Laura stepped back, hand to her chest. She couldn’t believe it. Words escaped her baffled brain. All she could gather the courage and strength to say was, “Why?” And even then, she stammered to get it out.
“WHY?” Marissa screamed, raising her eyebrows. “WHY?”
“How could you – why would you do this?” Laura shot back.
“You want to know why?” Marissa asked again.
Laura nodded her head.
“I’ll tell you why. This all started because you killed him!”
Confused, Laura tried to interject, but Marissa kept going.
“You need to pay for your mistakes! People need to see you’re not the perfect person you claim to be!”
Again, Laura opened her mouth to say something, but Marissa left no room for her to do so.
“You deserve the same thing you did to him!”
“Him? Who are you talking –”
“This is all your fault! It all started with you! And it’s going to end with you. You’re going to pay!” She repeatedly stabbed Laura with her finger.
Marissa’s enunciation sent spit into Laura’s eyes. She wiped it away, sighing. Who in the world was she talking about? She never killed anyone! But any chance she had of finding out wasn’t going to happen. Marissa wasn’t letting her speak. She kept throwing out accusations and threats.
Laura knew what she had to do. She had to get out of this place. She had to get to the police. They needed to know as soon as possible who was really responsible for killing all those people.
After tossing the bag to the bathroom counter, she pushed Marissa backward and sprinted toward her room for her keys and phone. Over her shoulder, she shouted, “I have no clue what you’re talking about! I’m leaving!”
“I don’t think so,” she heard Marissa growl.
When she got to the bedroom door, Laura slammed it, crushing the hand Marissa lodged between it and the frame. A loud, painful scream resounded through the wood. After locking the door, Laura leaned against it, letting out her breath in a rush. She had never been so thankful for a door to lock than right now.
Marissa pounded against the barrier between them. She cursed, and even tried twisting the knob to get in.
Staying here was out of the question. Marissa could have a key to get in so there was no time to waste. She had to get her phone and purse, and then leave. On her way to the police station, she’d make sure to call Cassie. She’d want to know. And if not, she needed to know. No question about that.
This was all still surreal. One moment she felt safe and secure in her best friend’s home. The next she was running for her life from a serial killer. Her friend…a serial killer. It just couldn’t be!
Something nagged at her mind. Who was Marissa referring to? She wished she knew so that she could set her friend straight. There was no way she was guilty of killing anyone. So, what could her friend even mean? Laura shook her head violently. She had to stop thinking of Marissa as her friend. There was no way she was that to her anymore. Not after all she had done and all she had taken from her.
Laura threw on the pair of dark gray sweatpants that held her car keys. How fitting she’d look like she was going out for a run. That was exactly what she felt like she had to do. But instead of running for exercise, it would be to save her life!
Marissa continued shouting one thing after another through the door. Laura couldn’t even catch all of it. Something about being the one everyone liked or how all the guys found her attractive. Laura wasn’t sure, but it sounded like a lot of jealousy blurting out of her mouth. The next thing she heard came out loud and clear.
“I’m so sick of you getting all the attention!”
That was an interesting way of putting it. Since this whole charade started, all Laura had gotten was more attention. Everyone had their eyes on her!
Laura rolled her eyes as she grabbed her phone. Faking a laugh, she shouted, “Well, you sure know how to stop me from getting attention, don’t you? I mean, all I’ve gotten is more now that everyone thinks I’m the guilty one!”
“You might be getting more attention, but it’s not the good kind, now is it? Instead of the perfect little angel, people see you as a murderer! A disease they want to avoid! It’s exactly what you deserve!”
She opened her mouth to say something, but the words never came out. Instead of continuing to argue, she had to make a call. Unfortunately, the phone wouldn’t turn on. She had forgotten to charge it! Laura sighed, feeling defeated. But then she thought about her charger. Immediately, she started searching for it. As Marissa continued her rant, Laura messed up her room, coming up empty. Then she remembered it was in the kitchen. It was going to stay there, too. She’d settle on using the one in her vehicle instead. She was heading that way anyway.
