Page 21 of Little Psycho

“We delete the camera footage, for one.”I get up and run over to the security system, erasing all of the footage with one click of the computer mouse.“And now we get the fuck out of here,” I say firmly, getting my bearings together and grabbing the bag that holds both of our escape routes.“We run and don’t look back.”

Addy nods, and we run around, gathering any money we can find, a few burner phones still in their plastic packaging, and anything and everything else we might need before hurrying out of the mansion and into the night, making sure to use one of the exits that isn’t visible to where Gunnar is still parked in the driveway.

As we are mere feet from the back of the mansion, I stop dead in my tracks, realizing that we’ve made it out—we’re finally free.The weight that has been on my shoulders for years feels like it’s been lifted, and now I can finally start over.

But Mr.Brown was only one of the men on my list; there are still twelve more.And I won’t be able to rest or move on completely until all twelve are dead.

I’ll make sure every single one of them pays for what they fucking did to me—to all of us.I won’t stop until every last one of those monsters is dead, their blood on my hands.They’ll perish in the flames of my revenge, and I’ll watch them burn, their bodies turned to ash, bathing in the scent of their melting flesh until it’s soaked into my skin—a reminder of what I did to them for all the shit they put me through.

As we run into the dark, cold night, I can’t help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I survived.

And now I need to make sure no one else ever has to go through the shit that I did.

The night is filled with endless possibilities as we make our way to a new beginning.And as I think about what’s to come, I know that I’m ready for whatever the fuck it is.

It’s time for me to finally be free...

EIGHT

FIVE

CUTE GIRL—DIGGY GRAVES

CALISTA

With the fall air sweeping in quickly, I shiver with each anxious step I take through the city.I know I need to get out of sight.I need to go somewhere nobody will think to look for me.But where?

Addy walks closely beside me, protecting me in her own way, and right now, I couldn’t be anymore grateful for her company.

I think back to when I had my freedom, trying to remember the places I was always warned to stay away from.And suddenly it clicks.Taking a dark alley, Addy and I head for Boston Commons, knowing there’s a shady part of the city there where crime is at an all-time high.Drug dealers, gangs, illegal street racing—you name it—all go on down there, making it the best place for me to hide out.

Reaching into my backpack, I flip through the stack of money I found in Mr.Brown’s house, guessing there to be over ten grand; it’ll do for now.My hands glide over the barrel of the gun I stole, and a funny feeling swarms inside me.

Taking Mr.Brown’s life did something to me.I’m not sure what, but I want that feeling again.I’ve awakened a dark side of me that I didn’t know I had, and although it might be good for me, it’s not good for the motherfuckers on my list.

“Where are we going?”Addy asks, happily skipping beside me, the wind blowing her long blonde hair in her face.

She looks so free—exactly like how I feel.

I pull my hand off the gun, feeling a tingle dissipating inside me that I wanted to feel more of.Zipping the bag, I sling it over my shoulder and turn her.

“We’re going down to H-town.”I shrug, hoping I’m right about no one coming to look for me down there.

“Why don’t we go find the guys?They’ll let us stay with them!”she giggles, raising her arms above her head, welcoming the chilly wind that follows our every step.

I shake my head, surprised that she didn’t think that one through.“No, that’s the first place anyone would look.I’m not trying to go back to hell, Addy.”Pulling out a pack of smokes from my pocket that I took from Mr.Brown.I light one for the first time, already loving the way the nicotine makes me feel as it enters my bloodstream and makes my head spin.

We walk until we hear the revving of engines, bikes zipping down the street below the overpass, and a faint ring of gunshots followed by sirens.We’re here.

Turning the corner, Addy and I walk right into a large crowd of girls and guys, all watching the street race that’s about to start.Fascinated by the bright colors, the sound of heavy hitting bass rattling the street, and the array of decked-out cars, I stop near a corner store, leaning against the column under the overhang.

“Now this is what I’m talking about,” Addy gasps, her eyes bright and wide, just like mine.

“I know.I’m in love already,” I laugh, inhaling the cigarette again, along with the exhaust fumes floating in the air, holding the smoke deep in my lungs for as long as I can.

I take another look around, feeling a sense of freedom and anonymity in the midst of all the chaos.This is the perfect place to lay low for a while, at least until things cool down.

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