Page 93 of Little Psycho

I can see the gears turning in their heads, weighing their options.The playful Halloween spirit has dimmed, and the shadow of my ultimatum looms large.

Ash breaks the silence with a chuckle that masks his unease.“Well, I have always wanted to see what it’s like to be on the other side of the law.”He flicks the ash from the blunt, leaning slightly closer.“But lets just say hypothetically, how do we go about crossing names off this list of yours?”

I lean against the wall, a mock casualness taking over my body.“That’s the fun part.You don’t get to ask questions; you get to follow orders.I’ve done my homework and all the footwork.I know where they are and how to get to them.It’s all mapped out; all you have to do is trust me like you did the other night with Marcus.”

Dom swallows hard, unease washing over his features.“Trust has never been our strong suit, Calista.You know that.”His voice shakes slightly, a hint of the boy I used to know breaking through the armor he’s built.

“It wasn’t mine either,” I reply, a sadness in my tone that surprises even me.“It still isn’t.But this isn’t just about me anymore.It’s about the shadows we’ve been running from, and it’s about time we faced them—together.”

Killian clicks his tongue, a low sound that only adds to the tension.“And what if we don’t want to play your little game?What if we don’t want any part of this anymore?”

“Then you can continue to live with the guilt.Every name on that list is a scar on your conscience.You think just ignoring it will change anything?You think I want to try and forgive you so easily?”I step closer, fearless and undeterred.“You have no idea what I’ve fucking gone through to get here.”

Silence falls again; the only sound is the faint ticking of the clock echoing in the background.They exchange glances, silent deliberation pressing on.

Finally, it’s Ash who breaks the tension, tilting his head slightly.“You know I’ve always been up for a little chaos.Count me in.Besides, I’ll be the first to admit that the other night was sort of...fun, and the sex—fuck—the sex was fucking incredible.”

Dom looks torn, visibly wrestling with his conscience.“I want to help you, but...”

“But you’re scared.”I finish for him.“Scared of what you’ll become, scared of me.I get that, but what we’ve all been through in the past is what led us here—to this very moment—and either you break free or stay shackled to your demons and continue to let them control every aspect of your life.”

Killian finally speaks, his newfound determination lacing his voice.“Alright, I’ll do it.But if we’re getting into this, I want some rules: no unnecessary bloodshed; we need a plan.”

I smile, the thrill of the hunt sparking alive in my veins.“Deal.I already have a solid plan.But know this—we’re not just taking lives.We’re dismantling a legacy of abuse, pain, and misery.It'll be fucking messy.And another thing, I’ll never take the life of someone who doesn’t deserve it.”

“Messy is kind of my specialty,” Ash teases, leaning back with a renewed spark in his eyes.“Let the games begin.”

Dom sighs, the fight in him seeming to wane.“Alright, then I’m in too.”

I feel a particular warmth at his willingness to fight alongside me, even if it’s wrapped in a shaky resolve.And as I turn away, the weight of the night pressing down on me, I feel the shadows entwining with my thoughts—a promise that this Halloween, the masks wouldn’t just hide our faces; they would unveil our darkest truths.

THIRTY-FOUR

HALLOWEEN LL

RAINING BLOOD—JERIS JOHNSON

CALISTA

The unfamiliar but tantalizing vibrations of the steering wheel pulse through my hands, giving me a rush that heightens my senses and makes me feel more alive than I did when I first slid into Ash’s car.He sits beside me, his large, tattooed hand resting firmly on my thigh, a protective grip that anchors me as the rumble of cars lining the street courses through my body.

I glance to the left, flashing a defiant smirk at Killian in the adjacent car, fully aware that Dom is strapped into his car on my right, most likely casting a scowl in my direction.But I shrug off their gaze, pretending that I don’t give a fuck.But I fucking do.

However, in the lifestyle I lead, I can’t afford to let emotions cloud my judgement.Over time, I’ve learned to be cold and ruthless, a skill I’ve honed to perfection.

Yet I’ll never voice the truth that lies deep within: which is that I fucking do care deeply—I do give a fuck.But once feelings interfere with my mission, everything is at risk of unraveling, and I’m so close to completion.I can’t risk a slip-up now.

But fuck, I do love Dom, Ash, and Killian.I love them with every inch of my being, even the broken parts.I’ve always loved them, even when they fucking broke me when they shattered the foundation of love, trust, and loyalty that once united us.If there’s even a sliver of hope left that we can mend what’s been broken and find true happiness again when this is all over, that’s the vision I’ll cling to.

We promised each other at twelve that we would grow old together, and no matter what happens, I intend to honor that vow, hoping deeply that they all share the same dream.

“Are you sure you’re ready to race tonight?”Ash’s seductive voice cuts through the static in my head, snapping my focus to him.

“I’m sure, Ash.”I smile, nodding through it to hopefully make him understand that I’m more than fucking ready.

“They don’t play out there on them streets,” he warns cautiously, a painful look flickering in his eyes.“They’re fucking ruthless, determined, and they drive fucking dirty most times.”

I scoff, throwing my head back in a fit of evil laughter.“Have you met me?I guarantee I’m even more ruthless than they are.”

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