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She’s my student, I should’ve made sure that her safety was not compromised.

My files are scattered everywhere, and I notice that a large envelope sits underneath. Picking up the envelope, recognizing the penmanship.

Kyle.

I forgot I told the team to send over anything they found on the case. The letter opener sits in the top drawer. I slide it beneath the seal and tear it open. Photographs spill onto the desk. Victims, close ups of the markings around their necks, and the notes carved on their thighs.

A note is attached to the top picture.

You were right, boss, the chain marks do indeed match. This is the first victim.

-K

I take in Kyle’s message, allowing the hollow and terror feeling to settle.

Dead or alive, the killer is here.

27

Mireya

Play - Fourth of July by Sufjan Stevens

Tattooed skin

The sky is still dark when I pull into Edna’s drive.

Milo is asleep in the passenger seat and for a second, I consider waking him up. But instead, I sling his backpack over my shoulder and carefully gather him into my arms, nudging the car door shut with my foot slowly. Blue is also taking a nap and I don’t want him to get up before going back to the campus.

My little brother is not so little anymore. He’s getting heavier but I still find myself swaying him gently as I cross the courtyard, the same way I did when he was small.

Edna opens the front door, and the warmth inside brushes over us. “Come in, come in before you catch a cold,” she says as she opens the door wide enough for us.

I place Milo down onto the sofa, and she returns with a woolly blanket.

“He’ll probably sleep for another hour or so,” I tell her as she throws the blanket over his little body.

My arms fall limp at my sides as I let out a loud sigh. I stare at the ceiling as Edna stands before me.

“Will this ever get any easier?” I ask her as I close my eyes for a moment.

Her fingertips as she brushes a lock of hair behind my ear, and my hands slowly unclench.

“No, but it will be worth it in the end.”

“Will it?” I ask her, trying to keep my voice steady.

She gives me a warm smile before glancing back at Milo. “I promise, Reya. Do you want some warm tea before you set off?”

I shake my head at her suggestion. “I can’t…I don’t want to be late.”

She moves in front of me, arms surrounding my body. I’m ten years old all over again.

She knows, she always knows. I close my eyes as her hands settle on my back. “You remember what I taught you?”

“One foot in front of the other,” we whisper those words together as I open my eyes.

A long sigh escapes my lips as I turn to look at Milo once more. “I’ll be back on Friday,” I say to him, even though he’s fast asleep.