The streets were quiet by the time Monte reached Auntie Chen's porch.
Behind him, the faint clang of Boyd's curfew bell echoed through town, rolling across the houses like a warning.
As he passed Miranda's place, he spotted Ethan and Meghan on the old seesaw.
The two laughed softly, unaware of the danger creeping closer with the fading light.
Monte called out, voice steady but firm, "It's time to head in, kiddo. Curfew."
Ethan nodded obediently. "Okay, Monte." He grabbed Meghan's hand, and they ran for the porch. Meghan looked back and waved.
Monte gave a small wave in return, a ghost of a smile crossing his face before he continued up the path toward Auntie Chen's home.
When he reached the door, he knocked once.
It opened almost immediately.
Sara stood there, her hair loose around her shoulders, eyes brightening the moment she saw him.
She smiled, relief flooding her face, and pulled him inside without hesitation.
Immediately pressing a soft kiss to his lips. The warmth of it lasted only a second.
Auntie Chen looked up from the table. "Monte, you okay?"
Sara drew back, confused by the tone. Then she saw the dark red stains on his shirt, the dried blood on his hands.
Her eyes widened. "Oh my god... Monte!"
She reached for his side instinctively, and he caught her wrists, flinching. "I'm okay," he said quietly. "All patched up."
Auntie Chen's brows pinched together. "What happened?"
Monte sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kevin from Colony House attacked Julie. Things got messy... I just got nicked in the chaos."
Sara froze for half a second, the mention of Julie's name making something sharp twist inside her.
She saw the brief flicker of anger in Monte's eyes when he'd said it.
Chen gasped, hand covering her mouth. "That poor girl…"
Sara's voice trembled. "Why would he do that?"
Monte hesitated, searching for words. "He's the one who ran last night," he said finally. "The one who left the infirmary doors open."
Sara's blood ran cold. Auntie Chen let out a sob.
The noise brought Kenny from his room. "What's going on?"
Sara spoke up quietly. "Monte found the person who opened the door. The one who got your dad and Gina killed."
Kenny's body went still, his face darkening as the words sank in. "Who?"
Monte met his eyes. "Kevin. From Colony House."
Kenny's jaw clenched. Without a word, he turned toward the door.
Monte reached out and grabbed his arm. "He's locked up at the station," he said evenly. "Alive... for now."
Kenny jerked his arm slightly. "Why? He killed my dad!"
Monte kept his voice steady, though his tone carried quiet authority. "He said something about hearing voices. Doesn't excuse what he did, but maybe it helps us understand why he did it. Understand more about this place."
Sara stiffened at the words, her hand trembling slightly where it rested on the table.
Kenny's anger didn't fade. "So what if he snapped? He still did it!"
Monte nodded once. "I know. His final stop is the box. You'll be the one to put him in. But right now, we need him breathing."
Kenny took a long breath through his nose, fighting the rage boiling in his chest. "Fine."
He turned sharply and walked back to his room, the sound of his door closing echoing through the small house.
Monte exhaled, sinking down into a chair at the table.
Sara and Auntie Chen were already setting food down. Fried venison strips with wild greens salad.
The familiar smell filled the air, grounding the tension that had been building since he arrived.
Sara slid a plate in front of him, her hands still slightly unsteady.
Auntie Chen bowed her head, whispering a short prayer in Chinese before gesturing for them to eat.
Monte hesitated only a moment before picking up his fork.
He took a bite, letting out a small sound of relief. "This is really good," he said sincerely, tension easing from his shoulders.
Sara smiled faintly, though her eyes stayed on him. "I'm glad you like it."
Monte looked at her, really looked and smiled back, a rare gentleness in his expression.
For the first time all day, Monte felt at peace.
Almost.
Because behind Sara's quiet smile, one thought pulsed like a heartbeat.
'The Voices. They're real."
And she knew exactly what Kevin meant.
...
The dim glow of a single candle cast long shadows across the room.
Its flickering light dancing upon the weathered wooden walls of Auntie Chen's spare bedroom.
The air was thick with anticipation, a heady mix of desire and the faint scent of cedar incense that lingered from earlier in the evening.
Monte and Sara settled into the bed, the worn cotton sheets cool against their skin.
The mattress sagged slightly under their weight, a testament to its age, but neither of them seemed to mind.
Monte's green eyes locked onto Sara's as he pulled her close, his frame pressing against her slender body.
His tousled black hair fell across his forehead, framing the intensity in his gaze.
Sara's alabaster skin seemed to glow in the low light, her wavy brown hair cascading over the pillow like a river of chocolate.
