Crowed (Team Zero #2) - Rina Kent Page 0,55

when I found him two months ago, tiny and shivering in the rain, I couldn’t just leave him. Since he’s so conveniently orange, I named him that. Somehow, I saw Crow’s little cat in him.

When I go into the house, however, Orange dashes inside. He starts meowing the “I’m starving, human, give me food,” meow. I smile and reach for the cupboard for his favourite tuna. Charlotte watches from a distance as he eats, ignoring her own food. She’s cautious about the cat, but sometimes I catch her snuggling next to him.

After dinner, the sky grows dark. I write three notes.

‘I visited Maman and Papa’s graves today and talked to them for an hour.’

‘I forgive my dad. I know he was evil, but it’s not good to hold a grudge against him. After all, his name was what Maman whispered when she had a fewer.’

‘I bought more baby clothes and started decorating the room.’

With a smile, I put the notes in the jar, take my hot chocolate, and head upstairs. Charlotte and Orange join me as I push the door to the bedroom. His bedroom.

Ever since Crow left, I haven’t been able to sleep anywhere but in his bed. Sometimes, I hug the clothes he left behind and pretend he’s here with me.

Not healthy. I know. My shrink doesn’t need to hear about this.

All his weapons, the leather bag, and his bike disappeared when I returned from the hospital, but whoever packed his things forgot his clothes.

I retrieve his T-shirt and put it on as a sleeping robe. Time has been washing away his leather scent. The more I can’t smell it, the more it feels like losing him all over again.

I sniffle back tears and slip underneath the soft covers. The season changed from summer to autumn, and winter will soon start. Sometimes, I wish all year long would be summer.

Orange and Charlotte snuggle beside me as I retrieve a baby care book from the drawer.

Having a baby is what I should be focusing on.

I stopped working the night shifts because I need the normal sleeping hours for my baby’s health. Since I’m not drowning in debts anymore, I only work the day shift. The money Crow left me would last me for a lifetime, but I like taking care of people.

I’ll keep that money for our child’s future.

My guilty pleasure these days is reading books about babies. The bookstore will get rich due to my endless purchases.

At times, I imagine Crow sitting beside me and reading with me. Again, I know it’s unhealthy, but I can’t help it. I don’t think the pain of losing him will ever settle in.

Somewhere in reading about the second trimester, I fall asleep. I barely register the book falling from my hand to the floor.

At that moment between wakefulness and sleep, Charlotte barks and Orange hisses. I release a soft moan. They’re bickering in the middle of the night again.

Strong arms surround me, and the scent of leather isn’t so washed-up any more.

It’s one of those dreams. I want to cry joyful tears. Those dreams were beginning to fade away. I was scared I would never see him again even in my sleep.

I stay still in his embrace. If I attempt to touch him or turn to see him, he will disappear. That’s what he did before. So this time, I’ll just remain cocooned in his hold.

His strong arms encircle my waist. His leg wraps around mine and his hot breath tickles my neck.

The leather scent is a lot stronger than in the previous dreams. His long, lean fingers glide into my hair. They seem so real this time. The caress soothes and lulls me to sleep.

Tears prickle under my closed lids. If I turn around, he will disappear. Again and again, he just disappears. All I’m left with is a bottomless void that refuses to be filled.

“Are you asleep, Eloise?” he asks in a low, shiver-inducing voice.

My eyes snap open and my entire body turns rigid. This… can’t be happening. Crow never speaks in my dreams. He just exists. I don’t even see him.

I slowly turn. God, I must be going insane. I’m starting to hear things.

I’ll just make sure he’s not real. Tomorrow, I need to find a new shrink.

My heart thunders in my ears as I make out the most intense, blue eyes I have ever seen. He’s staring at me with raw, deep longing that almost matches mine.

Crow.

It’s Crow.

That hooded gaze. These strong, thick arms caging me. Those