Page 4 of Malice

I close my eyes again, waiting for my brain to piece it all back together. “Shit. He was already inside. I came home from a jog and I went to my kitchen to make a protein shake. The next thing I know, he had his hands around my throat and was dragging me to the floor.”

“We found the front door pried open,” the detective explains. “He was careful not to make it too obvious.”

I scoff softly. “I have no idea why he was so obsessed with me. We barely dated.”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Dillon had a pattern of this kind of behavior,” Detective Perry says. “He’s had numerous protective orders filed against him and three years ago served sixty days for assaulting his then boyfriend. He’s been fired from two jobs, once for aggressive behavior and once for throwing a chair at his manager.”

“Jesus,” I whisper. “How did I not see the red flags?”

“You did, but people like that are very good at hiding them,” Officer Ortega says. “It’s how they lure people in. For whatever reason, he decided to end his life today. At least he won’t be able to hurt you again.”

“He thought I was dead,” I whisper. “Hewantedme to be dead.”

Both men nod, their expressions somber.

“Passing out is likely what saved you,” the officer says.

“That and how quick your neighbor was to call law enforcement,” Detective Perry adds. “We’ll let you rest, and if we find out anything else pertinent, we’ll let you know.”

I nod, deflating as they leave. I can’t believe that loser tried to kill me. For what? I shouldn’t be happy that he’s dead, but I am.He’s made my life hell for over a year, and at least now I’m done with him.

I owe Melody a huge favor. Without her, he could’ve killed me and no one would’ve been looking for me for a long time. Sobering when you realize you could die and no one would notice. That’s how life is now when you work from home with distant family and friends who live out of state.

I don’t regret moving to Mass though. It’s been great except for one huge mistake. But it’s over now. I’ll never have to see Chester Dillon again.

Thank fuck.

Chapter 3

Aster

Did he just say…?

“Come again?”

“You’re dead, Aster,” Farnsworth repeats. “For what it’s worth, you didn’t feel a thing. Didn’t even see it coming. Unfortunately for the witnesses, it wasn’t very pretty. They’re probably still scraping you off the sidewalk.”

I laugh, nodding. “I’m in a dream. A really weird dream. I need to wake up and everything will be fine.” I pinch my arm, but instead of a sharp sting, I feel literally nothing. I do it again, harder this time, then resort to slapping my own face. Nothing.

Panic spreads through me like a brewing storm. “Farnsworth, why can’t I wake up?”

“You’re not asleep.” He turns around and the two rows of figures behind him move together, creating a solid wall of black.

Farnsworth snaps his fingers and images of my life flash by on the bodies, like a projector screen. I see my parents, my sister, my dog.

Oh my god, my dog. Who’s going to take care of Otto now?

Scenes of my life continue, from high school through college to my adult life, ending just seconds before the car took me out. My eyes well with tears. This can’t be. It just can’t be.

“I’m sorry,” Farnsworth says, snapping his fingers again. The images fade away, leaving me feeling empty. “It’s very sad.”

“What now? Do I get a black suit and just hang out with those guys behind you?”

There’s another brief chorus of laughter.

“Luckily, you have options, Aster. That’s why you’re here.”

“Is this heaven? Or…” I cringe. “Is it hell?”

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