Page 50 of Snowman

"What the fuck?" I stammered, stepping back with Mel.

Joe ignored me and turned his focus to Mel.

"Imagine," he said softly, "no more touching, no more late-night baths, no more pleasing anyone." His voice was hypnotic, his tone almost convincing. "All it takes is one little decision," he added, his eyes darker than before.

Mel took a step forward, hesitant. She turned to me, her face soaked with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Bree," she whispered, her voice cracking as she reached for the knife in his outstretched hand.

"No, Mel!" I screamed, the sound ripping from my chest. "We can't do this!"

Tears streamed down her face as she gripped the knife tightly, "I'm so sorry," she repeated.

I stumbled backward, nearly tripping with every shaky step I took. But she kept moving toward me, her eyes distant but focused, a knife gripped so tightly in her hand that her knuckles turned white.

My chest tightened, and I could barely breathe. Those twenty minutes Thor promised felt like forever. It felt like there was no way out of this nightmare.

"Mel, please," I begged, pressing my hands together like I was praying. My voice cracked, trembling just like my legs. "This isn't you. You don't have to do this!"

"Kill her already," Laura's sharp voice cut through the air. She leaned against the doorway like she had all the time in the world, her face curled into a smirk. "I've waited years for this."

"You're sick!" I screamed at her, anger mixing with fear, my voice shaking. "You're both sick!"

Laura shrugged, unbothered.

"We tried to do this the night you two fell down the stairs," she said, so casually, like we held no meaning to her. "But you had to lose your memory. You see, fear makes it better. All that adrenaline... pumps the blood. Makes the taste richer."

"Go to hell!" I shouted, slamming my hands against the locked door. My fists stung, but I didn't stop. "Mel, please! Don't listen to her. Please!"

Mel's hands were trembling now, the knife shaking as she clutched it tighter. Her lips quivered, but her eyes wouldn't meet mine. "I'm sorry, Bree," she said, breaking. "I just… I can't do this anymore."

I couldn't let this happen. Irefusedto let this happen.

I had to run. Turning on my heel, I sprinted out of the living room and toward the bedroom. My feet slammed against the floor, the wooden boards creaking with each step. Behind me, I heard Mel chasing, her breaths sharp and uneven. My heart felt like it might escape, the pounding in my chest so loud it drowned everything else out.

I reached the bedroom and threw myself inside, slamming the door shut behind me. My hands fumbled with the lock, twisting it until I heard the soft click. My knees hit the floor beside the bed, and I reached for the phone on the nightstand. My fingers were shaking so badly I could barely press the buttons, but I pressed number one. Again and again.

Finally, his voice came through. "Bree, I'm almost there. Just hold on!"

"It might be too late," I whispered, tears choking my words. "Thor, I don't know if—"

"No," he cut me off. "I'll be there. Just hide, okay? Hide!"

Before I could answer, the door burst open. The lock shattered, and Laura stormed in, dragging Mel by her hair. My stomach twisted. The knife had fallen from Mel's hand and hit the floor with a dull clatter. Her face was red, streaked with tears, and she didn't even try to fight back.

I screamed, so loudly, the sound ripping out of me before I could stop it. It wasn't just fear, it was anger, grief, and desperation all at once.

"Bree!" Thor's voice crackled through the phone in my hand, but I couldn't respond. I dropped it onto the floor as Laura stepped closer.

"Your choice, Bree." She shoved Mel to her knees, gripping her hair tighter. "You or her."

I took a step closer to Mel, my eyes searching hers, and she looked so lost, so sad. She never truly lived, had never evenknown the world, and maybe, deep down, neither had I. But still, I wanted her to have that chance. I wanted her to know everything, to have everything. Even if it hurt me to admit that my promises had been nothing but lies.

I stepped again, my voice rising. "Come and get me!"

Mel's cry shattered me, "Bree, no!" she yelled, her voice breaking. She shoved Laura back, turning to me with tears in her eyes. "Run! The window... slide it to the side. Go!"

"No!" I shouted back, the words cutting out of me. "You're coming with me!"

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