Laura grabbed her purse, but then stopped. One way out of the room was through the door. Obviously, that wouldn’t work with Marissa waiting on the other side. The other way was through the window. Dashing over, she tried lifting it. The window didn’t budge. She checked all around, examining the frame. It looked like it was painted completely shut. There was no way she was going to get out of the room this way. Laura’s shoulders slumped as she continued to think.
Something was different. It was quiet. Marissa had stopped her yelling and pounding. Focusing, it sounded as if Marissa was no longer even there. Laura stayed still for a moment, listening some more. The silence was nice for a change.
She started thinking. How long had Marissa had these feelings toward her? Why didn’t she just say something? Or better yet, why on earth was she pretending to be her friend all these years? There were so many unknowns and so many things that made Laura confused. And the more she thought about them all, the worse her confusion got. However, this did explain the way Marissa had acted from time to time. She figured there had to be a reason why she was so cold, distant, or short-tempered. Now she knew. And here she thought it was work related. How little she knew of this woman she had been living with and thought she could trust!
It was time to get out of the room. No more thinking. It was all too much! Heading for the door, she reminded herself of the fact she could be brave and get through this. Whether Marissa was on the other side of the door or not, she’d make it through alive. Hopefully.
Taking in a deep breath, she quickly unlocked and opened the door. Marissa was nowhere to be found. That was a good thing. She briskly walked down the hall. Each step she took, she was one step closer to freedom. She could see it. She felt it!
There was something else she suddenly felt. This was more tangible. It was Marissa! She must have been in the bathroom. As soon as Laura passed the door, she had whacked something against her head.
Laura stumbled in circles, trying to stay upright and keep moving. However, Marissa had reached around her neck with a cord, bringing her backward, choking her. She had been so close!
On the ground, Laura looked up. In one hand, Marissa held her hairdryer. Its cord, once taut around her neck, now dangled to the ground. The other hand was out of her line of vision.
Marissa put one leg on each side of her, kneeling over. Laura was now face to face with The Margaret Killer. What she once saw in Marissa’s eyes was no longer there. She wiggled around, trying to break free.
“I am so sick of you getting everything and getting away with everything,” Marissa hissed. “All of this could – would have been avoided. If you would have been in jail like you should be, this would have been over by now.”
Pausing her escape attempt, Laura stated rather bluntly, “You were supposed to be my friend! I have no idea why you’re doing this to me!”
“Your friend?” Marissa laughed hysterically. “I have been! Why else would I move to Crimson Shores? Why else would I always be there for you? Why would I do things for you? Why would I have let you live HERE in MY house?”
Laura wanted to say something, but Marissa didn’t let her.
“I have done so much for you. I’ve ben
t over backwards for you. But now I’m sick of it. I’m sick of you!” Leaning in, narrowing eyes, and glaring teeth, Marissa added, “It’s time for you to pay. It’s your turn to die!”
Laura’s eyes opened wider as Marissa’s other hand finally came into view. In it was one of the empty syringes from earlier, now filled with liquid. She was no dummy. She knew exactly what that was, and if she didn’t do something fast enough, Marissa would be right.
She’d die.
Chapter 23
M
arissa had gone mad. There was no other explanation for this craziness, and Laura didn’t even know if she’d survive it. But she had to try. She wasn’t going to go down without a fight!
The first thing she needed to do was break free of Marissa’s hold. As Marissa’s hand raised and plunged downward, no doubt toward a vein, Laura punched Marissa’s face as hard as she could. She screamed, and if possible, grew angrier. Blood slowly dripped from her nose. But it worked! Marissa fell back, dropping the hairdryer so she could hold her nose. Laura was free! She got up as fast as she could and took off, fighting a small dizzy spell. She had to get outside to her vehicle and where, hopefully, there were witnesses available to help. For a greater distance between the two, Laura made sure to block Marissa’s way by shoving a couple of chairs from the dining room table toward her. Then she made a run for it.
