Wyatt snuggled up beside Lani on the couch, clutching his stuffed Chase dog as he snored softly. Audrey lay sprawled out on the other side of her. Paw Patrol played on the television, but Wyatt was already swept away into dreamland. It was insane how big he’d already gotten. Already three-years-old. The time really flew by.

Lani remembered the day Casey told them that Veronica was pregnant like it was yesterday. He’d been worried to death and asking Mom all kinds of questions. Nobody could’ve predicted what Veronica would do. How she stayed clean throughout her pregnancy, Lani would never know, but she wished she’d remained that way.

The lure of her precious drug pulled her back into that horrid lifestyle. Her family wasn’t enough to keep her away.

Despite how Lani felt about Veronica, she understood her desire to fight for Wyatt. Hell, even Lani would fight tooth and nail for this sweet boy. She couldn’t imagine how his mother must feel, locked behind bars and separated from the people who she loved most. But Veronica put herself there. She killed an innocent person. She almost killed Wyatt and herself.

A glance at the digital clock told her it wouldn’t be long before the guys got home from the bakery. Lani smiled down at Wyatt as she carefully reached over for the remote, flicking through the channels before pausing on the news.

The anchor woman broadcast the death of Dorothy Caldwell, who was poisoned by an apple pie she bought at local bakery, Mad Batter.

Lani stifled her gasp, covering her mouth so she didn’t wake Wyatt. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice. Who released that information to the news? She thought it was merely a rumor circulating online, so did the police actually state that as proof? She glanced over at Audrey, who continued listening to the anchorwoman detail the case further.

“This is really bad,” Lani whispered. With a trembling hand, she hurriedly typed out a message to her dad about the news. Did he already know?

The thought of their customers coming in to berate them and accuse them of murder made Lani sick to her stomach. Regret formed knots in her chest. She should’ve been nicer to that cranky old woman and gave her a free apple fritter herself.

Did they really consider her and her family as suspects now? How did they confirm the pie came from their bakery? Lani never even sold a freaking pie to anyone that day! Maybe they could provide evidence of their inventory somehow, but she doubted they’d believe it, assuming they tampered with it to save her ass.

The only thing that stymied her was how an apple pie killed her. It wasn’t like they’d mix up an apple pie with an apple fritter, right? Lani suspected someone else bought the pie, then gave it to her after adding the poison themselves.

Yet, even though Lani racked her mind around it, she couldn’t figure out the connection to Mad Batter. Lani never noticed anyone recording that altercation, but maybe she wasn’t paying close enough attention. If so, she hadn’t seen anyone release any videos of it yet. What if it came from another bakery? Why were the cops so adamant about Mad Batter’s involvement?

An argument with the woman shouldn’t have raised suspicions that high. They had to have more evidence, but what? Hell, Lani would willingly go down to examine the poisoned pie in question to verify if it was hers.

“It’ll be okay. We’ll figure this out.” Audrey embraced her, gently pulling back to tuck Lani’s hair behind her ears. “I know it’s not looking good right now, but the cops need foolproof evidence to make an arrest. They’ll know you and your family didn’t poison that woman.”

“What if they don’t?” Lani asked, voice cracking.

“They will. You didn’t poison that woman. I’m sure she ticked off other people and one of them must’ve had enough of it,” Audrey replied.

Lani’s phone buzzed against her leg. Dad’s messages popped up one at a time.

I know honey.

Cops came by the bakery.

We even let them check the kitchen.

They found nothing.

Lani gulped, heart pounding in her chest as she reread his texts. They searched their bakery? Did that mean they had enough evidence for a warrant?

We’ll be late coming home. Everything okay there?

Lani sent him a message back, ensuring they were fine. Wyatt already fell asleep. However, the next message that came up sent goosebumps across her skin.

Don’t open the door for anyone. No cops. Nobody.

What the hell happened? Lani bit down on the inside of her cheek, and her worries surmounted as she gazed down at little Wyatt curled up fast asleep beside her. Old memories resurfaced of the day he was kidnapped by the Black Vipers gang. They couldn’t trust anyone, but did that mean the Black Vipers were up to their old tricks? After a year of silence?

Even now, she hated herself for not getting Wyatt to safety back then. They could have taken her with them, but they didn’t. Which she knew she ought to be grateful for, but sometimes, she wished they’d taken her instead. Wyatt didn’t deserve all those nightmares of scary men taking him away from his family.

“Something wrong?” Audrey asked, nudging her shoulder. “Did your dad know about the news?”

“Yeah, he knew,” Lani choked out, holding her phone up to show the messages.

Audrey frowned. “Is he just being paranoid? Or, do you think the cops really are suspecting y’all?”

“I don’t know.” Lani shook her head. “I can’t believe this is happening to us again.”

Her thoughts and worries jumbled together in her mind like a sloppy pot of stew. Why did everything always go wrong? Were they cursed?

Later that night, when Casey picked up Wyatt, he barely said a word to her. Despite how Lani pried for information, he wouldn’t budge and only offered a shrug, like he had no idea what happened. Even her father refused to acknowledge the issues that would arise from the news portraying Mad Batter as a murderous bakery that poisons their customers.

With how they behaved, Lani considered the Voiceless Rebels’ involvement. Maybe that jackass Emmett had something to do with Dorothy’s murder. They always avoided talking about them when Lani was around, knowing full well how she despised the gang and wished Casey never made that agreement with them.

“Why won’t they talk about it? Shouldn’t we make plans in case the police keep their suspicions on us?” Lani asked, turning to Audrey as if she’d have all the answers.

