Chapter 54: Tobias

My head felt like it was about to explode. I couldn't fucking catch my breath and my heart was beating faster, then slower, then faster again. My vision was blurring, making me dizzy. Ellie's palm on my back was comforting, but I told myself that I couldn't lose control, not now, not here. I didn't want to show any weakness. That scumbag was certain that he was above the law, that no one could discover his secret.

After several deep breaths, I leaned my head against the headrest and shut my eyes, bringing more oxygen into my lungs. The car wasn't moving anymore. Ellie had stopped on some random backstreet.

Charlotte was dead, but the waves of misery continued washing over me, taking away my control slowly day by day and night by night, never ending. I should have told Ellie that Charlotte was raped and murdered. I felt so weak functioning without her. It was supposed to be me, not her. I failed in protecting her and now God was punishing me for it.