Page 72 of Little Twisted Things

“Dahlia?” A surprised look overtook her face.

“Where’s Katherine?”

“She’s at the cottage, safe, with her husband Elias.”

“I’ve been trying to reach you. So far, I’ve only been able to talk to Sydney.”

“Someone knocked me out, and I suspect it’s that woman from Sydney’s painting.”

“Do you know who she is?” she asked.

“No. But I will find out and let you know. She must be dealt with. The others seem to be gone.”

“I don’t understand. Both Katherine and Sydney told me that you would never be able to wake up. How are you here?”

“Katherine visited me. She woke me up. Kind of wish she didn’t. This is the last place I want to be in again.”

“You’ve been in a psychiatric hospital before?” she asked.

“Once. After Katherine swallowed a bunch of pills. That’s when I sent her to her happy place. When I woke up, I was here.”

She walked over to her desk and grabbed a file. She sat back in the chair and opened it.

“It doesn’t say anything in Dr. Seagram’s notes about you.”

“Because I pretended I was still Katherine. If I hadn’t, we’d all still be locked up here. Now, when can I get out?”

“Uh, I’m afraid that won’t be any time soon. Dahlia, you’re a serial killer. Do you understand that?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“You’ve killed countless men.”

“Because they needed to be punished for their sins.”

“It still doesn’t make it right. I think you know that.”

“Blah. Blah. Blah.” I looked up at the ceiling. “Anyway, Dr. Bondi, I need to figure out who that shadowy woman is. I know nothing about her except the fact that she’s dangerous. I feel it every time she tries to push through.”

“How long do you intend to stay here?” she asked.

“Until I find her and kill her.” I smiled. “None of us are safe, including Katherine, while she’s around. I’m the strongest of the system. I always have been. I’m the only one who can stop her.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet. I saw the paintings Sydney painted. What did she tell you?”

“She begged me not to tell her she spoke to me. I asked who she was and she told me a bad lady who put everyone to sleep.”

“Was she frightened?” I asked.

“Yes. Very.”

“She has no one to protect her now since the others can’t wake up. I hope she goes to Katherine in the cottage. She and Elias will protect her. I need to find this other alter.”

“Dahlia, if I’m going to help Katherine, I need her here,” Dr. Bondi said.

“That isn’t happening as long as that thing is lurking around. Are we finished here?” I stood up. “I need to go back to my room and think.”