Page 22 of Dark Shadows

Then he waited.

She’d wake up. He’d make sure of it. She needed to see his face. He wanted her to know he was responsible for taking her life. She’d understand why she had to die. It was a kindness she didn’t deserve.

Two quick slices across her wrists brought her back. Just as effective as smelling salts.

She screamed, confused and bleeding. The thrill of it excited him every time.

The bowl caught the blood he needed.

“You,” she choked.

“Me.”

He stepped behind her and opened her throat in one smooth cut.

Blood soaked her shirt, filled the bowls, and spread across the floor. He lowered her head. Arranged her like a gift for Savanah. Hell, he was doing the whole damn town a favor.

No one would have to endure Beverly again.

She was nothing now but a message.

He walked to the kitchen and returned with a basting brush. He dipped it into the bowl and turned to the wall.

He painted Savanah’s name with slow, clean strokes.

Then came the greeting.

Welcome home.

He knelt beside the wooden chair. Pulled a blade from his pocket and began carving the symbol into the wood and Beverly’s arm. The severed spiral with a line through it had meaning. Each line and angle carried weight.

She’d understand. He was counting on it.

He stood and took it all in.

The blood. The body. The message. The mark.

Everything was in place.

This was all for her.

And he was just getting started.

Savanah was home.

His reason. His endgame.

9

Mason adjusted his jacket, casting a sideways glance at her. “Ready?”

Savanah forced a smile. Being back in this town was much harder than she’d thought. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The dimly lit motel lobby was empty. A faded sofa sat against one wall with an equally faded picture of the town from the past hanging crookedly above it. An elderly woman with graying hair piled messily atop her head sat behind a desk counter littered with promotional flyers for local attractions and a bowl of peppermints.

“Two rooms, please,” Mason said as he approached the counter, already pulling out his ID and a credit card.

Savanah lingered by the entrance, hoping there wouldn’t be any ghosts hanging out within these old walls.