Page 110 of Soul of a Psycho

Right now, somehow, she still loves me, and as selfish as it is, I don’t want her to stop. I tried. I really did. I tried to get her to hate me, to be sickened by my thirst, but the poison runs deep in her veins. Would the cure be knowing I killed the most innocent person on this campus?

I sigh and flip the chair back into place. Taking a step back, I give a long, blurry look at my work through forsaken tears. The rows and rows of seats leading up to the pulpit are immaculate, glowing white in the night. There’s nothing to see of what I’ve done. Which is exactly how it’s supposed to be.

I toss my supplies into the crate and hide it under the stage, too tired to take it back to the shack. I won’t need them, or anything, after tomorrow anyway.

My eyes droop as I fumble through the quad, my hood feeling heavy, and I pause at the old sycamore in front of Lamb Hall. It would be as good a place to sleep as any, but Sky doesn’t deserve to meet the reaper in the morning, and I don’t want her getting the wrong idea. I also don’t think I’m strong enough to resisther again. I force myself to move on and head toward the faculty grounds.

I slide my fingers along the top sill of the door and frown when I find the small piece of metal. Even after pushing her away, she still leaves a key for me. Something sick fills up in my stomach as I rub my fingers on the teeth of it and I lean my forehead against the door.

“I’m so sorry, mom,” I whisper and swallow back the bile. “It’s not your fault.”

I stay still for a long moment, focusing on my shallow breaths, until the urge to throw up passes, and then I unlock the door. The space is quiet and neat, with little night lights that lead me down the hallway and over the thinning antique rug. I softly push open the bedroom door.

Tomorrow is a big day for the headmistress. A proud day. And she sleeps soundly knowing one of the bright pupils is her son, who will soon be off to college.

Yes, he’s troubled, but he’s on the right path.I imagine the thoughts she had before drifting off.I mean, he’s top of his class, after all. He can’t be that disturbed. I did a good job. He’s a good boy deep down.She convinces herself.

I stifle a sob and peel the blanket back.You did a really good job, mom.I crawl in next to her. I wish I could tell her how much I love her. When the light calls to her, I hope she knows she’s not responsible. I wonder if I’ll get to say goodbye in the moments before our souls are sorted. Will all the faces of those I’ve condemned be there as well, scornful and bloody?

I squeeze my eyes shut against the idea, and make myself small, as if I’m a little boy again, and curl into my mother. She doesn’t wake, but her hand finds my shoulder, warm and nurturing. And for one last night in this world, I fall asleep in my mother’s arms.

Chapter Seventy-Six

Sky

Ipull myself up the iron staircase, rattling the entire building, and fling myself into the hallway, praying that Ruby is mistaken, and that she is currently entertaining someone else’s mother.

Your mum is here?? Where the fuck are you?

I didn’t even bother responding to the text, too shocked that I had forgotten I had parents, and instead bolted out of the woods. My hair is stuck to the sweat on my cheeks, and my fingertips are raw. I’m still in my pajamas and Cade’s hoodie from the night before, and I weave around the myriad of stacked boxes in the corridor, hoping that my father is anywhere else. The scent of hairspray and perfume wafts from each room, suffocating me with trepidation, and I yank out my phone to check the time.

My erratic heart stutters.

The ceremony starts in forty minutes.

Jesus, where the hell is Cade?! I checked the shack, the tracks, and Wakeman Hall. I even doubled back and made sure he wasn’t with Bobby. I can’t find him anywhere, and there’s no more time left.

I practically miss our own room and have to grab onto the door frame to stop myself, panting in the threshold.

“Sky?”

I cringe and look up.

“Mom!” I plaster a shrill smile on my face.

She’s sitting on my unmade bed, hands perfectly folded in her lap. Thankfully, my father is nowhere in sight, but Ruby’s glare could make up for it. Her heavily lined eyes are chewing me out for subjecting her to parental awkwardness. I try to apologize with a quick grimace, but she rolls her eyes and snatches up a pair of chucks.

“I’m going to go see if Callie and Lana are ready.” She bristles past me, and then pauses, turning. “It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Lyons.”

“Oh, you too. See you out there.” My mom gives her a thumbs up.

My jaw nearly hits the floor when Ruby returns the cheesy gesture, and if I wasn’t mentally and physically drained, I would relish calling her out on it.

“Was someone on their knees all night?” Ruby leans into my ear, whispering slyly under her breath before ducking out.

My brows come together as I look down my pants and spot the grass stains.

“Aren’t you running late, honey?” My mom stands, and I whip my head up. “Your roommate said you were helping another girl with their hair, but what about your own?”

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