Gabriel's Hope

"Logan, I saw a body on the beach. I thought it was you. I thought I lost you." She looked up at him, eyes watering again.

"I'm right here." He withdrew, and she noticed he was agitated.

"Look, Logan, I don't care why you left me at the beach house. If you don't want to be with me, it's okay. I'm just … I'm so happy you're okay," she said.

"I want to be with you," he said in the same tone he used to describe the deficiencies of the beach house's security.

"You might not after I tell you this." She took a deep breath. "I did something terrible."

He crossed his arms, waiting. Deidre wiped her eyes and saw the mascara smeared on her fingers.

"Let me freshen up a little first," she said with a watery smile. "Give me a minute?"

"Yes."

She couldn't help feeling familiar annoyance at him as she turned away from him. While beyond thrilled he was alive, she realized she still wanted to dump him.

"Wait." His sudden grip on her shoulder was tight.

"What's wrong?" she asked, wincing.

"Gabriel." He read the tattoo visible through the tank top's straps.

"You're hurting me," she murmured.

He released her.

"That's what I have to tell you. I have to go to the bathroom first though."

Deidre crossed to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She glimpsed the mess that was her face and decided to wash it and redo her makeup. She needed time to compose herself to tell him about her one night stand. He'd probably storm out and leave her. At least he was alive.

Leaning against the sink, she breathed out a deep sigh. She felt horrible thinking it, but she was utterly relieved whoever it was on the beach, it wasn't Logan. Her thoughts clearing, she realized she needed to call the police about the body she found.

With another deep breath, she leaned over to push aside the shower curtain and grab her face wash. Her hand paused as she stared in bewilderment at what sat in the bottom of the bath tub.

Bones. Lots of them. And a human-looking skull. They looked too clean to be real, like props bought from a Halloween store. What was Logan doing with a disassembled skeleton in the bath tub?

Deidre washed her face and redid her makeup before venturing to peek into the bathtub again. The sound of squishing drew her attention to the bath mat next to the tub. What appeared to be red wine was squeezed out of the bath mat at the weight of her step. She lifted it to see the outline of a puddle of the liquid beneath the mat.