Melissa's mind was racing with ideas and concerns as she waited on the steps that led to her front door.
Eventually, the familiar sound of a cane echoing down the street dragged her away from thoughts.
It was Theo.
"Wait, did he come here on foot? Why didn't he call a cab?" Melissa wondered. She felt bad now for calling him. She was aware of how much his chronic pain pained him and that, after walking the entire distance to her house, he was most likely in a lot of pain.
As Theo made his way toward where Melissa was sitting, her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the pain etched on his face.
Theo could sense Melissa's worry and hesitation. With a gentle smile and a nod, he silently granted her permission to embrace him.
Melissa's arms wrapped around Theo, seeking solace and comfort in his familiar presence. He reciprocated it by embracing her with his free arm, offering her a sense of security.
"Melissa, what happened? Are you alright?" Theo's voice was filled with genuine concern as he held her.
Tears welled up in Melissa's eyes as she recounted the events of that evening, sharing the shock of discovering Adam's lifeless body on her driveway.
Theo listened attentively. Melissa eventually let go of Theo and took a step back, needing a moment to regain her composure.
"Adam from college?" Theo asked, trying to connect the dots.
Melissa nodded, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Yes, I don't know if he had any enemies, but someone definitely wanted to harm him. What I don't understand is why they chose my driveway out of all places to leave his body," she explained, her voice trembling slightly.
"I'm not sure, but you're not alone. We'll figure this out together. I won't let anything bad happen to you," Theo assured Melissa, his voice filled with determination.
Melissa found solace in Theo's words, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. She knew she could rely on him, and together they would uncover the truth behind Adam's demise and his unexpected appearance on her driveway.
"Let's go inside," Theo suggested.
Melissa nodded in agreement, reaching into her pockets to find her keys. After a brief search, she retrieved the right key and unlocked the front door.
She swung the door open and stepped inside, holding it open for Theo to follow. Once he walked through, she closed the door behind them, shutting out the outside world.
Theo's gaze lingered on Melissa, his heart aching because of the fear he could see written all over her face. He knew they had a daunting journey ahead, but he was determined to stand by her side, offering his support every step of the way.