Lost and Found (Twist of Fate #1)(94)

I go to the shore in the sunshine.

Happy, easy, free.

Having forgotten the truth.

That when my toes reach the edge -

Clouds will hover.

Harsh wind will sting.

He will bite.

Black depths.

The fear returns-

Reminding me.

The haunting words rattled me to the core and before I even realized what I was doing, I turned the page and read another entry. My throat closed up as I read about pain and fear that was all too familiar. The world around me ceased to exist as I lost myself in that page, and then the next.

“Morning, Mr. Vale.”

I glanced up at the sound of the cashier’s perky voice and realized I’d made it to the front of the line without even knowing it. “Morning, Emily,” I said with a nod. I pulled my wallet from my pocket and grabbed some cash. Having the journal in my hand made it awkward, and I was reminded that I needed to turn it over to the smiling young woman so it could be returned to the rightful owner when he or she came back for it. But even as I handed the cash over, I couldn’t make myself give her the journal too.

I didn’t know why.

Except I did… and I wasn’t proud of the reason.

“Have a nice day,” Emily preened as she handed me my drink and change. I dropped the change into the tip jar and tried to force myself one last time to hand the journal over. But then my eyes fell on the initials on the cover.

And I stepped away from the counter.

I just needed a little more time with the thing. I’d return it tomorrow, and the owner would never know I’d read it. So where was the harm?

I wanted to snort at the spin I’d put on the whole thing. I basically lied for a living, so it was pretty pathetic that I’d decided to take work home with me and start lying to myself.

But that didn’t stop me from leaving the coffee shop, journal in hand.

One more day.

I just needed one more day to feel that connection with the anonymous soul who’d somehow been able to say the things I’d never had the courage to admit… not even to myself.