Wistful Whispers by Dani Elias

Author:Dani Elias [Elias, Dani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Hannah

Jake’s face is pale as he tells me and Ols what happened. His words come out in a low, tense voice, and I can see fear and fury written all over him. He keeps running a hand through his hair, messing it up even more than usual.

My brother paces the room, his jaw tight and his arms crossed. Normally he’s the calm one, the steady anchor when things go wrong. But now his movements are sharp and frantic as if he’s barely holding it together.

“So we’re just supposed to wait?” he snaps, spinning around to face Jake. “The police put a car outside and that’s it? We sit here hoping this lunatic doesn’t come near her?”

“Ols,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, but he doesn’t let me finish.

“No, Hannah. Come on! You’re pregnant. If the police won’t do more we need to.”

Jake steps forward with his hands raised as if he’s trying to calm a cornered animal. “I get it, Oliver. Believe me, I do. But they told me not to engage with Grant. They said it could make things worse.”

Ols lets out a harsh laugh, shaking his head. “Worse? How much worse can it get? He’s already threatening her. Do you think I’m just going to stand here and hope he doesn’t follow through?”

“Ols,” I say again, more firmly this time, stepping between him and Jake. “Look at me.”

He stops pacing, turning to face me with fire blazing in his eyes.

“I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. But we can’t just go charging in without a plan. We have to trust the police to handle this.”

“Trust the police?” Oliver’s voice rises, and I can hear the frustration in it. “That’s your plan? Sit back and hope they catch him before he does anything?”

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “What’s your plan, then? Are you going to confront him yourself? Do you want Jake to face off with him? Get into a fight and end up hurt—or worse? How does that help anyone?”

His shoulders sag slightly but the fire in his eyes doesn’t dim. “I just… I can’t do nothing. You’re my baby sister and that’s my niece.”

Hearing the crack in his voice feels like a punch to the gut. I reach out and take his hand, squeezing it tightly. “You’re not going to lose us Oliver. We’ll be careful. We’ll all stick together. But we’re not playing hero. That’s not how we protect each other.”

Oliver looks like he wants to argue but after a moment he gives a small, reluctant nod.

I know I should be falling apart. I should be the one full of fear. Of course I’m scared but I trust the police’s instructions. I have to because there’s no alternative.

Jake, who has been standing stiffly by the counter, shifts uncomfortably. “Maybe I should go… I should just leave Fellside,” he says, his voice hesitant.

“What?” I whip around to face him, the word coming out sharper than I intended.

He raises his hands, almost defensively. “Just hear me out.

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