When Truth Surface (Book #2 of "When Secrets Surface")

Chapter 24

Sophie's POV

I have spent a whole hour trying to fall asleep and I've tried everything and nothing seems to work.

I opened my drawer and pulled out my headache pills.

I remember Dad's words exactly.

Only take two.

But my mind keeps racing with threats, Bella pushing me, the incident with Mr Brian and Theo and Naylene.

I just want to fall asleep.

I took 2.

Maybe it will knock me out.

Maybe it will.

Yes, it will.

                             ***

The clock ticked relentlessly, each second stretching into eternity. I stared at the ceiling, shadows dancing in the dim light from the streetlamp outside. The hum of the city seeped through my window, a reminder that life continued while I lay tangled in my thoughts.

"Ugh," I muttered, tossing the blanket aside. Sleep had become an elusive ghost, slipping through my fingers night after night. In an attempt to silence my restless mind, I'd taken an extra dose of X-HA.

It hadn't worked. I felt wired, my heart racing as if trying to escape the confines of my chest.

With a grunt, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the cold floor sending a shiver up my spine. I needed to get out of my head... at least for a moment. I grabbed my phone, hoping for a distraction, but the screen only brought back memories of the threats I'd been receiving. The last message lingered in my mind: "You'll regret digging too deep."

I shoved the phone under my pillow and rubbed my eyes. I couldn't go on like this. I needed to find answers, but first, I needed to talk to Dorothy.

I knocked on her bedroom door.

"Who's there?" Her voice came through the door, half-muffled and laced with sleep.

"It's me, Sophie."

The door creaked open, revealing her disheveled hair and sleepy eyes.

"Did you really have to bother me at this hour?" she asked, smirking. "Are you trying to ruin my beauty sleep?"

"I need your help. It's urgent," I said, stepping inside.

Dorothy raised an eyebrow, glancing at the clock. "It's two in the morning, Sophie. What's so urgent?"

"I can't sleep. I took too much X-HA, and I think I'm losing my mind."

"Great, just what we need-a paranoid, sleepless detective." She laughed, but her expression softened as she led me to the kitchen. "Coffee?"

"You know I can't drink coffee." I collapsed into a chair, burying my face in my hands. "I can't shake this feeling... like something terrible is about to happen."

"Maybe you should sleep it off." She poured a steaming cup of tea, placing it in front of me. "You're just overthinking everything again."

"Maybe. But it's not just that. I've been thinking about Naylene."

Dorothy leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "What about her? She's been looking for Ash, hasn't she?"

I shook my head, taking a sip of the hot brew. "No, it's not Ash. She's looking for Lil Ash."

"Who?"

"Lil Ash-the son of that serial killer. He helped his dad." The realization hit me hard, like a punch to the gut.