Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 428

The orphanage was a place more haunting than I'd ever imagined, a wild garden where children, untamed and unchecked, grew rampant without the guiding hand of parents. Ten years of education had taught me the difference between right and wrong, and I knew I shouldn't let myself be dragged down to their level. But I was scared. They'd beat me if I didn't stand with them... If I didn't, I'd be ostracized, left alone on the fringes.

Silas's chest heaved with growing intensity.

I pressed down, urging him to lie back. "Stop talking..."

"I was lucky, I guess. Inconspicuous enough that their malice... targeted the two misfits, the real brains of the bunch..." Blood was pooling in Silas's mouth with each word he spoke.

I was worried. It might've pierced his lung.

"That day, when they planned to set the fire... I was terrified. I'd overheard their plans and hesitated, unsure if I should tell anyone... My conscience wouldn't let me be. In secret, I warned Colin, told him to grab Carter and run... to leave the orphanage before they could act..."

"But Colin said he had someone to wait for, he wouldn't leave."

Silas's gaze found Colin.

I turned, looking at Colin.

Everyone's eyes were on him...

So, there had been a warning before the fire?

Then why hadn't Colin run... and why had Carter suffered the consequences?

All because he was waiting for someone, he'd chosen not to flee, dragging Carter down with him?

Colin stood there, hands by his sides, offering no explanations...

Head bowed, he wouldn't defend his actions from back then.

He too... was flawed, in his own way.

"Colin... Carter could've escaped, but he stayed because of you, right?" Annora's eyes were rimmed with tears as she spoke. "Zoe always said it was Phoebe's fault, for making you wait for her..."

All eyes turned to Colin.

The fire that year, Carter's death had been a consequence of being held back.

Was Colin's wandering, his self-imposed punishment, living in the orphanage, guarding it, all because of his guilt?