Page 128 of Beautiful Prey

The background was a picture of Sammy, my cat on her back, paws in the air. I stared at her cute pink paws and suddenly felt a sharp ache in my chest. I sat there thinking about my cat, about Jamie and Lena, even Uncle Wes and felt the ache again. I really was going to miss them. I couldn’t pretend that I wasn’t still sad. Despite what I agreed to do, that I was willing to leave with Emery and never come back, I felt sorry. I loved them all, Ireally did, but I’d felt so alone for so long. None of them needed me. Sammy would be okay; I trusted Jamie to take care of her. They’d be okay without me and so would Lena. Uncle Wes had his family to support him, so he’d be fine too.

No, none of them needed me. But Emery did. And, as fucked up as it was, I needed him too.

I stared at the screen for a moment before pulling up a blank word document.

I couldn’t send anything to them yet. But I could still write to them and save the letter for later. When we got to where we were going, I could email it to them when I was ready.

I took a deep breath and wrote everything I needed to say to the ones who would miss me the most.

I finished my letters just in time for us to depart. Emery helped me carry things from the basement. I took my duffel bag and swung it over my shoulder. We checked all the rooms one last time and, when we were sure we grabbed everything, I followed him up to the garage.

The garage was a mess from Emery sifting through things. As I walked through, I said my last final goodbye to the house, never expecting to set foot in it again.

When I got to the door leading outside, I hesitated. The rain had gotten heavier in the hour, the sky so stormy it still looked dark out despite the clock saying the sun was starting to rise. Emery was heading straight for the boathouse, hardly even considering the rain. I caught up to him, getting soaked despite my jacket, having to blink more than usual to keep the droplets out of my eyes.

I hesitated again by the dock, noticing the current was flowing fast down river. It would be a slog to get out to the bay and into choppy water.

Inside the boathouse, I tried to keep my anxiety hidden and stick to loading things into the boat. Or rather watching Emery do it as he was quicker. He packed everything in as I took note of the water rising.

“Is that everything?” he asked as he steadied himself by the edge.

“I think so,” I replied. There was a small flash from outside, then the quiet boom of thunder in the distance. “Maybe we should wait,” I added. “You know, for the storm to pass.”

Emery looked out to the entrance, his eyes narrowing. He wore his mask now, I assumed to keep the rain out of his face, so I couldn’t see his expression.

“Might be a little rough at first, but this rain could last all day.” He glanced at me. “What do you think, sweetheart, eh?”

I pursed my lips. I was nervous to go out in this. But also, anxious to be away.

“Just a half hour,” I said at last. “If it doesn’t slow by then, we’ll just go.”

“Alright. I’ll check things over one last time, make sure the electrical is good, let the boat warm up.”

I nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”

He grabbed my hand, pulling me closer while making sure I didn’t fall in the water. He pressed his forehead to mine. “We got this, baby. We’ll be in the sun in no time, just wait and see.”

I closed my eyes, imagining it. “I know.” I took a deep breath. Forgetting his mask, I kissed his skull face and smiled knowing he would eventually lose it for good. Once we were in our little paradise, there’d be time to heal.

I heard his soft intake of breath, saw his eyes light up. He brought my hand to his skull face and pressed it lightly to oneside. He let it drop then turned back to the wheel of the boat, taking out the keys.

“Oh, the generator!” I blurted. “Better make sure that’s off.”

He lifted his head. “Ah, yeah, I might have forgotten about that. Doesn’t really matter, it can run itself dry.”

“It will only take a second. I’ll be right back.” I turned for the door, zipped up my jacket all the way and headed back outside. I ran up the yard and around the side of the garage. I opened the little door to the box and turned the switch off.

The generator powered down, the humming dying. I closed the box and started to head back.

As I came around the corner, I noticed I’d left the garage door open. I went to close it, then paused, peering inside at the darkness within.

I thought I saw figures standing in the dark staring at me. My heart dropped and I blinked away raindrops, wiping my face. I looked again and they were gone.

I felt cold and shaken at first. Then I felt like I understood.

“Goodbye,” I said aloud this time. “Don’t wait around for me.”

I shut the door, taking a slow, shaky breath. The ghosts could move on without me.

---