PANDORA

by Rebecca Hamilton

  “Let the girls go,” my father said from the bathroom. “They are probably better off not being home with us and all of these germs.”

  My heart sank. Even though I didn’t want to go away for the weekend, I hated the thought of leaving my parents at home with the flu.

  Nodding, my mother turned an odd shade of green. “Your father’s right. You two are better off going. Now excuse me!” She raced past me and to the bathroom down the hall.

  Alexa tugged on my shirt and pulled me back into my bedroom. Shutting the door, she exhaled loudly. “Phew! Didn’t want to catch any of those germs!”

  I crossed my arms and bit my lower lip. “Do you really think we should go?”

  “Ah, yeah! Did you see how sick they are?” Alexa proclaimed with wide eyes.

  I released my lip and uncrossed my arms. “Don’t you think we should stay here and take care of them?”

  “Um, I’m not trying to get whatever they have! Plus, they’ll probably just lay in bed and sleep all weekend anyways.”

  “Yeah . . . I guess. You could be right. Maybe we should go to the store and buy them some Gatorade and Saltines?”

  Alexa smiled. “Good idea.”

  Feeling slightly better about leaving, I turned around and scooped the fallen bag and box off the floor. Once I had set both items on my bed, I turned toward Alexa. She had a funny expression on her face, almost like a mixture of a scowl and a grin.

  “Everything okay?” I asked.

  She shook her head, clearing the look. “Yeah, I’m just bummed they’re sick,” she said, motioning out the door and toward my parents’ bedroom.

  I studied her face for a moment longer. “I’m going to go get them some water. Will you run with me to the store afterward?”

  “Sure,” answered Alexa. “I’m just going to go wash my hands first.”

  “Sounds good,” I replied with a smile. Alexa had always been a germaphobe.

  Alexa headed toward the door, but before stepping through, she turned back and looked at me with the same strange expression plastered over her face. “Hey, Bri?”

  “Yeah?”

  She arched an eyebrow. “I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

  “Ah, yeah. Um, me too,” I responded, my voice unsure.

  “See you in a few,” she said before disappearing down the hallway and toward her bedroom. Much like mine, the walls were painted light purple and she had the same matching duvet cover. My mother used to joke that we were twins. For as long as I could remember, Alexa always wanted what I had, from my wall color, to my clothes, to my friends. She used to throw temper tantrums if my parents came home with something for me and a slightly different version of the same thing for her. One time, they bought me a pink stuffed bunny with floppy ears and bright blue eyes. They picked out a white bunny with purple eyes for Lex. When they brought them home, I leapt into my mother’s arms and thanked her. Alexa got so angry that we didn’t have the same toy that she ripped the head off her bunny and threw the stuffing at my parents. That fateful day, she wore the same scowling grin that she had on her face just moments ago. I shuddered at the thought of the stuffing flying across the room and Alexa screaming at my parents. Her face turned so red I thought she might pass out. That moment always bothered me, even as a teenager, it sent my stomach into twists. I wasn’t scared of my sister, but her temper did leave me feeling queasy. I guess it impacted my parents as well, because after that day, whatever I got, Alexa got too.

  Smiling, I shook the unsettling look she had given me only moments before out of my head. Relax, Abriana. It’s nothing. Alexa is just excited about this weekend; that’s all. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. There’s nothing worry about . . . Right?

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Alexa

  As I made my way down the stairs and toward the kitchen, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. This is it! This is really it! I was going to kill her and no one would ever know.

  Reaching into the cupboard, I grabbed some crackers. No need to wash my hands, I thought to myself. Liquid laxatives aren’t contagious. I swallowed a laugh and took a bite of the cracker.

  After finishing the snack, I washed out the two glasses I had brought up to my parents that morning. You’re so sweet, Lex, my mother said. ¡Jugo de naranja reciÉn exprimido! Mi favorito, my father had said with a weak smile. Correction, I’m the sweetest, I thought to myself with a smirk.

