“Your form is getting better,” I tell Kyle when his session ends. “How are you feeling about your competition this weekend?”

The gym started hosting tournaments for my clients to fight in a safe and structured manner. The winner gets a free week of sessions and smoothies, plus bragging rights. It was all Tyler’s idea so people would sign up to participate.

“Toby has nothing on me,” he retorts in his usual cocky tone.

“I don’t know. He’s been very focused lately.”

Kyle rolls his eyes, and I grin.

“See ya later,” I tell him. I love seeing the progression of the younger guys who’ve been training with me since I started. Every week they come in ready to learn and advance their skills.

When I run into Tyler, I let him know I’m gonna take my break since I have an hour before my next client arrives. I head to the break room and grab the sub I packed.

As I check my phone, I see a text from an unknown number. It’s the first one she’s sent in a couple of weeks. When I open it, there’s another photo. It’s a selfie of Krystal, showing the top of her black hair, and I notice she’s near a playground. Behind her, I see Annie pushing Sadie on a swing set, and I nearly drop my phone as my adrenaline rushes.

I wait for her threats to follow, but they don’t come. It’s perfectly clear that Annie and Sadie aren’t safe.

Immediately, I check Annie’s location, and it says she’s near her building.

Archer: Where are you guys?

Annie: At the park across from the apartment. Why?

Fuck. Krystal’s watching them right now.

Archer: I need you to take Sadie and go home. Lock the doors.

Annie: Tell me why.

Archer: Please, just listen to me.

I could tell her that Krystal was there, but I didn’t want to risk Annie or Sadie getting hurt. Annie will find her and make a scene. If Krystal’s as close as the picture looks, she’s in violation of her restraining order, but I doubt she cares. By the time the cops arrive, she’ll be gone.

Annie: Okay, fine. Sadie and I are walking home.

Archer: Text me as soon as you’re inside.

For the first time since the messages started, I reply instead of blocking the number.

Archer: Don’t touch them. Tell me what you want, Krystal.

Surprisingly, she responds right away.

Krystal: For you to feel the pain I went through when I lost Chad.

Archer: He hurt my sister, and I was protecting her. You can have me. Just leave them alone.

Krystal: Is that a promise?

I pinch the bridge of my nose because I don’t know what else to do at this point—Krystal's unpredictable.