Page 102 of The Lake of Lost Girls

The kind that could choke you.

“She wanted to ruin me, but in the end, she ruined herself.”

Jessica:

Walking through my childhood home felt odd this time.

Like I was already a stranger.

As if I didn’t have a right to be there.

“Where’s your ring?” Mom asked, coming out to the backyard where I was pushing Lindsey on the swing.

I looked down at my naked finger and felt a flash of satisfied rage. “It’s gone,” was all I said.

“Gone? We spent good money on that ring and you lost it?” Mom shrieked. I saw the telltale signs of one of her lectures.

I leaned down toward Lindsey. “I need to go outside and get something from the car. I think you’re going to be surprised.”

Lindsey’s eyes widened. “Ooh, what is it?” She hopped off the swing. “Come on, come on!”

I started to walk past Mom, but she grabbed my arm. “Where are you going? I’m not done talking to you.”

“You don’t listen, Mom, so I won’t bother saying anything.” I sounded sad, not angry. “I wish you would hear me out. Just for once.”

The frustration drained from my mother’s eyes, replaced with the same concern that had been there earlier. “Jessica …”

“I need to get Lindsey’s cake out of the car. Don’t want to mess up anything else.” I couldn’t stop the hostility. It bled into everything.

I opened the front door and I saw a red Mazda Miata parked behind my car. Dr. Daniels was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Lindsey started to follow me outside, but I held her back. “You wait here. I don’t want you to see the surprise until I bring it inside.”

Lindsey pouted. “That’s not fair,” she whined, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I’ll be quick. I promise.” I ruffled her hair and she swatted my hand away, hurrying over to the front window, pulling back the curtain so she could watch me.

I cast a nervous glance toward the Miata as Dr. Daniels got out.

I closed the door, took a deep breath, and walked toward my fate.

Lindsey:

“Lindsey!”

A loud banging came from the front of the house.

“Lindsey! I know you’re in there. I need to talk to you!” Ryan called out.

“Who is that?” Dad asked, getting to his feet, casting a furtive glance toward the garage door.

“I’ll get rid of him. Give me a second,” I promised, hurrying to the front door. I opened it to a frantic Ryan.

“I’ve been calling you for over an hour. I didn’t know if you were still with Daisy so I took a chance and drove over …” His words tapered off as he looked past me into the house. He furrowed his brow, as if he could sense something was going on. He turned back to me, his expression tense. “We need to talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about.” I started to close the door, but he held it open. “Ryan, I need you to leave. Now.”

He pushed past me. I grabbed his arm, holding him in place so he couldn’t go any further.

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