Her blue eyes, usually warm and kind, now held a hint of nervousness, but it was quickly overshadowed by her determination to please him.
Monte's hands moved instinctively, as if guided by some primal force, finding their way to her perky breasts.
He squeezed and fondled them gently, his touch both tender and firm.
Sara let out a soft moan, her head tilting back slightly as she closed her eyes, savoring the sensation.
"Still sore from last night," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, tinged with apology.
Monte's lips pressed into a thin line, and he sighed, his breath warm against her neck.
He knew she had been pushing herself, trying to keep up with his desires despite the discomfort.
But tonight, he could tell she was trying not to let him down.
"It's okay," he said, his voice deep and reassuring. "We'll take it slow."
Sara nodded, her eyes fluttering open to meet his gaze.
She leaned up, her lips brushing against his in a tender kiss.
It started softly, a gentle press of lips, but quickly deepened as their tongues met, tasting and exploring.
Monte's hands moved down her sides, his fingers tracing the curves of her body, before coming to rest on her hips.
He pulled her closer, their bodies pressing together, the heat between them building with every passing second.
Breaking the kiss, Sara slid down the bed, her movements deliberate yet graceful.
Her eyes never left Monte's as she reached for the waistband of his pants, her fingers trembling slightly.
Monte watched her, his breath hitching as she freed his throbbing cock from the confines of his trousers.
His skin was flushed, his muscles tense with anticipation.
Sara's fingers brushed against his hard length, her touch light and exploratory.
She looked up at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and desire.
"You're so hard," she whispered, her voice husky.
Monte let out a low groan. "You do that to me," he replied, his voice rough with need.
Sara nodded, her eyes dropping to his cock as she opened her mouth.
She took him in slowly, her lips wrapping around the head, her tongue flicking against the sensitive skin.
Her movements were clumsy at first, her inexperience evident, but Monte made no move to guide her.
He wanted to see her take control, to watch her find her own rhythm.
And find it she did. Her lips tightened around his shaft as she began to bob her head, her pace steady and deliberate.
Monte's groans grew louder, his body arching slightly as pleasure coursed through him.
His hand tangled in her hair, not to guide her, but to hold her close, to feel the softness of her wavy locks against his skin.
"Fuck, Sara," he muttered, his voice thick with desire. "You're amazing."
Her eyes fluttered closed as she continued, her focus entirely on him.
The pressure in Monte's balls built steadily, a coil tightening with every stroke of her lips.
He knew he was close, far closer than he had intended to be at this point, but he couldn't stop himself.
"I'm close," he warned, his voice strained.
Sara pulled back just in time, her lips leaving his cock with a wet pop.
Monte's breath came in ragged gasps as he watched her, his body tense with anticipation.
She smiled softly, her blue eyes glistening with a mix of desire and mischief.
Without a word, she began to jerk him off, her hand moving in time with the rhythm she had established moments before.
Monte's cum erupted from the tip of his cock, hot and thick, spraying across Sara's sizeable chest.
She gasped, her hand not slowing as she watched the streams of his release coat her skin.
The room was filled with the sound of their heavy breathing, the only movement the slow dribble of his cum as it trailed down her breasts.
Despite the intensity of his orgasm, Monte's cock remained hard, his body still buzzing with unspent desire.
Sara looked up at him, her expression a mix of satisfaction and apology. "Maybe just the tip," she suggested, her voice soft but steady.
Monte smirked, his green eyes sparkling with amusement and lust. "Just the tip," he agreed, his voice low and promising.
He moved quickly, positioning himself between her legs, his knees pressing into the mattress on either side of her hips.
Sara's eyes widened as she felt the head of his cock press against her wet pussy, her body already aching with need.
Monte's gaze locked onto hers, his expression intense as he teased her with the head of his cock, sliding it along her pussy lips, spreading her wetness.
Sara moaned, her hips moving restlessly, seeking more contact.
Monte's smirk grew as he watched her, his control wavering. Slowly, he pushed in, just the tip, his cock sinking into her tight heat.
Sara's breath caught in her throat, her eyes closing as she savored the sensation of being filled, even if it was just a little.
Monte's body shook with the effort of holding back, his muscles tense as he fought the urge to thrust deeper.
Sara's pussy gripped him tightly, her walls clenching around him, drawing him in. She moaned again, her hips moving in a slow, restless rhythm, seeking more friction.
The room was filled with the sounds of their desire. Their heavy breathing, the soft wet sounds of their bodies pressing together, and the occasional moan that escaped their lips.
