Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
There’s a pickup truck parked in front of the yard, leaving no room for the driver to make a last-minute change in direction. If they follow me, they’re fucked. But what I didn’t account for is the tangle of gnarled roots at the tree’s base. The toe of my shoe catches and my own momentum sends me sprawling on the cold hard ground.
It’s deafening…the crash when the car hits the tree. Metal screeches and sparks fly as the bumper bar wraps around the trunk and the front of the car compresses. And the mighty old tree groans but miraculously doesn’t give. I am lying there waiting to be dead or something. I don’t know. The car is so close to me. But it doesn’t happen.
Auggie’s warm wet tongue drags up the side of my face. I have never been so grateful to get covered in doggie slobber. Best worst sensation ever.
“Sid,” says Noah, eyes wide with panic. “Are you okay?”
“Hey.”
He carefully helps me up to my feet. I am dazed and confused, shaking from head to toe. Like you do after a damn near-death experience. I think I am in shock. But apart from some bruises from hitting the ground, and small cuts from broken glass, I seem to be mostly unharmed. Which is fucking amazing and definitely not the case for the person inside the vehicle.
The woman is like a broken doll propped up in the driver’s seat. Her usually perfect hair and makeup are all messed up. Blood seeps from her nose and the corner of her mouth. Given the force she hit the tree with, the front half of the car seems partially embedded in her chest.
“Hi, Dianne.” I watch her through the window. “I honestly expected you to be Laura. But I should have known.”
Noah is already dialing emergency services.
Dianne spits out blood and sneers. She’s deep in her villain era. At least now we know her son came by his homicidal tendencies honestly. “Your cousin was mouthy too.”
“That was you, huh?”
She tries to laugh but she’s fading fast. The way blood is bubbling on her lips isn’t a good sign. And I just stand there and watch like I bought a ticket for the whole damn gruesome show.
“H-he’s going to get out,” she says, struggling to speak.
“I highly doubt it now. You messed up making it look like I killed Grace. I have an alibi for that night. But I’m guessing you already know that. It’s what made you desperate enough to do this shit.”
It takes her a moment to force out the words. “The police want to talk to me but…I won’t…give them the satisfaction.”
“Getting away with murder is harder than it looks. Your son could have told you that.”
Her head slumps to the side as her gaze dims. No idea if she’s actually dead, or unconscious. Nor do I really care. Some people are devoid of humanity. Dianne deserves this dismal ending and the mess she made. And if this thought makes me an unkind or heartless and harsh person, then so be it. I will be out here representing the bitter bitches. Because the truth is, I am not big on forgiveness when it’s neither asked for nor earned.
Auggie sits at my feet, pressing his small warm body against the side of my leg. Being a comforting presence. Lights have turned on in nearby houses. Sleepy and stunned locals start to gather on the road and grass around us. Some of them are even holding up phones to record the scene. And soon enough, sirens can be heard racing our way. Noah carefully wraps me in his arms and I hold onto him for dear life.
The last time I was being assessed in the back of an ambulance, my ex had tried to kill me. It sucks to be in a similar situation. Due to a member of the same family even.
Imagine living a quiet life. What would that even look like? To not have two members of the same family try and send you to the other side. How wild. Noah is nearby giving a statement while Auggie lounges at his feet. I get sort of frantic if they’re out of sight. Like I keep needing to know they’re okay.
I had never seen a dead body before. Never watched someone dying. And the experience has made me no closer to understanding the kick her son gets out of it. Though he got off on the cruelty and control. On being the one responsible for taking that life.
The paramedic shines a light in my pupils and tells me to follow their finger. One of those silver blanket things is wrapped around me, though the shaking stopped a while back. I think I was in shock. Now, I’m just tired after the adrenaline crash. I mean, my skinned elbow stings, but that’s hardly something to bother bitching about.