Page 71 of All the Things We Buried

Because once you do, crazy touches back.

Cameron came. They had Sophie’s funeral last week. He kept it quiet, just like I asked. I promised him half of the robbery money, and today, I paid my dues.

“You good?” he asked, eyes fixed on me.

“Yeah,” I said, pulling the stack of cash from the bag. Next to it sat a white mask, the same one I used that night. Stained with dirt now.

I looked at Cameron and said, “You can have all of it. But you need to find some people for me.”

He chuckled nervously.

“All of it?” Then he looked at me.

“Man, are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said, pulling every last bill from the bag. It was the first time I had counted it. “Five million.”

“F-five m-m-million...”

“Yes.” I nodded.

I sat down and stared at him. “You’re going to find Lenore. And a few others I need here. No matter how long it takes you. Bring them all. One by one.”

I swallowed hard. “Lenore last.”

I closed my eyes. “I also need a death certificate.” Then I opened them and continued, “I want her to think I died. Along with her father and my mother. Get this house in her name. But make her sign a clause. She has to stay here for one year before she inherits it.”

Silence stretched between us.

“If it takes years, let it. If it takes months, let it. Let the house fall apart. Let me rot inside it.”

I looked down at the floor. “Some things have to rot before they can bloom again.”

“That’s deep,” he said, stuffing the money into one of his bags.

“You know she’s your stepsister, right?”

“No,” I said. “I don’t carry the same last name.”

“I can fix that,” he said. “You can be a Thorn.”

“So be it.” I met his eyes. “I was no one anyway.”

“Okay,” he said. “Consider it done.”

He stood up, the bag of money slung over his shoulder, and headed for the front door.

“Dorian,” he said, pausing just before he left. “You know you can’t bury everything, right?”

“I know,” I said, laughing softly.

But I can bury people.

“Alright,” he muttered. “I’ll call when the first job’s done.”

As soon as the door closed, I locked it behind him. Then I turned and walked upstairs, back to her room.

Her scent still lingered on the walls. I could still taste her on my lips. I could still feel how her body trembled for me. And once again, my heart betrayed my brain.