Page 20 of A Christmas to Die For
"I loved you, Jack. You were everything to me. But now… all I feel is hate. I hate you. I hate myself for not seeing it. For not realizing what you were capable of.
"You left those women exposed and violated, legs spread, like they didn't matter. Like they were nothing. I trusted you. And now, when I look at your face, all I see is a stranger. A killer.
"How did I miss it? The sneaking out. The secrets. The lies, so many lies. I let myself believe you. And because of that, I don't think I'll ever trust anyone again. Ninevictims."
Holly pauses, her voice cracking under the weight of it. "But I will be your last. That much, I promise. And I'll heal. In ways they never got to. I'll live for them. All of them."
It's a powerful speech, one that captures the essence of a true fighter, embodying feminism and courage at its core.
"Umm, wow, I'm at a loss for words," Sabrina repeats her buzz word, and I scoff, quickly editing out the final "umm" one last time.
I toss my headphones onto the bed, wiping the exhaustion from my eyes. How did Holly not know? Would I know the signs if Aiden was really a monster? Hehasbeen having last-minute plans lately, but that doesn't mean it's suspicious behavior, right?
And what about my closest friends? I've known them longer, and we all have skeletons in our closet, but something this horrific… you'd have to be completely soulless.
Just then, the softest knock taps on the door, like a child rapping their small fist against the sturdy wood, barely audible.
I don't rush to answer, mulling over who it could be, what they might want, and why they wouldn't announce themselves. No "housekeeping," no "hey, it's Chet" to break the silence.
When I reach the doorknob, I turn it just slightly, the door groaning as I break the seal of warmth from inside the room.
I keep the gap small, just enough to make sure I'm not face-to-face with the town sock thief. But when I glance outside, there's no one. The exterior is empty, except for the snowy footprints leading to and from our entrance.
But as I start to pull the door shut, a gust of wind rustles a piece of paper taped to the door, and it flutters free.
I hesitate, then snatch it from the air, my pulse quickening. The words scrawled on it send a cold chill straightto my core.
When I reach the check-in desk, I see Chet watchingA Christmas Storyon his laptop.
"Not a finger!" I mock, imitating the dad from the film, trusting his wife not to touch the leg lamp in that iconic scene. "What a classic."
"I watch it at least five times a season," Chet confirms with a grin.
"Only five? It's a priority to watch once a week once Halloween is over."
"I refuse to watchA Christmas Story Christmas. Was totally unnecessary."
"Totally," I pause, awkward silence creeping in while he undoubtedly wonders why I'm here.
"Is your room okay?" Chet asks.
"Oh, yes. I mean, it's a little small, but we aren't staying long. We'll be leaving Christmas morning."
"Where are you traveling from?"
"Los Angeles."
"Haha, are you famous?"
I can't exactly say yes or no, though I do get recognized occasionally at Erewhon, and I do have about seven hundred thousand followers, most of them haters waiting to see me fail.
"Not exactly. But I did have a question for you."
"Shoot." Chet slams his laptop shut, giving me his full attention.
"While we were researching Frosthaven Falls and all it has to offer, a couple of articles came up."
"Which ones?"
