Forever Watching

Chapter 9: Buried Secrets

Will Moore gripped the steering wheel tightly as the car sped down the highway, the city lights fading into the distance. Elena sat beside him, her head resting against the window, lost in thought. She had no idea what had happened last night—what Will had done to protect her.

He glanced at her, the soft glow of passing streetlights illuminating her face. She looked peaceful, safe. That's all he had ever wanted—for her to feel safe.

But as the road stretched ahead, his mind kept drifting back to the alley. To the man's final words.

"You'll do to me what you did to May."

Will's grip on the wheel tightened. How had the stranger known about May? Had someone found out what really happened to her? He had been so careful, erasing every trace of that night.

But now it felt like the past was clawing its way back.

---

They arrived at the cabin just before midnight. It was secluded, surrounded by dense woods and far from prying eyes—exactly what Will needed.

Elena stretched and smiled as she stepped inside. "This is perfect," she said. "Thank you for this."

Will smiled, but his mind was elsewhere.

"I'll bring in the bags," he said.

As Elena wandered through the cabin, Will opened the trunk and stared at the suitcase beside their luggage. It was heavier than before. He had made sure of that.

The man's body was still inside, wrapped in plastic and hidden beneath layers of clothing. He had driven all night to bury him in the woods outside the city, but he had run out of time. Now the body was here, and he needed to finish the job before Elena noticed anything.

"Will?"

He snapped his head up, quickly closing the trunk.

"Yeah?"

"Are you coming inside?"

"Be right there."

---

Later that night, after Elena fell asleep, Will slipped outside with the suitcase. The forest was pitch black, but he knew what he had to do.

He dragged the suitcase deep into the woods, every step echoing in his ears. The weight slowed him down, but he pushed forward, fueled by the need to make this problem disappear.

When he reached a clearing, he dropped the suitcase and started digging. The cold earth was heavy, but he didn't stop—not until the hole was deep enough.

He lowered the suitcase in, covering it quickly and tamping down the dirt until it looked untouched.

It was done.

Will stood there for a long moment, catching his breath. No one would ever find him. No one would ever know.

---

When Will returned to the cabin, Elena was awake, sitting on the couch with her arms wrapped around herself.

"Where did you go?" she asked.

Will froze. "I just needed some air."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You're acting strange."

He forced a laugh. "Strange how?"

She hesitated, then shook her head. "Never mind. I think I'm just tired."

Will sat beside her, taking her hands in his. "It's been a rough few days. But we're here now. No one can bother us."

She relaxed a little, leaning into him. "I hope so. I just want to feel normal again."

"You will," Will promised. "I'll make sure of it."

But even as he said the words, doubt crept in. The stranger had found him somehow.

And if one person knew the truth, others could too.

Will looked down at Elena, brushing her hair back gently.

No matter what it took, he wouldn't lose her.

Even if it meant burying every secret—and every threat—one by one.