Chapter 10: The Unseen Watcher (Jack’s POV)

The pill, a modest, inconspicuous capsule with the power to alter everything, is sitting on my desk. I've been staring at it for more than an hour, tracing the bottle's edge with my fingertips while doubts keep popping into my head. If it works out, I might be able to retain every memory I create for a week of clarity. However, I don't have time to consider it if it doesn't.

I take it up, squish it dry between my fingers, and roll it around. I ignore the lingering bitterness in my throat as a wave of resolve washes over me. These are my next seven days. I'm not going to lose any more time. Not any longer.

Sarah arrives at my flat after nine o'clock at night, her eyes drooping with fatigue but her smile genuine. We've been working together more lately to try and put this case back together, but our relationship goes beyond work. It's been there for long, lurking in the way her hand brushes my when we pass each other evidence, or the way she stares at me when she thinks I'm not paying attention.

She places a bag of food on the kitchen counter and asks, "Long day?" My stomach rumbles as the aroma of burgers and oily fries permeates the space.

I respond, massaging the back of my neck, "Long week. It seems like everything is escaping my control."

Sarah's piercing eyes are fixed on me as she leans against the counter. "That's my reason for being here," she murmurs. "We're going to fix this. together."

Those final lines really resonate with me. Together. I don't know how long I've needed to hear that, to feel like I'm not alone in this disaster. She has been my compass, and despite my attempts to push her away, she never goes. She seems to know me more intimately than I do.

I mumble, "Thanks," as the weight of her words descends upon me.

Her face softens as she takes a step toward me. "Jack, I really do mean it. I'm here for you."

When her hand touches mine, I don't yank away. Her touch's warmth serves as a reminder that despite all of the confusion and uncertainty, there is still reality. Something I can cling to. When our gazes lock, I notice the same flutter of doubt that has been plaguing me for weeks. This time, though, I don't brush it off.

Her breath catches when I lean in to close the gap between us. Our nervous lips touch, and as the kiss grows deeper, it seems as though everything else disappears. The case's weight and my anxiety about my own thoughts turning against me momentarily vanish. I am only experiencing her.

She leans back a little and presses her forehead against mine. She says, "Jack...," and I can hear a hint of caution mixed with love in her voice.

"I understand," I say, putting my hand on her back. "I don't want to overthink things, though. Not at this time."

She nods and grins, a hesitant little smile. "Alright. For the time being only."

The attraction between us is too great to resist, so we move in unison, almost instinctively. I follow her into the bedroom.

I was overcome with a profound sensation of peace as we lay there on the bed, our bodies interlocked. Time seemed to have stopped, allowing us to really enjoy each other's company without being burdened by commitments or other distractions. The room's lighting was low, causing the walls' shadows to move.

Sarah tilted her head towards me, I leaned in and pushed my lips on hers. We kissed slowly and deliberately, exploring one other's mouths with our tongues, sending shivers down my spine with every stroke.

Sarah reached up and ran her fingers through my hair softly, pulling a little to bring me closer as our passion increased. I could feel my scalp being gently scratched by her nails, which sent shivers down my spine.

After a while, Sarah ended the kiss and started tracing my neck with her lips, creating a trail of flames behind her. She slid lower, her breath hot against my skin, sending chills up my arms. She waited a bit when she got to the top of my shirt, then proceeded to gently open each button, exposing more and more of my chest with each one that came loose.

I felt myself getting harder with every touch and kiss as Sarah moved down my body. I was almost breathing with anticipation by the time she got to the zipper of my jeans. She gave me one more glance before unzipping and slowly lowering the zipper, revealing me to her for the very first time.

Sarah leaned forward and took me in her mouth, sliding down and swishing her tongue around my erection without once taking her eyes off of mine. The feeling made me sigh loudly, arching my back off the bed in protest. She kept going up and down, taking her time and not hurrying as she used her mouth to explore every part of me.

Even though I never really wanted this moment to go forever, I realized I had to let go. So I suddenly got really energetic and reached down to grasp Sarah by the waist, which allowed me to flip us over so that I was now on top of her. She gave me a startled look, but she swiftly pulled me in by putting her legs around me.

