Dark Secrets

Slow burn

The name on the paper burned in Theo’s pocket for the rest of his shift.

He could feel Callum watching him from his booth, sipping his coffee like he had all the time in the world. It was infuriating. Theo didn’t know what was worse—the fact that Callum clearly enjoyed getting under his skin or the fact that he was right. Theo had been chasing shadows, collecting scraps of information with no real direction.

But Callum had a lead. A real one.

And that meant Theo had no choice but to follow.

By the time his shift ended, the city had slipped into evening. Theo changed in the back, rolling his shoulders as he stepped outside, only to find Callum leaning against the brick wall like he’d been waiting.

Of course he had.

“Hope you don’t mind,” Callum said, straightening. “Figured I’d walk with you.”

Theo gave him a flat look. “I mind.”

Callum grinned. “Too bad.”

Theo sighed and started walking, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. The night air was crisp, the streets buzzing with life—neon signs flickering, laughter spilling from bars, the scent of street food mingling with the distant rain. It was the kind of city that made you feel small. Insignificant.

But not Callum. He moved through it like he belonged in the shadows.

Theo glanced at him. “So. This address. What exactly am I walking into?”

Callum’s expression turned unreadable. “An empty apartment. If we’re lucky.”

Theo frowned. “And if we’re not?”

Callum smirked. “Then we improvise.”

Theo huffed. “Fantastic.”

They walked in tense silence, the city stretching around them. Theo wasn’t used to having someone beside him on these kinds of nights. He’d spent so long chasing answers alone, convincing himself he didn’t need anyone.

But Callum…

There was something about him.

Dangerous. Calculated. But also sharp in a way that made Theo want to figure him out.

Not that he’d admit that out loud.

They turned onto a quieter street, the address looming ahead—a small apartment building, old but not abandoned. Theo slowed his steps, scanning the windows. No lights. No movement.

Callum gave him a look. “Still time to turn back.”

Theo snorted. “Not a chance.”

Callum’s smirk was almost approving. “Didn’t think so.”

They slipped inside, the door creaking softly. The hallway was dimly lit, the air thick with dust and something heavier. Theo didn’t like it.

They reached the door of the missing person’s apartment. Callum tested the handle. Locked.

Theo raised a brow. “You don’t happen to have a key, do you?”

Callum pulled a small tool from his pocket and gave Theo a slow grin. “Better.”

Theo stared. “You’re seriously going to pick the lock?”

Callum crouched, already working. “Would you rather knock and hope they answer?”

Theo didn’t dignify that with a response.

Seconds later, the lock clicked. Callum pushed the door open and stepped aside, motioning for Theo to enter first.

Theo rolled his eyes but walked in.

The apartment was dark. Too quiet.

Theo reached for the light switch.

Callum caught his wrist.

Theo’s breath hitched as Callum leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t.”

Theo swallowed. “Why not?”

Callum’s eyes flickered, his grip warm against Theo’s skin. “Because we’re not alone.”

A floorboard creaked in the darkness.

Theo’s pulse spiked.

Then—movement.

Someone else was here.

Got it! Here’s the next part of The Heart of the City:

Theo barely had time to react before Callum pushed him back against the wall, pressing a finger to his lips in a silent warning.

Footsteps. Slow, deliberate. Someone was inside the apartment with them.

Theo’s heart pounded in his chest as Callum tilted his head slightly, listening. The air felt heavy, thick with something unspoken. Then, in a barely-there whisper, Callum murmured, “Stay close.”

Theo didn’t need to be told twice.

Callum moved first, stepping lightly as he eased toward the narrow hallway leading into the apartment. Theo followed, every nerve in his body on edge. The apartment wasn’t big—just a living room, a small kitchen, and a bedroom beyond that. But in the dim light filtering in through the curtains, shadows stretched long and uncertain.

Then—another sound. A sharp inhale.

Whoever was here… they were close.

Callum’s fingers brushed Theo’s arm, and then he moved. Fast.

