Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 418

Under the holographic display, Phoebe... or rather 'me', seemed to come alive, standing right there.

She flashed us a smile and spoke up. "Dexter... are you gonna marry my mom?"

I glanced at Dexter, who, as expected, was also under some sort of spell, moving forward.

In a panic, I clung to Colin, fearing he'd fall under the same spell.

Luckily, Colin seemed immune.

He held me close, whispering, "She called out to Dexter first, definitely a fake. If it were really you, you'd have called my name first."

I rested my head on Colin's shoulder, exasperated. "Really? Jealousy at a time like this?"

"Stella..."

Robin tried to hold back Stella, but she was determined to move forward.

Reaching the hologram, she raised her hand, trying to touch 'Phoebe Caldwell'.

Choking up, Stella said, "Phoebe, I'm sorry... I should have taken you away sooner."

Suddenly, the floor opened beneath her, and Stella fell through.

A mechanical voice echoed from below.

Everyone could hear it, the screams, then the smell of blood filled the air.

And then.

Where Bran and Stella fell, the floor tiles began to ooze blood.

I gripped Colin's shirt tightly, my heart racing, my whole body shaking.

It was that feeling again...

That insane, desperate, suffocating feeling.

And I was powerless to do anything.

My chest felt numb yet itchy; I wanted to cry, shout, go mad...

"Colin..." My voice was hoarse, choked; I struggled weakly, desperately trying to stop Dexter.

Colin reached out and grabbed Dexter.

Dexter snapped back to reality, breathing heavily.

It seemed Melody was also under control, moving forward.

Dexter stopped Melody, his voice deep. "Melody! Snap out of it!"

After watching Stella fall, Robin lost it, trying to follow but was brought back to his senses by a punch from Finn.

Annora lay on the ground crying, everyone overwhelmed by despair.

What does it feel like to watch someone you care about, a friend, a lover, fall into the abyss, die right before your eyes?