. Unsurprisingly, with each murder Bemy became more and more on edge. In


    fact everyone did. Megan and I stopped going on outings other than the asional walk around the


    inside of the Shifterpound with our guards to apany us. I was alright, honestly I don’t find it all


    that stressful staying inside for a while, but as a Shifter, Megan has definitely started getting antsy. She


    wants to go out and run, see people, whatever. Bemy has also been antsy but aside from absolutely


    necessary trips, he’s been staying home with us. Actually, he barely lets me out of his sight and when


    Megan is in her room and not downstairs with us, he checks on her constantly. He has increased


    security around thepound and checks the locks on the houses doors and windows several times a


    day. The papers didn’t provide a cause of death, but in his paranoia, Bemy had Aaron and Alex


    investigate. Aaron checked the crime scenes while Alex hacked something and got ahold of the official


    reports. The cause of death in both murders was unknown and suspected as Magical in nature. The


    coroner couldn’t find a single injury or reason for the deaths, but in both cases there were clear signs of


    a struggle. Both women died in their homes, but oddly enough from what Aaron reported back, it


    looked like the women both let the killer in and only began to fight back afterwards. Aaron also reported


    the same magical scent from the Brooks‘ house and my ce. Once Bemy confirmed that these


    murders were linked I’m pretty sure that was thest time he left me alone for more than forty seconds.


    Even when I’m in the shower I can hear him hovering by the door and he knocks every minute or so to


    check that I’m alright. It’s sweet of him to care, but it’s starting to grind on my nerves a little bit. I’m not


    used to this much attention and I’m feeling a little ustrophobic. Staying in the house isn’t a problem


    for me, but I would really like a bit of time to myself every now and then, I did try suggesting this to


    Bemy once but the look of fear on his face stopped me in my tracks. It’s not forever and I can deal


    with it for now.


    I’m still not sleeping well and having dreams about Kiara every night. She is still in her now very ratty


    pyjamas, she looks thin and almost sick. Her hair is dirty and tangled and the bruise on her cheek is


    barely improved. It breaks my heart every time I see her. Sometimes she is crying, absolutely bawling


    her eyes out, and other times she looks like a broken doll. Practically empty inside. Those are the worst


    moments to see because they make me worry that she’s broken forever, that even if we find her it will


    be toote and she will never recover.


    During the day I’ve been practising meditating, trying to focus on her and see her on purpose but so far


    I haven’t had any sess. I’ve tried over and over to find this ‘connection‘ that


    Amber swears must exist between us, but I have no idea what I’m even looking for. Maybe if I


    1/4


    126- Meditation and murder


    knew what the connection actually was… but as it is, I’m just focusing on whatever simrities I can


    find. We’re both orphans now, but I highly doubt that’s the connection. I keeping back to her eyes,


    they’re pale, a lot like mine. I find myself meditating and thinking of staring into her eyes and


    sometimes for half a second I think it’s working, but then… nothing. Maybe I just want it to work so


    badly that I’m imagining things. I don’t know.


    I’m in the middle of one of my ‘attempting to meditate‘ sessions in Bemy’s office, trying to tune him


    out where he is sitting working. He’s quiet but I really do feel like this is something that might work


    better alone. It’ste morning and I’m getting nowhere so I’m almost relieved when my phone goes off.


    Shaun- Hi! I was wondering if you wanted anything for lunch, I was getting something for myself and


    thought you might be hungry?


    Hmm… that’s… unusual? Not that he would bring food, he does that pretty regrly. Bemy has been


    getting him to pick up take out and groceries for us this week because he isn’t too keen on letting


    delivery drivers anywhere near the house, just in case that’s how the killers have been getting the


    women to answer their doors. No, what’s unusual is that he is offering. Usually he waits until Bemy


    asks him to get something.


    “Bel, did you ask Shaun to get us lunch?” I ask. He looks up distractedly from his work.


    “No, why? Did you want something?” He grabs his own phone as if to call.


    “No, no. He just messaged me offering to grab food.” I exin. Bemy’s brow furrows.


    “Why is he offering you food?” He


    spunos


    grumpy and I remember how obsessed he is with


    buying me food. Does he see this as Shaun trying to get in his way?


    “I’m not sure, maybe he wants to ask a favour or something and is trying to get in good?” I suggest.


    Suddenly I recall what Amber said about giving him her number and my face lights.


    1. up.


    “Oh! I bet he wants to ask about Amber. She says he hasn’t spoken to her since the day they met,


    but he has walked past Borderline at least twice this week that she knows of.” Bemy


    rxes a bit.


    2/4


    126- Meditation and murder


    “That’s probably it. He can bring lunch if he wants.” He agrees.


    Ryann- Sure, how about Thai?


    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Shaun- Done and done. Won’t be long!


