Tammy's blood still clung to his hands.
Tim knelt in the alley, her body slack in his arms, her eyes wide with the shock of dying. She had been the one who replaced Jenny, the one who gave him release after each kill, the one who made him believe he could survive. And now she was gone—cut down like nothing by Jenny's blade.
Something in Tim shattered.
He lowered Tammy's body gently to the cobblestones, then rose with the knife shaking in his fist. His vision was red, his pulse hammering so loud it drowned out every thought. All he saw was Jenny's back as she walked away, hips swaying like she hadn't just stolen everything from him.
"Jenny!"
His roar cracked through the night.
She turned. The moon painted her bare skin silver, highlighting her flat stomach, the curve of her shorts, the wicked curl of her lips.
Her eyes met his, sharp, curious—but empty of recognition.
"You," she said flatly. "The boyfriend. Come for revenge?"
The words gutted him. She didn't remember.
"You killed her," Tim spat, his voice shaking. "You killed Tammy!"
Jenny only shrugged, as if it meant nothing. "She was weak. Weak things die here. You should've learned that by now."
Tim's rage snapped. He charged, knife high, screaming.
Jenny didn't flinch. She swayed aside, her body brushing his as she dodged, perfume filling his nose. Her lips nearly grazed his cheek as she whispered, "Careful. Swinging wild makes you sloppy."
Tim snarled, slamming her against the wall, his knife pressed to her chest. His whole body trembled, eyes burning. He wanted to drive the steel through her heart.
Jenny tilted her head, smile curling. She arched slightly, letting the blade graze across her stomach, her chest rising against the pressure. Her voice dripped with venom and amusement.
"Do it. Avenge your little lover. Or admit you're still hard for me."
His vision blurred. Rage and desire twisted into one unbearable storm. He pressed harder, his muscles straining, knife trembling an inch from her skin. Jenny leaned in, lips hovering just shy of his.
Tim roared, dragging the blade back to strike.
And then—
A voice split the alley, deep and furious.
"How dare you touch my woman!"
Tim froze. His head snapped toward the sound.
From the shadows, a tall figure stepped forward, his silhouette broad, his presence commanding. The glint of a weapon caught the moonlight.
Before Tim could react, the crack of a gunshot shattered the air.
Pain exploded through his back, ripping the breath from his lungs. His knife clattered to the ground. His chest burned, blood seeping hot as his legs buckled beneath him.
Jenny's smirk didn't fade. If anything, it sharpened.
Tim collapsed to his knees, coughing blood, his vision dimming. The last thing he heard was Jenny's low laugh, and the man's boots striking the cobblestones as he approached.
The world tilted.
Darkness swallowed him whole.