  I threw the crumbs into the trashcan and adjusted my ponytail. Biting my lower lip, I thought about something that had been bothering me. I used my phone that night to find the lake . . . What if Detective Lock pulls my phone records? I mean, I know he needs a warrant if he doesn’t have probable cause . . . But what if he manages to get one? The thought of that man sending divers into the water where I had hidden the evidence made my blood boil. I’m going to have to go get everything and find a new hiding spot. Plus, I’m going to have to come up with a reason for being out there . . . Ugh! I clenched my hands in anger. How could I have been so stupid? I thought of the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins that night. Stupid! I’m so stupid! Why didn’t I have a plan?

  Chewing on my lower lip, I closed my eyes and sighed loudly.

  “Lex?” came Abriana’s voice. “You ready to go?”

  “Yeah,” I responded in a sugary sweet voice.

  A few moments later, we got in the car and headed to Target.

  ***

  “Do you think we should get them some Sprite too?” asked Abriana.

  “Probably a good idea,” I agreed.

  “Sprite, Gatorade, Saltines, and anti-diarrhea medicine,” said Abriana. “Anything else?”

  I twirled a piece of hair around my finger. “Do we need anything for this weekend?”

  “Maybe some snacks?” asked Abriana.

  A smile spread across my face. “Good idea. There isn’t—”

  Before I could finish, someone clamped their hand on my shoulder and spun me around.

  “Abriana?” said a woman with long blonde hair and hazel eyes. “Oh, my God! Is that you?”

  “I’m Alexa, her sister,” I spat. “What the hell do you want?”

  The woman’s eyes went wide and her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I . . . I’ve . . . I’ve . . . I’ve . . . ” she stammered.

  “You’ve what?” I growled.

  The woman cowered down. “I saw her on the news. I just wanted to tell you, I mean her, that I’m on her side and that I think that Easton Pierce deserves to die.”

  I turned to look at my sister, but she had already left the shopping cart in the middle of the aisle and had disappeared.

  Spinning back around, a deep scowl formed on my face. “Why do you think Easton Pierce deserves to die?”

  The woman stepped back and her eyes went even wider. “Because he kidnapped your sister and he tried to kill her.”

  I crossed my arms. “You think he’s some kind of criminal genius?”

  “I . . . I . . . I . . . ” she began stammering again.

  “You, you, you what?” I spat.

  Unable to speak, the woman spun on her heel and practically ran away from me.

  Licking my lips, I turned back around and grabbed the shopping cart. I hated when people gave him credit for the kidnapping. I’m the one who planned everything! I let out a frustrated sigh. Speaking of planning . . . I need to remember to pack my special supplies for this weekend. Deep in thought, I shook my head and forced myself back into reality. Now, where did little Miss Perfect go?

  After searching the store for ten minutes and calling Abriana’s new cell phone at six times, I finally checked out and headed toward the car.

  With bags in my hands, my eyes scanned the parking lot. Finally, they landed on our car and a small body leaning against the back left the tire. Ohhh . . . Poor Abriana, I thought sarcastically. Someone hurt your feelings, again. Whatever will you do? Hmmm . . . Let me guess? Cry? A nefarious smile spread across my face. I can’t wait
to see what you do this weekend when I finally finish you off!

  Taking my time, I approached the car and my older sister. Once I got a few feet away, I let out a fake gasp. “Bri? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Kneeling down next to her, I took her face in my hands. “Bri, it’s okay.”

  “No it’s not,” she sobbed. “It’s never going to be okay!”

  Dropping my hands from her face, I fought the urge to wrap my fingers around her neck. Instead, I took hold of her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. “Yes, it will. I promise.”

  Abriana looked into my eyes. “I don’t want to go this weekend.”

  My heart almost stopped. “What?”

  “I just want to stay home and never leave again,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

  My knees dug into the pavement as my panic grew. Oh, no! Think! Convince her she’s wrong. She has to go!

  I gave her hands another squeeze. “Bri, you can’t let anyone else decide how you live your life!”

