This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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A thunderous blast rattled the bedroom windows and shook the slowly rotating ceiling fan. Its rumble vibrated deep within her and sent her heart racing in fear. Even through the closed windows, the screams found their way to her ears and then… silence—a silence she believed would be the end to her life. She placed strands of her blonde hair into the corner of her mouth and began to chew. Her blue eyes broadcasted her fear yet remained fixated on the fan as it gradually came to a halt. He would be coming for her next like he’d said he would, and that fear kept her rooted to her bed.
Her breathing became erratic, and every little sound caused her heart to skip. Her olive complexion turned a ghost white. She kept her head as still as she could and peered out her bedroom window. Peeking through the leaves of an oak tree, a heavy, dark smoke rose toward the heavens, carrying the ashes of the dead. He warned her of this day when he’d carried her out of the school that fateful night, a night which would forever be burned into her mind. She tried to sweep away the visions of Maddie and Ethan lying on the cold hallway floor of Westview High School, yet they replayed endlessly in her mind.She shifted her focus to the cast on her left leg. The signatures of friends, whom she thought now to be dead, were silent reminders of their cruelty. It was a list of offenders, bullies receiving punishment for their acts that destroyed lives. One of them she’d once called her best friend. They never once put thought into their words or actions, for it was purely for their enjoyment and to show their superiority over the weak. Even the apology she offered Lexi earlier had made no difference. It would never make up for the damaged she’d done. The more she reflected on it, the more she believed this was all her doing, and the deaths now lay on her shoulders.
Breaking through the silence, heavy steps grew louder. It could only be one person. He’d kept his word and had come back for her. Louder they grew and then stopped outside her door, which creaked open. She didn’t need to turn her head to know death had arrived.
A boy’s face came into view. His ash-white skin and black eyes stared down at her with purpose. In a dead tone, he muttered, “Hi.”
After a brief yelp, she closed her eyes and turned her head. “I didn’t say anything, Nathan. I stayed quiet like you told me.”
Nathan’s cold hands held her by the chin and turned her head to face him. “Tiffany, relax, I’m not going to hurt you. Yet.”
Tiffany broke free from his grip and snapped her head away. “I apologized to Lexi.”
A laugh, so crisp and short, filled the room. “I’m sure she appreciated it.”
“Please,” Tiffany said.
Turning his attention toward the cast, Nathan ran his finger over the names, and in a cold and heartless tone, Nathan read them. “Get up and walking soon, love Amanda.” A dry smile spread across his face. “Last time I saw her, her head was rolling toward the merry-go-round.” He continued, adding a brief laugh. “Zach. Defensive lineman. Punched me in the stomach freshman year because I accidently gave him the wrong answer on a quiz and caused him to fail a test that got him suspended from the team. Well, now he’s a permanent fixture on the goal post.”
Tiffany fought to hold back the tears pooling in her eyes. Slowly they broke free and trickled down her cheek.
“Kelly. Damn, she was hot. Well, she is now. Probably burning in hell like the rest.” Nathan’s demeanor changed before he read the next name. “Ryan. The one who almost got away. Wasn’t he supposed to meet you at the school that night with Ethan and Maddie? Get some winky-dinky? But he blew you off.” Nathan turned his attention back toward Tiffany. “Don’t worry, I took care of him for you,” he said with a wink.
Tiffany whimpered. “I’m sorry.”
Nathan sat on the edge of her bed and rested his hands on his lap. “Sorry. That word can have many layers to it. I’m sorry I drank the last can of Pepsi. I’m sorry I broke your favorite cup. I’m sorry I tormented you and your friends for years for my own sick entertainment.” Nathan leaned toward her. “See the difference? Personally, I could've lived just fine with you taking the last Pepsi, but the mental shit? That’s where I drew the line, especially when it was directed at my friends.” Nathan stood and, with his hands cupped behind his back, began to stroll around the room. “Was it worth it?”
Tiffany shook uncontrollably. Her breathing became quick and erratic. Her mind drifted to her mom and dad, who for as far as she knew were downstairs safe from the destruction. She wanted to call out for them but remained silent for their safety. She hoped they’d remain there until Nathan finished her off, and she prayed he’d leave them alone. But in the back of her shattered mind, she knew they would be next.
With his back facing Tiffany, Nathan came to a halt when he spied a yearbook sitting on her bookshelf. He held out his hand and levitated it his direction. With the yearbook hovering before him, Nathan waved his hand to flip through the pages. His eyes narrowed with each page he gazed upon. Her things throughout the room vibrated the more he concentrated on the book. Photos rattled on the walls before they fell. Books slid from the shelves and dropped to the floor. Light bulbs in the ceiling fan popped, sending a snowy cascade of dust onto Tiffany.
“Answer me!” Nathan yelled.
Tiffany shivered. “No.”
Nathan released the book, turned, and levitated back toward Tiffany. “For all your posturing, you’re nothing but a cowardly bitch.” Nathan cracked a dry smile and raised his index finger. “Your loss is my gain.” He set his finger on the tip of Tiffany’s nose and gave it a wiggle. “You and your little band of assholes and bitches fueled the lone flame which burned inside me and turned it into a raging inferno—an inferno which is now burning this piece-of-shit town to the ground, and it’s all because of you.”
Tightness swelled around Tiffany’s neck. Her stammered breathing slowed the more she tried to force it out. “Plea—”
“Die with the weight of all these deaths on your soul,” Nathan hissed.
Tiffany’s body shook violently. She gathered what strength she could and shot her arms at Nathan. After grabbing Tiffany’s wrists, Nathan forced them to her side. She twisted herself to break free, but the lack of air had finally drained her. She gazed into the darkness of her killer’s eyes as the room began to fade. She closed her eyes and waited.
“Your parents are next,” Nathan growled.
“No, no,” her raspy voice whispered.
“Tiffany.”
Tiffany’s wind pipe opened, released from the bond that strangled her. Her arms remained glued to her side. “Leave me alone!” she screamed.
“Tiffany, it’s all right!”
Tiffany’s eyes sprang open. She paid no attention to the older woman standing over her, holding her arms down. Her gaze nervously shifted around the room before trailing back toward the woman. Unable to comprehend who stood before her, Tiffany’s stared back with a dazed look. “Mom?”
“It’s okay, sweetie,” her mother’s soothing voice said.
“Where’s Dad?” Tiffany frantically asked.
“He is going to the carnival. Something terrible has happened.”
Tiffany shook her head. “No, he can’t go. He needs to come back home.”
“Honey, he’s going to help. There—”
“No. Tell him to come home, please.”
“He’ll be right back. I promise.”
The guilt became too much to bear, and tears flowed down Tiffany’s cheeks. She wrapped her arms around her mother and dug her head into her shoulders. “I’m so sorry.”
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