Page 55 of No, For An Answer
The feeling of the drugs in my system, images of me sitting in a circle with other patients. Staring out at the white walls of what was called ‘The Breathing Room.’
“You were there for nine months, remember?” Caressing my face and neck. “You finally got out and the first thing you did… Was run away.” She speaks slowly, waiting for me to register it all. “You created him to protect yourself from everything. Shadow was your shield from the beginning.”
“He h-helped me to s-survive in there.” The memories flashing to the forefront my mind. “Helped me get out of my head, helped stop the pain of l-losing…” The words are barely audible.
My throat constricting tighter as I try to speak. “It’s like I woke up one morning and he was just… There.” I remember now. “He was always with me. In my mind.” The day I was finally discharged from the Ohio Mental institution, that’s when I started actually seeing him. Realising now that this whole time it was me. The girls I imagined him murdering, it was just false memories I’d created to shield myself from what I was doing. Attending the university, taking classes, sex with Nathan… it was… all a lie.
None of it existed.
None of it was real.
“I killed myself, didn’t I?”
Pushing up on her tip toes, she presses her perfect lips to mine in the most searing kiss. “None of that matters. I couldn’t let you go alone.” She says against my lips. Slowly, I pull back from her. Sliding my hands around her face, I watch as a single tear cascades down her rosy cheeks.
“It seems as though police have found the diary of Maisy Anne Lee which notes that Joseph Chambers sexually assaulted Miss Lee on countless occasions during her first and only year at Brown and naming Jesse Richmond as her rapist. Ashley Jane Porter’s suicide note reveals, in detail, that Nathan Danvers was also a co-conspirator in the cover up of her rape. The note also explains, in further detail, that Ashley Jane Porter, was the sole conspirator in the murders of Nathan Danvers, Joseph Chambers and Jesse Richmond. The location of Marcus Richmond, Jesse’s brother, was also stated within the letter.”
“It was all for you.” My chin quivering as my own tears fall. “I promised I would get them back for hurting you.”
She smiles at me, and the tears begin to fall again. From both of us this time.
“As well as the murders of Francesca Lopez and her two best friends Elena Michaels, and Sarah Chambers. Those of whichwere also part of what was a bullying campaign against Maisy Anne Lee. The parents of both Miss Porter and Miss Lee have been notified.”
“Will you stay with me?” I pull her close to me. My heart beating so vigorously I’m afraid it will burst in my chest. Her breath sending goosebumps across my skin.
“Always,” I whisper.
“Always,” she mimics as she kisses my lips.
END.
