Page 81 of Hide Me Darling

We stand there for a moment, a silent understanding passing between us. The noise and lights of the carnival fade into the background as I process everything.

After a few minutes, Maddie breaks the silence with a grin. “Come on, let’s go find something fun to do. Enough heavy stuff for one night.”

“Umm, I think I’m going to go for a walk. I have a lot to think about,” I say, the weight of my reality pressing down on me. I need to know how many people know who I am, and then I might need to start over on the whole investigation. Maybe Sheriff Brooks will team up with me and we can figure it out together?

They both smile in understanding and give me hugs before returning to the main part of the carnival. As they leave, I take my time to wander alone. It feels like a curtain has parted, and now I'm looking at everyone in a different light. I knew Rye killed innocent people for his own pleasure, but the way the girls talked, the others had reasons or did things that were justified. They know who my family is, and our whole mission is to protect and save innocent lives.

Lost in my thoughts, I wander into a quiet room. It's empty in this part of the carnival, and the dim lighting gives it an almost eerie feel. I stand in the center of the room, trying to clear all the doubt and uncertainty from my mind. I sigh heavily, unsure of where to go with my investigation from here.

Glancing up, I notice a series of frames around the room. The dim light is due to the walls being painted black to match the content of the frames. Each piece is done in blacks, reds, and golds, and they look breathtaking. I'm surprised no one else is in here looking at them, but I suppose the main attractions at carnivals are rides and sideshows.

The frame directly in front of me is of a heart, so I move toward it. There are cracks throughout the piece, tiny lines that at first almost look like veins until I get closer. There's a little sign beneath it, and I glance at what it says: "Bethany's Beating Heart."

I frown, wondering how long the piece has been around if it's cracking like this. I reach out, touching one of the cracks and a tiny part of the picture comes away with my finger. I try to look at it closer but the lights are dim making it hard. Rubbing my fingers together, it feels like the paint has become powdery so I bring it to my nose. The scent of copper assaults my senses.

I hear someone enter the hallway behind me. ‘Can I ask who did this art piece?’ I ask, assuming it's the attendant for the attraction, but only silence answers me.

Turning to look behind me, I’m surprised by the neon green mask. Abel, why are you here, now?

I smile as he moves toward me silently, and I’m half anticipating his touch already. The flash of his knife catches my attention and I step back, my back pressing to the art piece. Abel has never played with me using a knife, it’s always been Cain’s thing. But there is no mistaking the sharp edge of the blade when he holds it under my jaw.

My heart rate picks up as the cool metal presses against my skin, my lips part on a silent gasp. He still hasn’t said anything, and now something feels off. He tilts his head as he presses the sharp edge harder until I feel the sting of it, a whimper escaping me. I feel the warm trickle of blood, running down my throat and into the valley between my breasts.

Something still doesn’t feel right though.

When he pulls the knife away, holding the blade up to the limited light of the room, I see crimson droplets drip from it. His posture almost looks like he’s entranced as he stares at it. My stomach drops, and I shove hard against his chest, but he’s immovable.

When I try again, he brings the knife back down sharply. Pain explodes at the side of my head and the last thing I see before everything goes black is the neon green of his mask.

Chapter 39

Hydessa

17 Years Ago

Link doesn’t know when his birthday is, so I told him we are baking a cake today and from now on, today would be his birthday. It makes me sad that he’s never had a cake before, let alone a party. We have one every year, and the thing I like about it the most is the cake.

But instead of letting me make it for him, he said he would help. So now we are in the kitchen and there is flour all over our faces. I giggle as I throw some more in his direction. Mom won’t be happy, but seeing Link’s smile is worth it.

“Gotcha!” Link shouts, throwing a handful of flour back at me. We both burst into laughter, the kitchen quickly becoming a battleground.

“Okay, okay, truce!” I say, holding up my hands. “Let’s make a cake.”

Link grins and nods, his face and hair dusted with flour. We start measuring ingredients and mixing them together. The kitchen is a mess.

Suddenly, Link stops and his face goes pale. He falls to the ground, and I can feel my heart beating faster the longer he stays there.

“Link? Link, stop playing,” I say, my voice trembling.

He starts shaking, and I drop the mixing bowl and kneel beside him. “Mom! Mom!” I scream.

She rushes into the kitchen, her eyes wide with alarm. She sees Link on the floor and she quickly kneels beside him, her hands moving over his face.

“Dare, call 911!” she shouts.

My Dad rushes into the room, holding a phone to his ear. My Papa comes in too but he comes toward me, wrapping his arms around me and picking me up. He carries me out of the kitchen.

I don’t want to leave Link. I want to be with him, but Papa isn’t listening to me. No matter how hard I try to push away from him, no matter how hard I scream or yell, he won’t let me go.

---