    True to his word, Shaun shows up twenty minutester with an armful of Thai takeout. Honestly he


    got enough for several people. Way more than was needed. He must be nervous. He hands me


    the foo


    then hovers awkwardly, obviously hoping for an invitation to join us


    for lunch.


    “Wow, look at all that food. No way we can eat all this alone. Why don’t you stay for lunch?” I


    offer and Shaun jumps on the offer.


    “YES. I mean, yes please Miss Gale, that would be great.” I have to fight the urge to snicker. He’s


    being kind of adorably awkward. Megan and Bemy join us in the living room and we all sit down


    to eat. Shaun is definitely acting weird and it’s not just me who sees it. Megan makes eye contact


    with me several times throughout the meal and gestures towards Shaun, clear question in her


    eyes. When we finish eating, Shaun sits, clearly not sure what to do. I notice him ncing at


    Bemy and I realise he might be ufortable asking in front of


    others.


    “Hey Shaun, can you help me with the dishes?” I ask and he eagerly agrees. Bemy stands to


    follow me but I wave him off. He raises an eyebrow but stays where he is. I’ve just started.


    washing and handed Shaun a towel to dry dishes when finally he speaks.


    “Uh, Miss Gale?” he starts.


    “Yes Shaun?”


    “Well… I um… you remember how I picked up your friend Amber the other day?” YES! He’s going


    to ask! Finally! I decided to try and make it easier for him.


    “Yeah of course, she mentioned how friendly you were. What about it?” I prompt.


    3/4


    Strings of Fate


    127- Calling and convincing


    He is quiet for a moment, then he pushes his shoulders back and blurts out;


    “I–want–to–ask–her–out–will–you–give–me–her–number–please?” He says it all in one breath


    waiting.


    and then I’m pretty sure he doesn’t take another one. He’s just holding his breath,


    “Sure.” I agree easily. He drops the towel on the ground in shock. I think he expected me to


    say no.


    “Really? Don’t you need to check with her or something?” He asks doubtfully, like he thinks I might


    be messing with him. I can’t help butugh.


    “She already agreed. She told me the day you met that when you got up the nerve to ask for her


    number, I should give it to you. She’s an Oracle, remember? I’m pretty sure she’s waiting for you to


    call.” I tell him. His answering grin is blindingly bright.


    “Really?”


    “Yes really. I’ll give it to you as soon as we finish the dishes.” Let me just say, I have never seen


    someone dry dishes as fast as Shaun is right now. We have the job done in no time and I read out


    Amber’s number for him to add to his phone.


    “Thanks Miss Gale. Now I just have to get up the nerve to actually call her.” He looks a little


    ill at the thought.


    “She wouldn’t have given you her number if she was going to reject you Shaun. Have a little


    confidence.”


    “She didn’t give me her number, you did!” he objects. I shrug.


    “She gave it indirectly. She has been waiting all week. Don’t make her wait too long. Good luck!” A


    look of grim determination crosses his face and he nods.


    “Right. I’m just going to go do that now. Thanks again.” He leaves in a hurry after that. So much of


    a hurry that he doesn’t even stop to say goodbye to Megan or Bemy. I return to


    1/5


    127- Calling and convincing


    the living room and find Bemy smiling and Megan practically bouncing in her seat.


    “Oh my gosh did that really just happen? Shaun and Amber?” She looks thrilled and Iugh.


    “Yep.” I confirm.


    “That’s so CUTE!” She half squeals.


    “WAIT! Are they fated? I don’t want anyone breaking his heart. Or hers… or anyones.” She


    rambles. I nce at Bemy who just shrugs. He doesn’t seem to have an opinion on if I should


    tell Megan or not. I mean, Amber already knows, but what about Shaun… In the end I decide that


    Megan doesn’t need the worry right now, particrly regarding her friends‘ romantic rtionships.


    Besides, it’s not like Shaun is making a secret of his intentions. The way any rtionship works is


    that it either ends or it doesn’t. If they’re already choosing a rtionship then really all I know is


    that it won’t end, or that if it does it will start again? It


    doesn’t tell that much.


    “Yeah, they’re fated. Amber knows but Shaun isn’t quite there yet so keep it to yourself for now,


    yeah?” Megan promises and then skips upstairs to grab her phone so she can text Amber a


    congrattions. The two have been growing close all week in our group chat. Sure enough,


    a few secondster my phone vibrates.


    COCK TALES


    Megan- AMBER! Shaun just asked Ry for your number!!! You guys are going to be so CUTE


    together!!! <3 <3 <3


    Amber- Hahaha, thanks. I can only see a few weeks ahead usually but I think it will


    He’s going to callter tonight and I can’t wait, he’s going to be so awkward about it. It’s adorable.


    Or it will be adorable at least.


    go


    well.


    Ryann- LOL and people think I have spoilers. He will be lucky if he ever manages to surprise


    you.


    Amber- I’m surprised all the time, I just get surprised early and then I’m not surprised when the


    actual surprisees, if that makes sense.