Page 69 of Shattered Souls

“Go be with her, she wants you.”

She’s asleep in my bed, hair fanning over her reddened cheeks. I slip into the bed beside her. She rustles, crawling to my body, and throwing one arm and leg over me.

“Synn?” She groans, hugging me tighter. More emotion clogs my throat.

“I’m here, little scarecrow.” I kiss the top of her head, letting her settle on me. The smell of peaches clings to her dark hair. I inhale deeply, letting myself solidify staying.

“I found my mother on top of Hayze when we were twelve,” Her breath hitches, but she makes no move. “I left the room in horror, but she saw me. Hayze didn’t stop speaking because of her abuse, not entirely. She beat me that night. Didn’t stop until I lost vision in one of my eyes. But the worst part is, she made Hayze watch the whole thing.

“He stopped speaking that night. Hasn’t spoken a word since. The two of us learned ASL to communicate behind their backs.” At some point in my confession, she starts rubbing comforting circles on my abdomen. “We planned to run away at eighteen, had a whole escape plan where we’d leave and tell the cops what had happened to us.

“But one night, I could hear mother moaning, screaming from Hayze’s room. I stormed downstairs and into my father’s office. He had classical music playing to drown the noise out, but even down there, I could hear her. I yelled at him, telling him he was a coward for not stopping it. His response was ‘He hasn’t complained to me’.”

I feel her tighten against me, feeling the same disgust I feel every time I recall the memory. She sits up now, placing her head in her hands as she silently listens to me.

“I left his office and went to my father's vintage knife collection. I picked the biggest one I could find and went to Ronnie’s room. She was on all fours, his dick in her mouth, when I walked in. Her eyes widened, but not at me, at the blade dangling at my side.

“It was easy, killing her. The knife split her skin much easier than I thought it would. Her screams brought me joy as well, probably too much. But they also alerted my father. He came into the room, looked at his wife and lunged at me. I didn’t even hesitate. I threw the knife at his feet and swung.”

I can feel the echo of his bones breaking under my knuckles. The blood splattering my face as he gasped for me to stop.

“Hayze sat on the bed, watching the whole thing go down. I wanted him to stop me. To beg for me to spare our father, but he didn’t. Nor did I deserve for him to intervene when I never did for him. As soon as they were both dead, I puked. And all this time I thought it was because of my crime, but I know now it’s because I knew my guilt for Ronnie would never leave.” I look at her, hoping she sees the monster under my flesh, but instead she’s looking at me like I’ve saved her.

“When I killed my father,” She gulps, pushing her body more into mine. “He left his pistol on the counter, getting comfortable with the fairytale life we’d been living. He came over, kissed me like I was his wife, and then told me to go lay in bed. He had just used me not even an hour before that.” Tears brim her eyes but she doesn’t stop.

“I grabbed the pistol, not even bothering to try and say no. I remember it so clear, the dull pain still throbbing between my thighs as I pulled the trigger. The shock that flashed across his features before he crumpled to the ground. I ran, and fast. I made it to Montana with fifteen thousand dollars and no idea how to live a normal life.”

She leans over me, hair falling like a curtain beside my face. “This,” she motions to us, to the house. “Is the most normal I’ve ever felt, Synn. I don’t want to lose either of you. You said you can fix it—did you mean it?”

I cup her cheek, bringing my lips to hers. It’s soft and full of regrets that neither of us truly feel. When I pull back, she smiles a watery smile at me and I know I’m done for.

“As long as you’re not too attached to the name Rayvn.”

23

Hyde

The scare park opens like normal. Nothing in the world comes to a stop like our lives have. Rayvn has been justifiably terrified since the news of her being wanted entered our lives. Synn has been committed to fixing this, but the necessary precautions take time—time we just might not have.

I’m prowling the grounds of the scare park, trying to hone into Hyde’s character, but my mind’s in another place. Seek’s close by, no doubt trying to do the same thing as me but falling just as short.

The snow covered ground has the scare actors bundled up tighter than usual. Instead of shirtless men, we’re all in tattered hoodies or long sleeves. The fake blood dripping onto the exposed portions of flesh sends goosebumps across my torso.

As we work our way closer to the entrance of the park, I see Maverick being questioned by a group of officers. His hands are flying around wildly, his voice raised and angry as the officers speak to him in calm tones. I look over my shoulder, and Synn’s watching the ordeal as well.

“Think they found the man that was hunting Maverick?” I ask Synn. He huffs, turning his head like he’s contemplating his response.

“Probably not,” He walks ahead of me, towards Maverick, and switches to sign language. “Let’s see what’s up.”

“You don’t get it! I’m telling you who the man is, and where to find him.” Maverick’s voice is sharp and eager to get his message across. “Why don’t you fucking pigs listen?” Synn walks over to our co-worker, nudging his side to signal his arrival.

“Everything okay here, Maverick? You’re drawing quite the crowd.” Maverick shoots Synn a disgusted look, moving away from the porcelain masked man.

“Yes. They’re questioning me about some officer that’s not shown up for work.” Maverick crosses his arms over his chest, looking like a large toddler. “Must think I’m related to this crime as well. Just because someone’s trying to kill me doesn’t mean I’m guilty of all crimes. What you gonna do? Arrest me for all the missing persons cases?” He pushes towards the officers.

I come up behind the heated plague doctor and yank him back by his shoulders. When he snarls back at me, he freezes as he takes in the muzzle, and immediately stops.

“Now, Maverick, let’s just go to the back and take a breath.” Synn motions for me to take the doctor to the dressing rooms. Keeping my hand on his shoulder, I usher him away from the crowd, the hatred for the officers streaming off of his body.