Page 20 of When the Snowman Whispered
We will always remember you.
Had we not been making love on her tombstone, I may have still been with Daniel.
But I kept seeing this girl’s death at eighteen years old as a symbol of something. So young, I thought the grave meant to live life with pure abandon. Our days were numbered. We had no time. We had to rush. Had to hurry. Had to get that man and get out of town. Had to have them babies and go after dreams. Had to do it all in a few years because the clock was ticking.
Life is short, but not that short. I rushed over everything. I. . .should have stayed. . .
Daniel pulled out his gun. “Did you hear that?”
I blinked. “No. What did it sound like?”
He moved his gaze all over my empty and snowy land. “Maybe it was wolves.”
“Again with the animals?”
“What else could it be?” He chuckled. “It’s just us and the ice people.”
“Yes.” I frowned. “The ice people.”
Branches cracked off in the distance.
Wind whipped.
“These are some amazing sculptures,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“They look like they’re alive.”
Because they are, but not for long.
“Okay.” I blew out a long breath. “Keep your gun out.”
“What?”
“I’m going to melt this one.” I flipped the switch on. A line of flames buzzed out of the end.
“Faith, what are you doing?”
“It’s okay.” I pushed the flames over Santa’s face and hands.
“Why are you destroying him?”
I melted holes into him. “It might be a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Uh. . .it gives me something. . .to do.”
“O-kay.”
Santa’s not moving. Can he feel this? God, I hope he’s not in pain. I just want to make sure he doesn’t come back alive and kill me.
“Faith, this is weird.” Daniel got to my side. “Maybe you should stop.”
It’s going to be okay. I’m going to melt them all! Then, everything will be alright. God. I hope it will all be alright.
“Faith, put the torch down.”