I reached between us with one hand and started to rub my fingers across her clit, feeling it get wet by the moment. I inserted two fingers inside Sarah as she moaned beneath me, pumping them in and out as I teased her swollen nub with my thumb.

I could sense the tension rising within of me, as if I may suddenly explode. But I wanted to make sure Sarah was right there with me before I let myself get to that stage. I retreated a little staring into her eyes intently as I started to press inward.

I was sliding deeper and deeper inside her, and she felt so tight around me. After I had fully sheathed, I took a brief break to collect my breath before getting back to work.

I began gently at first, taking my time and carefully pushing myself in and out of Sarah's grasp so I could enjoy every square inch of her warm, moist hug. But as our beat became more intense, I realized I could no longer contain myself; my hips bucked wildly as I hammered into her more forcefully and quickly than before.

Sarah fought to keep up with the intensity of our connection and screamed out in delight beneath me, her nails sinking into my shoulders. She was about to release, as evidenced by the tremendous shaking of her body around me. We both fell over on our sides together, me giving in to the overwhelming sensation as I felt her inside walls tighten around my cock and filling her with my hot, sticky cum.

After our passionate encounter, I couldn't help but feel very grateful for this time as we lay there in one other's arms. It had not only been a great physical experience, but it had also brought us closer emotionally.

Later, the only light in the room is the faint glow from the streetlights outside as we lie in bed. Beyond the window, the city pulses with activity, yet inside, everything seems motionless. As she draws circles on my skin, Sarah's head rests on my chest and her breathing remains calm.

"Do you think this will ever end?" With a whispery voice, she asks.

I understand her . It's not only the situation. It's the weight of everything, the tangled web of my shattered memories, the darkness coming in, the killer who's always one step ahead.

"We must," I utter in a harsh voice. "Too much is at stake."

Lila? She mumbles, and her words convey the worry I sense in her.

I give a nod, my hands closing around hers. "Sarah, I'm not losing her again."

I make an effort to concentrate but something doesn't feel quite right. The feeling that tells someone is watching makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge. I look out the window, sweeping my gaze over the shadows cast by the glass. Even though nothing seems out of the ordinary, the discomfort persists.

"What's that?" Sarah notices my discomfort and asks.

I hastily respond, "Nothing," but I know she won't buy it.

She looks at me and sits up. "Are you sure?"

I smile, forcing a nod. "Just tricks of the mind."

But I can't get rid of the feeling as I lay down again. It seems as though a shadow or presence is lurking just out of view. I make an effort to ignore it and concentrate on Sarah's gentle touch and her calm breathing pattern. However, the stress increases, constricting my chest more and more.

At last, I have had enough. I dress and put on a shirt and jeans after falling out of bed. "I'll be right back," I add, putting on a comforting grin.

She begins, "Jack...," but I ignore her.

"I just need to make sure."

With all of my nerves on full alert, I steal silently through the flat. The shadows are longer than they should be, and the gloom feels oppressive. I approach the window and gently draw aside the curtain to get a look outdoors.

I see nothing at first, just the typical scene of the street and the occasional passing cars. However, I suddenly notice movement out of the corner of my eye.

There is a figure there, across the street, in the alleyway's darkness. I narrow my eyes in an attempt to see the details, but they're too far away. The shape is all I can see; it's simply a dark silhouette standing there. Watching.

"Jack?" Sarah's voice rings quietly from the bedroom.

I turn and give her a silent signal. I mumble, "There's someone outside."

She shifts to my side and looks through the curtain's gap. "Do you know them?"

I give a headshake. "Not at all. But all they've done is stand there and watch."

"Do you believe it has anything to do with the case?" With a tight voice, she asks.

"It must be," I murmur, fixating my gaze on the silhouetted figure. "It's too much of a coincidence."

For a minute, we just stand there, watching, waiting. But then the figure moves, as though feeling they've been noticed. They disappear down the alleyway as I watch them turn and go into the shadows.

I swear under my breath, "Damn it. They're heading out."