The entire universe freezes as I take in what he’s said.
No.
I rush to the edge of the cliff and dare to peek over, terrified of what I’ll find.
No.
No.
No.
The axe is splayed above his head, the handle duct taped to his hands and wrists.
The mask has slipped over his face, giving me just enough to see that the person underneath wasn’t the real Axeman.
He wasn’t trying to kill me by raising the axe above his head before I tackled him.
He was trying toshowme.
His mouth has tape over it, but I’d recognize those sparkling green eyes anywhere.
I sink to my knees and scream at the heavens just as Lee reaches my side.
“Lex? What’s wrong?” Lee grabs me, checking my body for injuries that don’t exist.
“I…I killed him.”
Lee’s panicked expression doesn’t change. “Killed who?”
A sob so guttural it sounds like a wounded animal escapes my chest. I point down to where the fake Axeman’s body is twisted at an awkward angle. Lee gasps when he finally sees him.
Lochlan.
It’s all my fault.
I didn’t mean to do it, but this is still entirely my fault.
I killed him. Me. My hands pushed him to his death.
My fault. My fault. My fault.
Just like Kristi said.
I reach into my pocket and pull out the white envelope while Lee silently cries beside me.
Dearest friends,
You may realize that this game is more sinister than you first assumed.
My colleague will indeed strike to kill. He has a mission of his own, after all, and he’s not above a bit of bloodshed.
Now, I will give you one way out.
One way to survive his wrath.
You must kill Lexi.
You see, she believes that allies would never turn on each other, even if it means life or death.