Just as she started to open the door of her vehicle, a car pulled into Marissa’s driveway. She knew that car. It was Cassie! What was she doing here this early in the morning, though? Laura decided that wasn’t important. What was important was the fact someone was here. Someone who could help! She ran up to Cassie’s vehicle, motioning for her to roll her window down.
While doing so, Marissa came running through the front door, aiming straight for her. Laura had to do something quick! Marissa wasn’t slowing down.
“Get in!” Cassie urged.
Laura opened the backseat door and slipped in. She was about to yell for Cassie to take off when another door opened. Marissa had reached the front passenger side. She was now only inches from Laura. Closer yet to Cassie.
“Get out of the car, Laura,” she said. Her tone was much nicer now that there was a second set of ears. Her nose crusted over with dark blood.
“No.”
Marissa raised her eyebrows. “No?”
Cassie tried to play it cool. She sweetly said, “Aunt Marissa, I was just going to take Laura…um…shopping! Can whatever you need her for wait? She’ll be back later. Besides, you should probably take care of your nose.”
A wicked laugh caused Marissa’s shoulders to rise and fall quickly. Laura and Cassie remained quiet.
Suddenly, Marissa grabbed Cassie’s hair, pulling her neck closer to her. Screams erupted throughout the car.
“Get out, Laura,” she said again. This time it was more demanding.
Laura’s heart started to beat faster. Marissa wouldn’t dare hurt her own niece, would she? Then again, she never thought Marissa would hurt her either. “Why don’t you just leave us alone!”
Her eyes glared at her. “I will when I’m done with you. Now get out!”
“No.”
Marissa exhaled deeply. “If you’re not out by the time I count down from five, Cassie will get this lodged in her neck.” She showed Laura the needle.
Cassie kept screaming, begging to be let go. She tried using her hands to break free or jab her aunt, but nothing was working.
Laura didn’t want to know if Marissa was bluffing. She’d let her have this round. There had to be another way to get help.
“Five…four…”
Laura grabbed hold of the door’s latch and opened it. Slowly, she exited the vehicle.
“There. That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Marissa said as soon as Laura was completely out. She let go of Cassie’s hair, which quieted her down a bit. Then she, too, left the vehicle, eyes on Laura. Stooping down, she commanded Cassie to leave, but from the looks of it, Cassie never heard. She had her head buried in her hands.
“Just leave her alone, Marissa. Leave us both alone!” Laura tried moving to one side of Cassie’s car, but Marissa mirrored her move. Laura tried the other way, but again, Marissa copied. She looked at her vehicle. There was no way she’d get in without Marissa getting in as well. And having just lived through that scenario, it wasn’t something she was willing to repeat. “Cassie, call the police.”
Cassie looked up, quickly nodding.
Marissa swiftly skirted around the front of the vehicle, arm in air, poised to kill.
Laura had no choice but to run. She ran the opposite direction, heading for the road. A car whizzed pass, oblivious to what was happening. Looking over her shoulder, Marissa wasn’t far behind. She had to go faster. Focusing forward, she increased her speed. Seconds later, she checked again. Marissa was even closer. Out of breath, she tried harder to pump her arms and keep moving.
Suddenly, a dip in the ground caused her ankle to twist. She fell, landing awkwardly on a large stick. She heard a snap. Pain shot through her foot and up her leg. But she had to keep moving.
As she attempted to get back up, Marissa pushed her back down and jumped on her. Laura quickly rolled over so Marissa would fall to the side. However, Marissa’s legs were locked against her. It took no time and little effort for her to resume the straddling position. This was the second time in a matter of minutes the two of them were like this.
In great pain, Laura did her best to fight her off. But she was strong. Stronger than she realized.
A car drove past, honking their horn. Both women didn’t seem to notice.