Monte began to thrust, his movements slow and deliberate, just the tip of his cock sliding in and out of her.
The tension built between them, unresolved, as Monte's cock sank deeper with each thrust, leaving the future of their pleasure hanging in the air.
Sara's hands gripped the sheets tightly, her nails digging into the fabric as she met his thrusts, her body arching up to meet him.
Monte's eyes never left hers, his expression a mix of lust and tenderness. He wanted to give her everything, to push her to the edge and beyond, but he also wanted to savor this moment, to draw out the pleasure as long as possible.
The candle flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls as their bodies moved in unison.
The air grew heavier as Monte's thrusts grew slightly deeper, his control slipping as he felt her tight heat enveloping him.
Sara's moans grew louder, her body responding to his, her hips moving in time with his.
But Monte stopped himself, pulling back slightly, leaving just the tip of his cock inside her.
Sara whimpered, her eyes opening to meet his, her expression a mix of frustration and longing. "More," she whispered, her voice pleading.
Monte smirked, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not yet," he replied, his voice low and teasing.
Sara pouted, her hands moving to his hips, trying to pull him closer. Monte chuckled, his body trembling with the effort of holding back.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against hers in a soft kiss. "Patience," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.
Sara sighed, her body relaxing slightly as she rested her head on the pillow, her eyes never leaving his.
Monte pushed deeper and deeper, Sara meeting each thrust with one of her own.
There pleasure reached its peak, Sara shaking under him. Monte moved back to pull out but he felt Sara's legs wrap around his back.
She moaned, "Cum inside me."
Monte slammed back in, releasing his load. He stayed there for a moment before pulling out, looking down at the first creampie he had given Sara.
The house was silent now, the exception was the faint hum of the wind outside.
Sara pulled Monte down beside her on the bed and rested her head on his chest. His heartbeat was steady with a rhythm that calmed her even as her thoughts churned.
Her fingers hovered over the bandage at his side, brushing the edge gently.
She couldn't stop staring at it, the place where Kevin could have ended him.
The same place she had almost stabbed him.
A tear slipped down her cheek before she realized it.
Monte felt it. "Hey," he murmured, his voice low, concerned. "What's wrong?"
Sara didn't answer. She couldn't. Her throat was tight, her heart pounding painfully in her chest.
Monte tilted her chin up, trying to meet her gaze, but she turned her eyes away.
Monte's anxiety deepened. "What is it? Did I do something?"
Sara shook her head quickly. "No, you didn't. It's not that." Her voice cracked, trembling with something heavy. "Remember that nightmare you had?"
Monte nodded slowly, his brow furrowed. "Yeah. What about it?"
Sara's lips quivered. The words barely came out. "It wasn't just a dream," she whispered. "I was going to stab you."
Monte froze, eyes widening in disbelief. "What? Why would you...?"
Sara couldn't bear to look at him. Tears streamed freely now. "The voices," she choked out. "They told me that if I killed you… we'd all go home."
For a long, terrible moment, Monte said nothing. The silence pressed down between them.
Finally, he exhaled, voice quiet but steady. "That's why you've been so quiet. Since hearing about Kevin."
Sara nodded, shame in her every breath. "I thought I could ignore them, but they wouldn't stop. And I almost..."
Her voice broke. She stood abruptly, turning away from him. "I'm sorry. I should go."
Monte reached out and caught her wrist before she could move further. "Wait."
His tone softened, but there was steel beneath it. "You've been staying close to me… were you planning to try again?"
Sara turned to him, eyes wide and wet. "No! I swear. The voices... they stopped. They stopped when you choked me. When I... they just… went quiet."
Monte studied her face for a long moment. "So it wasn't you," he said finally, more to himself than to her. "It was them."
Sara nodded miserably.
Monte took a step closer. "Then tell me something."
Sara blinked up at him, trembling.
"Do you care about me?" he asked softly.
Sara's lips parted, and the truth came out before she could second-guess it. "I love you."
Monte's expression softened.
He reached up, cupping her face with one hand, his thumb brushing away a tear. "Then don't go," he said. "Stay with me."
Sara hesitated. "The voices... What if they come back?"
Monte pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "Then we deal with it together," he whispered. "No more secrets. No more hiding."
Sara nodded against his chest, the tension leaving her body in slow, shaking breaths.
For the first time since the voices began, she felt… lighter.
They climbed back into bed, her head finding his shoulder once more. His heartbeat, calm and certain, filled the quiet.
And as her eyes drifted closed, the whispering in her mind stayed gone.
For now.