“Said he wanted to get a shower in and was taking off. I assumed here. No?”
Why hadn’t he stopped over?
“But that’s not the biggest tea.” She pointed her fork at me. “I heard that the greenhouses had cameras, and the feed gets sent straight to the cloud on Emi’s computer. As soon as they get ahold of Emi, they think they’ll find who did the fires, and according to my sources, they think it’s also the same person who killed Spencer and Soleil.”
“Well, where’s Emi then?” I felt like it was safe to ask now. It was genuine curiosity.A wicked grin spread onto Therese’s face and she cocked an eyebrow.
“That’s a good question. They seem to think she skipped town. Eisley, Emi might be the murderer.”
Rule 46 - Eisley
Use the clues you’re given.
“Can I take that loaf home? Rem loves your pumpkin stuff.”
I was so taken aback by all the words spilling from Therese’s mouth, I didn’t know what to say. So, I packed up the loaf and sent her on her way.
“You really think Emi could have murdered them?” I swallowed, leading her to the door. I mean, Emi had tried to kill me. And she’d been going on and on about wanting more stories for the documentary. What if they’d been working together this whole time? Was I next?
“I don’t know. Emi has been going through some stuff lately. You know, money-wise. Micah told us last night. She’s been hiding something from him.” She turned and leaned into me. “He told us that if he wasn’t scared of her, he would have broken it off a few weeks ago. But now, he can’t if she’s killing people.”
“You should be taking this more seriously,” I chastised. “What's to say she doesn’t come after you next?” I knew that would never happen, but she didn’t.
“Because I’m not pissing her off. You are.”
Well, she had a point.
“Look, we’re all taking precautions. Whether it’s Emi or someone else. Don’t go anywhere alone, probably don’t get high for a while, and stay in the daylight. Which is my cue, as it’s getting late.” She gave me a hug and left.
Realizing I still hadn’t showered or changed since our fight in the greenhouse, I went upstairs and turned the hot water on in the bathroom.
Feeling restless even after the hot shower, I dressed and drove around, trying to recall if Constantine had told me which hotel he was staying at. At some point, I zoned out and was simply driving, and finally, I parked at the cross we’d used to mark Constantine’s supposed death for so long.I got out and sat beside it, staring at the forest on the other side of the road. Buried deep inside those trees was the Church. I spent so long trying to run away from the prison, but now, I wanted to see it again.
I’d been in it. Just days ago.I was sure of it. With a collar around my neck and my wrists shackled. I’d been taken to the Church and…
My body shuddered at the memories. I hated myself for how much I’d enjoyed it. Why had it been so erotic? Was it the mask, being tied down, or was it simply the massive amounts of drugs in my system, making me believe those things?
I stood, brushing the dirt off my knees, and looked both ways before crossing the road. I had to see for myself what the Church had become.
I’d been walking into the dark woods for about ten minutes, so unsure of where I was going when I heard noise from behind me. I spun around and saw a figure in the shadows. I stiffened. It was a hulking man. Large, bulky… and wearing a Ghostface mask.
Fear jolted me forward. I turned and sprinted away, but my follower did the same. I heard his heavy footsteps thudding through the woods after me.Was it Constantine? I hadn’t had the chance to talk to him about what had happened that night.
The last time I’d seen that mask… Soleil was found dead. What if Emi had an accomplice? Was it Micah? Or one of the documentary crew members?
I kept looking back and still, the man was gaining on me. Slowly but surely, every time I stumbled on a root or stopped to catch my breath, he was catching up.Fear propelled me forward. My brain seemed to be going into some sort of shock. Suddenly, I looked back and I didn’t see a man in a mask. I saw the Minister.
It wasn’t like the first time when Kansas had helped me keep going. I was on my own, and he was coming to retrieve me.
I came upon a small crest, but I hadn’t noticed it before it was too late and I fell into the hole, face first. Instant pain shot up from my shin, and I screamed. It was involuntary, and as soon as I could manage it, I slammed my mouth shut. It was too late. I’d drawn the masked man and I was defenseless.
I rolled and tried to stand, but it felt like my bones were splintering inside my body. I looked to see if I’d visibly broken anything, but nothing was protruding. It meant I still had a chance. Just then, arms wrapped around my middle and lifted me. I tried to scream but he shoved two fingers deep down my throat.
I gagged and tried to kick, but Ghostface was stronger than me, and I couldn’t fight. He threw me over his shoulder and squeezed my throbbing calf. He squeezed so hard my vision grew spotty.
“Let me go,” I gasped, but he ignored me. His hands slid up my leg, moving up my dress to cup my ass. He squeezed and then spanked me. The sharp spank caused me to emit a small shriek.
As he strode further, memories assaulted me.
