“Are you getting enough rest, Mary?”
“I’m haunted and can’t sleep. But, aren’t we all?” she pushed back.
He hesitated. “I’m not judging, just worried about a friend.”
“You all think I’ve lost my mind. I talk to ghosts. I don’t sleep. I’m alone too much. I get why I’m an easy target. But this is me. Take it or leave it. And for the record, I’m not the one showing up at your houses.”
“We will always take you as you are,” Harmony said. “That doesn’t mean friends won’t worry.”
“I think everyone needs to worry more about themselves than about others.”
Harmony nodded. Cass exhaled. Zach said nothing.
“Maybe, we need to get out of this house and have a late dinner,” Cass said, trying to break the tension in the air.
“You guys go. I’ll stay,” Mary said.
“Not going to happen. We’ll continue to drive you crazy until you join us,” Harmony said. Mary’s shoulders sagged because she knew they’d do just that. At least if she went with them, it would get them out of her house. Then she could sneak away early and be alone to talk with her daughter again.
They made their way into town and went to Coyote Joe’s. It was surprisingly crowded for a weekday at eight in the evening. Tosh and Torie met them there.
Tosh leaned back. “The consensus is that one of us is doing the killings since it’s always someone from our group who dies.”
“They might be right,” Cass muttered as she looked at each of them.
“If you really believe that, then why aren’t you running?” Zach asked.
“I figure you all like me so I’m safe,” Cass said.
That made Mary laugh. “What about you, Harmony? Are you scared?”
Harmony smiled. “I figure, everyone wants to hear the end of the story, so I’m safe.”
“So, since we’re all the main characters in a twisted thriller, we’re safe?” Tosh said with a dark laugh.
“That’s pretty messed up,” Zach said. “I do know that if we turn on each other, though, the killer wins.”
“Maybe that’s the point,” Harmony said. “Maybe it’s not about death. Maybe it’s about seeing what we’ll all become.” She paused for a moment. “If I were writing it, I’d want to play with our lives until nobody knew which direction was up or down. I’d twist and pull until I was even doubting myself.” She smiled faintly, as if admitting a habit.
Tosh stared at her. “That’s dark, even for you.”
Mary had been still so far. She stared out at the water, her eyes unfocused. Finally, she turned, terrifyingly calm. “It’s not dark if it’s true.”
Zach watched Mary. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m remembering,” Mary said.
“Remembering what?”
Mary smiled. “That silence isn’t peace. It’s simply the calm before the storm.”
“We need to stay close. If we separate, then we become targets,” Harmony said.
Tosh nodded, though it seemed to be done with reluctance. “We need to stay in contact and not let anyone go long without checking on them.”
“I’m not into babysitters,” Cass said.
“Tough, it needs to happen,” Zach said. “Unless you’re trying to hide.”
