Evil Within

CHAPTER 32

Carla’s phone buzzed with no response yet again. She stared at the screen, her worry deepening. Luna wasn’t usually this unresponsive, especially when things in the town were so tense. After babysitting, Carla grabbed her coat and headed straight for Luna’s house. As she left, she quickly informed her mother of her plans.

“What did I tell you about this?” her mother snapped on the other end. “Why can’t you just stay out of this mess, Carla? I don’t want you getting involved!”

“I’m not involved, Mom. I’m just checking on a friend,” Carla replied, trying to keep her tone calm.

“Your ‘friend’ is going to drag you into trouble!” her mother fumed. “You listen to me—come back home right now. I don’t want you out there—”

“I have to go, Mom. Bye.” Carla ended the call before her mother could say more, guilt pooling in her stomach. But she couldn’t sit back and do nothing.

When she reached Luna’s house, the sun was setting, and the cold evening breeze nipped at her skin. She sat on the patio, waiting, shivering slightly. Her eyes scanned the quiet street, her nerves on edge. The curfew had already started to take effect, and there was an eerie stillness in the air.

The sound of approaching footsteps made Carla look up. She let out a relieved sigh as Luna came into view, walking briskly up the pathway.

“Carla?” Luna called out, her tone a mix of surprise and concern. “What are you doing here? It’s not safe to be out, especially this late!”

Carla stood, crossing her arms as she faced her friend. “I’ve been calling you all day! Why haven’t you picked up? Do you know how worried I was?”

“I’m sorry,” Luna said, unlocking the door and gesturing for Carla to come inside. “I’ve just been… busy. But you shouldn’t have come here, Carla. It’s dangerous out there. What if the killer saw you?”

Carla’s lips tightened, but she didn’t argue. She followed Luna inside, the warmth of the house a welcome contrast to the biting cold outside.

“Sit down,” Luna said, motioning toward the living room. “I’ll make us some coffee.”

Carla nodded and sat on the couch, her gaze wandering around the familiar space. The house was neat but felt empty, as if Luna had been spending more time outside than in.

Luna returned with two steaming mugs, handing one to Carla before taking a seat across from her. “So, what’s going on?” she asked, trying to sound casual but unable to hide the concern in her voice.

Carla took a sip of her coffee, savoring its warmth before speaking. “I should be asking you that. Lucas came to see me earlier.”

Luna’s expression stiffened. “Lucas? Why?”

“He’s worried about you. He thinks you’re doing something reckless and wanted me to talk some sense into you.”

Luna let out a humorless laugh. “Of course he did. Lucas has always thought he knows what’s best for me.”

Carla hesitated, unsure how to broach the subject. “Luna… he’s not wrong to be worried. Things are getting really bad out there. Did you see the news about the cop?”

Luna nodded, her expression darkening. “I did. It’s horrible. But I’m being careful, Carla. I promise.”

“Are you?” Carla pressed. “Because from what Lucas said, it sounds like you’re getting involved in something way over your head.”

“I don’t want to talk about Lucas,” Luna said firmly. “He doesn’t understand, and he never will.”

Carla sighed, setting her mug down. “Fine. But you need to be honest with me, Luna. What’s going on? Why are you working with the police?”

Luna’s eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked like she might deny it. But then she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “It’s complicated, Carla. I can’t tell you everything. But I need you to trust me. I’m trying to do the right thing.”

Carla shook her head. “I don’t know, Luna. This whole thing feels wrong. What if something happens to you? I don’t think I can handle losing you too.”

Luna reached across the table, placing a hand on Carla’s. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, Carla. I promise. I’m being careful. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think I could handle it.”

Carla’s eyes searched Luna’s face, looking for any sign of doubt. “You’d better not break that promise,” she said softly.

Luna nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I won’t. Now finish your coffee. It’s getting cold.”

Carla stepped into her house, her breath still visible in the cold night air as she shut the door behind her. The warmth of the living room was immediate, but it did little to ease the chill she felt knowing her mother would be waiting.

“Carla Anne!” her mother’s voice rang out sharply from the kitchen.

Carla winced at the full use of her name and made her way toward the sound. Her mother stood by the sink, her arms crossed and a look of anger etched on her face.

“Where were you?” she demanded, her tone clipped.

“I went to see Luna,” Carla said, trying to sound nonchalant as she hung her coat by the door.

Her mother’s expression darkened. “I thought I made it clear—I don’t want you hanging around that girl anymore!”

Carla turned, her own irritation rising. “And why not? Luna’s my best friend! You’ve never had a problem with her before, so what’s changed?”

“What’s changed?” her mother repeated, incredulous. “Lucas Bancroft, that’s what! Do you know what he did the other day?”

Carla froze, her mind racing. “What are you talking about?”

Her mother stepped closer, jabbing a finger in Carla’s direction. “He came here again, Carla. Just like before. Rude as anything, demanding to see you like he owns the place. And when I told him you weren’t here, he stormed off like a spoiled brat!”

Carla frowned, confused. “Lucas came here? Why?”

“Why do you think?” her mother shot back. “That family is nothing but trouble, Carla. I don’t want you getting mixed up in whatever mess they’re in. Do you understand me?”

Carla clenched her fists, trying to keep her voice steady. “Lucas isn’t Luna. She’s not responsible for his actions. And she’s my friend. You can’t just tell me to stop seeing her because her brother has issues.”

Her mother’s gaze softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. “I’m saying this because I care about you. That girl is dragging you into something dangerous. I can feel it. And with everything going on in this town, the last thing I want is for you to get hurt.”

Carla looked away, guilt and frustration warring within her. “I’m not involved in anything,” she said quietly, her tone lacking conviction.

Her mother stepped closer, placing a hand on Carla’s arm. “Promise me, Carla. Promise me you’ll stay out of whatever they’re doing. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”

Carla hesitated, then forced a smile. “I promise, Mom. I’ll stay out of it.”

Her mother’s shoulders relaxed, and she gave Carla a small, relieved smile. “Good. Now, come sit down. Dinner’s getting cold.”

Carla nodded, but as she followed her mother to the table, her thoughts were far from the meal in front of her. She knew the promise she’d just made wasn’t one she could keep.

Carla tossed the garbage bag into the bin outside her house, but as she turned to head back inside, a cold shiver ran down her spine. It wasn’t the biting chill of the winter air—it was something far deeper, a creeping sense of being watched, of being followed.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she froze, eyes darting around the darkened yard. The streetlights cast long shadows, but there was no one in sight. Still, the feeling gnawed at her, that unmistakable sensation of eyes on her, lurking in the darkness.

With quickened breaths, Carla hurried back toward the door, the sound of her own footsteps suddenly deafening in the still night air. She reached the front door and slammed it shut behind her, her hands shaking as she turned the lock. The click of the bolt felt like a heavy sigh of relief, but even as she leaned against the door, the unease in her gut remained.

She stood there for a moment, eyes scanning the windows, making sure every one was tightly shut. Everything felt off, as if the world had shifted just a little too far to one side. The fear gnawed at her again, a constant, nagging feeling that something wasn’t right.

She didn’t want to believe it, but the reality hit her hard: Luna was right in the middle of something dangerous. And now, somehow, she was feeling the ripple of it.

Carla shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She didn’t want to get pulled into this—she had promised her mother she wouldn’t—but deep down, she knew she couldn’t just sit by and let Luna face the danger alone.

With a resigned sigh, Carla moved away from the door, her heart heavy with the weight of what was coming next.