Mike heaved the body over his shoulders, walking down to the lake. With a great force, he threw it into the water.
Mike stared down at Karen”s bloody face, frozen in her last scream, as she sunk down to the bottom. Too bad, he thought. She was pretty.
Karen crawled across the dirt and leaves as Mike approached her. He stepped on top of her ankle, an audible crack ringing alongside her scream, which was suddenly and quickly silenced.
She sprung free from the cabin, running as fast as she could. Further and further through the woods, she ran, her heartbeat accelerating as she heard him chasing her. Then, her high heels caught on a branch, snapping right off and sending her down to the ground.
“My friends “¦” Karen stammered. “How”¦ how could you?” Mike moved closer to her. “If only you knew, Karen.” Karen seized her opportunity and kicked him between the legs, racing for the door.
“They recognized me from the news,” Mike stated flatly. “I couldn”t let them live.” Karen”s breath halted in her throat. She looked past him, searching for an escape route, when she saw the bodies. A tear ran down Karen”s face as she saw Rachel”s face among the blood.
She emerged from the bathroom, ready for the party to start. She bumped right into Mike. “I”m sorry –” she began, before she saw the knife. It was dripping red. Karen froze. Mike simply stared at her, his gaze piercing her.
Mike laughed oddly, despite the fact that Rachel had said something so innocent. Karen thought this was weird, but shrugged it off. “I”m going to run to the bathroom,” she told Rachel before squeezing past couples making out in the hallway to get to the door.
The music was blasting; everyone was having fun. Rachel beamed when she saw Karen and handed her a beer. “Who”s this?” Rachel said, gesturing to Mike. “This is Mike,” Karen said. “My last minute date.” Rachel”s brow furrowed. “You look so familiar,” she said to Mike.
Karen had almost run into Rachel”s friends from school. They had honked to warn her. “We”re here,” Karen announced as she and Mike exited the car. Before they entered the cabin, Karen turned to Mike and said, “I hope tonight”s fun. I bought new heels just for the occasion.”
Bradley Burgess can be reached at [email protected]