  “Seriously, Lex?” she snapped, pulling her hands away from mine. “Easton took that decision away from me with very little effort. Who’s not to say someone else isn’t going to do it again!”

  Trying to remain calm, I took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. “Why don’t we go home and you can rest for a bit. Then, in a few hours, we’ll reassess how you’re feeling.”

  Abriana reached out and grabbed my shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Lex! I shouldn’t have taken this out on you. None of this is your fault.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “It’s okay, Bri. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what happens.” I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. Correction, I’ll always be here for you, until I kill you.

  ***

  After the little crybaby finally fell asleep, I checked on my parents, and then headed back to the car.

  Oops, I thought, turning around and going back through the front door. I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket and switched it off. I opened the closet door and shoved it in an old winter boot. Good luck finding me now, I thought with a smirk.

  Stepping outside for the second time that night, dusk had settled and streaks of purple and red shot across the sky. I slung the bag containing a waterproof flashlight, a pair of goggles, a fluffy towel, and several plastic bags over my shoulder.

  This is going to suck!

  I traced my way back to the lake and I only managed to get lost once. When I pulled up, I waited for several minutes in the car. Satisfied no one was near, I carefully stepped out of the car and slipped out of my clothes.

  As I walked over to the side of the small lake, I scrunched up my face. The dark water had hints of brown and patches of algae floating on the top. This is so disgusting! Sighing, I pulled the goggles down over my face and turned on the flashlight.

  Taking a tentative step into the lake, I slapped my hand over my mouth to muffle the scream that threatened to escape. The ice-cold water lapped at my ankles as my feet sunk into the squishy substance just below the surface. Gross! Gross! Gross!

  For a moment, I debated turning around and getting back into my car. Shaking my head, I stopped and took a deep breath. I had made a mistake and now I needed to fix it.

  The colors were fading in the sky and a warm wind swept across the lake. It’s now or never. Looking at the murky water, I held my breath and took another step forward. The water rose to my knees and my breath hitched in my chest. Breathe, just keep breathing. A few steps further and the water met my slender waist. Holding my breath, I plunged under the water and into the darkness.

  ***

  I looked down at the cracked screen and number pad. Thank God I found both pieces. Before putting the pieces in separate plastic bags, I pulled out the battery and smashed the chip in the back of the phone. There no one be able to revive this phone now. I carefully wiped off the prints and then tossed the screen in one bag and the number pad in another.

  I saved the gun for last. Shivering, I ran my fingers over the grooves of the barrel and down the handle. So smooth. So powerful. I held it in the air and pretended to shoot. I thought about going home and pulling the trigger as I watched my sister scream. Goose bumps snaked up my arms. No, no, no. Then I’d have to go to jail and I’d never see MatÍ as again.

  Sighing, I wiped off the prints and placed the gun in the last plastic bag. It was time to get rid of this evidence once and for all.

  ***

  It took roughly twenty minutes to get to the first stop. I turned into the parking lot of an abandoned gas station and made my way to the back. The thin strip of pavement had been littered with beer bottles and cigarette butts. I better not get a flat tire, I thought to myself. A little further down, stood a stained mattress leaning against the back of a rusted dumpster. This is so gross! Stupid, Abriana! This is all her fault!

  Perfect, I thought to myself as pulled the key out of the ignition. Reaching in the backseat, I hooked the bag containing the number pad and the busted chip. After sliding out of the door, I walked toward the dumpster, the bag still balancing on the end of my key. Without much effort, I tossed the bag in the dumpster and made my way back to the car. One down, two to go.

  The next stop went just as smoothly. I flung the second bag into a bear-proof trashcan at an old girl scout campground. The last time I had stepped foot on the campgrounds, Abriana and I were just girls. We had to learn how to pitch a tent and make s’mores over a campfire. Of course, perfect Abriana, won the Best Camper award and some stupid medal for being a leader. Abriana Vega has demonstrated leadership throughout the entire week. She has helped the younger campers identify plants on the scavenger hunt and she lent a helping hand during the thunderstorm warning earlier this week. I rolled my eyes. What a brat! I remembered watching Abriana shrug and smile shyly. “Ohhhh, she’s so modest,” my mother had said with a huge smile on her face. My cheeks burned as I thought back to that night.

