Page 11 of The Killing Game

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

“And stop calling me sir! I’m your partner, not your Drill Sergeant.” Harden huffs.

I slap a hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh. These are the most animated cops I’ve ever seen. I don’t recall meeting either of them in the past, which means they might actually take us seriously. It makes the whole situation a little more bearable.

Harden collects himself before continuing.

“As I was saying, we want all the information you kids can give. Anything that you think might be important.”

Jason jolts up without warning. He walks over to the table and picks up the mask to hand to the deputies. He’s all serious, no hint of the joker Jason we all know.

“Sam found this down in the lake shed. We all talked; none of us planted it there. We don’t think this is some prank. If you look at the carving in the forehead, it looks and smells like real blood. We don’t know anyone who would try to do this.”

Harden takes the mask from Jason. He flips it over in his hands as he analyzes it. After a minute, he hands it to Ramirez. Ramirez is all serious now as he examines the mask in his hands. The two deputies glance at each other for a second. A knowing look is shared between them.

“Can you excuse us for a second?” Harden dismisses them as they walk towards the front door.

We all sit in the living room staring after them.

Sam mumbles from her spot on the couch, “What the hell does that mean?”

Five minutes pass before the pair return. Their expressions have noticeably changed. Both are serious and straight faced. Harden takes charge again.

“We’re going to take this for safe keeping, but rest assured there’s nothing to worry about. There’s no copy cat on the loose. The killer hasn’t returned.”

“How can you be so sure?” Sam squeaks out.

“We have a dedicated team for this stuff. Trust us. You have nothing to worry about,” Ramirez adds.

I scoff. We should’ve expected nothing less from them. Of course, they’re not going to take this seriously.

“But what about the blood?” I push.

Harden raises his hand. “That’s of no concern. For all we know it’s just fake blood from the local prop store. We can analyze it back at the department, if you like.”

“Yes, actually. I fucking would, if you don’t mind,” I bite back.

Harden narrows his stare at me. I look back at him, not backing down. I’m not taking their dismissal for an answer. That mask is seared into my memory. I know it better than I know my own face. I know it’s real.

After a beat, Ramirez pipes in, “If you guys find anything else, you can call us directly. We can come back out at any time.” He hands Colton his business card. Colton nods and takes the card, placing it in his back pocket.

The deputies nod goodbye and make their exit. We’re left with even more questions than before they arrived. When the door snaps closed, we’re met again with the growing realization of our deepest fears.

SEVEN

7:08 P.M.

Istand under the water of the shower feeling the hot beads fall over my skin. The shower head sings above me as steam fills the tiny guest bathroom. I sigh into the cascading water, a momentary mental break from reality.

The sheriffs didn’t provide us with any piece of mind. They dismissed our allegations that the killer could be here. On top of that, they treated us like ignorant children. Little do they know, at least one of us has been through enough shit in their lifetime to know when we’re being lied to.

Neither of the guys were happy that the cops left with the mask. Colton mumbled something under his breath about hiding evidence after he closed the door before heading to the kitchen. Bottles jingled from the doorway, which could only mean Colton was ready for another stiff drink. Jason got up in a huff and stalked off. He didn’t say a word to anyone on his way out. It felt odd that he wasn’t making some childish joke or trying to undress me with his eyes. Honestly, it was straight up unnerving to see him so out of character. He’s been holed up in his room ever since.

Sam asked if I could stay with her in the living room. We sat together on the couch under her blanket as I listened to all the happy memories she had of our summer vacations. Her laughter filled the tense air as she recounted our last trip when Colton ripped his trunks trying to back flip off the dock. I could tell she was trying to change the vibe in the cabin from negative doom and gloom to something more joyful.

We stayed like that for almost an hour before I decided it was time to have some alone time. I love reminiscing with Sam and being in her energy, but I had too much pent up anxiety to sit there any longer. I needed a shower or an orgasm. I didn’t care which one came first. It wouldn’t be the first time I took care of myself on one of our little trips. However, after ten minutes of laying on my bed circling my clit with my pocket vibrator, I gave up. Nothing I did was bringing me to the edge. Frustrated, I threw the toy back in my bag and grabbed my towel before heading to the bathroom.

Now the burning water left my skin numb and deadened my frazzled nerves. Still, it didn’t sate me. The pulsing ache I felt between my legs reminded me that I was stuck here without relief until our trip ended. I trail my hand down between my thighs in an attempt to feel something. I groan into the space, frustrated that I was so close and couldn’t get myself off. I mentally curse myself for not scheduling a play session with someone on my roster prior to this trip. It had been a few weeks since my last session, but I assumed this trip would be a stress free break from reality.