Fanatic ⇒ Only Murders In The Building

05 → The Tell

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'The Tell'
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Callum paced the floor of his flat waiting for his sister's call. Had his mother successfully got a retrial this time? Is that what he wanted?

"You're going to make a hole in your floor," Marcus commented from the Brit's sofa, as he tried to hide the fact that he was also a little nervous for the news.

"Funny," Callum replied monotonously but stopped pacing. "God, she's really taking her time. Could have easily sent me a text," he stated as he kept his eyes on the phone.

Ping!

The notification sound almost made the Brit drop his phone which caused Marcus to laugh. Callum glared at him in response.

"Sorry, sorry," his boyfriend apologised with a grin and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Is it your sister?"

Callum opened the notification.

C.Davies

Are we still on for 11?

Yeah, still good

"It was my uncle," Callum lied, closed Instagram and gifted Marcus a smile.

It looked like Marcus was about to say something but he was cut off by the ringing of Callum's phone.

"Finally. Took your time," Callum stated as he put the call on speaker, sitting on the couch beside Marcus.

"Sorry," she playfully mocked. "I got the timezones mixed up again," Izzy admitted.

"I'll forgive you this time. You're on speaker by the way, Marcus's here," Callum informed which received a dramatic gasp from his sister.

"Hello," Marcus announced his presence with a laugh.

"Oh my god, he sounds so American," Izzy commented and caused Callum to snort a laugh.

"I wonder why," he dryly replied before remembering what the call was about. "So...mam?"

"She got it Cal. She's getting a retrial," Izzy told her brother in a more serious tone.

Callum took a deep breath as a weight slipped off his chest. Despite his mixed feelings, the current news was good which allowed a smile on his face.

"Okay. That's good, that's good," Callum replied, a small smile on his face which his tone reflected. Marcus squeezed his shoulder in support.

"Really? You...I don't mean to sound rude but you actually believe her now?" Her tone was soft, not attacking him.

Despite this, he felt the words stab into him. Guilt growing in his gut. "I..."

"No, forget it, I'm sorry. That sounded so b*tchy."

"No, no, it's not that!" Callum quickly replied to reassure his sister. "I just... I guess I was always on the fence. But everyone had such strong opinions that my opinion felt wrong so I kinda distanced myself from it. The police really got under my skin at first but everything seemed so logical. But then mam started calling and explained her side. It also made sense. I'm just..." Callum paused, both Izzy and Marcus remained silent. "I'm just scared," he admitted. Saying those words aloud that had been trapped for years felt good.

Izzy's lack of response suggested that she didn't expect that response from him. "You're...why didn't you tell me? I thought you just didn't care."

"Oh, um..." Those words cut deep. Callum leaned into Marcus who wrapped his arms around his boyfriend in silent support. It was their conversation to have but if Callum wanted him there then he would be there. "I wanted to be strong for you...then it kinda stuck on me. Wanted to stop thinking with my heart for once that I stopped thinking completely I guess."