“You murdered me because you thought I was leaving you?” Theresa said. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “The man who was so full of life, he would catch flies and release them rather than swatting them?”

Rick’s face crumbled again. “I know.” He started to sob again, and took a few breaths to steady himself. “I know. It was stupid, and I realized that after I woke up in the hospital. I was okay, just some bumps and bruises. As soon as they said I could leave, I knew I had to find a way to bring you back.” He smiled. “And I did!”

“How did you do it?” she asked, not sure she wanted to know.

“I met some… people…” He hesitated. “They told me how I could bring you back. There was a price to pay, but I was okay with it.”

“What price?” she said, her voice wary.

He looked down, unable to meet her eyes. “A life for a life.” He looked up at her. “I had to kill someone to get you back.”