Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter and Phoebe) novel Chapter 309

He was only peeking his head halfway through, a look of distress in his eyes.

I rubbed my eyes to make sure it wasn't just a trick of the light, and then I darted over in a panic. "Colin..."

Seeing how frightened I was, he mustered his strength, pushed himself up on the windowsill, and leaped inside.

I gotta admit, it was kinda cool.

For a moment, it was like being whisked back to my teenage years. This scene used to unfold quite often in the past, it seems. I'd just forgotten.

"How did you... break out?" I cradled Colin's face in my hands, examining him closely.

There were bruises at the corners of his mouth and eyes, and marks on his Adam's apple where he'd clearly been choked. He had been bound...

I checked him all over frantically, finding red marks on his wrists and ankles, scars on his arms.

Panic surged through me, and I reached to lift his hoodie, only to have Colin grasp my hands.

His voice was still hoarse, tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "Phoebe... they wouldn't let me see you."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I whispered, "Let me look..."

Colin lowered his gaze, slowly releasing my hands.

I lifted his shirt to find burn marks from electric shocks on his well-defined abs. They were just reddened, but they hinted at the kind of 'treatment' he had endured in the mental hospital.

"What have they done to you?" I asked, gripping his hand tightly. "You..."

I was actually scared. Scared that Damian had brainwashed Colin and that he wouldn't recognize me anymore.

But Colin just shook his head and pulled me into his arms, his voice trembling. "Phoebe... I missed you."

I clutched Colin's hand, not wanting to waste another second. "Let's go home."

"Phoebe..." His grip on my hand tightened. "They know I'd come to you."

My heart sank, realizing Colin had escaped.

"Carl's dropped the charges. We could've gotten you out soon. Why take the risk to escape?" I murmured, aware of the odds he faced, the injuries he'd suffered.

Colin's hold on me grew firmer. "I was afraid..."

Damian had likely already begun his process, using his methods to control Colin, trying to make him compliant, trying to bind him with something.

Just like Damian told Melody that night, he had ways to make Caleb obey. As if he could control anyone he wanted to.

"Don't let it get to you." I held his wrist tightly.

Don't let the drugs affect you. But how can an ordinary person's will stand against pharmaceuticals?

It's impossible.

"Phoebe..." His breathing was becoming labored.

I stood on tiptoe, cradling Colin's head, our foreheads touching. "You won't forget me, will you?"

Colin was silent for a long time before shaking his head. "I won't..."

He wouldn't forget, nor fail to recognize me.

"Phoebe, trust me." Colin was trying hard to make me believe him.