Page 58 of Little Twisted Things

“I can’t do that, Alex. You need to be punished for your sins. I’m afraid this is your last chapter.”

I walked toward him, holding the knife up.

“Dahlia, no!” he screamed.

I stood back and stared at him as his head hung down, blood spilling everywhere. I turned and looked at DaisyMae22, who stared back at me with horror. She was a loose end. If I’d let her live, she’d tell the police about me.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I really am.”

Walking to my car, I grabbed the large gas can and returned inside the house. I poured it all over the room. I pulled out the matches as I stood in the doorway, ignited the whole book, and dropped it to the ground. Within seconds, the room was up in flames. I stepped back into the main room of the house, leaving the bookcase open. I grabbed a bottle of scotch from the mini bar and poured it over the furniture and floor. I took the other matchbook from my pocket and ignited it, tossing it into the living room.

Out in the dark night, I walked to my car. I didn’t hurry. I walked like a woman leaving her home to run errands. Climbing into my car, I gripped the steering wheel as I sat and watched the house go up in flames. All of it. By the time the fire department arrived, the house would be reduced to nothing but ashes, along with The Last Chapter Killer.

33

Katherine

I was sitting in the cottage living room, reading a book, when everything started to shake. The windows rattled, and pictures fell from the walls. I carefully got up and walked over to the large picture window that faced the ocean. The water that had always been serene and calm now crashed violently against the shore.

“What the hell?” I whispered. I called for my husband. He didn’t answer. Maybe he was still out in the garden.

The cottage door blew open, and I saw Sunny and The Librarian standing on the porch, staring at me.

“Katherine, it’s time.” Sunny held out her hand.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“Dahlia needs to be stopped. She’s risking the entire system,” The Librarian said. “And you’re the only one who can stop her. It’s time to go back, Katherine.”

“Why me? Let the others go instead. I like it here. I’m happy.”

“You’re the only one Dahlia won’t fight,” Sunny said. “You need to front and take control. It’s the only way to stop her.”

“When you wake, I’ll make sure you remember,” The Librarian said. “Do what you want with your memories. But the killings must stop. The walls are closing in on Dahlia, and the entire system is going to collapse.”

I stepped onto the porch, and the cottage door slammed shut. My white dress blew in the wind as I walked toward the ocean. I stopped and turned my head, staring at The Librarian and Sunny, who stood there and nodded.

My eyes flew open, and I looked around the room. My heart raced out of my chest as my head felt like a jackhammer. I slowly sat up, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. I was back, and Dahlia was bound inside the cottage. I climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. Gripping the edge of the sink, I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair. Dahlia had dyed it blonde. I would have to fix that. I headed downstairs. I stopped in the living room and stared at the painting that had haunted me for years.

I stepped into the kitchen and looked around, noting the missing chef’s knife from the wooden block.

“It stops here, Dahlia,” I whispered.

I made myself a cup of coffee and took it to the table. I could hear the faint voices in my head. The Librarian kept her word, giving me the memories I needed to survive. Detective Walker believed I, Katherine, killed those men. And I would be on the run, looking over my shoulder, for the rest of my life. I didn’t want that. I was sick and needed help.

Dahlia’s phone pinged on the island. Glancing at it, there was a text from a woman named Tess.

Are you coming to the gallery today? You were supposed to be here two hours ago?

I picked up the phone and replied.

I’m sorry, Tess. I’m ill today. I won’t be in.

I ran upstairs and packed a bag, tossing in the clothes Dahlia wore and toiletries. Grabbing the car keys, I stepped out of the house. Before shutting the door, I took one last look.

“Hey, neighbor.” A woman next door waved. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Yeah.” I smiled. “I have to go on a business trip for a few days.”