Cassie could be heard screaming from a distance, begging her aunt to drop the syringe and let Laura go.
Marissa didn’t listen. She raised her hand so she could thrust it down into Laura’s neck.
But Laura stopped her just in time. The syringe was close. Too close. The fear of dying drove her on, giving her a little more strength. Now that she had hold of Marissa’s hand, she used her other hand to reach up toward Marissa’s neck. She squeezed.
Marissa’s eyes sharpened. Her teeth bared. She growled and yelled. A couple drops of blood fell from her nose. She looked like a rabid animal.
Laura jerked to her side, using her hands to help lift Marissa off her. Marissa rolled a couple of feet away, dropping the syringe. Using the freedom to get up and go, she hobbled away as best as she could. However, putting any pressure on the one foot hurt something fierce. It made her feel sick and lightheaded. She could barely handle it. Not moving very fast, she knew Marissa would catch up to her in no time.
“Keep going, Laura!” Cassie shouted as she was making her way over. “I’ll stop her!”
Laura wasn’t sure how she’d pull that off, but she listened. She had to save her life. She went as quick as she could down the side of the road. “Just get some help!” she yelled over her shoulder. She could see Marissa scrambling around for her poison.
To get a little more distance, she crossed the road to the other side. It was a little wider and smoother. Hopefully that would keep her from tripping again.
* * *
As Laura continued limping away, Cassie closed in on her aunt just as she found the syringe.
“You need to leave. I’m not going to tell you again,” Marissa warned, pointing the weapon at her.
Cassie backed away, hands up in surrender. “Why are you doing this? This isn’t like you! Please stop!”
A woman walked out of her house, standing by her door. “Are you guys all right?”
Marissa glared at her. “We’re fine. Get back inside.”
The woman looked confused. She didn’t budge.
“Just turn yourself in. We can get you some help,” Cassie pleaded.
“Never,” Marissa hissed. She glanced over her shoulder, eyeing Laura, and then took off after her.
Cassie turned to the woman at the house. “Call 911!” It was something she had already done when Laura and her aunt started run
ning down the road, but it seemed like the right thing to say.
The woman quickly nodded, heading back in.
Taking a deep breath, she looked around. A few others were watching, standing in shock of what was going on in their neighborhood. Turning her focus toward Laura, she dreaded what might happen. Laura wasn’t in great shape. Marissa was gaining. Cassie’s heart pounded in fear.
* * *
Marissa stayed on her side of the road at first, trying to catch up. When she was almost parallel with Laura, she sprinted across the road. A car’s horn blared. Its tires screeched against the pavement. There was a deep thud.
* * *
Laura stopped and turned once she heard the noise. What she saw horrified her. Marissa’s body was thrown like a frisbee in the air, landing a few feet from her, near lifeless. She screamed, the realization of what just happened hitting her.
Others screamed as well. Laura looked around to see just how many faces watched in horror the chaos that was unfolding.
Prodding around, Laura checked for her phone, hoping by some miracle it would have enough power to call emergency. But there was nothing on her. Somewhere along the way she lost it, as well as her purse. She was too busy running, and panting, and fighting for her life that she never realized it went missing.
“Call 911!” she yelled, even though she saw many eyewitnesses already starting to do so.
Glancing at Cassie, Laura saw the horror on her face. Even from a distance, she could see her body shaking. She couldn’t imagine what was going through her mind right now. To see someone, let alone her own aunt, get hit by a car must be frightening.
Her breath had yet to calm down. Her foot throbbed. But somehow her body shuffled forward. She kept going toward Marissa’s still body.
“I can’t…move,” Marissa squeaked out.
Laura could see the pain in her eyes. Tears were streaming down the sides of them. Blood was everywhere. A few of her joints were bent in odd angles. Laura had no idea what to say or do. Here was the person on the verge of killing her. Should she help? If she did, what could she even do. She wasn’t a doctor. She didn’t know the first thing about emergency situations.
A Kiss Revealed Page 16
