The Consuming Heart

eel concealed under the morning sun. A duo of officers came by the cafe to see the owner who was present after he had heard of the sad news of his manager

of the officers tell the owner that he thinks it was sui

Matters of insecurity would always be the case,

o hide her grim look with a jug of coffee, but Su

l, ma'am?" Be

closer, and asked.

e was so healthy." She shook her head. "No one ever gets used to this tale of death. No one saw it coming. Someone should have seen it comin

oked at

any of the girls here, and could have,

rom leaving her nostrils. "Do

not what I

sounds l

eel pity

s every day. See it as divine justice. More like the supernatural sought him out. A force he couldn't withsta

er in an odd way, an

ared with that crude fellow. Susan knew what would happen. She had set so much in motion already.

at taken?"

or a moment to look at his handsome face, her ey

at d

ything about him. She saw good traits and qualifications in him unlike any other she had ever been with befor

im. But she would restrain herself. He was too good to die by her hand. After all, on her cal

from his bag. "Wa

smile and said, "No, thank you."

y the way.

Susan. Susan Hills." She w

beautifu

thi

san that wasn't ever beautiful. I bet if you ta

eyes written in blood, danger, and death, but no one ever saw that. All they saw

?" he asked after she lowered her he

almost lowered her gaze, but thought to ask

Possibly a new job. Was just fired from my last job, you see." J

but she said to play

wasn't fired because I challenged him at work which I didn't. I was fired because I walked in on him having sex wi

hind Jake's own smile was pain written a

I can get over anything. If I ignore it, then it doesn't see me.

ed. "I l

e out to

t you lie to yourself the most not to feel pain,

ave no

an idea. She k

by to take J

ch money on him. "Put it on

fell to the newspaper she h

r gaze to look at h

ed something light. He didn't want to ove

lling Beatrice Jake's need, and what he re

e to stay?" she ask

t I intend to find a

ggest it, but it came to her. She pushed it back,

too imposing on my part. Look, I

are her away, but

. "Eat. And when you're done, I

Jake as his mind ran wild w

to fulfill it. But at the moment, she changed her mind about taili