Page 60 of Savage Scream

‘When I stabbed her, I must have hit something important because she stopped attacking and tumbled to the floor, groaning. Then, all I could see was the knife on the floor, waiting to be picked up, and all I knew in that moment was that I needed to kill her so she couldn’t hurt Travis or my dad again.

So, I picked up the knife. I remember it was slippery in my hand, because of all the blood coming from my arms, but I gripped it tight and straddled her, and when she slowly blinked her eyes open, I struck, stabbing her chest over and over.

I was told later that she had forty-three stab wounds.’

Fuck. Forty-three stab wounds is a lot.

‘Travis must have come to during my rage, and when he opened his eyes, all he saw was me killing his mum.

We were separated after that. The police never let us near each other until about a week later. I’ll never forget that day. I tried to talk to Travis. Explain what happened, but he told me to stop talking. He said he never wanted to hear my voice again.

So I gave him that. I stopped talking, and then they sent me to a psychiatric facility, and Travis went into the foster system.’

I feel like fucking crying. I hate that they went through that brutality, and were then separated. All those years, Travis never knew what really happened.

“Dee. I’m so sorry,” I mumble, biting back my emotions as I pass her phone back before pulling her onto my lap. “Does Travis still not know what happened?”

Shrugging, Dee shifts back and taps out her response on her phone before passing it back to me.

‘He knows more, but he apparently repressed the memories. He’s only just started to remember how his mum really treated him. He’ll need time, and then maybe one day, if he wants to know my version of that day, I will tell him.’

“Christ. I don’t know what to say,” I admit, and she shrugs, leaning in close.

“It is what it is. Can’t change the past. But I can change Travis’ future, which is why I’m here. To try to get him out of this place and into a better life.” She takes a moment to clear her throat, her voice still so husky when she talks.

She seems to be thinking of her next words, and my heart races in anticipation of hearing her voice again. I fucking love hearing her speak. I’m so fucking honoured that she shares this part of herself with me now.

“The jobs I do for the Angels and Griffin have allowed me to grow a nest egg in offshore accounts. The Angels helped me set them up. The Australian government would be all over me if they saw the money I make, especially because of my age. When I’m eighteen, it’ll be easier for me to be independent without having to avoid the authorities, which is why I’ve waited until now to come for Travis.”

I hate the thought of her leaving, but I get it. She’s trying to protect her brother, and there’s something noble in that.

“So you do those jobs to get the money? Is that the only reason?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“That and I enjoy getting revenge for someone else who can’t manage it.” She looks down to her lap at her fidgeting fingers. “I like killing, though. Sometimes too much.”

Damn.

I should be freaking out, right?

I should probably be counting the days until she leaves, knowing she’s a lethal weapon, but fuck, I’m not. I can’t. I don’t think there’s anything she can do to make me stop wanting her.

We chat for a while there in the dark. I don’t think she realises how much she’s using her voice, and I don’t mention it, because I’m scared she will lock it away again if I make a big deal about it.

It’s nearly ten by the time we wander back to Dee’s house. I have a feeling her foster parents are gonna insist I go home, but I’m not leaving Dee. They don’t know why, of course. I’m sure they just think I’m a horny teenager. And yeah, I am, but I’d be here regardless of mine and Dee’s sexual status.

“Hush.” A voice calls quietly from behind us as we’re about to turn up the path to Dee’s house, and I still, while Dee spins on her heel, ready to pounce.

“Stand down. It’s just us.” I turn to see the two Angel sisters stalking out of the shadows from across the street.

I want to relax at the sight of them, but I don’t know them, or if we can truly trust them.

Dee doesn’t attempt to communicate with them other than shooting them a warning glare, and the taller one, Amanda, I think her name is, smirks.

“If looks could kill.”

“What do you want?” I ask for Dee, and Amanda takes a moment to eye me, her expression neutral but fucking scary, before she shifts her gaze back to Dee.

“We’ve just come from visiting Griffin, a little concerned with the sudden spike in the murders in this area. He advised me that you have a new arrangement.”

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