Chapter 2
Paige
“This is all my fault,” Paige thought, watching them lower her roommate, Hina, into the ground, alongside the rest of Hina’s family. The pain was almost too much to bear. They were victims of a serial killer, according to the campus news. Her hands clenched into fists, the nails digging into her palms. It was the only way to ground herself while memories of Hina washed over her, uninvited and raw. A year ago, she couldn’t stand the girl—the arrogance, the constant need to show off. But, over time, Hina had softened. She was almost part of the crew now.
Paige’s jaw tightened as the dirt began to cover the pine wood caskets with their rich golden handles. Lightning cracked in the distance, causing others to jump, but not Paige. Her mind was stuck in one place.
Liam’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I’m sorry, you raped and killed Hina yourself?” His sarcasm was poorly timed, but his voice had that usual undertone of concern. Paige knew Liam meant to lighten the mood, to pull her out of the spiral of guilt she was sinking into. But this wasn’t a time for jokes. Not now.
Paige nodded, barely acknowledging him. She could feel his arm drape over her shoulders, pulling her closer in a half-hug. Around them, the mourners fidgeted with their ties, wiped their tears. She didn’t have the energy to scold Liam—not yet. But she would. He should know better.
“Are you trying to be funny? Here?” she asked, her voice low but cutting. Paige had a way of making words feel like blades, and Liam had felt their edge before. Her eyes narrowed at him, and he released her from his embrace.
He raised his hand, his red tie flapping in the wind. “Sorry, Paige. You’re right. I don’t understand why you feel this is your fault. You didn’t tell her to go to that party alone.”
Logically, Paige knew he was right, but it didn’t change how she felt. She cracked her knuckles and looked down, the ache of guilt weighing on her chest. Hina was dead because of her. Maybe not directly, but she had started the fight that led to it all. Liam wouldn’t understand that, though. He was always so free-spirited, never letting himself get caught up in guilt or regret.
“I might as well have. If it wasn’t for our argument, she would’ve left with the rest of us,” Paige replied, her voice colder than she intended. She swatted away Liam’s next attempt to comfort her.
“There’s no way of knowing that. You’re going to drown in guilt if you keep thinking this way.” Liam’s tone was softer now, but Paige could still feel his discomfort. He hated these kinds of emotional conversations. He never handled them well.
“And there’s no way of not knowing it.” Her words hit him hard, and she saw the brief flicker of shock cross his face. Paige had always been blunt, especially with Liam, but even he wasn’t used to this edge from her.
Liam didn’t back down, though. “Don’t do this to yourself. Her death—it’s not your fault.”
Paige wanted to believe him. She wanted to let go of the crushing weight of responsibility she’d placed on herself. But the memory of their last argument kept replaying in her mind. She had confronted Hina about hooking up with Emaj, knowing full well that Salem had a crush on him. It was a stupid argument, but it had spiraled out of control. Now, Hina was gone—along with her entire family.
Paige clenched her jaw as Liam’s attention drifted. She followed his gaze to a woman standing a few feet away, her green dress swaying in the wind. She was older, but still striking. Of course, Liam couldn’t resist.
“She’s beautiful,” Liam muttered, his voice laced with playful energy. Despite the heaviness of the moment, he was still Liam—charming, flirty, and so damn frustrating. His one-liners and effortless wit usually made people laugh, but today it grated on Paige’s nerves like nails on a chalkboard.
“Are you seriously flirting? Now?” Paige’s tone cut through the air.
Liam snapped out of his daze, offering an apologetic look. His eyes widened, a bit of guilt flashing across his face. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be here for you, not flirting with gorgeous strangers.” He raised his hands as if in surrender.
Before Paige could respond, Liam reached out and gently flicked something off her shoulder. “Watch out. You had a spider on you.”
Paige looked down, spotting the small creature skittering away. A spider in the rain. Odd, but she didn’t dwell on it. Her mind kept drifting back to Hina. She turned away, trying to keep the tears from spilling out. She couldn’t cry—not here, not now. She needed to be strong, like steel. Like a sword.
“I hate spiders,” Liam muttered as he readjusted his suit, clearly still fighting the urge to glance back at the woman in the green dress.
“I know,” Paige said softly. “Thanks for being here, Liam. You know I would’ve been fine on my own. I don’t need help.”
Liam gave her a knowing look as she flicked a stray spider off his collar. “I know you don’t, Paige. I know you don’t.”
But she did. Paige needed help more than she wanted to admit. She needed help to shake off the guilt that gnawed at her, that kept reminding her of one simple, undeniable fact: Hina was Jeffrey Jarvis’s daughter. The same Jeffrey Jarvis who’d been strangled and assaulted, just like Hina. Their entire family—her roommate’s family—brutally murdered by someone who wasn’t even human.
The Captured Family Rapist. That’s what the media called him. A serial killer who left no witnesses, no human DNA, nothing but pain and devastation. And now, Hina, her brother, and her parents were all gone.
Paige took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. Hina wasn’t just a victim. She was a friend. And Paige had failed her.
