Page 60 of Mine

Decedent’s Legal Name: Prishna Anika Arya

Age (Last Birthday): 40

Cause of Death: Cardiopulmonary arrest

Contributing factors: Chronic drug use

“Oh my God.”

I stare at the certificate—Prishna’s death certificate. My hands are trembling as I reach back into the pocket where I find a blue velvet box, about the size of my palm. Inside, a small gold urn rests in a velvet pocket.

Thirty-Six

Sabine

After finding the death certificate and ashes, I hurry back to my room, then shut—and lock—the door.

If the real Prishna is dead, then who is the Prishna I’ve been talking to? And whose ashes are in the urn? The real Prishna’s? Whoever that is?

I curse out loud, wishing I had my cell phone or any access to the Internet. I could use my sleuthing skills to investigate the name.

Frustrated, confused, and mildly scared, I sink onto the bed and pull in a shaky breath.

What the hell have I gotten myself into? What do I do now?

The answer comes instantly: Don’t tell anyone.

I raise my head and nod. Don’t tell anyone that you know about the devastation in the baby’s room, or that you found a death certificate with Prishna’s name on it.

Don’t let anyone know you’ve been snooping. Because I know that if I do, I’ll be locked in my room again, unable to move freely around the house.

“Ugh.” I drop my head in my hands.

My head is pounding. I feel nauseated and light-headed. And in a few hours, I am expected to have dinner with Astor. My last dinner with him.

Taking a deep breath, I decide that right now, Astor and this dinner are what I’m going to focus on.

Him.

Him only.

It will all be over soon, anyway.

I sneak into Astor’s room, steal one of his sleeping pills, and jog back to my room, where I lie down and force myself to close my eyes.

Sleep, Sabine.

Everything is better after a nap.

Thirty-Seven

Anonymous

I watch her while she sleeps, the heavy rise and fall of her chest, the way her left eye twitches. She’s dreaming.

My grip tightens around the scissors.

I study the vein running down the side of her neck, the gentle thump, thump, thump of blood. I imagine the mess it would be if I stabbed her right here, right now.

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