“I don’t know. Maybe they don’t want to worry you?” Audrey suggested. “Or for Wyatt’s sake. I’m sure Casey doesn’t want him hearing about murders.”

“But Casey and Wyatt left already,” Lani pointed out. “Why won’t Dad talk to me? Does he not trust me enough or is he still treating me like a kid? I want to help. If the police suspect me, then he needs to be honest. He can’t just hide that.”

“Only he can tell you.” Audrey shrugged. “I think your dad’s just trying to protect y’all. He’s probably scared of repeating last year’s mayhem.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.” Lani sighed.

“I get why you’re frustrated. Anyone would be.” Audrey rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “If you need anything, I’m always here. I can stay the night again if you want.”

“Promise?” Lani whispered.

Audrey smiled. “Of course.”

Lani threw her arms around Audrey, sinking into her warm embrace. She smelled like jasmine and peach. Before heading to their room, Audrey gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. If only things could stay like this. Peaceful and warm. No murders. No paranoia of cops or criminals coming after them.

Why did everything always crumble around Lani?

                                                                                         🥧

Dappled sun shone through the trees, twisting all kinds of shadows along the pavement. Lani rubbed at her bleary eyes as she focused driving on the road ahead of her. Dilapidated homes passed by, but it was dead that evening. Audrey fiddled with the radio beside her, finally settling on a song.

It was the first time in a long time since they had the weekend off together. Audrey suggested they should do something fun and go out on a date together. With the windows cranked down, crisp fall breeze whipping her ponytail, Lani let her worries float away. Even if it was only temporary.

By the time they reached the drive-in movie on the outskirts of New Syracuse, darkness blanketed the sky. After they paid for their tickets, she found a nice spot to park her truck. Pillows and blankets covered the entire back, giving them enough room to cozily nestle down. With there still being quite a few minutes before the movie started, Lani suggested they grab some snacks from the concession stand.

“Don’t worry, it’s my treat tonight.” Audrey grinned as they reached the line. “Order whatever you want.”

Lani dipped her head, squinting to make out the small print on the menu. “Jeez, they’re expensive. Are you sure? I can pay half.”

“Nope, I’ve got it.” Audrey replied.

Once they reached the concession, a perky young teenage boy greeted them. Audrey ordered them a large popcorn with extra butter, two sodas, and a pack of peanut M&M’s. The total was more frightening than the movie’s premise, Lani cringed. But she understood that their prices kept them open. There weren’t many drive-in movie theaters left, and she’d hate to see New Syracuse’s fade off the map.

Stars twinkled above them in the pitch black sky as they crossed the lot full of vehicles. Lani climbed up into the bed of her truck first, settling down in the middle while Aubrey clambered over beside her with their snacks.

A gentle breeze nipped at her skin, so she grabbed a blanket, wrapping it around their shoulders. Warmth filled Lani’s chest as Audrey leaned over for a quick kiss on the lips, then stuffed a handful of buttery popcorn in her mouth. Lani was glad she grabbed extra napkins.

When the movie rolled the clips, Lani snuggled up beside Audrey. Her girlfriend was such a huge horror buff, and loved all things creepy and gory. However, Lani didn’t like the jumpscares or gruesome murder scenes. Audrey didn’t tease her when she cowered behind her or buried her face against her sweater.

Echos of a chainsaw and guttural screams pierced her ears as Lani closed her eyes, waiting for the horror to pass. She peeked up at Audrey, who munched on her popcorn while watching the scene. How could she be so calm?

“You okay?” Audrey asked softly, wiping her hand with some napkins before touching her arm.

“Pshh, of course.” Lani’s voice croaked. “This isn’t even scary.”

Lani glanced at the movie screen to prove her point, regret settling in when the masked murderer popped out to attack some frightened teenagers. She yelped, scarlet dotting her cheeks as Audrey pulled her close.

“Don’t you worry,” she whispered in her ear. “I’ll keep you safe from any chainsaw-wielding murderers.”

“Oh yeah?” Lani sunk into her comforting embrace, grinning.

As the movie played on, Lani’s heartbeat settled into a steady rhythm. Despite the horrors on the screen, she convinced herself not to cower from them again. With Audrey by her side, she didn’t need to be afraid anymore. Okay, maybe she hid a couple of times when the killer slaughtered his victims, but she tried her best.

When the movie ended, everyone prepared to head out. Lani climbed out of the bed of her truck first, offering her hand for Audrey to ease herself down on the pavement. They tossed their trash away while vehicles around them sped out of the lot like bats out of hell.

It took a moment for Lani to leave the theater parking space, but once she hit the main road, she headed back toward town. Lani smiled as she drove. It had been a long time since she’d had that much fun, and it was relaxing to get away for a while.

The scary movie paled in comparison to the horrors blowing into New Syracuse. Bright headlights behind them blinded Lani, but when the asshole didn’t drive past them, dread filled her chest. She gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles whitened, biting the inside of her lip until a metallic tang filled her mouth.

Audrey hadn’t seemed to notice. Lani didn’t want to trouble her or let her imagination roam wild with ridiculous theories, but when the truck behind them tapped her bumper, she knew what was going on.

“What the hell?” Audrey turned her head back, flipping the person off. “Go around, dickhead.”

Sweat gathered on Lani’s brow as she sped up, keeping an incessant glance in the rearview mirror. Her heartbeat hammered in her chest. Dammit, why did things always go wrong? Who would follow them? Were the gangs involved again? It wasn’t just some asshole flashing their fancy bright lights.

The driver wanted to run them off the road.