Page 71 of Echoes

Like Avery's, my parents couldn't hold their shit together either—not that I blame them.

I wouldn't want to stay a family either. And I certainly wouldn't want to lose both children in the space of a week.

Four days. That's how long it took.

That's how long it took me to splatter their own brain matter.

It took a little planning and patience.

I toyed with the idea of killing one first, so that the other knew I was coming for him next. But given the police involvement around my sister's demise, I knew I probably only had one chance to get what I wanted. And there was only one time I'd have them both together in the same room.

Madison's Funeral.

The part that disgusted me the most?

I was able to lure them away after the funeral with false information about Madison's Will.

That was the final straw for me, the confirmation that my decision was justified. They were more interested in thinking they were getting something, instead of grieving her like the rest of us.

I killed Richard first, laughing when his guts flew all over a horrified Joseph. They weren't so tough anymore when I had a gun pointing at them. Where was that bullying, that martyrdom they had tried to project onto Madison?

Dead as they were going to be.

Joseph had begged—like I knew he would. Sobbed like a baby, asking for mercy.

He watched as I sliced open Richard's chest, ripping out his silenced heart with my bare hands. And then I made Joseph take a bite, watched him struggle to tear the strong muscle with his shaking teeth.

It's funny what people will do—what limits they will push—when they want to survive.

Joseph thought it would save him.

He was very wrong.

I pieced the two men together for one last time, symbolically honoring Madison.

Richard met the same end as Madison. And Joseph became one with Richard.

And in the end… the three of them wound up together.

Just like it should have been in life.

Chapter 24

Avery

When I emerge from the aisle, I spot Grey and Damon standing by the table, muttering quietly to each other. As usual, Grey's attention switches to me instantly, the moment I step out from behind the curtain.

I feel Theo's presence behind me, following me as I cross the small distance to the two men. It's reassuring to know that Theo has my back, even if I'm heartbroken as to why.

And as for Grey…

Well, he's trying. And that counts for everything.

It's never an easy task to fight something that comes naturally to you, but he's willing to give it his best shot. I try not to ponder on the possibility that things could go south at any moment, living in the present.

"Hey," I smile at Grey, stopping next to him.

He looks at me with a perplexed look, scanning my face. "What's wrong?" he asks, eyes shifting over my shoulder to Theo.

---