Final Warning

Thea’s POV

I kept reading the note, staring so intently I could have burned a hole right through it. Fear crept through every inch of my body like an icy current. This was the third time, and I had no fucking clue what to do about it.

After dropping Leo at school, I’d returned to find an elegantly wrapped box with a pink ribbon sitting on my porch. At first, I thought it might be a gift until I lifted the lid and saw a grayish-brown dead rat lying inside with a neatly folded note beside it.

“FINAL WARNING, THEA.”

My stomach instantly dropped to my feet. The threats were clearly escalating.

With shaking hands, I tossed both the note and box into the trash, immediately grabbing my phone to contact Graves. I was praying for a miracle, hoping he’d figured out who was behind all this shit.

He answered after the second ring, his voice rough like he’d just finished smoking. Hearing him brought instant relief.

“Please tell me you’ve found something,” I begged, desperation filling my voice.

I knew it was rude to skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point, but I was scared out of my fucking mind. For days I’d been living in constant fear, anxiously scanning my surroundings, becoming so paranoid that anyone I accidentally bumped into on the street or in stores instantly became a suspect.

I hadn’t told my family or friends because I didn’t want them to worry. But if things continued to get worse, I might not have a choice. The more people investigating this, the better chance of finding this bastard.

“I’m sorry, Thea, but all the leads have gone cold,” he said regretfully. “I’ve got my people out there, but whoever this is, they’re being extremely careful not to leave any traceable evidence.”

A surge of anger flared inside me. I wanted to smash something, to scream until my throat was raw. But I knew it wouldn’t help. I needed to find out who was threatening me because my gut was screaming that something terrible was coming.

“How is it possible there are no leads at all?” My voice rose slightly. “I just received a third note next to a dead rat. I’m scared, Graves. I’m fucking terrified.”

I tried to hold back tears, but they spilled down my cheeks anyway, soaking into my collar. “I know you’re anxious, but I promise I’m doing everything I can,” his voice grew firmer.

His response was like a match to a fuse, igniting all the fear and frustration that had been building inside me.

“Well, your ‘everything’ clearly isn’t enough!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty house.

“Thea,” he almost growled my name, his voice hard as steel.

Realizing how rude and childish I sounded, I immediately deflated. “I’m sorry… I’m just… so scared. Please forgive me for lashing out at you.”

A deep sigh came from the other end. “I understand, I get it, but you don’t need to worry. I won’t let anything happen to you, okay?”

I didn’t answer, because how could I when everything inside me was telling me things weren’t going to be okay? And worse, a terrible realization had taken root in my mind: this time, maybe even Graves couldn’t protect me.

“I’ll check with a few more special contacts and let you know the minute I hear anything,” he added.

“Thanks,” I said softly before hanging up.

Sitting at the kitchen counter, my eyes kept drifting toward the trash can with that horrifying “gift.” Thoughts invaded my mind one after another. I couldn’t find peace, couldn’t find a moment to breathe. I was fucking exhausted. For weeks, I’d barely slept, too afraid to close my eyes and see horrible images. Even when I did sleep, my dreams were filled with nightmares. Every nightmare showed me and my unborn baby dying.

Between these threats and Sebastian’s sudden declaration of love, my brain never had a moment’s rest. If I wasn’t worrying about these notes, I was replaying the scene of him kneeling before me saying he loved me.

Unable to sit still, I paced around the room. I desperately needed something to distract me, or this fear would drive me insane.

After thinking for a moment, I picked up my phone and called Iris, but after several rings, there was no answer. She was probably busy.

Then I dialed Sophia’s number, and she picked up after a few rings.

“Hey, honey,” she greeted cheerfully. “Everything okay?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me, get some fresh air,” I said directly. Though I didn’t need to buy anything, I just wanted an excuse to leave this suffocating space.

“I’m afraid I can’t today, sweetheart. Just got a big order at the shop and we’re swamped. How about Friday? I’ll definitely make time for you then.”

I felt disappointed, but I understood. Everyone had their own lives and responsibilities.

“That’s fine, I completely understand.”

“Thanks. See you Friday, okay?”

“Sure.” I put down the phone and looked around the empty house, knowing I couldn’t just sit here waiting for Leo to get out of school. If I stayed trapped in my own thoughts much longer, I’d break down.

Grabbing my wallet and car keys, I decided to go to my favorite ice cream shop in town. Maybe something sweet would temporarily take away the darkness.

I barely remember the drive there, my mind was such a mess. After parking across the street, I walked into the cozy little shop and ordered a large blueberry swirl. Maybe the cold sweetness would cool down my overheated brain.

Slowly enjoying my ice cream while flipping through the free magazines provided by the shop actually calmed me down. Focusing on the delicious treat in front of me allowed me to temporarily forget all my worries.

Two hours later, I felt much better. I decided to head home and rest, maybe catch a nap before Leo returned.

As I was paying the bill and getting ready to leave, a sudden ominous feeling washed over me. Like some invisible force was warning me to stay inside the shop. My heart inexplicably felt heavy, as if a dark cloud had suddenly attached itself to me.

But I chose to ignore it, thinking it was just an overreaction from being so tense lately. I paid and walked toward the door.

If I could do it all over again, I would have listened to that inner warning and never stepped foot outside that shop.

Just as I reached the curb, preparing to cross the street to the parking lot, a black sedan suddenly sped around the corner. The tires screeched against the pavement, followed by the deafening sound of gunshots.

Before consciousness completely left me, I only remember the screams of people around me, and the burning sensation like fire, before everything went cold and dark.

My last thought was the baby I’d never get to meet.