#Chapter 95: Feeling Cornered

Aria paced around my room, her eyes darting left and right. It was if she had succumbed to mania upon hearing Bruce on the other end, a voice she had never had the misfortune of hearing until then. “I’ll decide on the location,” Bruce said finally, and I could hear the delight in his gravelly voice. “There’s not backing out now, so you’d better show that pretty little face of yours.” I cringed as he let out a rough laugh, pleased with himself. It dawned on me that I was choosing to be in his presence once more, inhaling his stale scent and taking in that eerie smirk of his. This would have to be the last time, because his very existence was like a tricky shadow casting itself over my existence. “All right then,” I said, my voice clipped. I hung up before he could answer, but kept the phone pressed to my ear. My fingers trembled against my clammy, numbed skin. When I tucked the phone away, Aria eventually stopped and plopped herself down beside me. She leaned in close, then pu