Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

I slumped back in my chair, watching Dexter with the same detached amusement one might observe a play.

Hadn’t he always sided with Melody over me? Now that the evidence was right in front of his face, I was curious to see what kind of excuses he could possibly conjure up.

As the recording ended, the discomfort was palpable, etched on everyone’s faces.

Robin leaned back, his fingers fidgeting incessantly with a lighter, despite the fact that the conference room was a strict no–smoking zone.

“A life’s been lost, Robin said in a deep, somber tone.

Dexter remained silent. His face betrayed no emotion, yet the tension around him seemed to thicken with every passing second.

knew him well enough to recognize the anger brewing within him–the dangerous kind.

“Dexter, it was you and Melody who killed her. You’re the murderer, both of you,” Stella said, her voice tinged with a weariness that suggested she didn’t even have the energy to argue

anymore.

Dexter’s steely gaze slowly turned towards Robin. “So, what exactly are you implying by bringing this lunatic in? Isn’t he the murderer?”

The spotlight was suddenly on Caleb.

I couldn’t help but want to laugh, though a stabbing pain in my chest reminded me of the gravity of the situation.

Springing to my feet, I fixed Dexter with a look of disgust. “You’re repulsive.”

“The murderer isn’t necessarily him,” Robin interjected, his voice heavy with implication, clearly having already dismissed half the suspicion off Caleb.

Caleb had been silent the whole time.

I had been so focused on observing Dexter’s oppressive mood that I failed to notice Caleb beside me, his own anger simmering to a breaking point, as if he were on the verge of committing murder.

With an icy glance at Dexter, Caleb suddenly stood and lunged at him, his fists raining down on Dexter’s face in a frenzy, as if he truly intended to kill.

I was momentarily stunned, then rushed over to pull Caleb away. “Stop, don’t…”

“Why shouldn’t I? I want to kill him!” Caleb turned to me, Dexter’s blood smeared across his face.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I shakily released my grip on Caleb. “Even if you kill him, will

Phoebe come back?”

Dester sat slumped against the wall, his face a mess of blood, laughing like a madman without even trying to defend himself.

I thought he’d lost his mind. It seemed he was even crazier than Caleb.

“Go on then,” Dexter taunted Caleb. “Hit mel”

He must’ve felt he deserved it.

Caleb, breathing heavily, raised his fist again.

Robin watched the scene impassively, glancing at his watch. “That’s enough. This is a police station.”

He could’ve stopped it from the get–go, but he chose not to. Above the rules, there was still room for human sentiment. Even Robin thought Dexter had it coming. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

A good beating might bring some sense to him. I wondered if he’d ever regret what he’d done to

1. me.

“Dexter, you really deserve to die…” Stella’s voice shook as she spoke. “You and Melody both.”

With that, Stella turned and fled uncontrollably.

I stood there, holding onto Caleb.

Other officers rushed in, momentarily unsure of who to apprehend. “Officer Robin… this

assault…”

“He’s mentally ill, so leave it,” Robin stated flatly before turning to leave.

I clutched Caleb’s hand tightly, whispering, “Colin, let’s go home.”

It was as if my words pulled him back to sanity. He looked at me, tears in his eyes, and stood up, his voice hoarse with remorse. “I’m sorry…”

He was apologizing to me. Head bowed, he cradled my face, repeating his apologies over and

over.

Sorry for what?

I didn’t know.

“It’s okay, let’s go home.” I spoke again.

Dexter watched us with a burning gaze, powerless and seething.