Page 38 of Unholy

She lifts her hand and places it on his forearm. “Nothing. I’m just happy.”

He is shocked by her response, and Nathaniel jumps in next. “We should leave them, Puppet.”

My face must say it all because a tiny giggle comes from my new best friend.

For the first time since all this chaos has begun, I am excited for what the future holds.

I sneeze not onceor twice but three times; something fuzzy keeps brushing up against my nose and tickling it. My body is heavy from the most divine slumber I’ve had in years.

The tiniest little meow can be heard. My brow furrows, confused because I know Nathaniel Sinclair does not own any animals other than this deranged son.

Then it nudges my chin.

My eyes squint open, my vision blurry, and while I adjust, I see a black fluffy shadow. Blinking a few more times, everything starts to become clear. It’s a kitten.

“What are you doing here, little baby?” I ask in my cutesy voice, as one would do when speaking to the most precious thing you have ever seen. Light peeks through the curtains, allowing me to see it slightly better. The kitten steps back and paper crinkles under its paws. My hands pad around, trying to find the elusive piece of paper. Once I grab ahold of it, I sit up against the headboard and flick the bedside lamp on. My eyes adjust further, and I read the note.

Rylee… I’m sorry. She’s yours.

- N

This sly motherfuckergot me an apology kitten, and I absolutely adore her already. She won’t solve anything, he needs to fucking grovel, but I will keep her and love her forever.

Placing the note down, I scoop up my new baby. Her collar is a beautiful rose gold chain link with a matching solid heart hanging down from her chest.

Proudly, I declare, “And I shall name you Karma.”

Whilst I am basking in all this furry cuteness, a knock at my door interrupts us. Looking at my clock, it’s just before noon, so it’s not technically an inappropriate time of day to bother someone, but if it’s Nathaniel, he can still fuck off. Words hurt.

“Come in,” I shout.

The door cracks open, and to my surprise, it’s Thomas peeking back at me.

“I initially came to grab you because I wanted to show you something cool I found, but now I see you have a kitten and nothing else matters.” She is already melting hearts; such a good girl taking after her mama.

“Want to pet her? She smells like new kitten and I can’t get enough.” I am literally melting.

Thomas scurries in and reaches his hand out to pet her, but Karma hisses and he steps back with his hands up as if she is the police saying,Stick ’em up.

His words are rushed. “I come in peace,” he pleads, but each time his hand comes out, she hisses.

“Has Thomas been up to no good?” I ask rhetorically and still in my baby voice.

Thomas is taken aback, but I know the company he keeps, so of course he has been naughty. But remembering his initial reason for coming to visit does pique my interest.

“Give me five and you can show me whatever it is you found.”

He backs up toward the door slowly, keeping eye contact with Karma the entire time, not disconnecting until he is out the door and it is closed behind him.

With Karma scooped up, I get up and head to the bathroom while giving her firm instructions. “Make sure you bite him if he’s tricking Mommy. And always watch out for his leader with the skull face and the crazy eyes. Actually… all boys. Unless otherwise instructed.”

I leave Karma inside.I am already in love with her. The body farm is still decorating Nathaniel’s backyard and Elijah doesn’t appear to be in any rush to clean it up. Karma is still a baby; she doesn’t need to be exposed to this fuckery yet.

In an oversized black sweater that hangs past my knees and a pair of soft Uggs, I follow Thomas to this mysterious thing he needed to show me out back.

It’s a cold day and the crisp air tingles on my cheeks. I have my sweater hood up to help keep me warm. Following Thomas, we walk past the new decor, my nose turns up and my face screams disgusted. This is the strangest shit I have ever seen. Brad’s skin is starting to sag off his face; his eyes are the worst, the skin isn't even attached to them anymore, and the hollows are visible underneath like the flesh there melted away.

Moving my focus, I look over to the white shed in the yard's far corner, all in an effort to keep whatever food is left in my stomach down.

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