  A little girl named Sarah, with auburn hair and blue eyes, stood with her arms crossed and asked me, “Why didn’t you get an award? Aren’t your parents going to be mad your sister got two and you didn’t even get one?” Without thinking, I pushed her and I pushed her hard. I remembered her blue eyes going wide as she fell backward. I smiled as her arms flailed wildly. The crunch of her wrist snapping made my lips tremble with excitement. “She pushed me,” Sarah screamed as her parents helped her up from the ground.

  Forcing crocodile tears, I shook my head and held up my hands in a defensive motion. “I would never do that!”

  Sarah’s mother shook her head. “I’m sure it was just an accident. Now, come on, we need to get you to a hospital.” I remembered meeting Sarah’s eyes as her father helped her into the backseat of the car. I had arched my eyebrow and blew her a kiss. No one messes with me!

  One last trip, I thought as I clicked my seatbelt buckle into place. Any remaining sunlight had faded and the stars had started to pop out in small clusters.

  Driving down the country road, I scanned ahead for the small green sign marked HWY 21 in white reflective letters. Finally, it appeared on the right side. Without indicating, I turned, making my way down the abandoned road.

  Keeping track on my odometer, I went five miles and then turned down an unmarked country road. I thought back to the last time I had turned down this road. I needed a secluded place to practice firing my gun. There weren’t any houses, farms, or any other signs of anyone living nearby. Secluded, just what I needed, I thought as a smile played on my lips. That first day, I had set up cans and practiced shooting them off of a fat stubby tree trunk that lay sprawled out on the forest floor.

  Reaching in the backseat, I grabbed my flashlight and hooked the bag containing the gun with my car key. Flashing the light across the ground, I stepped over fallen branches as wet grass slapped at my ankles.

  After searching for a moment, I found my intended destination, an old tree that towered at least fifty feet above me. Shining the light on the trunk,
I found the hole, probably one burrowed by an animal.

  I paused for a moment before taking another stop further. I wished I didn’t have to get rid of the gun. Easton’s face flashed through my mind. I should have shot him again. Raking my teeth over my lower lip, I sighed loudly. Easton won’t be your last victim. Taking a few steps forward, I carefully slipped the bag into the hole. With a flick of the wrist, I dropped the bag and pulled my hand out of the darkness.

  Problem solved, I thought to myself as I walked back to the car. Problem solved.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Abriana

  I woke up to Alexa sitting on the edge of my bed. “Hey, Lex,” I said as I rubbed my eyes.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked as she rubbed my back.

  My mind wandered back to the incident at Target. I knew that the lady who approached me about Easton wouldn’t be the last. My face had been all over the news and Aunt Luciana had even told me that Nancy Grace had done a segment on me.

  “Ummm . . . Hello? You there, Bri?” asked Alexa, waving her hand in front of my face.

  “Sorry,” I apologized. “I was just thinking about what happened at Target.”

  Alexa grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, Bri. But it’s going to be okay.”

  My eyes welled up with tears. “No, no it’s not!”

  Shifting her weight, Alexa reached over and picked up a box of tissues. She handed me one and set the box back on the nightstand. “Listen, it’s going to take time. Eventually, people will forget. But until then, jerks are going to pop up and say stupid things to you.”

  I dabbed my eyes. “I just want everyone to leave me alone.”

  Alexa shook her head. “It’s not going to happen.”

  Sitting up, I looked into my sister’s eyes. “How am I ever going to get through the trial?”

  “Maybe Easton will die?” said Alexa.

  Unable to hold back the tears any longer, I started to sob. “I don’t want that either.”

  Alexa frowned. “How about this,” she said. “How about we still go to the cabin this weekend, just you and me. We’ll pretend like nothing ever happened. We can talk about whatever you want to talk about, listen to music, and lay outside near the lake.”