Chapter 2: Buried Secrets, Hungry Hearts

But as soon as I pulled out my phone, the woman grabbed my wrist. Her grip was surprisingly strong, her nails digging into my skin. She wasn’t letting go.

"Please, don’t call the cops. They’ll pin it on me, and his family will ruin me." I could hear the panic in her voice.

She said the guy had taken pills, got too worked up, and just died suddenly. Her voice trembled, but her eyes never left mine. I didn’t buy it.

Listening to her, I was suspicious. Something about the way she said it didn’t sit right with me. I’d heard stories, but this was something else.

I’ve seen people die from overexcitement before. They usually clutch their chest, faces twisted in pain.

I’d never seen someone die with a smile like that. It was unnatural—like he’d gone out in the middle of a dream. It creeped me out.

And the lower half of him still like that after death—what kind of meds do that?

Looking at her desperate face, I sighed. She looked like she was on the edge of breaking. I almost felt sorry for her.

"I can’t help you. He died in my truck. If I don’t call the cops, I’ll get in way more trouble." I couldn’t risk it.

Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes. They spilled over, leaving glistening tracks down her cheeks. She was desperate.

She dropped to her knees, hugging my leg tight, her voice choked but oddly alluring. Her breath was hot against my skin, and I felt a shiver run through me.

"His phone’s been off the whole time—he was scared his wife would check. And since we got in, we’ve only gone through roads with no cameras. Even if we dump him somewhere, no one will ever know. Besides, what you do isn’t exactly legal either. If you call the cops, you’ll get dragged in too. After this, nobody’ll trust you again." She knew exactly what to say.

Seeing me silent for a long while, she stood up, her curves pressing against me, her breath hot at my ear. The air between us felt charged, heavy with unspoken things. I could barely breathe.

"This stays between us. Help me, and you’re helping yourself. If you agree, I’ll do anything you want..."

Feeling her body heat, I swallowed hard and nodded, jaw clenched. I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. I didn’t trust myself.

I let her ride shotgun and started the truck. She slid in beside me, her perfume filling the cab, her eyes never leaving mine. It made my skin crawl, in a good way.

I know these backroads like the back of my hand. I know every place nobody goes. Every pothole, every hidden turn—it’s my world.

Finally, I stopped by an old pond out past the abandoned sawmill. The place had a reputation—kids used to dare each other to swim there, but nobody did anymore. Nobody’s gone near it in years.

Tie the man’s body to a cinder block and toss him in—the snapping turtles would take care of the rest. It was a grim solution, but it was all I had. No turning back now.

I pulled on gloves, ready to haul the body out. My hands shook, but I forced myself to keep moving. Had to get it done.

But the moment I touched him, I froze. The skin was cold, almost rubbery. Something was wrong.

He was all flab, his gut twice the size of mine, must’ve weighed over four hundred pounds. But when I dragged him out, he felt light—maybe half that. It didn’t make sense. Something was wrong.

It was weird as hell. Like he was just a shell, emptied out somehow.

He felt like one of those inflatable Santas—huge outside, but hollow inside. I almost expected him to crinkle when I pressed down. But he didn’t.

Time was tight, so I shoved aside my doubts. I told myself it didn’t matter. I just needed to get this done. No time for questions.

I quickly tied a big stone to the man’s body and rolled him into the pond. The splash echoed through the trees, startling a flock of crows into flight. They scattered, black shapes against the sky.

With a bubbling sound, the body slowly sank into the murky green water. The ripples faded, and then there was only silence. Like nothing ever happened.

I wiped sweat from my brow and let out a heavy sigh. My shirt stuck to my back, damp and clammy. I needed a drink.

The woman came over, staring at the water with a complicated look. Her eyes were unreadable, like she was weighing something in her mind. I couldn’t read her.

"You really know how to pick a spot. No one normal would ever find this place. If it were me, I wouldn’t have thought to weigh him down." That’s the point.

I explained, a little proud. I couldn’t help it—this was the one part of my life I actually understood. At least I was good at something.

"If you don’t, the body floats up fast. That’d be a nightmare..." Didn’t want to think about it.

At that, I clamped my mouth shut. Realized maybe I’d said too much. Better shut up.

She took out a napkin and gently wiped the sweat from my face. Her touch was soft, almost tender. It caught me off guard.

"Tired, huh? Don’t worry, it’s all over now. From now on, I’m yours..."

I looked down and caught a glimpse of her pale skin. My mind blanked. For a second, all the fear and worry faded away. I didn’t want it to end.

I scooped her up and rushed into the trailer in a few steps. The door slammed behind us, shutting out the world. Just me and her.

Afterwards, she curled up in my arms, lazy and soft, and started telling her story. Her voice was low, almost hypnotic. I hung on every word.

Her name was Lila Monroe, an orphan. The name suited her—old-fashioned, a little tragic.

No parents, no family, no education or skills—she’d been lured into this work by others. Her words painted a picture of drifting, of never really belonging anywhere. It sounded lonely.

She’d finally found a wealthy client, but things had gone sideways again. She shrugged, as if this was just another bump in a long, bumpy road. She was used to it.

At that, Lila laughed bitterly at herself. The sound was sharp, brittle. It hurt to hear.

"In this life, I just can’t seem to hold onto anything." I knew that feeling.

Something in me cracked. I blurted out: Didn’t even think.

"Don’t do this anymore. Come with me. I’ll take care of you."

Lila wrapped her arms around my neck, giggling. Her laughter was light, but there was a challenge in her eyes. She liked to play.