Theo barely caught the blur of motion as Callum lunged, grabbing someone and slamming them against the wall. A strangled gasp echoed through the apartment. Theo caught a glimpse of a figure—a hooded sweatshirt, wide eyes, a face that was young, too young.

Callum had the intruder pinned before they could even think about running.

“Who the hell are you?” Callum growled.

The person squirmed, their breath coming fast and panicked. “I—please—I wasn’t—I thought you were—”

Theo stepped closer, taking in the way the guy’s hands trembled, the way his chest heaved like he’d just run a mile. Whoever he was, he wasn’t a professional. He was scared.

Theo put a hand on Callum’s shoulder. “Let him go.”

Callum didn’t move. His grip was tight, his body tense. For a second, Theo thought he might ignore him.

Then, with a sharp exhale, Callum released the guy and stepped back.

The guy sagged against the wall, clutching his side. He looked between them, still wary, like he wasn’t sure if they were the real danger here.

Theo softened his voice. “Who are you?”

The guy swallowed hard. “Elliot.” He hesitated, then added, “I— I knew the guy who lived here.”

Theo’s stomach twisted. “The missing person?”

Elliot gave a shaky nod. “Jesse. He—he was my friend.” His voice cracked slightly. “I was looking for something. Anything. He wouldn’t have just disappeared.”

Theo exchanged a glance with Callum. This wasn’t just some random break-in.

Elliot was searching for the same answers they were.

Callum crossed his arms, watching Elliot carefully. “What exactly were you hoping to find?”

Elliot hesitated, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He held it out to Theo, his hands still trembling.

Theo took it and unfolded it.

It was a list of names. Names of people who had gone missing.

Jesse’s name was at the bottom.

And right above it—

Theo’s breath hitched. His own name was there.

Scrawled in ink.

Like a warning.

His blood turned to ice.

Someone out there had already marked him as next.

Got it! Here’s the next part of The Heart of the City:

Theo’s fingers tightened around the paper. His own name, written there alongside the others—it didn’t feel real.

But the cold sinking into his bones told him it was.

Callum stepped closer, glancing over Theo’s shoulder. His expression barely changed, but Theo caught the flicker of something dangerous in his eyes. His whole body had gone still, like a predator locking onto its prey.

“Where did you get this?” Callum asked, voice sharp.

Elliot swallowed hard. “Jesse left it for me.” He hesitated. “Kind of. He—he was scared before he disappeared. Kept saying something was wrong, that he was being watched. Then one day, I found this tucked in his locker at work. No note. Just the list.”

Theo could barely hear him over the rush of blood in his ears.

His name was on a list of missing people.

Which meant someone expected him to disappear, too.

Callum reached out, took the paper from Theo’s hands, and folded it neatly. “We’re leaving.”

Theo blinked. “Excuse me?”

Callum turned to Elliot. “You too.”

Elliot shrank back slightly. “What? No—no, I can’t—”

“You don’t have a choice,” Callum said flatly. “If you have this, then you’re already on their radar. If you want to stay alive, you’re coming with us.”

Elliot looked between them, clearly unsure. “Who even are you two?”

Theo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Just… people trying to figure out what’s going on. Same as you.”

Elliot’s throat bobbed. His hands were still shaking.

Theo softened. “Look, I get it. This is a lot. But if Jesse left you this, he trusted you to do something with it. So let’s do something.”

Elliot hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Callum wasted no time. He moved to the door, checking the hallway before motioning them forward. “Let’s go.”

They slipped out of the apartment, making their way back onto the street. The city still buzzed with life, oblivious to the fact that something dark was threading its way through its veins.

Theo walked in silence, his mind racing.

Someone had put him on that list. Someone thought he was next.

And Callum—

Theo glanced at him. He still didn’t know why Callum was helping him. If it was about the mystery, or if there was something more.

Callum caught him staring. “What?”

Theo shook his head. “Nothing.”

But it wasn’t nothing.

Because for the first time since he started looking for answers, Theo wasn’t alone.

And that scared him more than anything.